Cigar Utopia, My 20th Anniversary Cruise

[Jesuscookies]

Congratulations to you and your wife. Hopefully, another 20 wonderful years in your future.

[Gary]

Congrats on the milestone and enjoy the cruise. You're a lucky man having such legend smokes as those.

Was it much trouble tracking down smokes like that?

[thechenman]

My first review is of the Partagas 150 Corona Grande:

The anticipation of finally being able to taste the legendary Partagas 150 was palpable. My entire smoking life this cigar has held company only with the likes of the 1492, Eduardo Rivera's original Cohiba Lancero, the Cuban Davidoff, or the 30th anniversary Cohiba. It may be this tremendous preset expectation that set up this smoke for a disappointment.

The construction was excellent, but over the years the oils had dried out somewhat. On pre-light the taste was deceptively light. I carefully kept the flame ½ inch away from the foot for fear of scorching this precious wrapper, it glowed and then easily lit. The first few puffs surprised me with strong full bodied power; the core was of black pepper and spice, with an easy draw. As the burn continued over the next 45 minutes, there were also some hints of woodiness. The ash was whitish gray; with a surprisingly even burn (I smoked this on my balcony with a 30 knot wind around me). At no point did I taste any sweetness or earthy flavor, the final stage showed some very faint acidic overtones. The smoke volume remained good throughout.

All in all, I had way too much expectation for this cigar, it was very good, but I would not put it in the GREAT category. Take this review with a grain of salt as this was in a windy situation which could have had impact on it. I would rate this smoke a 91.

Next smoke will be the controversial Cohiba Gran Reserva, stay tuned…

Nice review of a nice smoke. Sorry it did not live up to expectations...

[bkmynn]

Congrats on the milestone. I guess being married for 20 years, the wife is happy to let you have a few hours of peace to enjoy the smokes!!!

Looking forward to the next (review) installments.

[Ken Gargett]

congrats and what a great line up.

see rob, there is a benefit to be married for 20 years.

[MrGlass]

I'm looking forward to reading these reviews.

It's a pity about the disappointment with the Partagas, but at least it was still enjoyable. I think it would be incredibly difficult to approach these cigars without some form of high expectations, but maybe the disappointment here will somewhat lower the expectations for the rest?

[Mirrorlure7m]

Emil I am looking forward to reading the other reviews . Hope your having a great time ! Tell Teddie I say hello.

[MIKA27]

Love the review mate, keep them coming.

[edameff]

Congrats!!! Enjoy your cruise and smokes! Stay of that cruise zip-line, lol.

LOL, I did the Zip Line on the beach, 500 feet high, the longest zip line on earth (over water-that is what they claim), it was AWESOME!!

[edameff]

Forget the Cigars, Damn those are sexy legs.

Anyways, Congrats on the 20th ani and on all these great cigars.

Jose

Thanks Jose,

Those legs belong to my wife...Oh oh, she just looked over at my response and sent a left hook my way, thanks, no anniversary fun with her tonight!!

[edameff]

Congrats to both of you

Thanks Prez

[edameff]

Congrats on the milestone and enjoy the cruise. You're a lucky man having such legend smokes as those.

Was it much trouble tracking down smokes like that?

Living in the USA where possessing these smokes constitutes a small crime known as "Trading With The Enemy", I am risking public hanging to obtain and enjoy them. However it is well worth the risk!!

[edameff]

Teddie and I want to say THANK YOU ALL so much for your congratulations, it is so great belonging to this family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeafLover]

Looks like you are cruising with good company.....wife (since she stuck with you for 20 years) and cigars. Congrats!!!

[BobLobLaw]

Thanks for the review, can't wait to hear your thoughts on the CGR!

[edameff]

Here it is, finally, the Cohiba Gran Reserva review:

First, let me bring you to the setting with me, I am on my balcony, the ship is docked and the white sand beach of Labadee, Haiti lies before me. No wind today, dead calm, perfect conditions. Construction is impeccable, the cigar oils shimmer off the Caribbean sun, and the unlit aroma gives a clean, perfect draw. The ping of my lighter breaks the quiet and the double flame gently roasts the foot of this potential legend. I taste the first puffs and am truly amazed at the velvet smoothness of the smoke. I was expecting a bit of a kick, but instead chocolate permeates from a core of sweet cream, there is a hint of licorice, no pepper or spice is noted. About one inch in, I detect some black cherry; the balance is fantastic with a harmonious medley of flavors, very easy on the palate. My wife is a novice, yet is able to appreciate the wonder of this cigar (yes, I don’t mind sharing my “stick” with her…ha, ha). Medium in body with a slightly uneven burn, in stage II espresso bean taste evolves, with permeation of sweet wood and almonds. By stage III, I detect a tiny hint of tannin. The finish is long and very pleasant. I rate it a 95.

I have read where some people feel that this is simply a Siglo VI with 5 years of age, let me put that to rest…NO, not even close. I smoked a 2004 Siglo VI just prior to the cruise so I could have a point of reference, it was a phenomenal cigar, but VERY different. I’m not saying better or worse, just DIFFERENT. Some people like Crème Brule, others like Mississippi Mud Pie, both are great, but without a doubt are different.

