Ave Maria Cigars: Quick Reviews

Clermont Corona

Size: 5.5 x 45

Profile: Nice full bodied start off the light. Settles to a medium-full after the first half inch.  Solid oak and earthy style while the peppery spice plays on the nose and the back of the palate.  I smoked this little stogie down to the nub – my finger tips and lips started to feel the burn. 

I paired this cigar with Altenmunster Festbier.  This Marzen style beer is a mild brew yet tasty.  It has sweet toasted malts, light rye bread likeness, and grassy hops to give it some balance. This Oktoberfest may not be big in style but, it is tasty and easy to drink.  As for the pairing; this is very pleasing.  The oaky profile of the cigar mixes it up well with this beer.  Altenmunster just refreshes the palate and makes me want another puff of the cigar. 

Crusader Robusto

Size: 5 x 52

Profile: This stick starts off differently than the Corona.  Nice sweet tobacco notes with a soft earthy tones.  The mouthfeel is more medium-full on this Robusto compared to the full bodied start of the corona.  As the smoke continues on this Robusto the oaky wood note develops as the soft earthy tones and sweet tobacco swirl around the palate.  So far I have not noticed the spice showing up (half-way thru).  As soon as I write that on the next few puffs the white pepper spice hits the palate.  The second half of this cigar finishes on the full side of medium-full.  The sweet tobacco notes seem to fade in the second half.   

Knights Templar Toro

Size: 6 x 48

I don’t remember the last time I had a Toro size with a 48 ring gauge.  I like the 52 or 54 sized Toro’s.

Profile: has a hint of sweet tobacco but not as much as the Crusader Robusto.  The oak was up front here at the start.  As the smoking experience continues this stick is reminding me of the Churchill size with the oak as the main profile with a little earthiness and this stick has just a hint of dusty white pepper. 

I paired this stogie with Xingu Black Beer.  The oaky profile of the cigar was a nice contrast to the black beers toasted grains and roasted caramel.