San Cristobal De La Habana O’Reilly

[Orion21]

San Cristobal De La Habana O’Reilly

Book release 2009

Where: Patio

Weather: Dusk & 75F

Drink: Pappy Van Winkle 15 year

Start Time: 7:15pm

End Time: 9:10pm

The O’Reilly is an imposing cigar. At 6.3” and 56 ring gauge it commands respect. A beautiful almost flat triple cap was expertly applied to this cigar. This made things tricky because my punch was far too small and the cap wasn’t round enough to properly clip. My solution was to use my Palio cutter almost like scissors to shave the top of the cap. It drew on the firm side, which made me feel good considering the wide open draws I have had with the Behike line. I shaved just enough additional cap to create the perfect draw.

Looking at this cigar you almost don’t want to smoke it. They are that beautiful. A pristine wrapper that is not too dark or too light. A perfect Colorado. The foot is well packed and smells of tobacco and a little barnyard. The cigar is very very firm to the touch, but the draw is great. The cold draw doesn’t give anything away, just really nice tobacco flavors. Time to light it up.

First Third:

The O’Reilly takes to the flame easily. There are so many things about this cigar that scream BHK. Obviously this was released one year earlier…

It’s very light to start and extremely smooth. There is no harshness what-so-ever and in addition to light tobacco I am getting some sugar sweetness I can taste on the smoke. As I get to the one inch mark the sweetness is pronounced and I am also getting cedar. It’s on the light side, not even approaching medium right now. It’s very enjoyable, but I am getting nervous. I keep thinking BHK in my mind. This is starting just like the 56, hopefully it gets better.

The cigar ashed for the first time at the end of the first third and BOOM!!! Immediately it moved up to medium body and now there is sweet white pepper, cedar and cream. The smoke is thick and voluminous. The O’Reilly just became an exceptional cigar.

93 Points (mostly due to the slow start)

Second Third:

The huge improvement in this cigar continues into the second third. I am getting very clear flavors of sweet cedar, spice and cream. My mouth tastes sweet continually. The finish could last minutes as far as I know, but I don’t let the cigar sit that long. However, I am making a conscious effort to not smoke this cigar too fast. I want it to last two hours, at least!

Continuing into the second third I can’t believe how well balanced the O’Reilly is. Everything goes together. It’s not too sweet or too light. The burn is wonderful and it is smoking nice and cool. This is just as good as any Behike I have smoked. These are very similar cigars to the 2010 BHK 52’s I have smoked, but a step above. It is much better than the 54 I smoked this past weekend. The cigar is singing to me right now. Everything is in Harmony and I am just along for the ride.

99 Points

Final Third:

Into the final third the O’Reilly is smoothing out even more, which I wouldn’t have though was possible. The smoke is almost velvety in its texture. It hangs in the air in a thick cloud that blocks my view of what’s behind it. The sweetness has intensified and so had the body. The body is now a solid medium, moving to medium full. The cedar and white pepper are playing off each other in a back and forth.

I’m literally in a trance by this point. This cigar is so intoxicating (no nicotine buzz) I keep thinking to myself (I need more, NEED MORE!). Then I notice the saltiness and when combined with everything else that’s already going on I just give in. The best cigar I have ever had in my life. Head and shoulders above anything I have ever smoked. This is my desert island cigar.

100 Points

Summary:

97 points averaged together, but the last two thirds of the cigar almost made me forget the slow start. An amazing smoke that non-Cuban cigar companies can’t even come close to matching. I am reminded by this 2 hours of smoking bliss why I love Cuban cigars so much. My next best cigar I have smoked was an original release BHK 52 I scored 97 points. I am downgrading that to 93 points because of this cigar. Nothing else to say but – INCREDIBLE!

[CanuckSARTech]

Awesome review, Aaron. Well done. Great pics, and a great narrative.

Glad you found your "desert island cigar"...

[Jszeto]

awesome review!

[Hubba]

Fantastic review.....that is one pretty cigar!!

[Lotusguy]

Nice review!! Luckily, they are still easy to be had (though quite expensive, of course)

[finecigar]

Great review! Thanks for sharing your experience. I love these- but yes they are pretty pricey. A special occasion smoke for me

[Puros Y Vino]

Great review Aaron. Sounds like a winner.

[JPS72]

Great review - thanks!

[BMack]

Wow, that sounds like an amazing cigar! I'm not a fan of the size but based on your description I may just go out and start looking for a single.

[maverickdrinker]

nice review bro!!!!!

[BMWFan]

Excellent review. I wondered if these were as good as advertised.

Thanks!

[mk05]

sounds like you really enjoyed that cigar. get some more for yourself!

[bugman78629]

Excellent review/pics..... Many Thanks!!

[JM25]

Excellent review and great pics!