A few of the excellent cigars I enjoyed Saturday were the.....

EL REY DEL MUNDO OSCURO ROBUSTO LARGA (6" x 52) Rated '89'.  An excellent full flavored darkie = to Camacho Triple Maduro only a with bit more spice.
                                                          

LA HERENCIA CUBANA 'CORE' ROBUST0 (5" x 52) Rated '88'.  I can tell these will be better after some naked aging.  Was a bit rough around the edges, but the god flavor was still their.

  


OLIVA MASTER BLENDS III ROBUSTO (5" x 50) Rated '91'.  My first Master Blends III in nearly a year.  I have to make it a point to try and win more of the Oliva 5-Star Sampler for $13 to enjoy this awesome smoke.
                                           

PADILLA DOMINUS CHURCHILL (7" x 48) Rated '88'.  This Dominus had of a year and a half of aging on it.  It was very similar to the Cazadores except for the level of spice.  Tastes like the same filler with a Corojo wrapper as opposed to a Habano.  Very nice.           
            
                           
.....and I just finished my first LA HERENCIA CUBANA DOS CAPOS TORO (6" x 52), Rated '88'.  Great barber pole combo of a spicy Sumatra wrapper with a chocolaty Maduro.  This review says it all.
                
 http://www.casasfumando.com/2011/12/05/la-herencia-cubana-dos-capas

     Cigar Bid's FREE FALL offers up some excellent deals.  The prices I note SHOULD be the lowest.  They did all hit at least twice, BUT be sure they are the lowest possible before you place your buy.  Here are a few of the lots offered now at great prices.

GURKHA PARK AVENUE CHURCHILL (7" x 48)10 for $17.50!
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1253794/Gurkha-Park-Avenue-Serie-44-Churchill-10-Cigars/

PADILLA SIGNATURE 1932 ROBUSTO (5" x 50) 10 for $27.60!
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1254188/Padilla-Signature-1932-Robusto-10-Cigars/

CU-AVANA INTENSUS TORPEDO (6" x 54) 10 for $22.10
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258238/Cu-Avana-Intensus-Torpedo-10-Cigars/

GRAYCLIFF TURBO EDICION LIMITADA SUPER TORO (6" x 60) 10 for $27.58
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258235/Graycliff-Turbo-Edicion-Limitada-Super-Toro/

OLIVA TOP TEN SAMPLER - 10 for $26.50
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258231/Oliva-Top-Ten-Sampler-10-Cigars/

KINKY FRIEDMAN SPECIAL EDITION 'BIR RICHARD (6.5" x 54) 20 for $55.08
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258229/Kinky-Friedman-Special-Edition-Big-Richard-Box-of-20/

JOYA de NICARAGUA ANTANO 1970 CONSUL (4.5" x 52) 10 for $29.55
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258230/Joya-de-Nicaragua-Antano-1970-Consul-10-Cigars/

CAO BLACK LIMITED EDITION BENGAL (6" x 50) 10 for $25.00
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258246/CAO-Black-Ltd-Edition-Bengal-toro-10-Cigars/

5 VEGAS CASK-STRENGTH FIRKIN (6" x 60) 10 for $27.50  
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258243/5-Vegas-Cask-Strength-6x60-Firkin-10-Cigars/

THE AJ FERNANDEZ ALL IN THE FAMILY SUPER SAMPLER - 15 for $35.88
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258240/The-All-in-the-Family-Super-Sampler-15-Cigars/

Cigars International Weekend Spotlight!

     25 great cigars for the price of 20, plus a lighter.  AVE MARIA is an excellent premium.  FYI-the 7"x48 Barbarosa offers the BEST flavor of ALL it's sizes.  What makes this a good deal is AVE MARIA is next to impossible to get for less then $5per at Cigar Bid.  And of course the five 7"x49 Cohiba Churchill's are very good as well.  So 25 cigars for $128 + Ave Maria Lotus Torch + Free S&H = Buy!
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/spec_event.asp

     I performed some bidding magic at Cigar Auctioneer for two months to start this year.  While not equal to Cigar Bid as far as price goes, they do have enough good blends offered up at decent prices that it would be smarter  to try and win what you want as opposed to an outright purchase.  A few very good cigars I discovered their during my short bidding run were the.....

