HdM San Juan (unknown bc) 2017 (FRC)

[KnightsAnole]

Just happen to be smoking a SJ from 2017 this morning as I type this. So what the heck, thought I’d share my impression as I smoke it. I picked this up as a single so don’t remember the factory code, but do remember it was from 2017. Started off very light and dry, however, before the 1st third even got fully underway, it began to show a little spicyness. That too me, was a bit of a surprise for the Marca. 

Into the 2nd and the spice is building. Not a bitter spice I would associate with a young cigar though. Wood is clearly coming out now, that is typically HdM. A creamy, pleasant texture lingers on the tongue, most noticeable at the halfway point. It’s a very enjoyable cigar. I was doubtful picking it out this morning and it’s definitely a pleasant surprise.

Burn and drawing like a champ. I’m expecting youth to show it’s grubby face, but it’s nowhere to be found. Bright for sure, not bitter.

As the final 3rd gets underway, I would only describe the previous flavor and texture as growing in depth. Not harsh, perhaps more tannic. In fact, despite my initial wariness, I’ve really enjoyed this cigar and concur with some comments on the recent post of the Marca; There is no reason for further age, beyond curiosity.

Required a relight as I prepared to nub the cigar. I rarely do this. At this stage, Its often chucked, as I’m happy to have come this far. Something tells me though, there is something left... and there is...

Wow! What a good cigar this was! Such a nice surprise. I love these moments when you’re just happy with what you’ve had. No more no less.

[liquid360]

Just happen to be smoking a SJ from 2017 this morning as I type this. So what the heck, thought I’d share my impression as I smoke it. I picked this up as a single so don’t remember the factory code, but do remember it was from 2017. Started off very light and dry, however, before the 1st third even got fully underway, it began to show a little spicyness. That too me, was a bit of a surprise for the Marca. 

Into the 2nd and the spice is building. Not a bitter spice I would associate with a young cigar though. Wood is clearly coming out now, that is typically HdM. A creamy, pleasant texture lingers on the tongue, most noticeable at the halfway point. It’s a very enjoyable cigar. I was doubtful picking it out this morning and it’s definitely a pleasant surprise.

Burn and drawing like a champ. I’m expecting youth to show it’s grubby face, but it’s nowhere to be found. Bright for sure, not bitter.

As the final 3rd gets underway, I would only describe the previous flavor and texture as growing in depth. Not harsh, perhaps more tannic. In fact, despite my initial wariness, I’ve really enjoyed this cigar and concur with some comments on the recent post of the Marca; There is no reason for further age, beyond curiosity.

Required a relight as I prepared to nub the cigar. I rarely do this. At this stage, Its often chucked, as I’m happy to have come this far. Something tells me though, there is something left... and there is...

Wow! What a good cigar this was! Such a nice surprise. I love these moments when you’re just happy with what you’ve had. No more no less.

I’ve been curious about these myself. I only just bought my first box of E2 and have a box of EE in transit. Likely to try these next. Thanks for the review!


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[KnightsAnole]

1 hour ago, liquid360 said:

I’ve been curious about these myself. I only just bought my first box of E2 and have a box of EE in transit. Likely to try these next. Thanks for the review!

 

 

I don’t have a ton of HdM. Often, I find the profiles a little light for my preference and this is the first SJ I’ve smoked. Having said that, this was an impressively constructed cigar, way above average, which really allowed the blend to reveal itself. 

[Danimalia]

I've been loving the creamy, sweet, floral and fruity tastes of the Epicures. Does this cigar offer much in the way of sweetness. I've been curious about it. Enjoyed the review.

[Canoli]

Great review. 

[KnightsAnole]

6 hours ago, Danimalia said:

I've been loving the creamy, sweet, floral and fruity tastes of the Epicures. Does this cigar offer much in the way of sweetness. I've been curious about it. Enjoyed the review.

Sweetness, for me is a characteristic I rarely find in a cigar, perhaps only in the top 1%. It’s not a trait I would personally ascribe to any of the habanos lines in general way. I smoked a Coro from 2012 a while back that had a sweetness, and a certain je ne sais quois, that was out of this world. Same with a libano Sur a while back, but only one. 2013 qdo Coronas, had a full box I would describe as having a sweetness. However, these were anaomolies I’ve never been able to regularly replicate. When I get one I feel I’ve won the Lottery. So my idea of sweetness may be different than yours, To answer your question directly and having said that, no, I didn’t find this SJ to be sweet as I define it. This could be a point where translating taste into words and then trying to communicate that gets lost. I was lucky with this cigar to have near perfect construction. If you can find a well constructed SJ, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you give it a try, I enjoyed this one very much.

