JohnS' Smoking Diary 2019

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Gigantes circa 2006 (thanks @jay8354!)

Thank you @jay8354 for gifting me this cigar. This Ramon Allones Gigantes was perfect for a nice Spring afternoon's day. The construction was perfect, ash-length, burn and draw were all absolutely ideal. The flavours were similarly 'spot-on' also.

I was enamored with the toastiness in this, which I wasn't expecting. Mocha (a combination of milk coffee and chocolate), wood, which was charred at times, leather, spice and dried fruits all made for a wonderfully complex cigar.

So overall, this was a two-hour joy ride I am hoping that my next Double Corona can emulate.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire TEO May 2018

It has been a few years since I've had these little wonders, and after today's offering, I can't think why I've left it so long! This was the first cigar from the box, so naturally I was eager to sample it.

Unlike my recent El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse, which is the same vitola as this cigar at 30 ring gauge x 100 mm (or just under 4 inches) in length, the draw on this was ideal, not tight in any way, and smoke output was very, very good. Flavours were typical for the Le Hoyo line - wood, light milk cocoa, tobacco with vanilla and cinnamon spice to make this experience memorable for me.

As this small cigar was so satisfying today, I'm inclined to sample another soon with the hope that it turns out as great as this one was!

[JohnS]

Trinidad Shorts

This was quite a bit better than I had remembered it the last time I smoked this vitola around six or seven months ago. It had very simple flavours of coffee, dough and tobacco, much like a Trinidad cigar only more intense and with minimal butter flavours.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Shorts

I still don't know how these can pack a quality Cohiba grass/hay and honey flavour in them, time after time! I'm just glad I have a heap of these on hand as this is my favourite cigar to hand out to first-timers currently, as I nearly always get a favourable reaction.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Vigia SLE Oct 2016

I thought this was my last Trinidad Vigia in my humidor but thankfully my inventory system via Cuban Cigar Website states that there is one more. Fortunately, I remember now where I put it so that I could fit all my cigars in my box!

At just on three years of age, I must say that today's Vigia was just average, I've certainly had better examples recently. This was mainly mocha, wood, butter and a little spice. Perhaps the re-lights diminished the flavours a little, no matter, I usually find the next vitola I have after a disappointment is always different.

[JohnS]

Punch Punch UBM Ago 2018

The last Punch Punch I had was supremely ordinary. Recent polls on our forum suggest I'm not alone in this experience, Punch is one of those marcas where the letdown is felt more acutely than in other marcas. Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta are among others.

The good news is that today's cigar was a return to form. Simple notes of cedar, cream and that sour citrus tart 'Cuban twang' which many of us know and love was evident here from beginning to finish.

Not a complex cigar by any means, when Punch Punch is like this it motivates me to reach out for the next one.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

Today's Montecristo No.4 was the tenth from this box, so I've gone through 40% and thus far I'd say I had 7 great examples, 1 very, very good one, 1 good one and 1 average one. The last one was the average example, today's was simply a good pass.

The reason today's Monte 4 wasn't elevated to the higher echelons was because the quintessential Montecristo milk coffee and cocoa (or chocolate) was simply so muted, I could barely register it. Thankfully the nut and citrus twang more than made up for it, so the cigar was not totally lost.

I am contemplating whether to have another soon or perhaps re-visit in a month or two. I am desperate for a superlative example the next time I reach for one from this box. Why does the Montecristo marca put me in such a quandary on a regular basis? Why, I ask, why?

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe TOS Jun 2016

This was the best San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe I've had this year in 2019, bar none. The reason for this is simple, it oozed in flavours, especially pancakes. Sure, I got that cocoa, coffee and molasses sweetness, but the combination of the mild strength and soft pancake flavour and texture was heavenly.

I don't mind a little spice in these from time-to-time. There was none today, yet the cigar was so good I didn't miss it. Also, it gladdens my heart when I have such an outstanding cigar experience and it's from regular production Habanos stock and not a Limited or Regional Edition example.

[JohnS]

Juan López Selección No.2 MEL Dic 2016

I acquired this box around the turn of the New Year in 2019, had four and liked none, the most recent being in February, May and July this year, and figured I should give this box another try. Today's review is a testament to the wise adage that resting cigars is helpful in melding flavours and diminishing harshness or strength.