CAPOEIRA MADURO TORO (6" x 50) Rated '90'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
CONUCO DOUBLE TORO (6" x 60) Rated '83'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
DON TOMAS SPECIAL EDITION CONNECTICUT TORO (6" x 52) Rated '88'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
FAMOUS NICARAGUAN 3000 DOUBLE TORO (6"x 60) Rated '83'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
FAMOUS NICARAGUAN 6000 CHURCHILL (7" x 50) Rated '82'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
FINAL BLEND ROBUSTO (5" x 50) Rated '86'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
FONSECA SERIE 'F' ROBUSTO (5" x 52) Rated 85
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
LA FLORIDITA LIMITED EDITION MAGNUM (5" x 60) Rated '90'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
PERDOMO ALABAO ROBUSTO (5" x 54) Rated '88'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
ROCKY PATEL CUBAN BLEND TORO (6" x 52) Rated '90'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
ROCKY PATEL CUBAN BLEND MADURO TORO (6" x 52) Rated '90'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
SAINT LUIS REY SERIE 'G' BELICOSO (6.5" x 54) Rated '88'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
SAINT LUIS REY SERIE 'G' MADURO BELICOSO (6.5" x 54) Rated '90'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
SIGNATURE SERIES ROBUSTO by Don Pepin Garcia (5" x 50) Rated '88'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
TABACOS BAEZ SERIE 'SF' TORO (6" x 50) Rated '87'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
VEGAFINA ROBUSTO (5" x 52) Rated '85'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
XEN TORPEDO by Nish Patel (6" x 52) Rated '93' 
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand
VUDU MADURO CHURCHILL (7" x 50) Rated '82'
http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/search.cfm/st/aucbrand

     Famous Smoke Shop has the new PARTAGAS 1845's in.  I smoked the 6"x60 Gigante last week, Rated 86.  It has some untamed full flavor in it that would improve greatly with some solid aging.  My B&M had buy them at $6.90per or 3 and get a 4th stick free.  Twenty of the 7.25"x54 Double Corona are only $87.99 at Famous Smoke.  If you have the discipline an abundant enough inventory, buying a box of 20 and letting them rest for a year or two would be a great idea.
http://www.famous-smoke.com/brand/partagas+1845+cigars

     Just finishing my first 5.6"x46 CABAIGUAN CORONA EXTRA by Tatuaje, Rated '87'.  If you are looking for a good, HIGH PRICED, high mild Connecticut wrapped cigar then Cabaiguan, like Diamond Crown, Ashton, or Dunhill then this is your smoke.  Is it better in any way then an Arganese, Pioneer Valley, La Perla Habana Cobre, Rocky Patel, or Perdomo Reserve?  HELL NO.  If you have enough loot in your wallet to pay $7per or more for a mild cigar I highly recommend another Don Pepin Garcia blend, the 601 WHITE LABEL CONNECTICUT CHURCHILL, Rated '93'.  The 7"x48 Churchill I smoked last week was simply perfect.  Has a more unique flavor for this type of cigar.  The first thing that popped into my head about the flavor was the smell you get when you first walk into a small town bakery.  Very nice.
http://www.famous-smoke.com/brand/601+white+label+cigars
http://www.gothamcigars.com/601-white-label-connecticut/products/376
http://www.atlanticcigar.com/blogs/601-Natural-White-Label-Toro-Review.aspx

     Smoking my first 7.1"x58  GARO VINTAGE SALOMON, Rated '87'.  A cut above other dark brown fatties like La Cuna Habana Bin.No.85 and Reposado '96.  Smooth, high medium Habano flavor, and definitely worth a try.  Also smoked a 6.2"x52 PIONEER VALLEY TORPEDO, Rated '85', earlier last night.  I love it when I find a good tasting Connecticut wrapped cigar.  Reminded me a lot of the now extinct Padilla Hybrid Torpedo.  For the price, Pioneer Valley is an excellent buy.