[liquid360]

This isn’t totally in line with this thread, but speaking of sweetness, yesterday I smoked a cigar I received in a trade, a BGC from 2008. It caught me totally off guard. I’m familiar with and have smoked plenty of Bolivars. I wasn’t expecting what was quite literally the best cigar I’ve ever had, otherwise I would’ve planned better vs just sitting alone in a cigar lounge. It was pure honey/creme from beginning to end. I’ve been told that today’s BGC are at least of equal quality and should age just as well. I’ll be buying boxes and boxes of them to stick away and pray I’m alive in a decade to enjoy them.


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[Morgan]

On 6/1/2018 at 9:18 AM, KnightsAnole said:

Just happen to be smoking a SJ from 2017 this morning as I type this. So what the heck, thought I’d share my impression as I smoke it. I picked this up as a single so don’t remember the factory code, but do remember it was from 2017. Started off very light and dry, however, before the 1st third even got fully underway, it began to show a little spicyness. That too me, was a bit of a surprise for the Marca. 

Into the 2nd and the spice is building. Not a bitter spice I would associate with a young cigar though. Wood is clearly coming out now, that is typically HdM. A creamy, pleasant texture lingers on the tongue, most noticeable at the halfway point. It’s a very enjoyable cigar. I was doubtful picking it out this morning and it’s definitely a pleasant surprise.

Burn and drawing like a champ. I’m expecting youth to show it’s grubby face, but it’s nowhere to be found. Bright for sure, not bitter.

As the final 3rd gets underway, I would only describe the previous flavor and texture as growing in depth. Not harsh, perhaps more tannic. In fact, despite my initial wariness, I’ve really enjoyed this cigar and concur with some comments on the recent post of the Marca; There is no reason for further age, beyond curiosity.

Required a relight as I prepared to nub the cigar. I rarely do this. At this stage, Its often chucked, as I’m happy to have come this far. Something tells me though, there is something left... and there is...

Wow! What a good cigar this was! Such a nice surprise. I love these moments when you’re just happy with what you’ve had. No more no less.

Coincidentally I recently bought HDM San Juan 2 box/10 I never thought much of this cigar when I tried a few several years ago near the launch time.But these had 3 years ageing on them so I thought I'd give it a try.

Started smoking them this weekend Friday night. Well I only have 5 of the 20 cigars left and still have most of Sunday

WoW!!! What a transformation in just 3 years Amazing Cigar, A Masterpiece. To the extent I've never experienced such a dramatic transformation inactually only 2.5 years Box Code being TOS OCT 15 Literally went from Dud to Stud

If you live in America I'm going to send you one of these under the condition you write the review and make sure to reference compare the two

PM Me your address and Ill send it out Monday. I look forward to reading your comments

[KnightsAnole]

Well thats very kind of you Morgan!  I would be thrilled to give it a shot. I’m not known for playing fair though, so I’ll need a return address  Pm incoming.

1 hour ago, Morgan said:

Coincidentally I recently bought HDM San Juan 2 box/10 I never thought much of this cigar when I tried a few several years ago near the launch time.But these had 3 years ageing on them so I thought I'd give it a try.

Started smoking them this weekend Friday night. Well I only have 5 of the 20 cigars left and still have most of Sunday

WoW!!! What a transformation in just 3 years Amazing Cigar, A Masterpiece. To the extent I've never experienced such a dramatic transformation inactually only 2.5 years Box Code being TOS OCT 15 Literally went from Dud to Stud

If you live in America I'm going to send you one of these under the condition you write the review and make sure to reference compare the two

PM Me your address and Ill send it out Monday. I look forward to reading your comments

 

[ElJefeDeNada]

I just picked some tubos and a 10 box to lay down for a bit. Don't normally go for the larger ring size but these were said to be smoking quite well by Darius Namdar, the winner of the 2018 Habanosommelier competition, so I took notice as I have enjoyed the HdM profile in general. We'll give the tubos (TOS 8-16) a try after a few months rest.

 

 

[KnightsAnole]

17 hours ago, ElJefeDeNada said:

I just picked some tubos and a 10 box to lay down for a bit. Don't normally go for the larger ring size but these were said to be smoking quite well by Darius Namdar, the winner of the 2018 Habanosommelier competition, so I took notice as I have enjoyed the HdM profile in general. We'll give the tubos (TOS 8-16) a try after a few months rest.

 

 

That was quite an interesting video, thanks for sharing it.

[ElJefeDeNada]

I suppose I should have mentioned his recommendation for the San Juan comes at about the 19:20 mark, but the interview is interesting as to how the contest is run and how he prepared. I can discern the differences in cigars, whisk(e)y and wines when tasting side by side, but am left floundering in generalities when blind tasting anything like that. It's a real talent Darius and other experts exhibit. I'm in awe.