Prometheus Ultimo X Press Release

Prometheus Ultimo X Press Release (lighter & Cutters)

  Prometheus released these beauties back in early November 2014. Featuring triple torch inverted flames for pin point cigar roasting. Prometheus always makes a beautiful lighter when it comes to the God of Fire line ups. This line is they are calling the Ultimo X. These are limited editions with their own serial numbers. The two options available are the God of Fire 10th Anniversary and the Fuente Fuente Forbidden X (yes, Fuente Fuente is correct). These limited pieces are available along with matching cigar cutters. All prices ranging from 79.95- 99.00. The lowest price starting with the cigar cutters. 

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Visol Aleus Torch Lighter Review



Visol Aleus Triple Torch Lighter Review

  Just another value packed lighter from Visol up for review. This is the Aleus triple torch cigar lighter, shown in Visol's gunmetal finish. Not on the same quality level as the Xikar Pulsar. That said, more of an affordable option, with similar features. Though, missing one key feature...
  Aleus has ALMOST all of my favorite packed features: single thumb action to ignition, triple torches, and a cigar punch cutter. A triple torch lighter burns a lot of butane quickly. Unfortunately, Aleus is missing a fuel gauge window, this would be very beneficial. So close to hitting all my key integrations in a triple torch lighter.

  










  The thumb action is smooth and easy to operate. Once depressed, emits a triangular strong wind resistant flame. On the side of the lighter is a user friendly 7mm cigar punch. Unlike Pulsar's easy fuel adjustment wheel, Aleus uses the old fingernail/screwdriver adjustment. In fairness, there is a serious price difference between the two. I am simply pointing out even though they have a lot of similarities, the right lighter lies with ones personal preferences all things considered. Aleus does have the a nice heft about it, coming in just shy of 3 oz. The Visol I reviewed fired up every time without hesitation. The overall materials used and quality are in line with a $20ish lighter. Do not expect a Xikar like finish. As noted, Aleus can be found around the $20 mark. Not too shabby at all.

BEST Price CLR found: Visol Aleus

CLR Overall Ratings (10 being best, all added, divided by 5)

7.5 - Aesthetics

6 - Finish/Construction

8 - Flame

7.5 - Function & Fuel Adjustment

8 - Value vs. List Price

CLR Final Score: 7.4

Fire It Up Test Results:

20 attempts, 20 successful lights

Pros - value, cigar punch cutter

Consideration - no fuel gauge window, fuel adjustment

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Brizard Exotic Wood Nano Review

Brizard Exotic Wenge Wood Nano Review

  Today, another new brand on CLR. I will be reviewing the Nano Wenge Exotic Wood by Brizard & Co. After pulling the Nano single torch lighter out of the satchel it's presented in, I was struck by its small size. Maybe I have been reviewing to many monster lighters lately?! The lighter is made in the United States and retails for around $55.
  This Brizard Nano is shown here is in the wenge wood. The wood feels very nice in that it has not been overly finished. You can actually feel the grain, which I appreciated. What I did not appreciate was the somewhat sloppy/unfinished welding of the vertical center piece up the body connecting the top and bottom. The fuel adjustment on the bottom requires the dreaded fingernail/screwdriver technique. Nano is relatively a simple lighter, with a smaller than usual footprint. Very comfortable in a pair of jeans, etc.

  Brizard & Co offers the Nano torch lighter in quite a few exotic wood choices: wenge, zeebrawood, rosewood, bubinga, and ebony. I appreciate the lighter being made in the United States, though, still hard to look past a few detail. The finish, no fuel gauge window, single torch, and no cigar punch cutter at this price point for me personally is tough to justify. If the construction was more refined, I could likely look past most of the "lacking", really like the wood and size. Nano is only 2.5" long and under a .5' wide.

BEST Price CLR found: Brizard Exotic

CLR Overall Ratings (10 being best, all added, divided by 5)

7 - Aesthetics

5 - Finish/Construction

6 - Flame

6.5 - Function & Fuel Adjustment

6.5 - Value vs. List Price

CLR Final Score: 6.2

Fire It Up Test Results:

20 attempts, 20 successful lights

Pros - size, real wood, U.S.A made

Consideration - pricey, finish is lacking

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Visol Fireball Quad Lighter Review

Visol Fireball Quad Torch Lighter Review

  Visol seems to love the heavy weight lighters. This over half pound quad torch table top lighter Visol refers to as Fireball is just that. The version used for this review is in the brushed gunmetal finish. 
  The Fireball is pretty straight forward. The body and lid operation reminds me of an oversized Zippo lighter. Being that Fireball is listed as a table top lighter my only issue is it does not stand upright very well. With the rounded bottom edges seems to be more intended to be laid on its side. Personally, I prefer table tops that stand on there own confidently. The lid operation flips up responsively revealing the four jet torches. With the wavy edges and traditional(ish) design creates a nice fusion between old and modern designs.

