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Emilio Cigars AF1 "My Thoughts"

Okay its been a while since I have taken notes and done a review, but since becoming rather enamored as of late with Twitter and thus the plethora of information concerning the heartbeat of the cigar industry today, I will share with you my thoughts of one of the "new" boutique brands that is causing a lot of buzz across the boards.

If you noticed my shout out to Emilio Cigars you already know how I came to hear about these cigars and I once again thank Gary Griffith for reaching out to me and sending me the samples. So let's get to the first one I have tried the AF1...

As you can see from the photo the cigar itself has a very rich dark tone to it with minimal veins, really smooth almost velvet texture and feel to it. The wrapper is a San Andreas Mexican tobacco that is becoming quite the rage it seems as of late.

All of the samples sent to me I believe are the toro size measuring 6 x 50. Pre-light aroma I picked up were pleasant barnyard with a bit of sweetness and some cocoa. There was a slight pepper presence in the pre-light draw which was just the way I like it free with slight resistance. Wow yeah I know I usually don't get that discriptive! ;-)

You can see from the photo above this cigar was quite packed and firm with no soft spots. So bring on the flame and let's fire up this bad boy!

The initial couple of draws caught my attention upfront with an underlying sweetness that I will have to describe as kind of a chocolate nut mix with very faint citrus thrown in the mix. There was not much pepper at this point but it did seem to be in the back ground when exhaled through the snoz.. The ash was a bit darker than the picture shows (dang cheap camera) and somewhat flaky in nature. Burn a tad rugged but required no touch ups throughout. I am noticing though that this seems to be common with San Andreas Maduro wrappers again just my observation.

The flavors from the start stay pretty consistent with chocolate, some coffee, and occasional hint of nuts. The smoke is cool and very consistent the finish is what I would consider med-long and not drying. The cigar really seems to ramp up with more pronounced flavor and a bit of strength about midway through. I liked this change and it seemed a bit more spice married with the flavors already present. It is not an overly powerful spice but a nice addition at this point. Nicotine wise, its there but not overpowering, for me a very solid medium.

Drawing to the close the flavors stay pretty consistent without the slightest harshness creeping in. Yeah I broke out the toothpick (that's what I am calling it these days) and smoked it for another 20 minutes after this last pick.

Overall I enjoyed this cigar immensely and will be looking to purchase some to be sure it wasn't just a "one-trip-pony!" ;-)

Thanks again to Emilio Cigars Gary Griffith...check them out at www.emiliocigars.com and coming to a shop near you!

Tags: AF1, EmilioCigars, Review

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Permalink Reply by Loomis™ on July 5, 2011 at 8:59pm

Nice review! I hope they make it to my local B&M's.

I'm still practicing my "Tweeting"

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Permalink Reply by Just JoeEd.™ on July 6, 2011 at 6:06am

Practice makes perfect! Not sure where these can be bought at present but they are making there way around...lots of great hidden gems out there, staying on top of all the new stuff is near impossible.Here is a list of retailers from their site Buy Emilio Cigars. If you follow all of the cigar makers and all of the bloggers you will catch the buzz first hand! If you are not into that well just hang on I will do my part to help pass some of what I can along!

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Permalink Reply by Brian D. on July 6, 2011 at 7:32am

Only way I would ever tweet is if I was officiating a ballgame--they expect umps and referees to use their whistles from time to time, right? ;)

By the way Joe we have an expression at the shootin' range: "Perfect practice makes perfect". Otherwise you're just honing up lousy skill sets or making bad habits worse.

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Permalink Reply by Doctor Cigaro on July 6, 2011 at 3:25pm

Good review, Joe! I'm fond of this cigar as well. We offer this at the local shop I moonlight at along with Emilio Cigars other recent release, "Grimalkin". One note not in your review; this cigar is an AJ Fernandez blend... thus the "AF" in the "AF1" [a tribute to the blender]. If you're a fan of the Fernandez stuff [Diesel, 5 Vegas AAA, Man-O-War, etc.], this stick might be up your alley. ; )

-Helpful Doc

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Permalink Reply by Just JoeEd.™ on July 6, 2011 at 4:12pm

Thanks Doc! I kinda thought I tied that in with the link to the site and the shout out, but yes I am a big fan of the AJ Fernandez blends looking forward to trying out the AF2 in the next day or so will follow up this review with my thoughts on that one as well!

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Permalink Reply by Just JoeEd.™ on July 7, 2011 at 5:43am

Thanks Steve!

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Permalink Reply by Doctor Cigaro on July 8, 2011 at 2:14pm

Duane.. you've gotta jump on the SC Virtual Herf on the weekends to get the "live" version! I've only been on there once or twice, but it's hilarious! Joe is the consumate entertainer [especially after he's got a couple tall ones in him!]. ; )

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Permalink Reply by Just JoeEd.™ on July 8, 2011 at 2:42pm

Hahaha thanks Doc...I think Duane has witnessed that once or twice already! ;-) Dang and I thought maybe I scared you off as you haven't been back on since!

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Permalink Reply by Doctor Cigaro on July 8, 2011 at 4:06pm

Nah... If you every got a chance to hang with me in person [ie.- at CFEST], you'd know I love to party it up! Just been busy as hell lately with work and the family. Barely have time to get on here for a couple blurbs. Haven't touched FB in weeks.

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Permalink Reply by Just JoeEd.™ on July 9, 2011 at 8:22am

Its cool but chance's of me ever attending CFest are slim to none, just doesn't appeal to me..but hanging out and partying that is what I am all about..hope to one day to join the Pro-Herfer's tour and travel the circuit Herfing it up like only a professional Herfer can! By the way..FB is so yesterday, Google+ bro! Get with the times...lol

Permalink Reply by Doctor Cigaro on July 11, 2011 at 12:12pm

Man, I can't keep up with all the social network changes; what's hot-what's not. Hell, I still don't know how to post a mobile pic to FB and you want me to go to a new site?? LOL!

Permalink Reply by Just JoeEd.™ on July 9, 2011 at 5:59pm

Going to fire up the AF2 this evening ...review will follow!