A Dark (K)Night....

So our two South Carolina baseball teams were playing in the College World Series for the first time Friday night, so I decided to watch it at the Tobacco Merchant on Bower Pkwy. It was PACKED! So for a while, it was standing room only, which is great to see there. Our move is scheduled for July 14th, so needless to say, I am going to miss this my Tobacco Merchant greatly! Anyway, on to the smokes. I had two that night. The first:

Hoyo De Monterey Excaliber Dark Knight....

Great smoke. It had all the characteristics I like in a cigar. The draw was slightly firm, and the burn was perfectly even through-out. I have never been good at pin-pointing flavors, except to say I know the cigars that have the flavors I like. I accustomed this cigar to a bit of leather and cedar, and not too much spice. Since I do not care for much spice, that was good for me. I would say it was a medium-full bodies cigar, but even that is up for debate between different palates. It was just a thoroughly enjoyable cigar. Sounds crazy, but this cigar even tasted "dark," A great smoke.

The second:

Don Gonzales Special Edition Maduro. I bought some of these a while back, and I have been holding onto them until the right time. My shop is actually selling them now, which is a very good thing as you will hear in a second. Not as strong as the Dark Knight, but no less enjoyable, and I think a buck or so less if I remember correctly (could be wrong though). It would be a solid medium cigar, with very enjoyable traditional maduro qualities. It wasn't until after the first quarter until it really hit its stride. Although I think that was because of having the Dark Knight first. Then the cigar was one you really did not want to put out. A very strong must try if you can find them.