  Fueling the Fireball I found a bit odd. To access the fill nozzle, there is a fingernail flip up lever. This is then unscrewed to give access for fueling. On one hand it protects dust and other elements from entering. Seems like a good idea, but it did strike me as a potential pain in the butt. BUT this is likely due to the fact this is my first time coming across this type of protection. With the size of the fuel tank, I doubt there is really much concern of taking on and off.

  
  Fireball definitely gives the feeling of a quality sturdy lighter that could stand a bit of punishment. There is no denying the name fits the raging flame that is emitted once the thumb cation pusher is depressed. The suggested retail is $50 and can be found for markedly less. Making the Visol Fireball bought at the right price worthy of serious consideration.

BEST Price CLR found: Visol Fireball

CLR Overall Ratings (10 being best, all added, divided by 5)

7 - Aesthetics

7.75 - Finish/Construction

9 - Flame

6.5 - Function & Fuel Adjustment

7.0 - Value vs. List Price

CLR Final Score: 7.45

Fire It Up Test Results:

20 attempts, 20 successful lights

Pros - large fuel tank, excellent flame

Consideration - rounded bottom edges, refueling protective screw

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Xikar Cirro Lighter Review

Xikar Cirro Lighter Review

  Xikar's new Cirro lighter is designed specifically to combat high altitudes. This is a more sophisticated lighter than Xikar's Stratosphere altitude lighter. There is no doubt this is one strong a$$ flame. Engineered to work at altitudes up to 12,000 feet where the air is very thin.

  To mix it up a little bit, CLR is reviewing the Vintage Bronze version of the Cirro. The bronze finish and patina will make no two Cirro's the exact same visually. The meaning of Cirro is that of a high cloud, typically containing ice crystals. Seems appropriate, right? Cirro's design aesthetically is nice. Though, does not do much for me visually for some reason. Xikar did a nice job on attention to detail per usual. The thumb action pusher has a knurled like texture finish for a better tactile feel. Once depressed, the lid opens up and an extremely strong flame is emitted. Xikar calls this a high altitude "turbo flame".

  This is the same type of cone shaped flame we saw on an earlier review of the Black Label Stanley. The coil on the Cirro looks a bit like that of traditional stove top grill. Regardless, the torch is very impressive. Xikar's Cirro is easy to fuel up thanks to the nice oversized fuel adjustment wheel. Xikar also integrated a large sized fuel gauge window into the lighters design.

  Cirro feels like quality, with a solidly built exterior. For a single torch lighter it's very much on the heavy side. This lighter retails for $49.95 and of course can be found for less. I am a bit torn on the value vs. list price on this one. It is a single flame lighter, but the torch is so strong and uniform. Also, Cirro does not have in integrated cigar punch cutter. The quality is excellent and the no proof of purchase lifetime warranty do help make up the difference.

BEST Price CLR Found: Xikar Cirro Lighter (G2 Gunmetal!) 

CLR Overall Ratings (10 being best, all added, divided by 5)

7.5 - Aesthetics

8.5 - Finish/Construction

7.75 - Flame

7.5 - Function & Fuel Adjustment

7.0 - Value vs. List Price

CLR Final Score: 7.65

Fire It Up Test Results:

18 attempts, 20 successful lights

Pros - crazy strong single flame, fuel gauge window, 12,000 ft altitude

Consideration - no cigar punch, heavy

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Caseti Dion Cigar Cutter Review

Caseti Dion Double Guillotine Cigar Cutter Review

A new brand for CLR (sort of) up for review today. This is the Caseti Dion Double Black Guillotine Cutter. I believe Visol actually makes this product under the label Caseti. The Caseti Dion cigar cutter comes in a nice presentation box, with a soft pouch to protect the cutter. With all the high polish, I would use this. A nice added value to the cutter overall.

This is no light weight cutter, heavy hitter for sure. Very well finished, with high polish and contrasting black finishes. Out of the box the double guillotine blades are very sharp as to be expected. There is a high polish spring loaded push button, once depressed sends the either side outwards. Once deployed the cutter can handle up to a 58 ring gauge cigar. Simply squeezing the sides together delivers a nice, even, and crisp cut.

The Dion cigar cutter suggested retail is $60. Though, it can easily be found for less around the $48 mark. It appears to be very well made, but is lacking the lifetime warranty some of us have grown to love and rely on. That said, it has a great feel in the hand and will be something different amongst your buddies at the local B&M.

BEST PRICE CLR found: Caseti Dion Carbon Fiber

Pros - nice heft, aesthetically very pleasing, double guillotine blades

Consideration - might be too heavy for some (personal preferences)

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