The Bad

I'm always ready to post a review when I have a cigar that I really enjoy. Not so much when I pick a lousy one especially because sometimes there isn't all that much to say. So since I didn't want to spend a whole individual post on each of the lousy smokes I have come across thus far, (how many paragraphs can I go on for about a burnt molasses flavor?) I figured I would save my notes and do a post every once in a while reviewing those sticks at the bottom of the barrel. In my defense here, most of these were purchased on an impulse when I was just craving a cigar and didn't really have a good selection to choose from. I didn't walk into many of these with high expectations.

Macanundo Robust
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
My girlfriend and I often take trips to Foxwoods Casino. While there, nothing makes me want to buy a cigar more than wandering around and seeing random people smoking at the craps tables. I usually bring a couple with me but when we made the trip for a day a few weeks ago, I forgot to grab something out of my humidor. Of course this begs the obvious question: You're in the biggest casino in the world. You mean to tell me there isn't a decent cigar store in the whole resort? I certainly haven't found one and always end up getting an overpriced stick at one of the convenient stores.

This one cut alright and I got a little excited until I lit up. The draw was too tight, the stupid thing wouldn't burn evenly, and the ash seemed to fall off after every puff. For a while the stick developed some nice coffee flavors but they were short lived as they ended up being overpowered by burnt, practically charred, tobacco. It seemed to fit the scene among people playing at my blackjack table. But not something I'd light up with a good scotch.
Overall Rating: 54

La Aroma De Cuba
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran. Wrapper: Honduran
This one was purchased at random in the same batch that I discovered the Cusano C10 at Josh's barbecue. As I already wrote, the C10 was great, this one was not. The problem with this stick was keeping it lit. While burning, it was actually pretty even, but I actually had to light it 6 or 7 times as I smoked it. This prevented the cigar from being able to develop any flavors. I picked up on a little chocolate and spice here and there. But these notes weren't even very good. There was an occasional fullness to the smoke but since the cigar kept going out, it never really held up.
Overall Rating: 55

H.Upmann
Filler: Dominican. Wrapper: Dominican
I actually smoked a few of these from different stores to make sure it was really as awful as my first impression. The wrapper was dry and unravelled almost instantly. The smoke was bitter and even a little sour. The draw was insanely loose so my mouth was mostly filled with air. I think they were going for a spicy pepper flavor but they overloaded on it so once I did pick up on som pepper notes, it was way too much. This cigar was truly awful.
Overall Rating: 50

Baccarat
Filler: Honduran. Wrapper: Honduran
This cigar is rolled by the same company that makes Camacho so I had my hopes up a little despite the $3.00 price. It actually smoked decently with an nice draw and even burn. Other than that, this smoke brought nothing to the table. It just tasted like smoke. I couldn't pick up on a hint of anything. That is until the end when I actually got a taste of sugar. That's when I put it down and went inside.
Overall Rating 52