Wrapper : Ecuadorian
Binder : Nicaraguan
Filler : cuban sandwich Nicaraguan
Source : bought at local store
Hello everyone. I am going to do something unique this week and do a vertical tasting that is spread out through the weekend. I have the Savoy cigars in Corona (5.5 x 44), Churchill (7 x 48) and Robusto (5 x 50) that I will smoke and update this post. I am hoping to smoke one each day this weekend and then this will be finished up on Sunday. I may have a video at the end to wrap it up, I am not sure yet.
CORONA
First up is the corona size which cost me $1.75 locally.
Wrapper looks almost stained like wood with raised dark spots and lower light spots. Amazingly strong chocolate liquor scent from the foot and just a bit from the wrapper. Almost smells infused that is how strong the scent is.
Snipped the cap and was met with a draw that is tighter than I like. Still smokable but in a bigger ring gauge I would have ran the poker down the middle to open it up.
Starting off and I am met with a basic tobacco flavor that is really dry tasting. I am not getting anything else from the cigar at this point.
I wanted to let everyone know that I have been taking my pain pills so if this first cigar is way off from the other 2 I will be smoking, I will come back and re-review this first size once I get more.
Clock chimed 2:00 – I did not want you to feel slighted with no video to play music and bong at you.
Getting a tangy taste at the back of my tongue and throat at about the halfway point of the cigar. It is really not going well as this even covers the tobacco taste up.
I wonder where that chocolate liquor taste from the foot went!
Only other thing that happened as I smoked more of the cigar is the harshness rose up in volume and made the cigar really awful to try and finish. I think I left about 2 inches in the ashtray and am not sorry about that.
CHURCHILL
On to our second Savoy in the churchill size which cost me a mind blowing $2.25 locally. I spare no expense to bring you these reviews week in and week out.
As you read above, I was not impressed at all with the corona so I do not have high hopes for this one either but I will keep an open mind.
Starting out I get mainly a tobacco scent form the wrapper and the foot with nothing else.
Snipped the cap and was met with another tight draw and more of the tobacco taste.
Lighting up this Savoy was relatively easy but the taste profile is very lacking at the beginning. I get mainly earth, tobacco and a musty taste. We are not looking too good so far.
I am about halfway through my Savoy churchill and although it is very plain tasting, it is not getting harsh like the corona did. At least not yet.
I still get the earthy taste along with the natural tobacco and nothing else. I almost want to sprinkle some pepper on it to give it a bit of something to catch my attention.
I have had no burn problems at all but still have the tighter draw that I just do not care for.
Well I will tell you, I nubbed this size. I did not get any of the harshness that the corona gave me.
I liked this size the best so far but it is still a very low cost budget smoke. It did not have variances in thirds it stayed pretty one dimensional throughout with the earth and tobacco taste.
Stay tuned for the robusto size coming today or tomorrow.
ROBUSTO
Welcome back to the final installment of this Savoy vertical tasting with the robusto which cost me $2.00.
I am getting he chocolate liquor scent off the wrapper and foot of this one like i did the corona size. Maybe i did not pick my nose well enough and there was blockage when I sniffed the churchill.
Snipped the cap, lit right up. I am greeted with a more open draw than either of the previous ones but still not much in the flavor department.
Here at the beginning i am getting the mostly earthy taste with the natural tobacco in the background. I am also getting a slight spice from this one. It is a nice change from the other 2 since it is at least something different.
Here at the halfway point I am still mostly getting the earthy taste with just a slight taste of spice. I have not had to relight or touch up so the burn is really going well.
Same as the others so far, one dimensional. We shall see how it finishes out.
At the end. Oh how I will miss these times we have had together. Wait, no i wont.
Well I started getting more harshness towards the end but the cigar was putting out tons of smoke. Flavors did not change at all and kept with the earthy tobacco and just a hint of spice.
CONCLUSION
I would have to say to steer away from these Savoy cigars. I did not care for any of them, even for a yard-gar.
I think the harshness at the end turned me off along with the plain taste the whole way through. I liked the body of the smoke, with it staying in the mild range but the lack of flavor really put me off.
