Where do I begin with this review? J.C. Newman is an incredible company, with a rich history, and they're full of great people. Bobby, Drew, Eric, and the employees (shout-out Gene), really pour their passion into this business, and give back to the communities they work in, in extraordinary ways.
The cigars in this collection speak volumes to perfected craft the Newman's and workers in El Reloj are practicing. My favorite cigar in the collection, The American, is 100% American made, from the tobaccos being fired in PA, CT, and FL, to the boxes, bands, and cellophane, it's all made right here in the states. When you light this cigar, you're going to be greeted with notes of chocolate, caramel, leather, cedar, and black pepper; it's like smoking a milky way with the perfect hint of black pepper on a well seasoned steak on the finish.
The Angel Cuesta Shade is a beast of its own, it's a very flavorful, medium bodied Nicaraguan Shade wrapped cigar. If you have ever smoked an Atabey (my previous favorite shade), Bandolero Premium, or Joya Antano CT, this cigar blows them all out of the water. The cold draw is perfectly balanced with cream, hay and floral notes, which translates right into a creamy smoke which leaves a really nice oil slick feeling on the tongue, allowing those flavors to linger in between puffs. This is hands down one of the best cigars I have ever smoked. This is a must try!
The Angel Cuesta Rosado was a great smoke as well, medium bodied, creamy, a little white pepper, strawberry fig and cedar dominated my plate as well while smoking.
The Tampa Smoker pays home age to Tampa rich connection to baseball. I have only smoked one out of the 2, and my experience with the first one wasn't how I expected it to go. The one I smoked from my collection was packed densely in the middle which led to a tight draw, and my wrapper was cracked under the bands, eventually causing it to unravel when my burn line got to the split. I did not enjoy the flavor, but, I was having to take long hard draws, hearing the tobacco, so I believe it's unfair to judge it until I smoke the second one.
I have not gotten to the Leroy Neiman yet, however the blend is the same, the vitola changes every year, so I have high hopes that this years vitola will be just as good if not better than previous years releases. It's very well constructed, and the art on the bands is beautiful.
The construction on all cigars have been phenomenal, with the exception of the one Tampa Smoker. The ones I've smoked and enjoyed have had the perfect draw, perfect burn, perfect everything. Even the presentation of this specific "America 250th" is beautiful. You can't go wrong with this collection, try all of the offerings from El Reloj premium rolling floor, I promise you you'll find one you like.
