JohnS' Smoking Diary 2019

[JohnS]

1. Sancho Panza Non Plus ABR Sep 2011

Again, like the previous one I had a few weeks ago, this was a little tight on the draw plus I smoked it on a day when it was 35°C (95°F) in the shade. As a consequence, I think this took me upwards of 75 minutes to finish in between copious amounts of ice water. The floral, cream, salt and wood notes redeemed things and kept me interested though.

2. La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 ETP Oct 2016 (Thanks Jason!)

I'd like to thank @jay8354 for gifting me this cigar. La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4's, at this age, are known for their fruitiness and this did not disappoint. Coupled with some herbal and woody flavours, this was a joy to smoke, despite the little spice and no cream that these are known for as they get older.

3. Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that give us the most pleasure and this Por Larranaga Montecarlos, with its simple and indistinct colorado claro wrapper and simple combination of caramel, honey and toast flavours made me reminisce how sublime this was. In comparison to some of the finest cigars I've ever enjoyed (which are undoubtedly Gran Reservas), the only thing lacking was the refinement, and perhaps some complexity, otherwise in regards to flavour delivery this enthralled my senses. I have no doubt whatsoever that if the next one from the box is this good then it will be gone in 2 or 3 months (okay maybe less) and I will be lamenting the last one smoked! 

[JohnS]

Partagás Presidentes (2018 Xmas Sampler Series)

The Partagas Presidentes is synonymous with 'Old School' flavours, strong earth and leather, but this was not like that at all. This was my seventh cigar from the 2018 Xmas Sampler and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the strength was around the medium mark, the flavours were a mix of Partagas sourdough and coffee with a Fonseca-type marshmallow sweetness, and it stayed that way until the end. Despite been a 'perfecto' shape, which lends itself to construction issues due to being harder to roll, this burned and smoked well. If you've enjoyed the Partagas Serie E No.2 this past year, do yourself a favour and give this a try!

Trinidad Fundadores (2018 Xmas Sampler Series)

The eighth cigar I've had from the 2018 Xmas Sampler Series, this was every bit as consistently good as the combined seven or eight ARS and RAG '17/'18 box code cigars I've sampled in 2018. This was milk coffee, dough and a touch of spice which picked up a little more in the last third. Again, as I've mentioned in previous reviews of Trinidad cigars in this smoking thread, this milk coffee and dough combination is unlike the more complex wood, grass, honey, coffee flavours I've picked up in Trinidad cigars (that) I've smoked in the last 3 to 5 years. Less complex, but every bit as good! 

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas (2018 Xmas Sampler Series - thanks @Luca for including your watch in this image!)

How often do we get the chance to light up a Double Corona? Not often, I'd bet, with the demands of modern life, 2 to 2-and-a-half hours to set aside and reflect on a cigar can be considered a luxury in terms of time. The ninth cigar I'd sampled for the 2018 Xmas Sampler series, I must admit that the last time I lit a Double Corona was only a month ago, but the last time before that might have been a few months. Yet, every time I do so I invariably find I have no regrets in regards to the cost to my time, this Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona delivered on flavour, body and strength, much like most of my Double Coronas in 2018.

This was mild to mild-medium bodied, nuanced in flavours and easy to retrohale throughout. Unlike other popular Hoyo De Monterrey regular production cigars such as the Epicure No.1 and No.2, this didn't have any light cocoa, instead it had a subtle cedar, light cream and clove combination, together with some vanilla sweetness here and there and spice on the edges. I'd really like to know what this cigar could turn into after 5 years, as I took it down to my fingertips in nubbing it, it was that good! If you get the chance to get a 50 cab, and you enjoy Hoyo de Monterrey as a marca, or you didn't mind a Punch Double Corona (which can be similarly woody, just more so) I don't think you'd regret it.

San Cristóbal La Fuerza (2018 Xmas Sampler Series)

The tenth cigar I've sampled from the 2018 Xmas Sampler series, I have to admit that smoking this on a sultry and humid summer's night did affect the enjoyment of this, mainly due to re-lights. Nevertheless, flavour-wise it was okay, I've had at least six or seven San Cristobal la Fuerzas in the last 12 to 18 months, and this was similar to those.

Interestingly, La Fuerza means 'power, strength or force' in Spanish, however, just because this is a bigger ring gauge (50 rg) and longer (141 mm or 5 and a half inches) than the San Cristobal El Principe, I've never found this more intense than the El Principe. In regards to flavours, similarly, the El Principe tends to be more spicy (when it is) than what I've ever picked up from a La Fuerza. However, there is that underlying cocoa, coffee and molasses or pancakes-type flavour present (but again more so in an El Principe) and I'd have no qualms sampling the La Fuerza (or La Punta) in the future.