     And the BEST way to sample most of the great tasting cigar lines at Cigar Bid is by winning 5-Packs and some of the awesome samplers they have, all of which can be had for around $3per, most often less.  A few I have scored and enjoyed very much over the past year or so were.....

Bid early and this can be yours most often for $10.
The Padilla 5-Star Sampler 
1 - Padilla Achilles Salomon (7.1" x 58)
1 - Padilla Miami Churchill (7" x 48)
1 - Padilla Obsidian Belicoso (6" x 54)
1 - Padilla Series '68 Toro (6" x 50)
1 - Padilla Signature 1932 Churchill (7" x 48)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251878/Padilla-5-Star-Sampler-5-Cigars/

Same with wit this awesome 5-pack.  Just had two arrive yesterday.
The A. Fernandez 5-Star Sampler No. 2 
1 - 5 Vegas Triple-A (5" x 56)
1 - Diesel Unlimited d.X (belicoso) (5.75" X 56)
1 - Est. 1844 Anejado No. 50-xtra (6.0" x 50)
1 - La Herencia Cubana CORE Toro (6.5" x 52)
1 - Man O' War Ruination Robusto #1 (5.5" x 54)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251880/A-Fernandez-5-Star-Sampler-No-2-5-Cigars/

This gem usually takes $13 to win.  Also had two arrive yesterday.
The Oliva 5-Star #2 Sampler
1 - Oliva Serie ’G’ Toro (6" x 50)
1 - Oliva Master Blends III Robusto (5" x 50)
1 - Oliva Serie ’O’ Robusto (5" x 50)
1 - Oliva Serie ’O’ Robusto Maduro (5" x 50)
1 - Oliva Connecticut Reserve Robusto (5" x 50)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251900/Oliva-5-Star-2-Sampler-5-Cigars/

12 cigars for $22 can't be beat!
The A. Fernandez Super-Premium 12-Pack 
3 - Diesel Unholy Cocktail (5" x 56)
3 - Gurkha Micro-Batch Liga S-2 Torpedo (6" x 52)
3 - La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte Robusto (5.5" x 54)
3 - Rocky Patel Signature Toro (6" x 52)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251903/A-Fernandez-Super-Premium-12-Pack-12-Cigars/

Another of my favorites.  Bid early and $19 can score.
The Pinar del Rio Torpedo Flight Sampler 
3 - Pinar del Rio Habano Sun Grown Torpedo (6.5" x 52)
3 - Pinar del Rio Habano Oscuro Torpedo (6.5" x 52)
3 - Pinar del Rio Habano Clasico Torpedo (6.5" x 52)
3 - Pinar del Rio Habano Seleccion Torpedo (6.5" x 52)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251865/Pinar-del-Rio-Torpedo-Flight-Sampler-12-Cigars/

These Pinar del Rio Nubs are great.  $25 should do it.
The Pinar del Rio Gordo Sampler 
5 - Pinar del Rio Habano Sun Grown Gordo (4.5" x 60)
5 - Pinar del Rio Habano Oscuro Gordo (4.5" x 60)
5 - Pinar del Rio Habano Clasico Gordo (4.5" x 60)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251852/Pinar-del-Rio-Gordo-Sampler-15-Cigars/

An excellent lot for $31.
The Sizzler Sampler No. 8 
1 - CAO America Potomac (5" x 56)
1 - Cohiba Red Dot Churchill (7" x 49)
1 - Pinar del Rio Habano Sun Grown Robusto (5" x 54)
1 - Man O' War Ruination Robusto #1 (5.5" x 54)
1 - 5 Vegas Triple-A (5" x 56)
1 - Macanudo Cru Royale Robusto (5" x 50)
1 - Punch Deluxe Chateau L (7.25" x 54)
1 - Pinar del Rio Oscuro Robusto (5.5" x 54)
1 - Man O' War Virtue Toro (6" x 50)
1 - Partagas Padre (6" x 50)
1 - Pinar del Rio Clasico Robusto (5.5" x 54)
1 - La Gloria Cubana Churchill (7" x 50)
1 - Diesel Unholy Cocktail (5" x 56)
1 - Obsidian Robusto (5.5" x 54)
1 - La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte Toro (6.5" x 50)
1 - Pinar del Rio Seleccion 2011 Robusto (5.5" x 54)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251921/Sizzler-Sampler-No-8-16-Cigars/

