Ave Maria LionHeart Box Pressed - 5.5x55

[jsm11]

The Box Pressed LionHeart by Ave Maria is a 5.5x55 one note wonder.  It starts off with a smooth tobacco taste and is unrelenting, provided the same flavor during the entirety of this smoke.  I purchased this cigar in a 5-pack from CBid for about $4.30 a stick and overall, I am happy with the purchase.  For the price, this should be on everyones list for a sub $5 cigar
 
Cigar: $4.30
Ave Maria Box Pressed LionHeart
Details:
5.5x55
Description of Strength/Profile:
Medium
Smoking Time:
80 Minutes
Cigar Aged:
30 days in tupperdore
Cigars Reviewed:
2
Tobacco:
Wrapper: Nicarauguan
Filler: Ecuadorian Habano
 
Procurement:
This is the first order that I had placed with the Devil Site (CigarBid) and I purchased this pack from a freefall auction.  I knew nothing about it other than seeing good reviews on the net prior to ordering.  And for the most part I agree with reviews I have read after smoking these.  Basically, it was a cheap stick and Im currently on a venture to expand my range and branch off into unknown waters.
 
Construction:
The Ave Maria is well constructed.  Everyone in the 5-pack I purchased seems well constructed.  Nice smooth wrapper with zero tooth.  Well formed with the box press and a pretty decent cap.  The large illustrious band is also a nice touch, one of the more decadent that I have seen.  The wrapper is a nice light chocolate color.  Pretty dry cigar without much oil on it and firm to the touch, well packed, and with a little bit of heft.  There were no issues with construction during the entirety of the smoke.
 
Prelight:
Smells good, good tobacco smell.
Smells fairly barnyard and I'm excited!
Clip the cap and Im on!
 
Light:
As I raise the Xicar table lighter to toast the foot, Im hit with a nice tobacco smell.  Nice and clean.  Raise the cigar and start to puff.
 
Smoke:
Smoke production is excellent and the draw is smoothA couple puffs about 30 seconds apart and Im into the first third. Nice smooth tobacco taste, maybe a hint of leather.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Pleased so far.
 
1/3:
Alright
The flavor continues, nice smooth tobacco taste.
 
2/3:
Alright
The flavor continues, nice smooth tobacco taste.
 
3/3:
Alright
The flavor continues, nice smooth tobacco taste.  Still smoking cool and still the same flavor.  Im pleased that its not smoked hot.
 
Rating:
 
7.8/10
 
Its an alright stick, really thats all there is to say about it, as it related to flavor.  This stick was a one note wonder of dull but good tobacco flavor that I found to be medium/full.  It kicked my ass a little when I got up to get another beer.  Definitely some nicotine in this leaf.  The construction was excellent, the burn was excellent, the draw was excellent and mirrored the quality of the Padron 1964 I smoked earlier in the weeked.  The wrapper is nowhere near as thick as the Padron.  But, the LionHeart was a solidly built stick.  The price point is right as a daily smoke and this stick could be priced double what I payed for it.  The price point elsewhere on the net was $40 per (5)  Im going to leave the other three in the humidor and will update next year, well see if there is a definitive change from this review.
 
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[looking for knowledge]

Does that font look tiny to everyone, or is it a PEBKAC on my end?

 

[MadMonk]

Does that font look tiny to everyone, or is it a PEBKAC on my end?

It's tiny. I'm guessing he can get in and edit it to be larger.

 

[Light this!]

Thanks for the review but I can't see a thing.

 

[Pugman1943]

Is it my ancient eyes, or is that print freaking small?

 

[vortex]

I like the Clermont(cg) size. Still a medium but it's smaller ring allows the spicy wrapper to shine.

IF you want you can edit your post to change the font (size= ...

 

[jsm11]

Sorry, I hit something on the Ipad yesterday at the house and needed to wait until I got to work, where I left my laptop to adjust it...
FWIW, I hate Apple Products...

 

[Pugman1943]

FWIW, may you next stick taste like a dog turd. It is not Apple, it is the user and lack of understanding, nothing against MS.

 

[jsm11]

FWIW, may you next stick taste like a dog turd. It is not Apple, it is the user and lack of understanding, nothing against MS.

 
Perhaps...

 

[Light this!]

FWIW, may you next stick taste like a dog turd. It is not Apple, it is the user and lack of understanding, nothing against MS.

 
Woah Pug - tell us how you really feel. 

 

[Brickhouse]

Easy Pug, easy!!! :laugh:
 
As for the review.  I haven't heard of the cigar, but I thought the review was nicely laid out.  I also like the brevity of it.  Sometimes I shy away from reading many reviews because they just become too lengthy.  Nice review on what appears to be a subpar cigar.  Enjoyed the pics as well.

 

[sterlingnotes]

I'm pretty sure the Ave Maria is a Cigars International brand.  I had a couple last year and remember liking them.

 

[kann]

This has been my experience with Ave Maria, as well.  I got some in a CI sampler a few years ago; I'm not sure of the vitola/name.  It was not bad, but kind of unremarkable considering how much CI hyped their own product (surprising! ) and how attractive the band is.  If I recall, these things were selling for about $200 a box when first introduced, no?

 

[oke&coke]

Pretty much agree with the review here. Had the Cleremont size and while good nothing to write home about.  Also smoked a Immaculata churchill the other day.  Very light bodied but the smoke was dense and left a creamy feel on my tongue.  Good morning cigar.

 

[Mizicke5273]

I really like the Holy Grails (Salomon) and have since their release.  Hype aside, they are a nice everyday smoke and can be had at really reasonable prices on CBid now.