We have smoked a variety of these cigars in the different sizes and each one truly brings its own character to the table.  An excellent example of how size/format influences flavor perception.

On this episode of DogWatch Cigar Radio we announce the winner of the 250th Episode Contest Sponsored by Brothers of the Leaf, LLC (Esencia Cigars and Palio Cutters) and we give away the last European Cigar Cult Journal subscription to Raef Ruggiero.

On the Dark Side - VEGAS ROBAINA DON ALEJANDRO - 

Length: 7.6 inches (194mm)

Ring Gauge: 49

Factory Shape: Prominentes

Strength: Medium - Full

What else have you been smokin' Dale?-  Man O' War Robusto 5.5" x 52 - Another cigar by AJ Fernandez, he considers this his best blend. AJ personal supervises the 3 year fermentation of the Ecuador Habano viso leaves that wrap this beauty. The rest of the blend is Nicaraguan tobaccos from 3 different farms. The cigars are then aged for 6 months after rolling. Heavy bodied and full flavored with earthy, nutty and some sweet overtones.    A. Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum R Gran Reserva R52 5" x 52 - this new line from Fuente is many years in the making. In fact, the cigars were rolled a year ago & have been patiently waiting, as Fuente was going to release them last year. The blend includes an Ecuadorian grown wrapper from the 2nd and 3rd priming of John Oliva's famous sungrown wrapper, and they were set aside almost 10 years ago for a special cigar. This is a return to old school Dominican cigars with a very complex flavor profile and a long, sweet finish.  Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet  - Bob's specs below. Well made, sweet grass and oats. Pleasant but not my cup o' tea.

What else have you been smokin' Bob? -  

Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet by Oliva - 

Brand: Sol Cubano (Oliva)

Line: Cuban Cabinet

Vitola: Magnum (Toro) 6 x 50

Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuadorian

Binder: Nicaraguan/Honduran

Filler: Nicaraguan/Honduran

Body: Medium-to-full

Strength: Medium

Box Price: $109.95 (Box of 25)

Another A.J. Fernandez creation that is medium bodied, smooth smoking and full of sweet -spicy excitement from the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.  Perfect draw all the way through the cigar as you would expect from anything produced by Oliva.  Midway through it added some light woody tastes.  Solid, light grey ash.  This cigar is a true value beater at $4-$5 per stick.

Nica Libre 1990 - One of those cigars said to be almost like some other cigar, in this case the padron Anniversary Maduro, its not. Sporting a San Andreas Maduro wrapper, Nicaraguan filler and a honduran binder this cigar smokes very well producing much smoke and a darl espresson like flavor along with a slightly dusty flavor.  The appear to be a CI house blend.  The cigar is OK, not great.

Torano Tribute 2008 Toro - Each box is individually numbered and only 1,200 boxes of each size have been made. Tobaccos have been carefully aged for more than five years. The filler consists of powerful and intense tobacco from Esteli, Nicaragua, which is married with softer, sweeter tobacco from Jalapa. Encased in a rich, oily, triple-fermented Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, this cigar will appeal to those who enjoy a smoke which perfectly balances strength with luscious and lingering flavor.  See other notes.

Wrapper: Brazil

Binder:Honduras

Filler:Dominican and Nicaraguan

Next week is our New Years Day Show!  Next week's Cigar Of The Week is the J.L. Salazar Hermanos Series Vs, the Dark Side features TRINIDAD ROBUSTO "T" from May of 2009, and Unbanded #901 - Provided by Liz