JohnS' Smoking Diary 2019

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 ETP Ene 2016

I've had two of these La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4's from my mid-2017 box so I decided to go back to my early-2016 box to compare my recent notes on this cigar.

I found this cigar today to be consistent with the others I've had from this box. That is, I've found more wood, fruit and pepper in these and only a hint of almond nut and creaminess, which I look for as these flavours meld into a LGC-marca distinctive 'cake' flavour as they age.

It was still a fantastic cigar which I really enjoyed on a pleasant afternoon. I wouldn't hesitate re-visiting this box again in the next few months to see how they are coming along.

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Famosos AEM May 2015

This box has simply been outstanding. Vegas Robaina is a marca that is easily overlooked but when you get a fantastic box of this marca, it really can be like nothing else.

Today's cigar continued the recent tradition of quality lush tobacco and grass, mild bitter chocolate, dates, baking spice and floral notes here and there. In a word...luscious from 'go-to-whoa'!

I've now have 60% of the box left and I'm curious how much I'll smoke through by May 2020 when the box hits five years of age.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2 EML Ago 2014

This has been another superb box for me lately. I had rested this in my online humidor for some time prior to having it shipped and I'm surprised I've gone through 40% of the box thus far in a short time. Alas, I have no disappointments or regrets with what I've smoked to this point.

Some of the cigars I've smoked have been strong on capsicum or bell pepper, some have been strong on paprika spice, this was strong on sourdough. There was a little capsicum or bell pepper and some creaminess in the cigar, although if I compared today's cigar to the others I'd have to say that this stood out as the least savoury that I've sampled. Has it 'turned-a-corner', so-to-speak? I may need to smoke another one or two to find out!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Magicos circa 2008 (thanks @Trevor2118!)

Maduro wrappers bring their fair share of divided opinion amongst cigar enthusiasts. Simply put, it's a matter of either you like (or alternatively don't mind) them on your cigars or you don't. It's now been twelve (yes, twelve!) years since the Maduro 5 Series was released. The vitolas in this series are:

    * Genios - 5½" × 52 rg (140 × 20.64 mm), Estupendos, a Robusto Extra
    * Magicos - 4½" × 52 rg (114 × 20.64 mm), Magicos, a Petit Robusto
    * Secretos - 4⅜" × 40 rg (111 × 15.88 mm), Reyes, a Petit Corona

A number of polls over the years on our forum tend to result in a common consensus of which of these cigars is preferred. The order consistently is Secretos, Genios and Magicos. Why does the Magicos poll behind the Secretos and Genios, do you ask? I consider that it's because of its intensity of chocolate and coffee flavours and these flavours contrasting with typical Cohiba grass/hay, honey, vanilla, citrus and mocha flavours.

Indeed, when this vitola first came out in 2007/08, they were very different to standard Cohiba Clasica and Linea 1492 cigars. I was fortunate enough to be gifted this cigar by @Trevor2118 (thank you, kindly), how have these developed now that they are past ten years of age? In a word or two, quite nicely! The coffee and chocolate flavours have settled well, and together with a touch of honey and grass/hay, this Magicos today had some refinement and baking spice which made it very easy to smoke.

If you have the opportunity to put a box away, do yourself a favour in regards to the Maduro 5 series and set aside these cigars for the long-term. I assure you, they smoke very differently than in their first year or two after boxing.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Robustos Extra OUS Sep 2009

I have been fortunate enough to share some exquisite cigars over the years with Trevor Leask, the founder of Cuban Cigar Website. Today's cigar, the discontinued Trinidad Robustos Extra (since 2012), was without doubt amongst those reputable cigars.

Now that I have smoked a few of these since calling them from long-term rest from my locker, I can assert that this cigar reminds me of what the Cohiba Siglo VI is to the Cohiba marca, a peak vitola amongst others within a premium marca.

Unlike my last Robustos Extra, this had no salt in it whatsoever. This was all butter and cream, smooth, mild and was possibly the most receptive cigar I've ever had to retrohaling, I barely registered a tingle through my nose until halfway through the final third. In contrast to recent Trinidad from 2016 onwards, which I've found more prevalent in coffee and dough flavours, the cedar, leather and grass/hay flavours accompanying the strong butter and cream flavours was very much in the background, but indicative of Trinidad blends from that era around the turn of the decade.

After smoking a few of these and the recent LCDH release, the La Trova, I do feel that the La Trova is similar release to the Robustos Extra, especially in its butter texture. As this cigar was a tad over ten years old upon smoking it, I'm now inclined to let a few of my La Trova sticks age to see how they develop. If they come close to replicating this Robustos Extra today, the patience required will be well worth it.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Noellas 2009 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo circa 2010 (thanks @Trevor2118!)

