A couple of months ago I received my fifth box of 5 cigars, as a result of participating on this site. Unfortunately, they were all boxes of Brazilian cigars I had sent through the mail to brothers of the leaf I met on the site, as an exchange endeavor. Each and every box I sent were returned to me, as a result of a U.S. Postal regulation forbidding tobacco products from being mailed into the states, by an individual from another country. Good to know the US post office is protecting its citizens from the evils of tobacco. (BTW, I have subsequently learned that I need not state the contents of an enveloped as opposed to boxed parcel, so may try to mail cigars again using air-cushioned envelopes instead of boxes, which require forms stating content.)
My original intent of mailing boxes of cigars was to help introduce a diversity of Brazilian puros to you folks. I realized few BsOTL were substantiating (or countering) my claims for the Brazilian cigars featured in my several reviews about them, because no one can get hold of one to try! Well, this review is a different sort. I know that the Dona Flor cigar I am reviewing here is available in the USA. Though your B&M might not handle them, here is the site for the Miami distribution company that can get these wonderful cigars to you:
http://www.donaflorcigar.com
I would love it if many of you could get hold of one of these cigars and let me know what you think about one of my top ten favorite puro cigars to come from the state of Bahia in Brazil.
Dona Flor is the original cigar blend of the Menendez-Amerino Company, founded by the ex-patriated Cuban genius behind the Montecristo cigar, Alonso Menendez, now in the hands of his son, Felix. After settling his family in Bahia, Brazil, post-Castro revolution, post-Canary Island stop-over, Alonso went to work to produce fine cigars again. The Dona Flor was his final production cigar before his death. He borrowed the name of this cigar from a Brazilian literary legend about a seductively beautiful woman who had two lovers; a younger man from her village and the ghost of her deceased husband, who could not stay away from this fantastic woman.
The Dona Flor cigar is carried in many vitolas with two wrapper types; light, tawny Connecticut and the darker, sweeter Mata Fina. For this review, I smoked the Mata Fina Robusto.
After cutting, pre-light draw is a bit like black licorice, with that sensen-like flavoring that is sweetly exotic, inviting a few enjoyable pre-draws before a fire was struck. Lighting this slightly veined, dark wrapper coated morsel is easy after toasting. BTW, the aroma of a freshly toasted end can often describe what lay in store for the smoker of fine cigars. This toasted foot was crisp and sharp to the nose with a meaty tobacco smell that whispers, This is going to be a kick in the butt and a kiss on the cheek, my love!
The first few clean, easy draws of adequate amounts of smoke give the palate the taste of deep earthy, rich tobacco that is not stingy in what is offered. One need not search long and ponder deeply the taste offered by this cigar. Same for the aromas, starting from the cut hinting a dark floral bouquet and progressing to rough leather that has been lightly sprinkled with black pepper, as the nose passes along this beautys shoulder and down her body. Each small area is a pronounced sensorial pleasure experience of slight variety from the previous, ending near the foot with nutty wine properties floating in and out of fruitiness. Thank goodness this cigar rests well and may be lingered over with the nose for more than a minute between puffs. She deserves the full attentiveness her aromas offer. To test the rest time, I paused for a timed 120 seconds and a 3 puff restart was easily accomplished without adding fire. All the way down, the Dona Flor burned evenly around, regardless of the stop/start puff times. In fact, varying the puff/rest times, changed the complexion of the aromas. It was a fun game to play with her.
At an inch and a quarter down, the light gray ash tapped off very easily almost on its own and I felt this mistress would require constant attention in that regard. But I did notice that when I was not drawing, this cigar did not burn, smoke and self-build ash excessively; it seemed to just quietly simmer, waiting for my lips to be reapplied before coming to life, no matter how much time I was away. As I smoked her down, I discerned no weakening to the body of the cigar, as I have with some other brands in the past. It sometimes seems that when the heat is on, some cigars can get looser and mushier. This lady remained firm and resilient every inch of the way, a sure sign she is put together correctly.
Dona Flor means The lady in charge of the flowers. About halfway down, the taste of the smoke, when exhaled through the nose, in combination with the aroma off the foot evolved into a cherry blossom-soaked-in-alcohol fragrance faintly reminiscent of the old Cherry Blend pipe tobacco I recall my Uncle Albert smoking. Always enjoyed that smell when he lit up his pipe. The aroma from Dona Flors shoulder and body was evolving as well, at this time. I picked up the musky air of board-cut teak and hints of coffee. This ladys voice was definitely deepening into a sultry purr. In large letters, on my note pad, I wrote that this cigar would go extremely well with a rich, dark brandy. Class deserves class. I also noted in bold letters that this would be a good golfing cigar, since the sharply aromatic stick can sit for long periods of time (while selecting a club and making the shot) and still be counted upon to stoke back to life easily after being left unattended.
In her ultimate incarnations, a couple inches and downward, her cut and shoulder emitted strong floral spices blossoms of various fruit trees, apple, pear, orange along with woody tones, like those found in dark roasted almonds. The deep pine scent from the filler tobacco spoke louder as our time together grew shorter. The foot was a sinus-burner jalapeno peppery, but the heat could be tamed by merely staying back and letting the center burn cooler by itself. The nub offered taste as smooth and pleasing to the tongue as walnut oil. At the end of our tryst, I am overcome by mild, tame palm husks burning from the foot, as the cuts pine-spiced nuttiness reminded me again that Dona was meant to be enjoyed for her subtle aromas more than the strength of her fiery smoke that can be stoked to hot or allowed to mellow in my patient embrace.