This was a wonderful smoke and I did thoroughly enjoy it, I believe that 5-10 years of age will bring out a true legend here. Now all of that said, here is the BIG question, is it worth the current price…I have to say no, I do not believe so. I have smoked cigars that are better for far less money. Am I sorry I spent the money, no, because you only live once, but for those of you who will not likely try this, savor your current favorites, they are what bring pleasure to life.

Colt, I hope you read this, I tried to write this up to your standards and match the review of your Cohiba Gran Reserva!!!! Sorry, no Plug!

[thechenman]

Thanks for the review and great pics. My experience with the CGR was certainly different from yours. Smoked mine in April while vacationing in Paradise Island. I agree with you on the price point, and I'm glad to read that your experience was more enjoyable than mine.

[BobLobLaw]

Sounds awesome and great pictures. I only have a few of these and can't wait until the right opportunity to smoke one. No set timetable or anything I actually have a long "queue" of cigars I only have singles of that I want to smoke undisturbed so it takes quite awhile for new ones to get to the top which works out well in letting them sit for a few months first.

[Mirrorlure7m]

Good review again emil .

[Mr.T]

Congrats and thank you very much for taking us along for the ride. Thanks for the great reviews and pics.....look forward to reading the others.

[Colt45]

Colt, I hope you read this, I tried to write this up to your standards and match the review of your Cohiba Gran Reserva!!!! Sorry, no Plug!

Assuming you mean me - as much as I like taking credit for other people's work, I'm afraid I've not smoked the CGR (as far as I can recall:-).

Thanks for the great review

[edameff]

Review of the Montecristo #1 from 1964:

Today is a day at sea as we travel toward Costa Maya, Mexico, and I decide it feels like a 45 year old cigar type of day. The reason why this is so special is because this cigar was boxed the same year my wife was born. I have NEVER tasted a cigar anywhere near this old (my wife did not appreciate that last comment!); prior to this a 15 year old cigar held the record for me. The construction is good, the cellophane is yellowed with long ago evaporated oils. The wrapper is very dry without any sheen. I punch it, and slowly inhale the unlit stick, a very different taste hits me, almost a sickly sweetness that is difficult to quantify. I am VERY careful not to scorch the wrapper on lighting up. I am shivering with anticipation, what on earth will a 45 year old cigar taste like, wonderment or dust?? My wonder is quickly answered, the first few puffs transport me to a place I have never dreamed of in cigar nirvana!! WOW! Unbelievable! Complete balance and harmony of flavor is experienced, honey and tea tickles the palate, very mild bodied and delicate smoke caresses my tongue, and this is by far the lightest yet most pleasant taste I have ever experienced in a cigar. Ancient wood notes with floral and honey builds over the first third of this stick. During stage II, intensity builds and dried flowers permeate through. The ash is snow white and the burn is razor sharp. The body now passes medium and is heading full steam toward full. Earthy notes are now very noticeable and nasal spice is felt.

Let me pause for a moment here to again bring you into the present state with me. The wind is blowing at about 10-15 knots, Jimmy Buffet croons “Havana Daydreamin” and “False Echoes”. I am leaning back in my chair, to the point just before it falls backward. Some faint spray from the Caribbean ocean hits my face leaving a salty residue. Complete calm and serenity abound.

Now back to the cigar…Stage III explodes with full bodied flavor, silky smooth with hints of orange peel and white pepper are left on the finish. As you probably guessed, I burn my lips and fingers as I smoke this to the nub.

I can honestly say that if the ships strikes a freak iceberg and sinks, taking me to my watery grave, life has been fully experienced and I die happy.

My wife read this review and wants to have me committed when we get home.

[thechenman]

Thanks for sharing that awesome experience. I've yet to smoke anything with more than a decade of age on it. 40+ years? Simply amazing. Love the pics.

[edameff]

Assuming you mean me - as much as I like taking credit for other people's work, I'm afraid I've not smoked the CGR (as far as I can recall:-).

Thanks for the great review

Of Course I mean you, Alzheimers is a terrible thing Colt...let me jog your memory. Check your post of March 26, 2010, you had me in stitches I was laughing so hard!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[edameff]

Well I thought I had a legendary line of of cigars until we went ashore in Costa Maya and I saw things I never knew existed. These make my collection pale in comparison!! I have enclosed a pic of the Cohiba Edicion Limitada Piramide 2010, in a glass top case none the less!! WOW! Then I found a shop with a wonder of cigars, many had perfect small round holes in them, when I dared to ask the merchant if by chance these were beetle holes he reeled in horror, grabbed one of the maduro Cohiba Esplendidos and tapped feverishly on the table to demonstrate only minimal sawdust falling out. Since these were so precious he refused to allow me to photograph these gems so I could show all of you.

This collection of fakes brought a feeling to me which started in the pit of my stomach, then slowly rose to the back of my throat. It had hints of bile with a core of stomach acid and vomit! The worst part is people were paying $50-$80 a piece for these specimens!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: