It’s time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past week (or the past month, or however long it has been since the last issue), along with a couple of quick thoughts that came to me at the time. These are not full reviews, but quick blurbs based on a single smoking experience. As such, they may be influenced by the natural variations that occur from one cigar to another. Your mileage may vary. (If I know the cigar well enough to comment, I may mention if an experience strays from what understand to be the norm.)

An appearance in The Week in Smoke does not preclude nor guarantee a future in-depth review. Whenever possible, I’ve linked to more a thoughtful and thorough review of the cigar in question. (Or maybe I’ve linked to a photo of Jerry The ‘Stache. You won’t know until you click.) Enjoy!

AVO 80th **
I don’t see may AVO 80th’s around these days, but when I do, I usually buy one. Because these are cigars have aged wonderfully, like many of Avo’s limited editions. And this experience was no difference. Delicate, creamy sweetness, honey, cedar, grass, toffee and a hint of mustiness, made it worth the twenty I paid for it. A perfect cigar to accompany a cup of coffee early in the day.

Angelenos Robusto Gordo JM (IPCPR Sample) *
This is another one of those once in a blue moon smokes. In fact, I think I’ve only ever come across them at the annual IPCPR trade show. If you get to try some, you can expect, sweet sour cream, toast, a touch of cinnamon, cedar and earth. In all, a very pleasant cigar.

Camacho Liberty 2012
I’ve never come across a cigar with a more pronounced cedar wrapper aroma than a Camacho Liberty. Once lit, the 2012 edition produced coffee, dark chocolate sweet spice and, of course, sweet aromatic cedar and caramel. The 2012 is not as shy and retiring as some Liberties I’ve had in the past. (Though to be fair, many of the Liberties I’ve had were well aged at the time.) It’s long enjoyable smoke with an equally long cedar finish, and a good choice for the right occasion.

Foundry Talbot by General Cigar (IPCPR Sample) *
Yes, it’s the cigar with the gear around it, and the band that looks like it was taken from an antique ammunition box. (For more information on the cigar and its unique packaging, see our interview with Michael Giannini.) This cigar was blended to be something different, and in that regard it was a success. I picked up creamy, nutty paper, toasty, leather and a bit of butterscotch and herbal sweetness. This has to be the mildest cigars I’ve smoked since the last time I lit up a Macanudo (not counting the Cru Royale). If you’re looking for a mild, large ring gauge stick that’s a little different the Foundry might be for you.

Perdomo Grand Cru 2006 Sun Grown Grand Epicure *
The Grand Cru only comes in 60 ring gauges, you just pick which length you want, five, six or seven inches. It had a leathery, savory, smoky, peppery profile with a little paprika and cinnamon. It burned a little unevenly and cracked toward the end, but it was still very smokeable. I’d try it again.

Viaje Honey & Hand Grenades
An interesting new cigar from a company specializing in small batch cigars. It began syrupy and honey-like but a little dry in the tapered foot. As the ring gauge expanded, so did the profile. Syrupy vanilla, honey, wood, chocolate and a healthy dose of pepper and charry wood. The name makes a lot of sense. It has a lot of sweetness and heavy flavor, but also a good amount of power. Heck the ash even looks a little like a dark gray beehive. Though it didn’t have the best of burns, it was one of the best Viajes I’ve had so far.

Viaje Satori Edicion Limitada 2012 Karma
The Satori is back with its dark profile of chocolate, coffee, earth and pepper with some sweet notes of vanilla, caramel and spice. It was tough to get lit and burned a little rough, but it that didn’t detract from the experience too much. If you’re looking for a cigar with some seriously viscous, but flavorful smoke, you should check out the latest Satori before it disappears.

Zino Platinum Ten Collectors Edition Toro X
There’s no mistaking this one for other Zino Platinums on the market. The box features unique artwork and the sizable smoke’s band is royal blue. It was a pleasant smoke, but not quite as animated as its packaging. Sweet cream, lingering cedar a touch of slightly musty earth and a nice touch of pepper sums up my experience with it.

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* Big Brother would have you know these cigars were gifts or free samples, and that my opinions on them is suspect. My opinions are my own, your response to them is your own. Everyone denies knowledge of and responsibility for the things Mike says.

** I have too many smokes, and this denotes that the smoke in question has been sitting in one of my humidors for at least a year, and thus qualifies as “aged”. If my collection continues to grow, the chances are good I’ll be on that Discovery Channel show about people who hoard stuff and face eviction.

Some of the pictures in Brian’s The Week In Smoke first appeared on twitter. If you’d like to see these lists constructed in real time, follow Brian on twitter. If you don’t, you’ll make the Fail Whale cry.