phoenix Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 WARNING: Take with food. 1st third = Smooth and rich. Mild-medium in body and strength. Surprisingly complex. Hazlenut. Nutella. Toasted tobacco and a little cream. Not what I expected-- but a pleasant surprise. 2nd third = Building to medium-full. A little bolder now-- heavier if you will-- like more weight has been added to the bar. Espresso. Dark roasted nuts and tobacco. Call me crazy... but there just may be a hint of Smithy's "pine forest" in here. Final third = FULL bodied and STRONG. The BLITZ is now 'game on'! Straight ahead tobacco and earth. Hints of espresso. The cream and nuts are long gone by now. They are the casualties of war. Getting stoned. Intention tremor is worsening to the point I can barely hold my iPhone steady enough to take this pic. Losing daylight. May go blind. Synopsis? This was one helluva awesome Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde roller coaster ride. Never before have I experienced such dramatic changes in a cigar's characteristics from start to finish than with this Cazadore. This cigar was much more complex than all the reviews of its younger relatives have suggested. So much so, that in the end I kinda felt like the victim of a "Hit and Run". Like one of those relationships where you think you're in control only to realize you're the one just got used (i.e. OWNED). LOL. An overall awesome cigar: 92/100. At 10 years of age these still have plenty of legs, but with even more room to "grow". Can't wait to see how these "babies" continue to evolve I have 2011 specimens incoming-- so look for an upcoming review with compare and contrast to follow. ENJOY! Wes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strada Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Great review, these are on my `To Try` short list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zigatoh Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Said it on the other thread, cazzies are Awesome, had an 04 previously, complex and lovely, bought a box of 11s and they're earthy leathery powerful smokes, hoping to see how they progress over the next couple of decades, might need another box though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlson Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 My favorite review of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGC Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Great review! I accidentally left these at a "friends" place ... 2001...and he smoked through the entire box without telling me. Wish I still had the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikesupremedunk Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Thanks for the review phoenix. I was considering buying these but all the reviews said they were pretty damn strong, and your review confirms it. Probably going to pass on buying a box but would love to try one someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 If I would have smoked this Cazadore after dinner rather than before it might have been a completely different experience. Thus the "WARNING: Take with food". Haven't tried the 2011's yet but looking fwd to taking a swing at 'em.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cottierm Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Nice review Wes, thanks for it. Best, Michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Very nice review. One of my original favorite Cuban cigars & still love them. Wrapping up a box from 09. Next up will be a NOV 2001 box I bought in Cuba Feb 2002. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Nice! I need to try an aged one but my 2010s are great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aavkk Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 A great cigar from a fantastic vintage, thanks for the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbeaver Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Great review! I actually smoked one of these today! I do not know the year as it was gifted to me by "Windmill Michel", from Amsterdam. The flavor notes you describe are bang on, and I describe the scent as "campfire". Not until the second half did the bombs start to go off. But I managed to stay upright to the last quarter, and then I had to put the sucker down. Bravo on this review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginseng Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Very nicely done! A fave and one for the ages. So enjoyable at so many stages. Wilkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michel1968 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Great review! I actually smoked one of these today! I do not know the year as it was gifted to me by "Windmill Michel", from Amsterdam. The flavor notes you describe are bang on, and I describe the scent as "campfire". Not until the second half did the bombs start to go off. But I managed to stay upright to the last quarter, and then I had to put the sucker down. Bravo on this review. Lisa, those were from 2005... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michel1968 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Very nice review!! Indeed these pick up a very nice complexity after a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbeaver Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Lisa, those were from 2005... Well the cigar was wonderful and thank you again! Perhaps after a great bottle wine and a steak next time, not at lunch :-) I can see why the FOH Toronto boys love these! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olotti Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Man I totally here ya with these. I smoked my last of a fiver from 1999 last summer and I was amazed at the strength the cigar still had, it literally probably had another 10years in it if I wanted, and the cigar had great flavor, real rich. These are one of my favs all around, great size, great blend, and always a no nonsense satisfying cigar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverickdrinker Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Great Review Wes. They are little powerbombs for sure. They hit you like the 2 year old child who you go to pick up and as you pick them up, they kick you in the ding ding.....LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nino Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Thank you for the splendid review, Phoenix ! Much enjoyed and has given me a wake up call - I must open my PAS MAR 02 box and start smoking them, with or with out Food ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ophidion Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 They are little powerbombs for sure. They hit you like the 2 year old child who you go to pick up and as you pick them up, they kick you in the ding ding.....LOL This is awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 Opened up my 2001s. All the strength & full body of the newer ones, but the harsh rustic feel of a fresh Cazadore has mellowed. VERY nice smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion21 Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I smoked my first Cazzie ever this year from a JUN 2011 box and it kicked me arse. Beautiful meaty, smooth, creamy, punch you in the face and make you call it "Daddy" nicotine kick at the halfway point. Great review Wes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbeaver Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 So glad this thread is back! I contributed earlier with a 2005 Caz and loved it but it kicked me in the head Now I have the pleasure of a box split's worth of 2011's. I just love them!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 So glad this thread is back! I contributed earlier with a 2005 Caz and loved it but it kicked me in the head Now I have the pleasure of a box split's worth of 2011's. I just love them!!! And, Lisa-- don't forget that I gave you an '02 at the HERF from this same box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbeaver Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Ohhhh yeaaahhhh... you know, I do not think it is banded so I better do that. I can just compare it to the 2011's for size and shape! Do I owe you any coffee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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