Which great FOH has unlocked a flavour profile for you

[99call]

We've all been there, I like to think I've got a reasonably accurate and broad palette, but we all stumble and experience mental blocks when trying to associate flavours within a particular cigar profile. 

I've just smoked a 2011 Hoyo Du Gourmet, which was a 96 point cigars standing on its head. just simple gorgeous, but I noted the very distinct presence of dried currants. I never would of got there by myself were it not for the comments of 'Michel1968'.  His notes on the Hoyo Du series is pretty goddamn accurate.

So which FOH has unplugged mental block?  what cigar? what flavour?

 

[Islandboy]

In the video review, Rob’s call on “salty driftwood” with the Sancho Panza Belicoso remains in my mind one of the most spot on flavor recognitions that I would never have come up with on my own.

[99call]

9 minutes ago, Islandboy said:

In the video review, Rob’s call on “salty driftwood” with the Sancho Panza Belicoso remains in my mind one of the most spot on flavor recognitions that I would never have come up with on my own.

Yep, they have a laugh Rob and Ken but they're pretty bloody good. Shortbread for Upmann is something I wouldn't of put together, but its bang on

[ayepatz]

31 minutes ago, Islandboy said:

In the video review, Rob’s call on “salty driftwood” with the Sancho Panza Belicoso remains in my mind one of the most spot on flavor recognitions that I would never have come up with on my own.

Yup. Driftwood is a classic. I was trying to combine “salt” with “reminds me of the beach”. Driftwood hit the nail on the head.

[Philc2001]

11 hours ago, 99call said:

I've just smoked a 2011 Hoyo Du Gourmet, which was a 96 point cigars standing on its head. just simple gorgeous, but I noted the very distinct presence of dried currants. I never would of got there by myself were it not for the comments of 'Michel1968'.  His notes on the Hoyo Du series is pretty goddamn accurate.

Not to derail or change the subject, but have the Hoyo Du Gourmet been officially discontinued? I have not seen them offered anywhere in years, and I've heard they were discontinued more than once, and then they appeared again. I think the last I saw these around was about five years ago which is a real shame. 

[99call]

8 hours ago, Philc2001 said:

Hoyo Du Gourmet been officially discontinued?

 

8 hours ago, Philc2001 said:

and then they appeared again

Hmm When you say, then they appear again. This box was from 2011.  I think last sighting was 12?.  I would say prepare to say goodbye to these forever, unless your prepare to source aged stuff. 

I think the saddest thing about these cigars vanishing is that regardless of size, the blends themselves have died, and not replicated in new cigars. If you look at a great deal of the blends of today, it's mid-body, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, popcorn, honey.........etc etc.     HSA is basically blending for a child's palette. 

The Partagas connoisseur Series, and the original Hoyo series contained challenging flavours like rich savoury fungal notes, and overpowering tannic wood... I'm convinced that HSA are not just cutting ties with skinnies, but also cutting ties with any blends that might be considered unusual or challenging. 

[JohnS]

9 hours ago, Philc2001 said:

Not to derail or change the subject, but have the Hoyo Du Gourmet been officially discontinued? I have not seen them offered anywhere in years, and I've heard they were discontinued more than once, and then they appeared again. I think the last I saw these around was about five years ago which is a real shame. 

The original review series by @Michel1968 can be found below...

To keep this thread on track, I've opened up a new topic on the Le Hoyo series...

 

[zeedubbya]

Robs description of a VR Famosos as taking a prune wrapping it in bittersweet cooking chocolate nails the profile for me. Would have never considered it on my own for sure.


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[99call]

Flavour epiphany today during a lovely little Romeo Petit Royales.  I've often heard others call Turkish delight, or rosewater, cherries with R&J,  and I can agree, but there was something more, or something more precise that has been doing my head in for years, and today it came to me.

Pomegranate molasses!.   used in lots of Persian cooking, it really hit the missing link for me and the R&J profile.   It's deep, and sweet, but also slightly musky and has that unusual perfumed Middle Eastern spiciness to it, that I love in good rosado R&J. 

Anyway, this has been bugging me for years, glad to have the mental monkey of my back.

 

[lostsoulcamero]

Empty wallet 

[nKostyan]

I discovered the taste of black currant (including tea with currant leaves) in RyJChurchills and Wide Churchills in Rosado wrapper.

I remembered the taste of cigar salt ash when I first tried SP Non Plus

I remembered the taste of baby cough medicine (Mixtureconta tussis for children) when I smoked Cohiba Linea Classic (mostly Siglo I, II, larger formats to a lesser extent)

 

 

 

[cfc1016]

@awkwardPause and @Wertman turned me onto the lebkuken flavor in the principe, which has made it a favorite for me. 

[THEMISCHMAN]

I have to say that @JohnS has quite a way of articulating his cigar experiences. I always enjoy reading his posts and watching his reviews.

 

[99call]

On 12/5/2018 at 1:51 PM, cfc1016 said:

@awkwardPause and @Wertman turned me onto the lebkuken flavor in the principe, which has made it a favorite for me. 

I had read this a couple of months ago, and not known what lebkuken was, (as I've only known them as Pfeffernusse). But yep 100% with you, I've had this with older Diplomaticos too. Hats off to you, and the Members mentioned. 

[99call]

Big thanks to @Bartolomeo   for unlocking Juicyfruit gum and Punch cigars.  This is sterling work, once you taste it you cant go back. 

 

 

 

[99call]

I'd like to add beeswax based furniture polish, in particular this spray 'Pledge Lavender Wood' polish.  We used to use it growing up, whenever I smoke any Diplomaticos (especially young 2's)  a smell this. 

 

 

[99call]

Just smoked a wonderful JL1, and got masses of lychee, niche I know......but wonderful

Wood, cream, lychee, orange, cocoa, leather........awesome

 

[Kaptain Karl]

The first big one I’ve gotten was dates in 898’s from our wonderful dictator. Would never have gotten it, but in the first 2 from my box it was like chewing on rich, dried dates. It was quite spectacular. 

[CampDelta369]

Would have never heard of San Cristobal De la Habana if no FOH. All you mates that pimp these marcas thank you. The El Principe is no joke. It’s a bold little monster. It definitely sent me into this vitola direction with no regrets.

[nKostyan]

Hot sealing wax in young HdM Epicure De Luxe

 

P.S. Oops... I forgot the initial theme of the topic.

[Chucko8]

On 12/5/2018 at 10:04 PM, THEMISCHMAN said:

I have to say that @JohnS has quite a way of articulating his cigar experiences. I always enjoy reading his posts and watching his reviews.

 

Couldn't agree more

[99call]

hats off to @Habana Mike for referencing "Fenugreek".   to me this ties into a deep dark green herbal smell, that is very similar to roasted green peppers. 

too me it's the smell of a fresh bundle of Partagas 898.   Couldnt ever put my finger on it, before now, hats off you you. 

whether it's in seed from or leaf, it can have a dank, watercress pepperiness to it

 

[Tstew75]

Prez describing Cohibas as 'sweet milk coffee'. And cake. Everyone loves cake. That's what God's Marca is.