That takes a lot of pressure off me, because in my "Best Cigars of 2006" article, I gave MAXX a score of 9.5. based on a similar-sized sample I received at RTDA Las Vegas last summer. That aside, at in-store cigar tasting on MAXX last month at Famous Smoke Shop, I smoked the Culture (my size of choice in the line) and it was every bit as wonderful as the cigar I reviewed. I also predicted MAXX would be "one of the most talked-about cigars of 2007."

Since the next issue of SMOKE isn't due out out for a couple of weeks, I don't want to steal to much more of their thunder. I'd rather let you read the comments for yourself. For now, I just want to congratulate Alan Rubin and Nestor Plasencia on a wonderful job.

~ Gary Korb