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!

Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Little Robusto **
July 22nd was the 7th annual Smoke A JJ for JJ Day (or #jj4jj on social media) so I went humidor diving. I bought a box of the Little Robusto special edition from Buckhead Cigar years ago, and I haven’t been good about saving them. I got lucky, I found one (maybe my last) and lit it up. Time doesn’t seem to have dulled the spicy, peppery, roasted nut profile at all. Though it may have contributed some sweeter, fruity and caramel notes. RIP JJ.

Epicurean Gonzo Vintage 2007 * **
I’ve had a few Gonzos from Steve Ysidron’s Epicurean cigar company, and all of them have been unique and memorable. This smoke doesn’t break with the trend, and age hasn’t hurt it in the least. I noted an interesting combination of flavors starting with cream, vanilla and honey, with later herbal, perfume-y and coffee bean notes. It was a trip, and I enjoyed it. If I can find them, I’m getting more.

J. Fuego Americana Robusto
I’ve been smoking the J. Fuego Americana intermittently since it came out, and it’s on the verge of becoming a go-to cigar. (It helps that my local shop carries it.) The herbal and spicy profile appeals to me, and the supporting sweetness and wood brings it all together. I’d recommend it if you haven’t tried one yet.

Joya De Nicaragua Red Robusto *
The good people at Joya De Nicaragua didn’t waste any time in sending me samples of their latest cigar, so I didn’t either. The cigar is unmistakably Joya, I think if I smoked it blind I’d know it almost immediately, even if the blend itself was unfamiliar. It has a flavor, or combination of flavors that clue me in, it’s like earth, plum and chocolate. But this isn’t as heavy or as powerful a smoke than the Antaño that recently won an award, but it still has plenty of body. In addition to those notes, I also picked up a creamy nuttiness, a touch of cedar, coffee and some sweet, almost fruity notes. I enjoyed the Red, and I wonder how they’ll be after they’ve had a time to sit in the humidor.

Nestor Miranda Collection Maduro Robusto
I spotted a single box of these new Nestor Miranda Collection Maduros at my local shop, and decided to take it for a spin. If you haven’t heard, the Maduro is part of the new line of cigars that will replace the Special Selection. (There are also be Connecticut and Habano blends.) I found it to be a pretty enjoyable smoke- earthy with notes of chocolate, coffee, cedar and pepper.

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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 rye) are my own, your response to them is your own. All your base are belong to us.

** 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. And he’s ugly when he cries.