The previous Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2's mentioned above were very much dominant in toasted tobacco which didn't allow the chocolate and/or citrus characteristics to shine in those cigars. Today's cigar was all chocolate and orange from beginning to end, underscored by a coffee and oak spine. It was simply brilliant, which made me elated because I didn't figure I'd get one from the box as good as this in 2019, at least.

I can now see myself have at least a few more to see how they are around the three-year mark in December this year.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Maltés BRE Oct 2018

The Maltes is named after one of the main character's aliases in the novel, 'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexandre Dumas, the Maltese Sailor, after he is rescued by smugglers. This is the second one I've had, and whilst it was better than the first, that's not saying much as that was so supremely ordinary that this was just on average in comparison.

When these Linea 1935 cigars are 'on', you get a beautiful sweet, milk fine chocolate coated in whiffs of cream and marshmallow. You may also get some almond nut and cedar. This Maltes opened with some citrus twang and almond nut and pretty much stayed that way until the end. There was no real milk chocolate, cream, marshmallow or even biscuit.

Overall, I must say that I'm disappointed with the Linea 1935 releases. Of the three, I've only found the Leyenda consistent, and even then I've had an average one amongst the four or five of those I've smoked, with the others ranging from very good to outstanding. I've also had an excellent and ordinary Dumas and an ordinary and dreadfully bland Maltes.

Perhaps these need a little time to be fair? I would hope so, as thus far they aren't worth the premium price that they retail for, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Rafael González Perlas OPG Ene 2015 (Thanks @Luca)

It seems every time I have one of these I reflect to myself why I don't have them more often than I do? Is it because they are an occasional delicacy? One thing I do know, Rafael Gonzalez, as a marca, is an unsung hero in the Habanos catalogue. Most people aren't aware of it (judging by how few special releases there are of this marca), but the enthusiasts certainly are.

I must thank @Luca for gifting this perlas to me, it was just sensational. Cocoa, some honey sweetness and floral notes over a 30-minute joyride, yes...this was just perfect. I always marvel at the Rafael Gonzalez dress box lid exhortation to smoke these 'within 30 days or carefully mature for about a year'. Trust me, you can easily go three to five years on these and they lose nothing in quality, but what they gain in flavourful enjoyment is often priceless.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.6 RAE Dic 2014

Often I reach the end of the box of cigars and either I usually have another ordered and in my humidor (or one the way) or I intend to order another one as soon as possible. With the Partagas Serie D No.6, I don't intend to order another box anytime soon, but I still enjoyed them. The reason is simple, I had them all in a three to five year window and I'd rather not order a box and wait that long to smoke them when I have other smaller-sized cigars to explore and delight in.

This was just under medium, full of sourdough, coffee and leather but no real pepper (or spice). It was a great smoke for half an hour. Perhaps now it's time to see how my Partagas Shorts 50 Cab from 2015 is coming along?

[Gamehawker]

On 6/4/2019 at 5:48 PM, JohnS said:

H. Upmann Magnum 56 SOM Dic 2015

Around two years ago I lit up one of these behemoth 2015 Limited Editions and remarked what a quality release it was. The cigar was smooth, mild and full of subtle flavours of chocolate, white pepper, Upmann shortbread, spice and licorice. I surmised at the time that this cigar will only get better, anticipating a 'peak window' in the three to five year period. That original review can be located here...

https://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/topic/127594-hupmann-magnum-56-edicion-limitada-2015-lub-jun-2015/

Coincidentally, I thought it was time to see how these were turning out from the same box when @NSXCIGAR recently posted an insightful review here...

https://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/topic/139325-hu-mag-56-el-2015-vvl/

I only read his review afterwards, but it's suffice to report that his findings exactly mirrored my experience after smoking this today. Those initial flavours of chocolate and white pepper seem to have dissipated and the Upmann Shortbread and licorice sweetness defined the cigar from practically beginning to end.

It's still a fine cigar, but I can't help but feel that the ones I had from the box a few years ago were a 'notch-up' in quality from today's specimen. Then again, this single cigar two years on is a small sample size to draw conclusions from and so I think it best that I smoke another to compare in the next few months. Watch this space...

It has been at least a few months since you did this review.  Have you had a chance to smoke another H.Upmann Magnum 56 EL 2015? 

Thanks

[JohnS]

52 minutes ago, Gamehawker said:

It has been at least a few months since you did this review.  Have you had a chance to smoke another H.Upmann Magnum 56 EL 2015? 

