Smoke Some “Puros” to Discover Your Taste Preferences
Calm down. Before you start rolling something illegal, a “puro” is not another word for weed, ganja, grass, etc.; it simply means “pure” in Spanish. Relative to cigars, it generally means that the tobacco in a cigar comes from the same region. For example, a Honduran puro would be a cigar rolled strictly or purely with Honduran tobacco. Historically, large portions of cigars were puros, with Cuban cigars arguably being the original and ultimate puro. As the cigar industry was driven to become more diverse, the blending of tobaccos from different regions and countries became acceptable, and often desired among the cigar smoking public. However, puros certainly continue to be a segment of the market.
One of the things I like about puros is the ability to discover which tobacco regions appeal personally from smoke, aroma and flavor perspectives. We’ve talked about sizes, lengths and wrapper types impacting the overall smoking experience, but certainly the tobaccos composing a cigar are very important. The origin of the tobacco can be the most defining factor, as regions have varying climates and conditions (such as soil) that impact the overall character.
Progressing through the discovery of smoking preferences across regions, the smoker becomes more confident and effective in cigar selection from the variety of blended combinations. Ultimately, you can start identifying cigars that bring out the best of the tobaccos from various regions, while muting characteristics that are not your favorite. In reports during the last few weeks, we focused a little more on blending; my last entry profiled Rocky Patel, a master at blending and creating fine cigars. This week, we go somewhat back to the basics – though there are excellent puro cigars on the market.
For some suggestions from various regions, feel free to contact me at cigarreviews@bullz-eye.com
Let’s get smokin’ – a puro in this case!
Cigar Review:
Camacho Coyolar Puro
Size: Torpedo (6 inches long, 54 ring gauge)
Price: $6 to $7 range
Camacho cigars are a brand produced by the Eiroa family, a father and son team. Camacho cigars are known for their full-flavored, full-bodied character. Aficionados throughout the industry recognize them. Research after the smoke revealed that the Camacho Coyolar is also known as Camacho “Black,” one of the strongest and most powerful cigars on the market today!
Tobacco blend:
Wrapper: Dark natural Honduran
Filler and binder: Honduran
Context
This is a classic case of not practicing what I preach. Somewhat uninformed, I went into a cigar store and bought two Camacho Coyolars on a whim, for no other reason than they looked intriguing and I was in the mood to try something new. I did not even take advantage of the tobacconist on site to find out what I was getting into. Later that night, after dinner and a couple of beers, I fired one up with a friend who is a cigarette smoker (and only a very casual cigar smoker).
Look and feel
Pre-lit, this was a beauty of a cigar, very dark but certainly not as expensive as it looked. I knew of the Camacho reputation for fuller-flavored cigars (which can be good), though I had not smoked many Camachos, and I was sure that this would be my first Coyolar. Admittedly, this cigar looked like a powerhouse and appeared to be well constructed. However, the burn was very uneven and I struggled to keep it lit. I bought this at a very reputable cigar store, but I seriously questioned whether it was stored properly. Interestingly, my friend was smoking the exact same cigar, but his was burning pretty well, though it went out a couple of times.
Aroma and Taste
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse as the strength and taste of the cigar were unpleasantly overwhelming. Though his was burning much better than mine and needed much less maintenance, we both agreed that the cigar tasted like charred wood and the nicotine content seemed off the charts. My friend and I tossed this cigar near the halfway mark. I’m pretty sure that I would have turned green and puked if I didn’t stop smoking.
RATING: 6.5 (on a scale of 1 to 10)
I did not have a pleasant experience with this particular line of cigars from Camacho Cigar Co. While I do not plan to try this one again in the near future, I do expect to smoke a Camacho again, but will make sure that I do the research. I like a fuller-flavored cigar, but I don’t like one that can bring me to my knees with its nicotine content.
I would not recommend this power-among-powerhouse cigar for the newer cigar smoker. In fact, unless you are looking for a legal buzz that will knock you on your ass, or are a chronic nicotine fiend, I would avoid this cigar. However, if you want to ensure your kid does not pick up smoking, make him smoke one of these — he will not touch another tobacco product for years.
By Bob Hritsko
Ponder This Over Your Next Cigar
“There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision, and for whom the lighting of every cigar, the drinking of every cup, the time of rising and going to bed every day, and the beginning of every bit of work, are subjects of express volitional deliberation.” – William James
DISCLAIMER: At the risk of sounding too much like a TV commercial, I do want to sincerely state: This feature is NOT intended to advocate the smoking of cigars any more or any less than you already do, nor do I intend to influence the non-smoker to begin smoking cigars. Make no mistake about it; CIGAR SMOKING MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH.
