Distinctive blends

[jacksfull]

El Prez's recent thread on SCdlH got me thinking... well that and the blind tastings and challenges and such. One of the reasons I like the El Pricipe so much is it's distinctiveness. It would be hard to mistake it for any of the other minutos avaialable, though I like them too.

Probably the most distinctive CC for me is the Monte #4, though. At least, when they're on.

Not saying being more distiinguishable necessarily makes for a better cigar, though sometimes that can be a big part of its appeal. But, just curious about opinions of other CC's that stand out as unique in the field.

[kb20four]

Although I've only smoke two Upmann cigars,the Royal Robusto and Mag 46, the Mag 46 was unlike any other cigar I've smoked. It had that sweet cake-like flavor that I've read about many times here. That's the most unique flavor I've experienced from my little experience.

[MIKA27]

Although I've only smoke two Upmann cigars,the Royal Robusto and Mag 46, the Mag 46 was unlike any other cigar I've smoked. It had that sweet cake-like flavor that I've read about many times here. That's the most unique flavor I've experienced from my little experience.

I can't think of anything from top of my head but Mag 46 also tends to have a certain Vegetal profile for me which I've not encountered anywhere else.

[jacksfull]

I agree on the Mag 46.

[kb20four]

I can't think of anything from top of my head but Mag 46 also tends to have a certain Vegetal profile for me which I've not encountered anywhere else.

I haven't gotten that flavor but I'm still a newb. I usually can pick out only the more obvious flavors. I avoided Upmann for a long time until recently because the first box of RRs I got were disappointing. I smoked one Mag 46 out of a box I bought recently and I already ordered another box.

[MIKA27]

I haven't gotten that flavor but I'm still a newb. I usually can pick out only the more obvious flavors. I avoided Upmann for a long time until recently because the first box of RRs I got were disappointing. I smoked one Mag 46 out of a box I bought recently and I already ordered another box.

I love the Upmann Mag 48 they are amazing

[JohnS]

Unique and distinctive? From what I understand, you wouldn't confuse a Cohiba Behike with another cigar if you've had one.

[Colt45]

I've come around to feeling that Cuban cigars share more similarities than they have differences, so I'm not sure if I believe there are any truly distinct blends or not. Put it this way, were I to taste truly blind - where I could not see or touch the cigar, I'm not sure I'd be able to pick which cigar it was with conviction.

[jacksfull]

I've come around to feeling that Cuban cigars share more similarities than they have differences, so I'm not sure if I believe there are any truly distinct blends or not. Put it this way, were I to taste truly blind - where I could not see or touch the cigar, I'm not sure I'd be able to pick which cigar it was with conviction.

Agree... mostly. And that's a big part of the basis for asking.

But, there are a few that differentiate themselves pretty well for me.

Some, BTW, are a matter of size. It would be difficult, for example, to mistake a PL Montecarlo for anything else... maybe an LGC MdO#4 (???). Those that are unmistakeable for their flavors alone are fewer and farther between. I suppose in some ways that's a testament to Cuban-ness and the quality reflected in the tobacco.

Still, there are instances where the differences are less subtle, though not many to be sure, even where there are several iterations of a particular vitola. And, perhaps, that leads to a couple fo different conclusions. 1) Those that do display unique personalities are generally rather sought after -and- 2) Where differences are less distinctive one may be inclined to select based more on what is smoking well at any given time. In some instances #2 is a toss up. I mentioned the El Pricipe above. But the other three regular production minutos are relatively interchangeable. BCJ, Parti Shorts, and RASCC are sometimes easily mistaken for each other, but are all terrific smokes! Therefore, I am definitely NOT saying distinctiveness is a requirement to stand out as a great cigar... only to stand out as a unique cigar..

[El Presidente]

Truly unique for me.

Magnum 46 and 898 V scream Partagas every time I light one up.

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion Number 4 (POUJUN13) remind me of Romeo y Julieta in it's greatness. I didn't think they could be bettered until a group of us have been hoovering the GEOFEB14 this past week.

Montecristo Especial is just Montecristo greatness. All the best aspects of Montecristo in one cigar.

San Cristobal Principe, you could never mistake it for another cigar. Where else do you get molasses.

Aged Des Dieux. No other cigar delivers intense vanilla bean like an aged Dieux.

[Smallclub]

The discontinued thin rg vitola of the ERDM line were pretty unique. Grandes de España, Elegantes, Panatelas Largas, offered a mix of sandal wood and vanilla that has completely disappeared from HSA offering, whith the exception of the aged ERDM demi tasse, if you're lucky (not guaranteed).

I've found the 2007 SCDH Murallas, smoked recently, very unique as well.

[Stanislaw]

oops, was going to mention that Cohiba wasn't really discussed but JohnS nailed it... And I have to agree

[TheLiquidGator]

Pres, "Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion Number 4 (POUJUN13) remind me of Romeo y Julieta in it's greatness. I didn't think they could be bettered until a group of us have been hoovering the GEOFEB14 this past week."