Generously gifted by @Trevor2118 (thank you again!), the H.Upmann Noellas is a special release replicating the regular production cigar that came in a distinctive glass jar and discontinued in the 1980s. This cigar was from a run announced in 2009 and made available in 2010.

Contemporary criticism at the time found these to be quite intense in flavours and I admit that I've had a few younger that were more dominant in bitter espresso flavours. Retrospective reviews have been a little kinder to this cigar, as today's smoke was much milder and had much more pleasant H.Upmann shortbread and leather flavours.

[Chef]

On 9/19/2019 at 4:32 PM, JohnS said:

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Ago 2018

Yes, I've had many Por Larranaga Montecarlos this year, and I've seemingly retired my glorious LGR Oct 2017 box, but I wonder if this LGR Ago 2018 box has 'turned a corner' today. At just past 12 months old, it wouldn't surprise me.

As you may be aware, these were initially more 'woody' from the box but today's sample didn't disappoint in terms of caramel. Where it surprised me was in the hint of nut and sour citrus tart essence or what we enthusiasts proverbially like to call 'Cuban twang'. This sprinkling of Cuban twang elevated an above average cigar, for me, to being outstanding. I now eagerly look forward to smoking another soon to see if I get the hint of nut and sour citrus 'Cuban twang' again like I did today.

John, I continue to enjoy both your written and video reviews.  They are a great resource.  I am smoking one this evening (LGR ABR 18).  I'm not getting any saliva-producing twang just yet.  However, now at the halfway point, I can certainly make out the nuttiness you mention.  It's a mild, roasted peanut for me, especially off the foot smoke.  Have you ever noticed any earthiness from any of yours?  I'm getting some in mine.

[JohnS]

4 hours ago, Chef said:

John, I continue to enjoy both your written and video reviews.  They are a great resource.  I am smoking one this evening (LGR ABR 18).  I'm not getting any saliva-producing twang just yet.  However, now at the halfway point, I can certainly make out the nuttiness you mention.  It's a mild, roasted peanut for me, especially off the foot smoke.  Have you ever noticed any earthiness from any of yours?  I'm getting some in mine.

Thank you @Chef! Earthiness? Oh, I think I know exactly what you mean. It's when the woodiness isn't so 'dry and toasty' and the smoke is a little 'wet', then yes, at times that musty woodiness can certainly be interpreted as type of earthiness.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

If you had the chance to survey your boxes in your humidor, I'd say you would come across at least one box that has a construction or blend issue consistently throughout it. Welcome to that one box and its story!

I've gone through a quarter of the box of these ERdM Demi Tasses and I would say that all of them have been tight or plugged. Sure, somewhere there in those cigars there's been flavour, but what use is it when you can't draw and taste the smoke?

In this instance I was able to save the cigar through using my PerfecDraw tool, which I admit I use very rarely. Still, whilst PerfecDraw is good, making these sticks less tight would have been better!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus SRO Feb 2018

After spending the last year-and-a-bit going through an aged box of Sancho Panza Non Plus from 2011, today was my opportunity to break open a new box of early-2018 SP Non Plus. Ever since 5th Avenue circulated the 2019 discontinuations I've sought out a few boxes of these, much like I did with the H.Upmann Petit Coronas. (I wish I did the same for the Diplomaticos No.4 and No.5 though!)

This early-2018 SP Non Plus had a wonderful colorado maduro brown wrapper which was silky, the construction was perfect, the ash was perfect and the burn-line throughout this cigar was, dare I say it, again perfect. Alas, and this is a common problem with Sancho Panza Non Plus, the cigar was a little tight. Thankfully I was able to use my PerfecDraw tool to open up the draw and smoke it down to its thankful conclusion.

Charred wood, salt and floral notes were the main expression of this cigar, although the wood flavours were not crisp and toasty, they weren't bitter and burnt and the salt in this was minimal, not overpowering. In contrast to my 2011 SP Non Plus, those have been more creamy and softer on the blend, which is what you'd expect from aged stock. I am eager to sample one that is rolled more fairly, hopefully I will do so soon.

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus RUM Abr 2018

I 'broke open' my SRO Feb 2018 box of Sancho Panza Non Plus yesterday so I figured I should do the same with my other recent acquisition of this vitola since its announcement of discontinuation this year. Fortunately, the first one from this RUM Abr 2018 box had a good draw and was not tight, unlike my first cigar from my SRO Feb 2018 box.