My original intent of mailing boxes of cigars was to help introduce a diversity of Brazilian puros to you folks. I realized few BsOTL were substantiating (or countering) my claims for the Brazilian cigars featured in my several reviews about them, because no one can get hold of one to try! Well, this review is a different sort. I know that the Dona Flor cigar I am reviewing here is available in the USA. Though your B&M might not handle them, here is the site for the Miami distribution company that can get these wonderful cigars to you:
http://www.donaflorcigar.com
I would love it if many of you could get hold of one of these cigars and let me know what you think about one of my top ten favorite puro cigars to come from the state of Bahia in Brazil.
Dona Flor is the original cigar blend of the Menendez-Amerino Company, founded by the ex-patriated Cuban genius behind the Montecristo cigar, Alonso Menendez, now in the hands of his son, Felix. After settling his family in Bahia, Brazil, post-Castro revolution, post-Canary Island stop-over, Alonso went to work to produce fine cigars again. The Dona Flor was his final production cigar before his death. He borrowed the name of this cigar from a Brazilian literary legend about a seductively beautiful woman who had two lovers; a younger man from her village and the ghost of her deceased husband, who could not stay away from this fantastic woman.
The Dona Flor cigar is carried in many vitolas with two wrapper types; light, tawny Connecticut and the darker, sweeter Mata Fina. For this review, I smoked the Mata Fina Robusto.
After cutting, pre-light draw is a bit like black licorice, with that sensen-like flavoring that is sweetly exotic, inviting a few enjoyable pre-draws before a fire was struck. Lighting this slightly veined, dark wrapper coated morsel is easy after toasting. BTW, the aroma of a freshly toasted end can often describe what lay in store for the smoker of fine cigars. This toasted foot was crisp and sharp to the nose with a meaty tobacco smell that whispers, This is going to be a kick in the butt and a kiss on the cheek, my love!
The first few clean, easy draws of adequate amounts of smoke give the palate the taste of deep earthy, rich tobacco that is not stingy in what is offered. One need not search long and ponder deeply the taste offered by this cigar. Same for the aromas, starting from the cut hinting a dark floral bouquet and progressing to rough leather that has been lightly sprinkled with black pepper, as the nose passes along this beautys shoulder and down her body. Each small area is a pronounced sensorial pleasure experience of slight variety from the previous, ending near the foot with nutty wine properties floating in and out of fruitiness. Thank goodness this cigar rests well and may be lingered over with the nose for more than a minute between puffs. She deserves the full attentiveness her aromas offer. To test the rest time, I paused for a timed 120 seconds and a 3 puff restart was easily accomplished without adding fire. All the way down, the Dona Flor burned evenly around, regardless of the stop/start puff times. In fact, varying the puff/rest times, changed the complexion of the aromas. It was a fun game to play with her.
At an inch and a quarter down, the light gray ash tapped off very easily almost on its own and I felt this mistress would require constant attention in that regard. But I did notice that when I was not drawing, this cigar did not burn, smoke and self-build ash excessively; it seemed to just quietly simmer, waiting for my lips to be reapplied before coming to life, no matter how much time I was away. As I smoked her down, I discerned no weakening to the body of the cigar, as I have with some other brands in the past. It sometimes seems that when the heat is on, some cigars can get looser and mushier. This lady remained firm and resilient every inch of the way, a sure sign she is put together correctly.
Dona Flor means The lady in charge of the flowers. About halfway down, the taste of the smoke, when exhaled through the nose, in combination with the aroma off the foot evolved into a cherry blossom-soaked-in-alcohol fragrance faintly reminiscent of the old Cherry Blend pipe tobacco I recall my Uncle Albert smoking. Always enjoyed that smell when he lit up his pipe. The aroma from Dona Flors shoulder and body was evolving as well, at this time. I picked up the musky air of board-cut teak and hints of coffee. This ladys voice was definitely deepening into a sultry purr. In large letters, on my note pad, I wrote that this cigar would go extremely well with a rich, dark brandy. Class deserves class. I also noted in bold letters that this would be a good golfing cigar, since the sharply aromatic stick can sit for long periods of time (while selecting a club and making the shot) and still be counted upon to stoke back to life easily after being left unattended.
In her ultimate incarnations, a couple inches and downward, her cut and shoulder emitted strong floral spices blossoms of various fruit trees, apple, pear, orange along with woody tones, like those found in dark roasted almonds. The deep pine scent from the filler tobacco spoke louder as our time together grew shorter. The foot was a sinus-burner jalapeno peppery, but the heat could be tamed by merely staying back and letting the center burn cooler by itself. The nub offered taste as smooth and pleasing to the tongue as walnut oil. At the end of our tryst, I am overcome by mild, tame palm husks burning from the foot, as the cuts pine-spiced nuttiness reminded me again that Dona was meant to be enjoyed for her subtle aromas more than the strength of her fiery smoke that can be stoked to hot or allowed to mellow in my patient embrace.
