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Cuvee Blanc: [Dominican Republic: available in 4 sizes] The Cuvee group was introduced in 2006 and the Blanc – blue band – has quickly become its most celebrated blend. It’s easy to see why. Medium in body, it sports a light-brown, Ecuadorian-grown, Connecticut-seed wrapper and has a sweet and spicy aroma. There’s a bright, caramelized taste to this cigar, with a spicy theme that continues through the finish. Veteran smokers who remember the heyday of Dunhill’s much-respected Dominican-blend cigar from the early 1990s will appreciate the similarities in taste, excellent construction and even burn in the Cuvee Blanc. The spicy elements are predominant in the second half, but overall the Blanc is a pleasure. Offered in four sizes, including a mammoth perfecto (7 1/4 x 57) called the Salomon, it’s available in boxes of 24 except for the Salomon, which is presented upright in boxes of 50! Pricing is reasonable, at $6.95-7.95 for the Robusto, Toro Gordo and Churchill, with the Salomons at $12.00 each, before local tobacco and sales taxes. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Cuvee Rouge: [Dominican Republic: available in 4 sizes] The 2006-introduced Rouge line (red band) uses a dark, Dominican-grown wrapper that distinguishes it from its brother, the Blanc line. It has a spicy aroma and the taste centers around a spicy core with a backdrop of dark caramel that serves to balance the flavor. It’s medium-to-full in body and has a much stronger presence in the mouth than the Blanc. There’s a peppery element in the second half and the balance is intriguing as these flavors have some bite, but never become harsh or aggressive. The Rouge is offered in the same four sizes as the Blanc and at the same price points, making it accessible to almost all smokers. Overall grade: B+: Very Good. Cuvee No. 151: [Dominican Republic: available in 3 sizes] Introduced in 2007, the No. 151 was supposed to be made in Nicaragua, but ended up being manufactured in the Dominican Republic. It has a Brazilian-grown maduro wrapper and Nicaraguan-grown binder and filler leaves. Medium-to-full in body, the 151 has a toasty and spicy aroma and a nice, caramelized flavor with a touch of spice on the tongue and on the finish. The sweetness you expect from maduro-wrapped cigars is present, but there’s also a balance that makes this much more than simply another sweet cigar. The richness of flavor recedes a bit in the second half and the approach remains consistent throughout. Well made, it’s currently offered in three sizes – Robusto, Toro Gordo and Churchill – in boxes of 24 at $6.95-7.95 each before local sales and tobacco taxes. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. The Cuvee line expands the reach of the total Cusano approach to cigars and the Blanc is especially attractive given its similarities to the Dominican Dunhill that was one of the best cigars available in the U.S. prior to the Cigar Boom. The new Habano LXI and 59 Rare Cameroon, however, are in another class. Both are terrific, but the 59 Rare Cameroon is a marvelous experience in the unique Preferido size. Has Mike Chiusano created the perfect perfecto? You will have to try it for yourself! ~ Rich Perelman CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGCigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories at Humidor Vault! Your online cigar humidor source, with rock-bottom pricing and fantastic customer support!Like sports? Get news and commentary you won’t see in your morning newspaper at TheSportsExaminer.com! Join the examination! A limited amount of classified advertising is available in this space on a weekly basis. For details, call Pat Harris at (213) 365-7965 or inquire by email by clicking here. Have an opinion? You can send it using the “Comment” button below! Don’t forget to register for our drawing for free cigars and accessories! Just click on the “Register & Win” button above; enter today! Looking for a cigar party? Take a look at our exclusive list of hundreds of cigar events across the country, listed by state and date, only on CigarCyclopedia.com!
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Did you know?
“"Sandwich" filler includes both long and short pieces, with the long pieces folded over to form the "sandwich."
