Review: Habanos 1994 - Special Release Humidor

[Puros Y Vino]

Review: Habanos 1994

Release: Special release humidor to commemorate the establishment of Habanos S.A.

Vitola: 46RG * 143mm (5.6”) Grand Corona aka Coronas Gordas

Production: 502 humidors of 50 cigars made. (25,100 cigars)

Box Code: Unknown (rolled circa 1994)

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Habanos#16_1994_Humidor

Date: Saturday June 14, 2014

Start Time: 9:35PM EST

Reviewers Notes:

My style of cigar reviewing is “open”. I try to jot down what I’m experiencing with every draw. When you see a “/” consider that a break in between puffs. What I leave out in fancy prose is made up with observation. Consider each segment a play by play. This style works for me. I hope you enjoy it.

Background:

The Habanos 1994 release is probably third after the 1492 and CT25 releases in terms of lustre. Coming in a beautifully crafted humidor, the Habanos 1994 aims to be the pinnacle of Cuban cigars in its’ time. At least, that what I like to think Habanos had in mind when putting this together. I don’t see many early 1990’s CC’s around here so when this came up via a local private sale, I was interested.

Pre-Light Notes:

Visuals: smooth wrapper, light veins, firm well stored, ready to smoke

Aroma at cold:

The wrapper has an aged tobacco aroma to it. There’s hint of pine as well. The foot has that same aroma, but there’s a touch of chocolate on it. Overall, the aroma is more woodsy than floral.

I get a nice clean punch on the head, the draw is smooth. Time to smoke!

1st Third:

definitely alive lots of flavour to start / the cigar is smooth / toasty / bread like flavours / minty taste / nice tangy notes / lots of smoke production / draw is great / wow..hints of chocolate that Ii smelled I can now taste. didn't last too long, but it’s there.. / dry tannin like finish on the draw / profile thus far is mild / no real strong tobacco hits either / slight nuttiness on the finish / mintiness still dancing in & out on the draws / very nice. i have only tasted mint in aged cigars / but not to the same degree / this one is packed with it.

2nd Third:

Serious amount of smoke output on this cigar, it’s aroma is somewhat herbal / tobacco seems to be showing some strength / slight vanilla notes appear / tangy tart notes with a hint of dark chocolate / mint again / burn is askew / no issues though / draw remains smooth / the smoke is aromatic a bit woodsy / wow,nice long draw results in rich beany flavours on the tongue / very dry profile overall / very subtle cigar, have to smoke it slowly and pay attention / sweet bready notes / sharp cedar notes emerge / the finish is slight cocoa like /

3rd Third:

very crisp flavours here / a bit of mint / some toasty tobacco / dry nuttiness. medium bodied at this point / the tobacco strenght is coming through / tons of smoke persist / great draw / nice..some milk chocolate / the original owner definitely stored these well over the years / big hit of cedar and earth / mint / flavours are somewhat muted the last 6 draws / still enjoyable / back to mint / toasty tobacco / lots of smoke still / rich earthy notes with a cedary finish / dry almond like taste / big minty hit / slight cocoa on the finish / cedar notes with a beany finish

toasty tobacco / lots of cedar notes / a bit stronger at this point / nice beany notes again / a slight hint of fruit cake / the only real sweet flavour to appear / a bit more cocoa on the finish / dry nuttiness / tobacco showing some of it’s strength as i head towards nubbing the cigar / more dry nuttiness / mint is gone / toasty tobacco takes over / the smoke is still pumping out / the aroma of it is quite strong / cocoa / cedary finish / nubbed this good / too hot to handle / calling it.

Done @ 10:56PM EST

Final Thoughts

This was one elegant smoke. Overall it was dominated by minty flavours, it produced lots of smoke and had good range of flavours throughout. From foot to head, I’d say this was a medium bodied smoke with most of the stronger flavours coming out in the last half. It’s a real treat to smoke an aged cigar, even more so when it’s a truly limited item. With only 25,100 cigars made, I’m fortunate to have found a sample to smoke. Having been aged for 20 years, this cigar is definitely an experience. I’ve heard good things about the early to mid 90’s tobacco crops and this was probably a fine example of it when fresh. It’s certainly no slouch 20 years later. The Habanos 1994 was a smooth smoke throughout, it had enough flavour range to keep me interested, the draw was perfect, nothing to complain about really, maybe except the price? To me, this was worth the price of admission. This was a time capsule of Cuban tobacco that you just won’t see come up too often. It’s probably on a lot of people’s wish list and from my observations, it’s worthy of being coveted.

Score: 95

[Skyfall]

Great Review Frank...Thanks!

[Rye]

Nice review of a dream smoke!

[Hohenthal]

Great review Frank,

worthy of the legend!

Cheers!

[ATGroom]

Great to see a rare review of these cigars.

[Stoyan]

Great review, thanks for sharing!

[cottierm]

Great review Frank! Thanks!

[laficion]

GREAT rewiew Frank, Nice to see a cigar 20+years old on a rewiew here .

Guy

[Strada]

Good job Frank. Now send me the other one you have!

[Optic101]

Great review Frank!

Thanks!

[mncz]

Lovely read. Thanks for taking the time to review this one.