Newly (and nearly) out-of-control with this Cigar situation.

11.17.08 - Adding a "Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar" section for the numerous varieties of acceptable-but-not-mindblowing cigars that I've had lately. The more cigars I try, I'm finding I can lump a lot of them together into a sort of "middle of the road" category...cigars that I would definitely smoke if somebody handed one to me, but wouldn't necessarily seek out again.

10.28.08 - The more cigars I try, the broader my range of understanding/appreciation becomes. I was told I'd need to have some bad cigars in order to appreciate the good ones, and this seems to be true thus far. As such, some of the more recent cigars might be held to a higher standard than, say, the cigars I tried 2 months ago, and the more recent ratings may have suffered accordingly. Still, an "A-" was an A- when I tried it, and likewise a C+. I might rate each a little differently today, but these are the grades each was given when smoked.

10.15.08 - The humidor has been seasoned. I'd love to have a reassuring wave of confidence wash over me about the results, but I'm just not that positive that I did an effective job. We shall see!

Some "note to self" comments below (so I can remember what worked and didn't work via the cigar.com COTMC). All non-lunatic comments or suggestions appreciated.

A
Cigar Press Magazine: Thor and the CP staff have really put together a quality mag, and I can't wait to get my hands on each new copy! http://cigarpressmag.homestead.com/

Padron 1964 Anniversary: Great box-pressed shape, was cellophaneless in the walk-in humidor at Hollywood & LaBrea cigar shop, flavor was great, damn near worth the sticker price.

A-
Gurkha Master's Select: 11.17.08 - Fantastic medium-bodied cigar. Smooth and buttery taste with plenty of character. Perfect ash, solid construction, oily wrapper, thick, fuzzy smoke. I've got three left and I'm not sharing, haha...

Casa Magna Robusto: 11.8.08 - Another hit recommended by Argenti Cigars! I opted for the short but super-fat robusto size and loved it. Complex, delicious flavor with tons of thick, cool smoke the whole way through. Never overbearing, never boring, it was medium like a motherfucker. OiIy (hell, greasy) dark wrapper, I feel like I could smoke these all day.

Gurkha Legend Churchill: 10.21.08 - The first Churchill I've tried and it was great. Really maintained a quality draw, flavor, and temperature for the whole duration. The shape can't be beat, either...

Gurkha Centurian: Loved it. The Perfecto shape (far more Castro than most) was great as well. Overpriced.

B+
Davidoff Perfecto: 11.2.08 - Started off way too tight and tricky to get lit but once it hit its stride it was off to the races. I smoked this one down all the way to the nub until my fingers burned. Great cigar.

5 Vegas Gold Torpedo: 11.2.08 - Tried this Connecticut cigar out on an overcast day with a mug of black coffee and was very pleasantly surprised. Consistent, easy draw with a deep smooth flavor for $4 per stick.

Verdadero Organic: 10.31.08 Well what have we here? My first Connecticut cigar showed up with 5 others (via the COTM club) and I was pessmistic. I like to think I enjoy only the heartiest, spiciest, most robust 'gars out there, but this one was something special. Creamy and delicious, this cigar started off remarkably with a strange golden raisin (sort of like Red Man tobacco) flavor. The first third was in "A" range but it petered out to a spicy, peppery hollowness by the time I was halfway through.

Tatuaje Havana VI: 10.28.08 Tried one of these per the clerk's recommendation at Argenti Cigars and it was terrific. Really an unusual, spicy and delicious 'gar. We're nearly in considering-a-box country. I'm really curious about the Miami varieties now that I've had this one...

Gurkha Legend Perfecto: Slightly less awesome than the Centurian. Slightly less overpriced.

B

G.A.R. by George A. Rico: 10.29.08 In a rare Tuesday-night meeting of the HMSC Viktor and I tried these puppies out. The non-square shape is distinctive (rectangular box press), but a little offputting. I managed to get it lit (I need a proper lighter!) and it started off pretty sour. However, the sour soon mellowed into a strange and downright wonderful (almost perfume-ish) taste. Drew better than expected considering it felt very tightly-packed. Dug the hell out of this cigar, but the shape was a bummer, hence the B.

Oliva Serie O: 10.21.08 Thanks for the reccomendation St. Jimbob! This was a rock-solid smoke, I liked it a lot and I'm sure if I get a properly-humidored version next time (mine was a tad dry) these will jump up to B+/A- range, and they have a mean-looking perfecto i can't wait to try.

601 Habano (Red): 10.21.08 Was pretty loaded when I had this one, but it made a great impression, great draw, spicy flavor. Loved it, eager to repeat once more lucid...

Gurkha Regent: No complaints, didn't jump out at me and the wrapper was a bit shaggy, but I ordered 5 of these and am reasonably pleased with the results.
10.20.08 - The more of these Regents I have (and the more I try inferior 'gars), the more I like these...Upgrading to B. Not quite as good as the Legend....

B-
Bolivar: 11.22.08 - Just a hair more interesting than the "SACIJAC" entries below. Pleasant, nice draw, with a little bit of complexity to boot. Not a showstopper, but no complaints.

CAO Brazilia - Anaconda: 10.28.08 Had to try this one given my love for Brasil and the ridiculous Anaconda shape, and it didn't disappoint. The flavor was good, but not necessarily as strong as I had hoped. The size of the Anaconda shape was great, and afforded me plenty to do after I had lost at poker and waited everyone else out.

Nub Habano: 10.21.08 I had heard enough hype about this cigar that I was very excited to try it. The flavor was great (once I got it properly lit, haha...) and my initial instinct was that this was going to be one of my favorites. However, the shape just got to be a little too unwieldy after 15-20 minutes and I had to bail on this cigar. Great flavor, pain in the ass to smoke.

Gurkha Titan: Frankly this was just a little more than I could handle. I like cheesecake but I wouldn't want to eat a whole cake. If this were a nine dollar 'gar instead of a $30 investment I'd be more tolerant.

Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar - "Old Man" smokes, the Budweiser equivalent. (And I like Budweiser, mind you, but I'm aware that there are superior beers...).

Gurkha Signature '101' 11.22.08
Jameson Black Label: 11.17.08
La Gloria Cubana: 11.17.08
Alec Bradley Tempus: 11.12.08
Camacho Maduro: 11.8.08
Don Pepin Garcia Tabacos Baez: 11.8.08

C+
MAXX by Alec Bradley: 11.8.08 I had the small size (the "nano," I believe?) but it was dense, dark and oily. Extremely strong flavor and I was hard-pressed to finish even a cigar of this diminutive size. Knocked me on my ass. Would need to be in the mood for something this heavy in order to give this cigar another try.

Macanudo (variety unknown-light green & gold label): I might have ruined it by dipping the end into scotch before smoking, but it drew poorly, was too smooth for my liking, and finished oversour with some ashtray nastiness left behind on the palate.

C-
Rocky Patel Decade: Nasty ashtray flavor throughout the smoke. However, midway through I re-clipped the end in order to increase the opening for the draw...and things improved slightly. I'm open to the possibility that I may have either botched the job or had a bad apple...

D+
Cohiba Red Dot: 11.22.08 If Cohibas are this bad I don't know what to believe in anymore, haha... Horrible draw, plank-like construction, weak flavor. Just couldn't get this cigar going and bailed halfway through, I really hope this was just a bad stick.