Archived Reviews #1

I will be reprinting the reviews originally presented on the first Tiki Bar blog in several "Archived Reviews" posts. My process for reviewing cigars at that time was completely self-developed: I would make a few notes about the initial light-up of the cigar, how well it draws, how it progressed at about the halfway point, and how it tasted when you got near the end. Then a few overall remarks and an overall score. The overall scores were not an average of the other scores, but more of an overall impression to give me a guide to know how well I enjoyed it when I looked at the review several months later, so I could tell whether I should spend more money on that cigar.

Java by Drew Estate, 5" x 42 Ring (Corona)
Sunday, January 28, 2007

Initial: Pleasant with very subtle coffee overtones (80)

Draw: Excellent, especially for a box press. (95)

Halfway Point: Mild flavor, even burning. (80)

Finish: Decent finish. (75)

Remarks: Altogether an unmemorable smoke--not unpleasant (like I remember the first of these I had being), but unmemorable. It's definitely better than many cheap cigars, but not something I would go out of my way to find.

OVERALL SCORE: 77

Acid by Drew Estate, C-Note (Cigarillo)

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Initial: Wonderful aroma; good flavor (85)

Draw: Excellent at first, tightened later (85)

Halfway Point: Flavor remains good; draw tightened (80)

Finish: Flavorful throughout

Remarks: Great short smoke with a very nice flavor and a wonderful patchouli aroma that practically no one can object to. Perfect for those times when you only have 15 minutes for a smoke.

OVERALL SCORE: 85

Partagas Black, 4.25" x 54 Ring (Clasico)

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Initial: Almost overpoweringly strong and a little harsh. (85)

Draw: Excellent. (95)

Halfway Point: It settled down to a great flavor with a great deal of potency. (95)

Finish: Wonderful flavor until the end. (95)

Remarks: After starting off on the harsh side, this cigar settled down to a very pleasant smoke. While it does not always indicate the strength of the stick, in this case the extra dark wrapper does indicate a very powerful cigar. This is not a bad thing, but it is good to be aware of that before starting on a multiple-cigar evening as this one by itself made me light-headed

OVERALL SCORE: 92


Natural by Drew Estate, Root
Friday, February 2, 2007

Initial: Great flavor, lights up easily (95)

Draw: Good (90)

Halfway Point: Flavor still great, draw consistent (90)

Finish: Smoked very well down to 1/2" butt (90)

Remarks: Root has a great flavor, although not as good as Dirt. It does provide a longer smoke time, though, and might appeal more to smokers that are not enamored of flavored cigars. Hard to beat!

OVERALL SCORE: 92

MX2 by CAO, 5" x 52 Ring (Robusto)
Monday, February 5, 2007

Initial: Leathery and strong, but with a smooth flavor. (95)

Draw: Good, but just a little on the tight side. (80)

Halfway Point: Great flavor. Strong without being overpowering. Had to open draw with my pipe tool. (90)

Finish: Slight loss of flavor. (85)

Remarks: This is one of my favorites--a strongly-flavored stick that is rarely overpowering. The double-maduro wrapper gives it a very full body, but it doesn't kick your butt like some in this category. Unfortunately, the last couple I've smoked have had draw problems--this one I had to re-open about 4 times, which is too much work for something that is supposed to be an enjoyable, relaxing escape.

OVERALL SCORE: 87

Welcome Back!

Welcome back? What kind of title is that for the initial posting of a new blog? The answer is...this is not the first posting in the Tiki Bar...even though it looks like it is. Confused? Me, too...or am I?

The online presence of the Tiki Bar was first contemplated about a year and a half ago (early 2007) and in short order a site was assembled and posted. I was able to keep it updated for 2, maybe 3, months and then life interceded and I never updated it again. I had always planned to, but never got around to it. I recently discovered a similarly-themed blog and decided that I wanted to get back in the game of sharing thoughts and opinions through an online forum. Thank you very much to An American Front Porch for that.

A little background on the Tiki Bar: for several years, I have had friends over 2 or 3 times a month to smoke cigars, consume adult beverages and solve the world's problems. We have always been an informed and opinionated bunch. We are almost all Christians who regularly attend church (there is one agnostic in the group). We are almost all politically conservative, with varying degrees of conservatism present (the agnostic is also a communist); I describe myself as a Republitarian: I am a registered Republican whose core philosophy is libertarian (but the Libertarian party is generally a great waste of time).We all share a love of fine cigars and drinks (something the commies and the defenders of truth have shared in many eras).

I believe it is possible and desirable to have a reasonable discussion on issues that two or more people do not agree upon, even religion, even politics. What is required is for the people discussing the issue to have a mutual respect that doesn't allow for viciousness or cruelty, including belittlement of the other person and name-calling (well, most name-calling, anyway...some is just done in good fun and if you get overly sensitive about it, you're liable to get worked up about nothing). In all likelihood, when I talk to Ray about how wrong he is to think capitalism is harmful, he is not going to change his mind; I know that whatever he says about the benefits of Marxism, I will not change my mind on the subject. We can still discuss these issues, though, without shouting at each other and at the end of the night, we remain friends. It's a sharing of ideas and opinions, not a bludgeoning stick.

So, subject matter for this blog: cigar reviews, drink reviews, pop culture, politics, faith, technology...and whatever else may cross my mind. I will almost certainly be writing most of the posts myself, but I hope to be joined by some of my friends who hang out here at the physical "Tiki Bar," on the back patio of my house here in La Mirada, California. During the first few posts, I will be adding the posts from the old Tiki Bar site, so it may seem like I'm doing a large amount of work, but it's mostly cut-and-paste. I hope to add to the site several times a week.

David Jones