For today’s review, I fished a cigar out of my coolidor that I think I acquired from my Stogie Review Fan Forums “secret santa.” Morro Castle is one of the several cigars manufactured by AJ Fernandez exclusively for Cigars International. I had just finished doing my taxes, and decided to enjoy the nice weather outside as I daydreamed about how responsibly my tax dollars were being used (ha!).
As I lit up, I realized how sunny, windy, and noisy it was outside. Not exactly ideal relaxing conditions, nor the best conditions for recording a video. But since my better half won’t let me smoke inside our new house, we’re just going to have suffer through all of this together.
Morro Castle by the numbers:
Vitola: toro
Size: 6×52
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran
Strength: Mild-Medium
Factory: AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua
No. smoked for review: 1 (first impressions)
Duration: 90 minutes
Source: trade
MSRP: $5.00
Website: www.cigarsinternational.com
Twitter: @CigarsIntl
So enough complaining about taxes and the weather, how was the Morro Castle?
(Video length: 11:52)
Soundtrack: “Heaven & Hell” by donniedrost (feat. Gurdonark) http://ccmixter.org/files/donniedrost/25502
is licensed under a Creative Commons license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
All-in-all, pretty typical CI fare. Not bad, but certainly not exceptional, and ok for the money. Decent as a yard ‘gar, or fodder for the moochidor. I’d smoke another if one was offered to me, but I won’t be rushing out to buy a box. I’m not the biggest fan of Sumatra wrappers, but I do like most of AJ’s stuff, though this certainly isn’t my favorite.
Don’t get me wrong — I don’t want this review to come across as negative. I just found it to be rather ho-hum, run-of-the-mill… but I personally know several cigar smokers who would absolutely love it. My tastes simply lie elsewhere. If you’ve tried one, please let me know what you think in the comments below.
And while you’re at it, head on over to Walt in PA and enter to win a signed copy of a competitive shooting sports guide, in a contest proudly sponsored by the Stogie Review: Win a Copy of SHOOT by Julie Golob – April Edition.
About Charlie:
Charlie has been enjoying cigars since 2000 and generally prefers a medium-bodied, full-flavored smoke. A USAF vet, he currently works as a data scientist focusing on natural language processing and is pursuing a PhD in computer science in his spare time. Originally from Connecticut and now residing in Northern Virginia, Charlie is also a fan of football, science fiction, political philosophy, and single malt scotch. You can contact Charlie on Twitter @greenbacker.
Well I love the band I love the price point. However the review isn’t making me want to jump up and buy one. LIke you said if it was given to me I’d take it, but based on the review I won’t be buying a box anytime soon.
thanks for steering me away greenbacker!! i have one but im gonna gift it now
!!!
I will not be storming this castle. Tried one that came in as part of a C-Bid torpedo sampler. Smoked one, gave the others away. No interest in smoking more. One of the chaps I gifted decided to buy a 5-pack but later regretted it.
Thanks Charlie, it’s good to take the the time and do those $4 and $5 cigars,I feel that it’s a good thing for us to find out if by chance you do run across a very good one.
I found this to be a decent, rather nondescript cigar. Certainly not bad for the price, and like you said, I wouldn’t turn one down if gifted it, but not really something I’d chase after. Thanks for the review.
i agree, love most of what AJ does but the morro was a dud
I like Morro Castle I’ve tried the robusto and Churchill, and surprising I think the Churchill is better
Thanx for the review Charlie. I am an AJ fan for sure but have not tried this stick yet. I am a believer in trying every stick for yourself. I do not avoid a cigar solely on the info I receive from a review but I do use the reviews to help me set my priorities. I will not avoid this cigar but it will not be high on my list of priorities. Keep up the great work bro!
Charlie, I agree with your assessment of Morro Castle. I too am an AJ fan and think this is definately on the low end of his line. However as a “manufacturer” sometimes you need something like this to appeal to the masses/ I like you comment about the moochidor. I need one of those for when the non-cigar smokers come over and I feel “generous” Ha!
For a mild cigar I thought was good, Nice burn and ash; and plenty of smoke. I did not have to fight it. I have smoked ‘better’ names and was disappointed..i.e. Gurkha Beast.
I’ve smoked a few of the robusto size and found them to be a decent all day value stick will be probably continue to buy them for that reason
Purchased these as a 10pk. They are smooth and mildly sweet, good plume of smoke, nice aroma but that’s it. Good everyday or gifting cigar.
I love this cigar. Bought 2 boxes and they age exceptionally. I’ve got 2 years plus on the stick I’m smoking and the flavors unfold and seem to last forever. This is the cheapest cigar and one of the mildest I smoke btw. Usually mf, tats, ligas, vsg’s etc.. But the morro castle gives flavors of limes, guava, hickory/woods and reposado and is perfect after a meal of pulled pork/brisket.