It’s once 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!

A. Flores Gran Reserva Robusto (IPCPR Sample) *
It’s a cigar with a classic look, a cedar sleeve, a darker reddish wrapper and fine veins. The flavor profile seemed appropriate to the appearance, instead of being in your face with power and big flavor, it was more subtle. I noted creamy rich cocoa, light sweet cedar, nougat, earth, mild cinnamon, caramel and a little leather. Abe and company did a great job with this cigar.

Berger & Argenti Fatso *
With a cigar as flat as the Fatso Dipper, it’s hard to get a feel for the actual dimensions. If this figurado wasn’t flattened, it’d be 4 x 64. And while I’m generally opposed to large ring gauges, I’ve been saying for years that manufacturers should box press larger ring gauges to make them more comfortable to smoke. I’m happy to see cigar makers like Berger & Argenti doing just that. The Fatso has that distinct Berger & Argenti tobacco flavor, a little leathery and a little cedary, with touches of caramel, citrus syrup and chocolate. It’s a solid smoke, and good option when you want something that feels like a large cigar, but don’t have a lot of time.

Eiroa by CLE Robusto
I’ve heard good things about the new Eiroa in my local shop, so I made a point to pick one up as soon as it became available. The rumors were correct, it’s good smoke. The profile was a rich tobacco with caramel, pepper, cinnamon, a spicy tingle, and touches of an indistinct fruit-like sweetness. I dig it, and will smoke more in the future.

El Primer Mundo Clase Reserva
I haven’t seen a full box of this limited edition around in a while, but I have been lucky enough to find singles here and there, so I lit up another recently. It’s one of those gems that people have forgotten about, at least the patrons of some local retailers. As noted in the past, it’s full of great flavor, rich chocolate, sweet earth, leather, cedar, spices and a touch of vanilla. If you spot one in the wild, do yourself a favor and buy it.

Joya de Nicaragua Rosalones Robusto
Now that the Rosalones are available here in the United States, they have been making repeat appearances in my ashtray. If you saw Ben and I discussing this in a recent episode of Herfin’ Heads, you know what I’m talking about. It’s got that full-bodied profile for which Joya is known, but it delivers it with surprising finesse. If you light one up, expect a lot of coffee, cinnamon, chocolate, smoky wood and a nice touch of sweetness.

Reinado Habanito
Apparently the theme for this edition of Brian’s The Week In Smoke is short smokes. That wasn’t really the plan, but that’s just how things played out. The list just wouldn’t be complete without the little firecracker from Reinado. This little guy as a unique profile of wood, pepper, chocolate and caramel with that signature Reinado pickle-like brine flavor. It may sound a little odd, but believe me, it works nicely.

Viaje Super Shot 12 Gauge Criollo
I’m still sneaking in these short, dark smokes when time is tight. And time has been tight a lot lately. They’re a nice alternative to the J. Fuego Origen Originals, and I’ll be a little sad when they’re gone. If you’ve smoked a Viaje, you have a pretty good idea what to expect from this little guy, upfront spice, ample pepper, earth, charred wood, roasted nuts and coffee. It’s small in size, but big in flavor.

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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 (and this bottle of bourbon) are my own, your response to them is your own. Not even Mike wants to claim ownership of the coo coo clock.

** 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.