If you want to give them a try, at least they will not set you back very much money but I do not recommend it.
Ok I don’t think I want to try this one but I admire your dedication to even review it. Ever try a Belinda or Maria Mancini from JR? Decent smokes and very affordable at 2-3 bucks.
I’m just finishing up a 5 Vegas classic and I’d have to say it is not very impressive but a good cheap morning smoke.
Have not tried either of them. I dont think I have ever ordered from JR. I know someone recommended another JR alternative cigar to try too. Maybe I will have to break down and do a JR order one of these days soon.
people drink Mic Ultra too.. sells like crazy…. I just dont want to read about it.
Maria Mancini use to be a go to smoke for me when I first started smoking.
Whats next …. Garcia y Vega..
now now, don’t hate – Some of these lower cost cigars are better sellers than almost any other cigar.
I had these around and since my neck hurts like hell from snow blowing, I figured this would give you guys something to read at least.
I will have to try and get a list of the top selling cigars from some online places. Some of you may be very surprised at what most people buy.
My money’s on Honey Dutch Masters
Hey Mike I commend you for being an EOCR (equal opportunist cigar reviewer). I personally don’t smoke these types of cigars but as you said there are a lot of people who do enjoy machine made, or infused, cheaper cigars. I had a friend who loved those backwoods cigars and there are many people who smoke dutch masters, phillies,swishers, or black and mild cigars. So once again I applaud your dedication to “every” cigar smoker. Good Job !
i know alot of people that smoke those cigars too. They just take the tobacco out and replace it with something a little greener.
Mike,
I applaud your efforts to find us budget friendly smokes. Maybe some of the veterans around here should help point you towards some cubic zirconia’s in the rough that we have found.
I recommend reviewing the Famous Rocky Patel Factory Selects Rosado Cigars. That way you don’t die of toxic smoke inhalation during this ill advised journey.
Cheers,
OlivaSerieV
Along with Maria Mancini (above) I’d suggest the El Rico Habana Maduro and the Sancho Panza Double Maduro. Would like to see you take on them…
I enjoy your wide assortment of cigar reviews.
Good job man! I like the budget reviews, it’s fun trying to find that “diamond in the rough.” Keep it up!
I’ve had some great $2 smokes and some ultra dog rocket deluxe $20 smokes. Like those before me have stated, it’s fun to find that diamond in rough. Like reading a good book before Oprah gets her fat, greasy mitts all over it. I have some Thompson Corojo Cubanos that I was given as a joke that make really good early morning or “chore” smokes. But as with anything, it’s all a matter of individual taste. Thanks for these reviews.
And thanks for the clock narrative!
Thanks for reviewing all levels of cigars. Cigar snobs eat your hearts out. Like Jake, I have had some real expensive dog rockets as the same with some lower grade sticks. Thanks for going out and trying everything from budget cigars to top shelf selections.
Nice job Mike, this is exactly what reviews are about, trying the good with the bad and giving your opinion. Believe me price is a factor for many of us, so I appreciate you taking a chance on these cigars in hopes of finding something worth smoking. For me, I smoke Nat Sherman Host Selection quite often in the morning, I think they are like $3 a stick and are worth every penny.
Great review into some cheap sticks.I use to love the Maria Mancini Degaul and Magic Mountans, also the Connie #9 Maduros. Might have to go back and try some of those sticks.
Well done Mike on the budget stick. I’ve found a handfull of sub $3 smokes that I’m happy with – Nica Libre Principe, 5 Vegas Gold Nugget, the Cigar.com House Blends are pretty good (favorite is Purple), Fuente Flora Fina, Gispert Maduro Robusto….
I have to say its refreshing NOT to read a review that references, woodsy, earth, cinnamon, spice, leather, cedar, barn, hay, clove, licorice, coffee, chocolate, poo, tuity-fruity, ect…..
think I’ll pick some up.
nice job mike.
Keep these reviews coming, Mike!
Thanx for the great comments and the ideas for cigars to try. I will write them all down and maybe in the future you will see a review of them.