Cigar Weekly

tbateman · 01-10-2002, 02:21 PM

Ok, time for the 3rd (for me) vitola of the La Luna African Fuerte line that I've tried, the Bantu. This robusto sized beauty came to me courtesy of fvfanmc (thanks Mike!). The construction on this one was excellent. It was nice and firm thoughout with no soft spots or lumps. The wrapper was just a tad rough but not unpleasingly so and had a slightly oily sheen to it. As with all the LLAF's I've had so far, the Cameroon leaf was a little fragile but intact. It did tear slightly when I cut the cap. I'm beginning to think it's my Xikar more than anything. Speaking of the cap, it was well applied and except for the slight tear, came off cleanly. The pre-light draw was a perfect (something I've found with all the LL products to date). I toasted the little buggers foot and got it going straight away. The first third had a chocolate/cocoa taste. The second third became more earthy with a little pepper taste to it. The last third became leathery with a more pronounced pepper taste. The burn was razor sharp and producing a light grey ash that was very firm. The draw stayed perfect throughout. The volume of smoke was good and heavy imparting a medium to medium-strong body. I don't think I'll ever change from being a maduro lover first and formost, but these LLAF's have opened my eyes toward the Cammies.

Tom
--
It is necessary for us to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself. -- Admiral Hyman Rickover

sambo · 01-10-2002, 02:56 PM

Great review

That is nearly word for word my feeling about the #4 perfecto which IMO is one of the best cigars I have had. Though I had to smoke 3 before my eyes were opened.

As for the LLMF's... Haven't cared for that line, though I have not given up hope, I was not at all impressed with the first one I had (dry, chalky and to tight) I will find my way to giving them a second chance soon enough.

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
- Napoleon Bonaparte

tbateman · 01-10-2002, 03:28 PM

Thanks Sambo, the #4 is on my list for acqusition.

Tom
--
It is necessary for us to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself. -- Admiral Hyman Rickover

fvfanmc · 01-12-2002, 11:37 AM

Tommy, my pleasure.

"The Italian Stallion" fvfanmc £Þ

mdman · 01-12-2002, 12:29 PM

Great Review!

I love those La Luna's.

Jankjr · 01-12-2002, 12:54 PM

I'm looking forward to trying the Camaluna's I won on CB. The bid was won on Tuesday but they did not ship until Friday!

Jankjr

bigbear · 01-12-2002, 01:19 PM

Thank you for your review.
I've only tried a few LLs, but of the Africans I think it was the Tusk that did it for me.

tbateman · 01-12-2002, 05:13 PM

Hey Jankjr, I was one of the other 2 that won on that auction.

Tom
--
It is necessary for us to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself. -- Admiral Hyman Rickover

elzorro1955 · 01-12-2002, 06:32 PM

Tbateman, I got to tell you I love your quote by Rickover. He was a great military man as well as a great military philosopher. IMHO, his best quote is about sinning against the beauracracy.

GO GATORS!!!

sevenmag · 01-12-2002, 09:02 PM

I like the LLAFs better than the LLMFs.
I haven't had the Bantu but all the Perfecto#5s and Tusks I have had were all great smokes.

Proud to be a "BOTL".

01-10-2002, 02:21 PM	#1
tbateman Herf Meister Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Rock Ridge Posts: 8,899	Ok, time for the 3rd (for me) vitola of the La Luna African Fuerte line that I've tried, the Bantu. This robusto sized beauty came to me courtesy of fvfanmc (thanks Mike!). The construction on this one was excellent. It was nice and firm thoughout with no soft spots or lumps. The wrapper was just a tad rough but not unpleasingly so and had a slightly oily sheen to it. As with all the LLAF's I've had so far, the Cameroon leaf was a little fragile but intact. It did tear slightly when I cut the cap. I'm beginning to think it's my Xikar more than anything. Speaking of the cap, it was well applied and except for the slight tear, came off cleanly. The pre-light draw was a perfect (something I've found with all the LL products to date). I toasted the little buggers foot and got it going straight away. The first third had a chocolate/cocoa taste. The second third became more earthy with a little pepper taste to it. The last third became leathery with a more pronounced pepper taste. The burn was razor sharp and producing a light grey ash that was very firm. The draw stayed perfect throughout. The volume of smoke was good and heavy imparting a medium to medium-strong body. I don't think I'll ever change from being a maduro lover first and formost, but these LLAF's have opened my eyes toward the Cammies. Tom -- It is necessary for us to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself. -- Admiral Hyman Rickover __________________ Mongo only pawn... in game of life. Mongoyim - JLOH #007

01-10-2002, 02:56 PM	#2
sambo Herf Meister Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Senior Lefty, KKKali Djibouti Posts: 6,791	Great review That is nearly word for word my feeling about the #4 perfecto which IMO is one of the best cigars I have had. Though I had to smoke 3 before my eyes were opened. As for the LLMF's... Haven't cared for that line, though I have not given up hope, I was not at all impressed with the first one I had (dry, chalky and to tight) I will find my way to giving them a second chance soon enough. "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." - Napoleon Bonaparte __________________ Stop ruining my ideology with you logic!

01-10-2002, 03:28 PM	#3
tbateman Herf Meister Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Rock Ridge Posts: 8,899	Thanks Sambo, the #4 is on my list for acqusition. Tom -- It is necessary for us to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself. -- Admiral Hyman Rickover __________________ Mongo only pawn... in game of life. Mongoyim - JLOH #007

01-12-2002, 12:54 PM	#6
Jankjr Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Bermuda Posts: 228	I'm looking forward to trying the Camaluna's I won on CB. The bid was won on Tuesday but they did not ship until Friday! Jankjr __________________ Jankjr "Sweet'n the ride Black Sunshine"

01-12-2002, 01:19 PM	#7
bigbear Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 777	Thank you for your review. I've only tried a few LLs, but of the Africans I think it was the Tusk that did it for me. __________________ -- Jeff www.bigbearworks.com "I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members." -- Groucho Marx

01-12-2002, 11:37 AM	#4
fvfanmc Self Exiled Herf God Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Kearny, NJ Posts: 40,584	Tommy, my pleasure. "The Italian Stallion" fvfanmc £Þ

01-12-2002, 12:29 PM	#5
mdman Club Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yuma, AZ USA Posts: 4,102	Great Review! I love those La Luna's. __________________ Cigars are fer smokin™..! www.mdcigars.com

01-12-2002, 05:13 PM	#8
tbateman Herf Meister Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Rock Ridge Posts: 8,899	Hey Jankjr, I was one of the other 2 that won on that auction. Tom -- It is necessary for us to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself. -- Admiral Hyman Rickover __________________ Mongo only pawn... in game of life. Mongoyim - JLOH #007

01-12-2002, 06:32 PM	#9
elzorro1955 Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Brandon, FL USA Posts: 749	Tbateman, I got to tell you I love your quote by Rickover. He was a great military man as well as a great military philosopher. IMHO, his best quote is about sinning against the beauracracy. GO GATORS!!! __________________ Z, the mark of ElZorro

01-12-2002, 09:02 PM	#10
sevenmag Contributing Editor Herf Meister Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Charleston, SC. USA Posts: 9,864	I like the LLAFs better than the LLMFs. I haven't had the Bantu but all the Perfecto#5s and Tusks I have had were all great smokes. Proud to be a "BOTL".