You are killing me....... more boxes to buy.....

[earthson]

oops, was going to mention that Cohiba wasn't really discussed but JohnS nailed it... And I have to agree

Stanislaw! Good to see you back around here, again! Are you back on the puffing train?

[Stanislaw]

Stanislaw! Good to see you back around here, again! Are you back on the puffing train?

Hey man! It's great to be back and YES I've been given the all clear much to the benefit of my sanity....

[tmac77]

Unique for me:

An Aged VR Clasicos a beautiful combination of of deep dark tabacco & espresso with a hint of saltiness.

A Monte Especial #2. IMO the epitome of what a monte should taste like.

Upmann Connie #1 Catches all the characteristics of the Upmann blend with a little bit of something extra in complexity from the rest of the Upmann brand.

And Finally the LGC Md'O #2. Simply a sublime cigar that suits my palate to a tee. IMO the most unique flavour profile of the Habanos line.

[Colt45]

But, there are a few that differentiate themselves pretty well for me.

First a caveat - In my possesion I've no cigars younger than '08.

I completely agree that cigars can have unique characteristics, and that brand identity does exist, at least to a degree - but I sometimes wonder how much of that identity is projected by me versus let's say intended by the blender. As I mentioned, I feel there is a fairly strong commonality which radiates from the core of Cuban cigars.

You mention the Principe - I have an '07 box which I think I might have a hard time differentiating from an '07 box of RASCC I have. Both have been decent, fairly straighforward cigars, perhaps on the underfilled side, but that's what the factory produced and released so that's what I have to go by - no excuses, no passes. I love the Bolivar CJ, but I'm not sure I could pick it from the Partagas short tasting blind.

I truly enjoy the Bolivar Corona Gigantes, Upmann Sir Winston, Hoyo Churchill, and RyJ Churchill. In my mind they each have unique characteristics, and I'd like to think I could pick them out in a blind tasting, but I'm not so sure.

I try to imagine a truly blind tasting - blindfolded, bot being able to touch the cigar, smoking through a "filter tip" so as not to be able to ascertain the ring gauge......

Again, I'm not in disagreement, being argumentative, or trying to prove a point - just making conversation.

[Troels]

Perfume/ floral notes of juan lopez

[jacksfull]

I completely agree that cigars can have unique characteristics, and that brand identity does exist, at least to a degree - but I sometimes wonder how much of that identity is projected by me versus let's say intended by the blender. As I mentioned, I feel there is a fairly strong commonality which radiates from the core of Cuban cigars.

....

Again, I'm not in disagreement, being argumentative, or trying to prove a point - just making conversation.

I never took you as being argumentative. I hope I didn't sound that way either. The thread is all about just making conversation!

And I do think you make a very good point about us projecting identity. I know I have certain expectations from certain cigars and seek confirmation, looking for hints of anticipated characteristics even when they're not so pronounced. When they're just not there we tend to say it's "off". But, it's still what the factory put out as "that cigar". So, maybe the answer to being distinctive is "sometimes yes, sometimes no!" The variability of CC's is not a surprise to any of us. And the higher the level of consistency, the more universally lauded an individual cigar or marca tends to be... and perhaps the more distinctive it seems.

[Orion21]

The Good:

The RyJ Cazadores is very unique from my point of view. No other Cuban cigar has the same meaty/salty profile. It's the equivalent to sitting down and eating a beautifully rare rib eye steak. With a few years of aging the edge smooths out and they are beautiful cigars.

The Bad:

The Sanch Panza Belicosos is very different from any other Cuban cigar I have smoked. They are unrefined and harsh. They pack loads of dry pepper that hits the back of the thoat like a freight train. I've had my box for over two years and they won't let up. Guys who love NC cigars love the Sancho. It reminds them of a lot of the NC cigars they enjoy. The Cuban cigar guys who have never smoked one (until gien a sample) universally don't enjoy them. I got together with a local FoH member and had him try one. He politely said he couldn't keep smoking it less than a third of the way into the cigar.

[ErikB]

I've always thought that the colours of the bands do influence us when we try to pick flavours. Montecristo - the brown and white band might point us to creamy coffee, RyJ - the red band might make us think of cherry, even the green band of the new Vegueros might put grassy notes in our heads. Or maybe the bands were designed to go with the blends.

[GasGuy82]

Truly unique for me.

Magnum 46 and 898 V scream Partagas every time I light one up.

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion Number 4 (POUJUN13) remind me of Romeo y Julieta in it's greatness. I didn't think they could be bettered until a group of us have been hoovering the GEOFEB14 this past week.

Montecristo Especial is just Montecristo greatness. All the best aspects of Montecristo in one cigar.

San Cristobal Principe, you could never mistake it for another cigar. Where else do you get molasses.

Aged Des Dieux. No other cigar delivers intense vanilla bean like an aged Dieux.

I missed the POU 13, how soon until we see these buggers on the 24:24? I'm thinking about drafting the email to Di now