The three BEST Padilla blends for $28.
The Padilla Top Tier Sampler 
3 - Padilla Dominus Toro (6“x50)
3 - Padilla Miami Toro (6“x50)
3 - Padilla Signature 1932 Toro (6“x50)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251895/Padilla-Top-Tier-Sampler-9-Cigars/

I have burned through three of the beauts.  $34, maybe $37 is a lock.
The Delicious Dozen II Sampler
3 - Padilla Miami Robusto (5" x 50)
3 - Ave Maria Knights Templar (6" x 48)
3 - Cohiba Red Dot Robusto (5" x 49)
3 - La Herencia Cubana CORE (6.5" x 52)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251872/The-Delicious-Dozen-II-Sampler-12-Cigars/

I got shut out of this one two weeks ago at $28.  Maybe $31.
The True Grit Sampler
3 - La Gloria Cubana Serie R #5 Natural (5.5" x 54)
3 - Man O’ War Ruination Robusto #1 (5.5" x 54)
3 - Diesel Unlimited d.5 (5.5" x 54)
3 - E.P. Carillo Club 52 (5.8" x 52)http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251898/True-Grit-Sampler-12-Cigars/

Scored two of these for $43.
The Count Chunkula Mega-Sampler 
5 - Obsidian Robusto (5.5" x 54)
5 - 5 Vegas Gold Maduro Torpedo (6" x 54)
5 - La Gloria Cubana Serie N JSB (5.5" x 54)
5 - CAO Brazilia Gol! (5" x 56)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251870/Count-Chunkula-Mega-Sampler-20-Cigars/

I pinched this lot of great tasting darkies for $32.  If they offer enough you an score it for $43 or $46
Tip-Top Torpedos Mega-Sampler II 
5 - Pueblo Dominicano Torpedo (6.25" x 54)
5 - Gurkha Blue Steel Torpedo (6.5" x 53)
5 - Man O’ War Ruination Belicoso (5.75" x 56)
5 - Pinar del Rio Reserva Limitada Torpedo (6.5" x 52)
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251866/Tip-Top-Torpedo-Mega-Sampler-II-20-Cigars/

I stole this one for $49. $56 is a safer bid
Plumpin' Premiums Sampler II 
5 - Punch Uppercut Toro (6.6" x 54)
5 - Gurkha Legend Vintage 2001 Double Rothschild (6.5" x 58)
5 - Padilla Black Bear (6" x 60)
5 - CAO Italia Ciao (5" x 56)
5 - Graycliff Turbo Edicion Limitada Super Toro (6" x 60)http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251881/Plumpin-Premiums-III-Mega-Sampler-25-Cigars/

And you can't beat $2per singles to sample new blends as well.
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251491/Pinar-Del-Rio-Habano-Sun-Grown-Toro-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251494/Gurkha-Crest-Churchill/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251496/Pinar-Del-Rio-Clasico-Exclusivo-Torpedo-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251506/Oliveros-King-Havano-Claro-Knight-torpedo-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251520/Oliveros-Black-Knight-Mace-box-press-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251522/Don-Lino-Africa-Tembo-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251536/Oliveros-Platinum-Sweet-Toro-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251547/Padilla-Maduro-Torpedo-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251557/Pinar-del-Rio-Reserva-Limitada-Double-Magnum-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251559/Padilla-Cazadores-Robusto-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251560/Carlos-Torano-Loyal-Robusto-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251571/Kinky-Friedman-Lone-Star-No4-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251573/Graycliff-Turbo-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251577/Garo-Vintage-Robusto-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251613/5-Vegas-Gold-Maduro-Belicoso-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251630/Oliveros-King-Havano-Oscuro-Monarch-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251640/Don-Lino-Africa-Kuro-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251638/Gurkha-Symphony-Robusto-4-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251648/Gran-Habano-Corojo-5-Robusto-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251654/Kinky-Friedman-Special-Edition-Big-Richard-Single/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1251655/Morro-Castle-Robusto-Single/

and their are dozens more, that if you bid early, will close at $2per.