Flavours were similar, although this cigar was more on the 'charred wood' side and less 'floral'. Salt was there but it was minimal. After having two of these in two days, I can't say that I'd be willing to put this into my rotation right now. I definitely need these to be more like my aged ABR Sep 2011 box, more smooth and cream-textured.

Do note, all the Sancho Panza Non Plus I've had this year, whether aged or youthful, have been different to the excellent SP Belicosos of recent times (i.e. 2017 and 2018), which I've found to be more 'toasty' or 'crispy' and much more approachable when young.

[JohnS]

Partagás 8-9-8 circa 2006 (thanks @Fuzz!)

I think the last time I had a Partagas 8-9-8 was in 2016, and that was gifted to me by @khamy. This one, gifted to me generously by @Fuzz, is from circa 2006 and @jay8354 told me upon smoking this that the nicotine strength on this box, in its initial phase around 2006, would make you 'turn green' when smoked. How was it in late 2019? Put it this way, there was no threat of expiry to be found here!

The first third had strong notes of sourdough, light coffee and leather. The middle third picked up in coffee and pepper and the last third got a little more intense in those aforementioned flavours from the middle third. The strength after well over ten years of rest? It was still comfortably above medium.

I'm glad to have sampled this though. Unfortunately, Dalias (Partagas 8-9-8 and Cohiba Siglo V) have been in a consistent hiatus in the last few years, with them being unavailable more than available. That's why when these two vitolas come up on 24:24 they invariably sell out within a matter of minutes.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie du Connaisseur No.3 circa 2001 (thanks @Fuzz!)

I am again indebted to the generosity of @Fuzz to gift this special cigar to me, as it has long being discontinued (circa 2010). The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3 is a forum favourite, a much-missed skinny with a delectable 35 ring gauge by 143 mm length (or 5⅝ inches). Otherwise known by its factory name of 'Carlotas', how I wish this size and this cigar could be re-released. Alas, one can wish!

This had a similar profile to the Partagas 8-9-8 from 2006 which preceded this cigar, albeit the Serie du Connaisseur No.3 was much milder, had more sourdough, coffee and notes of pepper or spice and was a touch drier, hence why it was 'crispy' or 'toasty' throughout and why it drew a lot of smoke and burned quicker.

If El Pres and Hamlet have aimed to replicate this flavour profile in the Nudies N3 Carlota release this year then I tip my hat off to them, for this cigar has a nice profile and deserves to be brought back, in my opinion.

[poolmar]

On 5/20/2019 at 10:39 PM, JohnS said:

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Abr 2018 (thanks @Luca!)

Gifted by @Luca (thank you), this darker-wrappered Por Larranaga Montecarlos was intended to allow me to make a comparison to the lighter-wrappered LGR Oct 2017 Por Larranaga Montecarlos box I've been going through at the moment.

In general, I must concede that I prefer lighter-wrappered Habanos cigars where possible. This is because of my preference for milder (flavoured) smoking experiences. This is just my general rule and they are exceptions to the rule, both in terms of smoking experiences and preferences across marcas and vitolas.

In relation to Por Larranaga Montecarlos, I find darker-wrappered varieties tend to be more dominant in wood and spice and lighter-wrappered varieties tend to be more dominant in caramel, or just sweeter and less woody. This was the case with this cigar. It certainly had caramel, but it was more woody than my LGR Oct 17 recent PLM's and had a little spice to it too, although it wasn't 'toasty' in any way. When they are like this I'm prone to rest them until the wood and spice recedes and the blend builds in caramel more. When that occurs is a matter of personal judgement through checking on the box periodically, perhaps every 3 to 6 months as a minimum. In the meantime, I still enjoyed this cigar and appreciated its blend of flavours.

good review john, i agree about darker wrappers , in fact , over the last few years i have avoided them ..like i try now to avoid really oily darker wrappers which i find usually bitter compared to lighter matt wrappers..the oily wrappers are great for ageing but not good for smoking now..but thats just me.

[JohnS]

59 minutes ago, poolmar said:

good review john, i agree about darker wrappers , in fact , over the last few years i have avoided them ..like i try now to avoid really oily darker wrappers which i find usually bitter compared to lighter matt wrappers..the oily wrappers are great for ageing but not good for smoking now..but thats just me.

Thank you. I'm with you in regards to oily wrappers. I leave them to settle for the long-term if I can.

[JohnS]

Punch Punch 48 2016 - Especialista en Habanos Exclusivo LGR Ene 2018

I have enjoyed the Hermosos No.3-sized Punch 48 from time-to-time since its release in mid-2017. I've generally found them to be more nutty than the regular production Corona Gorda-sized Punch Punch and have less sour cream and cloved spice notes in general.