Thanks

Indeed I have, only just a few days ago. There were some construction issues but at least the flavour/s redeemed the cigar somewhat. I will have that review up in detail late next week.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Leyenda UBM Sep 2018

My last Leyenda was six months and below is my review of my last one...

This Montecristo Leyenda is part of the new Linea 1935 series, a group of three cigars (the others are the Dumas and Maltes) which are the Montecristo version of the Cohiba Behike series. Its dimensions are identical to the 2017 Montecristo 80th Aniversario release, that is big...55 ring gauge by 165 mm in length. These have been marketed as been fuller in strength (or is it flavour, or possibly both?), but I found this to be suitably medium to medium-mild. Sure, it wasn't as light as an Especiales No.2, for example, but it was nowhere near as strong as some Petit Edmundos or even Montecristo No. 4's I've had.

The reason this cigar was so, so good, in my opinion, was the milk chocolate and cream flavour which dominated the first two thirds. There was also some underlying cedar, which was a little sweet, almond nut and, in my opinion, similarly to the Edmundo Dantes Belicosos, some hints of marshmallow. I was even able to retrohale into the final third. The one thing that I must add is how long it would take to smoke this, it must have been at least two-and-a-half hours! Glorious and deserving of high praise indeed!

Thankfully, this was every bit as good (and similar) as all the other Leyendas I have had in general. Whilst I have stated in my last review on the Montecristo Linea 1935 Maltes that overall I feel the Linea 1935 is a disappointing release, due to its premium marketing and price point, I laud to virtues of the Leyenda. I will continue to seek it out and enjoy it on occasion, unlike the Maltes and Dumas.

[JohnS]

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

My last Punch 48 had construction issues and was my only disappointment from what has been a stellar box thus far. Today's cigar was an accomplished return-to-form in comparison.

When I first tried this cigar (when it was first released) I noted the roasted nut profile in it that was so dominant, after around 18 months the peanut profile is still there, but like my last few Punch 48 this year, it doesn't taste roasted anymore.

A Hermosos No.3, at 48 ring gauge x 140 mm (or 5½ inches), the size now seems more akin to a coronas, especially since the Robustos (50 ring gauge) is now the average-sized Habanos vitola these days. The wrapper on this was again a deep rosado colour. In fact, it was so reddish-brown that I think the only other cigar that I've sampled in the last five years that was close to this wrapper shade would be the 2014 Partagas Privada Limited Edition.

This cigar was much like the last few I had in 2019 prior to my last one which had construction issues, didn't burn properly and was bitter. The nut profile was definitely there, but as I stated above, it wasn't roasted because the sour citrus twang that intermingled with a gorgeous light cream was the main flavour I picked up in the first third. In the middle third I got a pick-up of cedar, however again the sour citrus twang was still there and made the cigar so intriguing. In the final third the spice very much took over, like in a youthful Partagas Serie D No.4, but this time it was not overwhelming and so I nubbed it as far as I could go.

What a great smoke! I look forward to my last one from this box, and soon. Thankfully I have already ordered another box a few months ago and it is happily resting in my humidor.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

Another great cigar from a reputable box code, this Montecristo No.4 had very similar attributes to other cigars I've had from this box. These have been a strong citrus twang, whiter ash than usual and more 'nuttiness'. This also had your normal Montecristo cocoa and milk coffee to compliment an hour pleasantly well spent.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire TEO May 2018

The first one from the box was so good I had to have another! Again, I got some wonderful notes of cocoa, wood and delicious vanilla spice. In comparison to other cigars from the Le Hoyo line, I've found the du Maire less 'woody' in general. Perhaps this has to do with its diminutive size? All I do know is that these can be quite a delicacy, and I think I have no hope in resting them in the mid-term, because I envisage that I will smoke them all!

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

I was determined to not have another one from the box as firm as a dowel so I did a very unusual thing...I actually tested the firmness of the remaining cigars on the top layer before choosing one. You see, this box did not come from our host, and since I have acquired a good proportion of my stock over the years from quality 24:24 listings I feel I have become quite spoilt when it comes to construction. You know, one has to remind themselves that here at FoH we have an askewed sense of what is normal when it comes to Habanos cigars. I'll remember to express my gratitude the next time I see El Pres.

As for this cigar, it was the best from the box by far, which is not saying a lot really, as the other 7 or so have all been plugged or tight. This had a perfect draw, had elements of almond nut, floral notes, honey sweetness and toastiness which all up made for 25 minutes of bliss. I think my palate is salivating just thinking about it as I type this out!

