Sorry about the lack of posting over the summer.  I let my tiny budget get overloaded with cigar buying and have not been able to pay the internet bill.  At least I have had more BETTER flavor then ever before over the past four months.  Some recent blends I sampled for the first time that are worth noting for one reason or another are,

GENESIS THE PROJECT ROBUSTO by Ramon Bueso (5" x 50) Rated '85'.  A 'good' cigar.  Nothing special or worth over paying for.  Semi-tangy, medium darkie that will be a good $2per cigar at Cigar Bid.  Not as good as, but closer to a Pinar del Rio Obsidian or EST.1844 Anejado.

LAS CABRILLAS DESOTO (6.88" x 50) Rated '92'.   An excellent medium bodied Connecticut wrapped cigar.  A must try for any smoker who enjoys this 'type' of smoke.

BAHIA BUNDLES SELECCION CONNECTICUT TORO (6" x 50) Rated '85'
BAHIA BUNDLES SELECCION HABANO TORO (6" x 50)             Rated '85'
BAHIA BUNDLES SELECCION SUMATRA TORO (6" x 50)          Rated '86'.
     Ya, that is correct.  Rated '85'.  You will say " But they only cost a buck and a quater per stick."  And I have to reply "SO!!!!"  To say these 3 blends are the BEST $1.25per for each wrapper type is a VERY legit claim.  The flavor on all 3 lines is so solid they are the first repeat buy I have had from C.I. for any blend.  Stealing them for less at Cigar Bid ($19 for 20 Habano yesterday) is just TO GOOD.

CHAMUCO PLATINUM BELICOSO (6" x 54) Rated '42'.  I sent C.I. several smoker feedback notes about this blend, the last declaring this blend will all the other 'good' $2per cigars you sell a bad  rap.  These are VERY BAD.  Bland and even moldy.  I would have returned the lot except I had already sent 10 ro my bud in Iowa.  Even after being decellowed and airing out for 4 weeks they are bland, flavorless, and so unappealing I can honsetly say this is the WORST cigar I have smoked thus far on 2012.   What is even more funny is at the Chamuco Cigars web site the very same box of 6"x54's I regret buying run $236.00. HA HA HA HA HA.  SOOOOO BAD.  UNREAL!
    http://chamucocigars.com/

CHAMUCO MADURO CORONA (5.5" x 42) Rated '55'.  20 for $189 at the Chamuco.com site.  This should be against the LAW.  I shows me their are cigar makers out their will do and say anything to sucker a smoker into a one time buy.  I would lay off if these ofthe Platinum were even just average, but they are simply horrible cigars.  What I think I could have used that 40 bucks to buy, ah a box of Padilla Serie '68 Robusto's at CI for $39.99.  Kick myself!

I will be back later today with more blends I have sampled recently.

Sorry for the lack of posting.  I have been off-line for a few months.  I still post weekly at my ongoing thread at Puff.com.  Check it out.  I plan to be back on line some time next month!!!!! Lot's to talk about.  Take care until then.  Rich H.
http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/non-habanos-reviews/289603-new-cigar-sampling-routine-habits.html

     Slow smokin' my way through a 93 Rated, 6.5"x50 Pueblo Dominicano Toro.  Can't get enough of the awesome flavor.  A few more great tasting lots are being offered up on FREE FALL.  I few I have enjoyed are the.....

Don Pepin Garcia Vegas Cubanas Generosos (6" x 50) 10 for only $32.68.
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258497/Don-Pepin-Garcia-Vegas-Cubanas-Generosos-10-Cigars/

Padilla Dominus Robusto (5" x 50) 10 for $29.82, maybe lower!
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258498/Padilla-Dominus-Robusto-10-Cigars/

Graycliff Turbo Torpedo (6" x 60) 10 for $28.49, maybe lower!
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258523/Graycliff-Turbo-10-Cigars/

5 Vegas Cask-Strength Firkin (6" x 60) 10 for $29.50, maybe lower!
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258243/5-Vegas-Cask-Strength-6x60-Firkin-10-Cigars/

Alec Bradley Black Market Robusto (5.25"x 52) 10 for $37.21, maybe lower!
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258513/Alec-Bradley-Black-Market-Robusto-10-Cigars/

CAO 'VR' Full Fatham Five (5.5" x 55) 10 for $28.65, maybe lower!
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1258520/CAO-VR-Full-Fathom-Five-10-Cigars/

     Buy 15 of the '90' Rated,  PADILLA SERIE '68 BLACK BEAR (6" x 60) for $29.99 at C.I.  You won't regret it!
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=CS-4KE&cat=3

     One quick note.  Smoked my first FIGHTING COCK 5"x52 Robusto.  Surprisingly a good smoke, Rated '79'.  Medium bodied with some nice high mild Habano flavor.  If you enjoy milder smokes with some substance to them give this one a try.  For the price it is a great buy.

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=CS-FKA&scSlide=5

     Enjoying the first from my 20 Box of Pueblo Dominicano Toro, Rated '93'.  High medium in flavor, full bodied, and one of my all time favorite cigars. Since word got out on these, I never win, or see any $2per bids win out any longer.  I just barely snatched this box away from the jaws of defeat with a $64 bid.  Taking some long, deep puffs you get some awesome, tangy smooth flavor, similar to Man O War Ruination and Liga Privada Undercrown.  FYI-From what I have seen, they offer 99% of all Pueblo Dominicano cigar auction under Quickies and Singles.  This review gives some interesting history about this brand.....
http://kuziscigarcatalog.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/pueblo-dominicano-2/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1256360/Pueblo-Dominicano-Torpedo-Box-of-20/
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=CS-UNB&cat=3

                                                              


                         

.....and Cigar .com has a nice deal on the 6"x55 ARTURO FUENTE ANEJO RESERVE MADURO #55, one fine cigar for $17.50.
http://www.cigar.com/DailyDeal/ccCigarDeals.asp

     One cigar I KNOW a lot of BOTL would ignore would be a cigar labeled 'Organic'.  It does sound a little silly as if someone is trying to push a 'healthier' cigar on you.  Regardless of how they grow it, store it, or roll it, the tobacco these use in Verdadero Organic Cigars is great.  I love high mild smokes as much as I love full flavored bombs.  If you include Connecticut wrapped cigars in your rotation I highly recommend you sample Verdadero.  Right now I am enjoying a VERDADERO ORGANIC TORPEDO (6" x 52), Rated '91'.  The flavor is a little hard to describe.  It has a sweetness to it.  Maybe cream with a woody undertone.  Very appealing.
                                
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1254424/Verdadero-Flight-Sampler-12-Cigars/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1257814/Verdadero-Organic-Robusto-20/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1255009/Verdadero-Organic-Taster-Sampler-6-Cigars/
http://www.cigar.com/cigars/viewcigar.asp?brand=670