This Punch 48 had cedar, nut and a gorgeous citrus twang to it but it was let down by some bunched leaves that wouldn't burn properly towards the end if the first third. This lasted until just after the middle third, so not long, but it was enough to char the cigar and it induced a slight bitter flavour which remained until the end, which I pitched early, just before the halfway point of the end third.

It's a shame as I've had very good to outstanding Punch 48 in the last two years and I'm hoping that this cigar turns out to be an anomaly.

[JohnS]

Trinidad La Trova 2017 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo ARS Mar 2018

I've smoked enough of these now, across box codes, to confidently opine that these are a quality LCDH release. They share the similar Trinidad characteristics of a propensity towards butter and cream, however, I have found each one of mine savoury and not evident of the type of milk coffee and dough easily found in recent Trinidad Fundadores for example.

If you are familiar with the discontinued (in 2012) Trinidad Robustos Extra, an attempt by Habanos S.A. to release a Cohiba Siglo VI-type vitola to a premium marca, then you'd be aware how good these were and how they have aged so well, if you are lucky to have any left. The Trinidad La Trova strongly reminds me of the discontinued Trinidad Robustos Extra.

If you can't source this vitola, be aware that current LCDH production by Habanos S.A sees a limited run of current LCDH product, a hiatus, and then another limited run. If the LCDH cigar is more popular, like the Trinidad La Trova, then this would explain why its more difficult to source. However, be diligent and patient in 'hunting this down' as your efforts will reward you.

[Connoisseur Kim]

Trinidad La Trova 2017 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo ARS Mar 2018
I've smoked enough of these now, across box codes, to confidently opine that these are a quality LCDH release. They share the similar Trinidad characteristics of a propensity towards butter and cream, however, I have found each one of mine savoury and not evident of the type of milk coffee and dough easily found in recent Trinidad Fundadores for example.
If you are familiar with the discontinued (in 2012) Trinidad Robustos Extra, an attempt by Habanos S.A. to release a Cohiba Siglo VI-type vitola to a premium marca, then you'd be aware how good these were and how they have aged so well, if you are lucky to have any left. The Trinidad La Trova strongly reminds me of the discontinued Trinidad Robustos Extra.
If you can't source this vitola, be aware that current LCDH production by Habanos S.A sees a limited run of current LCDH product, a hiatus, and then another limited run. If the LCDH cigar is more popular, like the Trinidad La Trova, then this would explain why its more difficult to source. However, be diligent and patient in 'hunting this down' as your efforts will reward you.

I haven' tried any Trinidad sticks so far, but La Trova seems to be one of my wishlist CCs. I wish I can get many boxes of La Trova!!!!

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[Fugu]

On 10/23/2019 at 11:32 AM, JohnS said:

Do note, all the Sancho Panza Non Plus I've had this year, whether aged or youthful, have been different to the excellent SP Belicosos of recent times (i.e. 2017 and 2018), which I've found to be more 'toasty' or 'crispy' and much more approachable when young.

Nice comparison of the two NP samples, John. Always enlightening to do such a "horizontal" parallel tasting.

Concur, the two vitolas are quite different. The Beli has always been the better cigar for me. More depth, more complexity (and I loved it when the old bands were almost matching the shade and smooth texture of their wrapper...). The NP in fact been my least loved from all within the brand. But what do you do when you are left with virtually no choice. And it seems the NP has had profited somewhat from the "consolidation". But it concerns me a little that the Beli, although not axed, seems incredibly thin on the ground atm.

[JohnS]

13 hours ago, LonesomeHabanoAficionado said:

I haven' tried any Trinidad sticks so far, but La Trova seems to be one of my wishlist CCs. I wish I can get many boxes of La Trova!!!!

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Hang in there, they will come into production again when they have made another run of sticks.

6 hours ago, Fugu said:

Nice comparison of the two NP samples, John. Always enlightening to do such a "horizontal" parallel tasting.

Concur, the two vitolas are quite different. The Beli has always been the better cigar for me. More depth, more complexity (and I loved it when the old bands were almost matching the shade and smooth texture of their wrapper...). The NP in fact been my least loved from all within the brand. But what do you do when you are left with virtually no choice. And it seems the NP has had profited somewhat from the "consolidation". But it concerns me a little that the Beli, although not axed, seems incredibly thin on the ground atm.

Thank you @Fugu! I concur, the Belicosos is better, especially recent 2016/17 examples (for me). You're right, I haven't seen too many examples of the SP Belicosos in 2019. It's as if Habanos S.A. put all they're last leaf for Sancho Panza in production for the Non Plus and left Belicosos by the wayside for the time being, perhaps? Hopefully we will see more in the first half of 2020.