[JohnS]

Cuaba Distinguidos LGR Nov 2018

When you get these double figurados rolled correctly and with a decent wrapper, they certainly can shine, as this one did. This was a lovely journey of creamy shortbread, toasted tobacco and peanuts with a subtle orange citrus interwoven throughout. In the middle third I got a pick-up of spice which lilted in and out gently from thereon in. Again, this was easily 'nubbed'. I only wish all Cuaba was like this cigar!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

This Montecristo No.4 started off with lashings of cocoa, biscuit and cream, simply put, it was Montecristo at its very best. It soon settled into a core cocoa, milk coffee and cream delight with a distinctive 'citrus' twang which has been self-evident in every cigar from this box thus far.

I've smoked through half this box now, the top layer is gone. I don't think the other half will last long!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo II OBM Nov 2015

Sometimes I wish I could have these more often. After smoking this today, I thought of two reasons why I don't; one, the obvious expense and two, the less obvious need to give these time to mature.

The first puffs were indicative of Cohiba, the grass/hay and sweet honey was enticing to the palate indeed. Soon after I got some coffee bean and a little spice here and there. At some points I even picked up on some licorice flavours. Construction was faultless; the ash-rings were symmetrical throughout it seemed. Nubbing this cigar was what we proverbially call a 'no-brainer'.

Still, this was just on 4 years rested and I felt after smoking it that it still had plenty of 'legs' to develop further in its complexity. I'm glad I have a few left, perhaps I will re-visit this box in six to twelve months to see how they are coming along.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo I OBM Nov 2015

The Cohiba Siglo I is the smallest of the Siglo range, a perlas (like the Montecristo No.5 and Rafael Gonzalez Perlas), it is slightly smaller than a minuto (like the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe or Partagas Shorts) at 40 ring gauge x 102 mm or 4 inches in length. I had a Siglo I around 5 months ago so I considered that it should be time that I re-visit this cigar as it approached the four-year mark.

As I stated in my previous review of this cigar, I've found that the Siglo I tends to be the strongest of the Linea 1492 range (i.e. Cohiba Siglo I, II, III, IV, V and VI). That doesn't necessarily mean that it gets above medium to medium-full, rather they are more intense in those typical Cohiba flavours than other cigars in this line. Again, this was true in this case, as it was never above medium in strength at any stage.

In my last review in June 2019 I wrote that the flavours were strongest with that core Cohiba grass and hay, some honey and notes of black espresso coffee building in intensity in the back half. There was no real citrus, spice or cream texture to the cigar at that stage of its development. This was exactly how it was today, which suggests to me that I should re-visit this in another 6 to 12 months as a minimum. Still, it was a nice way to spend 30 to 35 minutes to cap off a productive day.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 ABO Jun 2018

I picked up a quarter pack offering of Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2's a few months ago from a 24:24 listing, even though I have a quarter box of my BUP Mar 2018 HdM Epicure 2's left in my humidor, because when I feel like a light, mild robusto every now and then, invariably, I turn to an Epi 2.

This ABO Jun 2018 Epi 2 was less 'toasty', had less cedar or wood, had copious amounts of cocoa and vanilla and had very little spice. Overall, it was a very, very good example of this vitola. Dare I say it, but I would have to concede that it smoked better than my last few Epicure No.2's from my other, slightly older, box, which have been more stronger on the wood or cedar in general.

I think I need to smoke a few more of these ABO Jun 2018 Epi 2's just to see if the next one is similar to this one tonight.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 MEG Abr 2016

I haven't had a Partagas Serie D No.4 from this box for awhile now. I picked these up as a half-box offering on a 24:24 listing a few years ago and I remember going through ten of the twelve cigars within 12 months (some I handed out). Since the Partagas Serie D No.4 has now surpassed the Montecristo No.4 as the highest selling Habanos vitola in the world, I think I figured at the time that I should have some in my humidor.

I must say that, in general, I prefer Partagas on the mild side and well-rested, unless it's a Lusitanias because these Double Coronas are usually big on sourdough, light on spice or pepper and medium-mild or less in strength, even when young. This Party D4, at three-and-a-half years of age, was simply exquisite and similar to a young Lusitanias; this was big on sourdough, coffee and leather flavours, had no spice or pepper whatsoever and was medium-mild in strength.

In hindsight, this was the best Partagas Serie D No.4 I've had in some time. What a shame I only have one left from this box!