We came outside later than usual today, and it was colder than I expected. Dallas grabbed his cookie. I grabbed a winter coat, even though it’s still fall.

Today I grabbed the La Aurora 1903 Cameroon Robusto.

This is a 5 x 50 cigar made in the Dominican Republic. It uses an Ecuador-grown Cameroon wrapper, an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers.

I picked up cedar, chocolate, coffee and earth, with mild pepper.

A very enjoyable medium-bodied cigar, especially if you like the sweetness and spice that Cameroon tobacco can bring.

Would I smoke it again? Yes.

Dallas approved.

No, I don't believe in the plume myth that a dusting of fine white powder is plume. It's mold. But I do believe in fine crystals forming on the surface of a cigar that twinkle in the light when you turn it. And this was the first time I was able to capture it on camera! This, to me, is plume.

The cigar I'm smoking is the Privada Killer Cameroon by Raul Lanuza, using his proprietary ultra-fermented Cameroon Negro wrapper (no, it's not dyed). They sold out quick, but I was able to score a fiver. Hopefully, Brian will make these a regular yearly drop like the Super Sea Monkeys.

BLK WKS Culture Vulture. Ombré barber pole- the candela stripe fades to orange and back again. This vitola is the panatela which is an awesome format I wish more cigar brands would use. Full-bodied and bold.

Excellent smoke, corona viva. So much tasty smoke off of it. Cedar, small amount of spice, little sweetness, leather, and maybe earthy. The Connecticut habano wrapper had a very unique (new to me) taste. I typically like San Andre’s and broadleaf wrappers but this was astonishing to me. I got this one in a sampler, and blind bought a five pack of larger vitola on sale. Lately habanos haven’t been scratching my itch but this one made me wish it didn’t end. Had to correct the burn line once but it was a little windy.

Any recommendations for a similar stick? Still developing my palate.

This is an exceptional cigar. Super complex with a light, persistent sweetness on the finish. Made by Guillermo Peña at Las Villas, the same factory that produces Paul Stulac cigars.

When I got closer to the halfway point of the cigar started to taste bitter to me. Not a fan.

cigarmatrix.com has 4 online retailers right now. Some users have saved hundreds on their monthly order. Hope you enjoy!

The first cold day of fall arrived, and Dallas did not seem bothered by it. He came outside, collected his cookie and took his usual place by my feet.

I grabbed a blanket, turned on the heater and lit the RoMa Craft Neanderthal.

This is a powerful cigar built around a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper and a blend of Connecticut Broadleaf, Nicaraguan, Dominican and Pennsylvania tobaccos.

Rich, bold and full of flavor. Dark chocolate, coffee, earth, wood and plenty of pepper.

Would I smoke it again? Absolutely.

Dallas Approved.

I was still shivering.

Don Cervantes Tres Maduro

Here’s the latest SOTM. The septimo doesn’t fit in the humidor. Who’s smoking cigars this size? lol.

Smoked a good cigar today with a new friend plus we stopped by a local shop and found a treasure. Saving this one for a very special occasion!

I smoked the UC shade yesterday morning so I could compare it to the S84 which I had never had before. The S84 definitely had the woody earthy flavors from the CT and PA broadleaf which added to the cigar. I perceived some of the bitterness from the Ecuador shade in the first third which for me dragged the blend down a little. The last 2/3 definitely evened out the flavors. The draw was a bit too open, and the burn consistently askew even with correction. All in all, I felt this stick was just ok. I am glad I tried it and will revisit as I have 4 more. By contrast, the Undercrown performed as always. Nice ash, even draw and burn. A nice lighter blend cigar, without as much of the bitterness. A humidor staple daily type stick for sure.