[Connoisseur Kim]

5 hours ago, JohnS said:

Hang in there, they will come into production again when they have made another run of sticks.

I wish I can see them on 24:24 again, so that I can review Trinidad La Trova in near future ?!

[egon]

On 10/25/2019 at 7:39 PM, JohnS said:

Punch Punch 48 2016 - Especialista en Habanos Exclusivo LGR Ene 2018

I have enjoyed the Hermosos No.3-sized Punch 48 from time-to-time since its release in mid-2017. I've generally found them to be more nutty than the regular production Corona Gorda-sized Punch Punch and have less sour cream and cloved spice notes in general.

This Punch 48 had cedar, nut and a gorgeous citrus twang to it but it was let down by some bunched leaves that wouldn't burn properly towards the end if the first third. This lasted until just after the middle third, so not long, but it was enough to char the cigar and it induced a slight bitter flavour which remained until the end, which I pitched early, just before the halfway point of the end third.

It's a shame as I've had very good to outstanding Punch 48 in the last two years and I'm hoping that this cigar turns out to be an anomaly.

Uncanny. I had this exact experience as well last night. I am looking to buy another. I want to like this cigar, the wrapper is a beautiful shade and the puffs that I took tasted great. Constantly having to correct the burn on one side due to the bunching was frustrating as heck though.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 50 SMA Jul 2018

Like the Trinidad La Trova, I've had enough of these now to qualify the Quai d'Orsay No.50 as a quality release. I've found the flavours consistent, construction excellent and ash-length and burn likewise, exemplary.

For me, these have what El Pres describes as an egg and butter Brioche soft bread flavour and texture to them. I've found that they also have a little cedar and ginger and/or toffee sweetness. The wrappers tends to be silky smooth and a consistent lighter colorado claro to claro wrapper shade on them.

I am still astounded by how much in demand these are, but yes, the reason for this is because the hype is indeed justified.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Dumas UEB Mar 2018

In case you missed it, the new Linea 1935 addition to the Montecristo brand is aimed at emulating the addition of the Linea Behike to Cohiba in 2010. In other words, three cigars that are premium-priced and classy. They are a blend of the full flavour of a classic line Montecristo cigar with the medium-flavoured Open series. Some of you may say 'bland-flavoured' Open Series. I think in essence what Habanos S.A. is trying to say is that the Linea 1935 series consists of three cigars aimed at being 'full of flavour' rather than strength in terms of a nicotine.

The Dumas is named after the author of the classic novel, 'The Count of Monte Cristo', Alexandre Dumas. Incidentally, in case you are curious, the Maltes is named after one of the main character's aliases in the novel, the Maltese Sailor, after he is rescued by smugglers and Leyenda means 'legend' in Spanish. It's the smallest of the three cigars, around the same length as a Montecristo No.4, but 7/64th inches larger in diameter. It's a little stronger than the Leyenda, but that's to be expected for a smaller cigar. I found it consistently around medium.

My previous Dumas had a 'fullness of flavour' which coated my palate throughout, it was indeed a 'classy' smoke. This Dumas, smoked six months later, was nothing like that at all. It had plenty of flavour in the first few draws and smoke output per puff was intense, but it was just too strong, almost like the ligero leaf in this was blended incorrectly and gave off too much flavour, spice and strength. At other times, this Dumas went out and I had to consistently re-light. To compensate for the strong flavours at the beginning, I had to smoke slowly and with small puffs. At times the flavour was bland, at other times I got a little cocoa, biscuit, cream and marshmallow.

To say I was disappointed with this is an understatement. Still, I have a Maltes to try soon and I am hopeful that it at least it won't leave me as discontented as this Dumas did today.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Choix Suprême MLU Nov 2018

This six-month old cigar came from a quarter pack acquisition from a 24:24 listing around six months ago. If you can recall, we had the option to get the darker wrappered or lighter wrappered ERdM Choix Supreme. Our forum members were split 50/50 down the middle. I opted for the lighter wrapper.

El Pres recommends to rest these for 30 to 60 days after you get them young and then dry box for a few days. This is sound advice. The El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme is best enjoyed at around mild-medium and under in strength and with subtle flavours, after all, it's a lighter cigar in the Habanos catalogue.

This ERdM Choix Supreme had a 'candied almond' essence to it wrapped around a youthful tobacco core flavour. In one spot it tunneled a little but thankfully it self-corrected. In comparison to the first cigar from this quarter pack I tried four months ago, this was average, but it didn't frustrate me with regret for smoking it today. I figure I will give the next one a little longer time until I sample it.