[99call]

what a wonderful resource, hats off El Partidario

[JohnS]

Cohiba Robustos (2018 Xmas Sampler Series)

The Cohiba Robusto would have to be one of the most popular Robusto cigars on our forum and one of the most popular Cohiba cigars too. It's not hard to work out why. Simply put, like the H.Upmann Connossieur A, it tends to provide a rounded flavour profile indicative of cigars that have been well-rested even when in their youth, and I'm talking about 6 to 12 months in relation to the Cohiba Robustos.

This was the 11th cigar I sampled from the 2018 Xmas Sampler Series and the reason it was left until next to last was because of my familiarity with it. It had all the hallmarks of what you want from a Cohiba Robustos; mocha coffee, vanilla, honey (towards the end interestingly) some spice and Cohiba grass (or hay). The strength was consistent throughout at medium-mild and it was easily 'nubbable', if that's a word! The retrohale was great too...roasted nuts or coffee beans is the best way to describe it, (it was) like heaven to the senses!

Partagás Series No.1 2017 - Edición Limitada (2018 Xmas Sampler Series)

This is the last cigar I smoked from the 2018 Xmas Sampler pack. I think the reason for doing so was because I didn't know what to expect, how did it compare to the 2014 Seleccion Privada Limited Edition, or normal regular production Partagas for that matter?

El Pres has previously listed these as a mix of Partagas Serie E No.2 and Montecristo No.2 and after smoking it I see what he means. There is the Partagas sourdough, leather and coffee elements there combined with a strong chocolate and sweet baking spice note throughout. In comparison to the 2014 Seleccion Privada LE, that was more typical of the Partagas marca, with its uniquely (for a Limited Edition) rosado wrapper and strong paprika spice, this 2017 No.1 LE was more typically chocolate and less powerful.

I just noticed that El Pres mentioned in a 24:24 listing that PCC were not going to supply this down the track so best of luck sourcing this in the future!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills LAT Feb 2018

This was the first cigar I tried from a 10-count box and my anticipation was high because I've simply loved practically every Romeo y Julieta Churchill I've tried the last 12 to 18 months. Certainly this started off well with strong elements of the RyJ DNA in the first third, namely cherry, some rosewater and turkish delight. However, this was a touch over medium-bodied, and different to RyJ Churchills I've had recently as they were milder and not as intense in the back half, especially the last third, which had a distinctive bitter chocolate taste to it. In my mind, this suggests that perhaps a little more rest is due this box. We'll see...

[JohnS]

Black Label Trading Company Santa Muerte Corona Gorda (thanks @Çnote!)

Thanks @Çnote for gifting me this cigar. The Black Label Trading Company also release the Santa Muerte in a Short Robusto, but this Hermosos No.3-sized cigar (yes, it's dimensions are equal to the Punch 48 LCDH and 2014 Bolivar Super Coronas LE) is slightly bigger than a Corona Gorda at 48 ring gauge x 140 mm or 5 1/2 inches.

In regards to flavours, it was mainly a mix of unsweetened cream and wood with some pepper throughout, like a H.Upmann Magnum 46 without the coffee and shortbread. In contrast to that cigar, the flavours here were light on the palate but strong on the nicotine kick, which I must admit I'm not used to as a result of mainly smoking Cuban cigars over a number of years (i.e. with Cubans, it tends to be the other way around).

Still, I'm grateful for the opportunity to sample this to add to my experience along my cigar journey.

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Molinos ABR Sep 2011

2006 was a bad year for Sancho Panza. Four vitolas, the Bachilleres, Coronas, Coronas Gigantes and Sanchos were deleted that year. In 2012, one of the last remaining regular production Lonsdales was also deleted, the Molinos. Why, oh Habanos S.A, why? I can attest that this ABR Sep 2011 Molinos I smoked this night was everything one could asked for in an aged Sancho Panza cigar. It had a nice balance of salted cream and wood, yet it was light on the palate. At times it was a little herbal but it was magnificent.

I picked this up from the LCDH at Falmouth, Jamaica in December 2018 in a box containing around 6 to 8 sticks, that's how long they were in the shop from 2011, so that may explain their deletion. It's a shame though that more cigar enthusiasts are not familiar with how well Sancho Panza ages and how uniquely good they can be.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

Well, my dear friend @Luca has been telling me for a month or two to sample this UEB May 2018 box we both acquired recently, and boy, I've got to say, he knows his stuff. This first Montecristo No.4, despite being only 9 months old, was spot on the money! Simply glorious in every way. It had the perfect balance of cocoa, milk coffee, cream, nut and a little leather which screamed "Montecristo at it's finest" all the way. What a shame this cigar only lasted 45 minutes!

[JohnS]

Juan López Selección No.2 MEL Dic 2016

This was the second cigar I've had from this cab and I was anticipating a better constructed cigar this time around. Below is what I wrote in my notes about the first cigar I had about 6 weeks ago...

"This was the first cigar from a new box so I was excited to give this a try, despite the fact that I haven't had the best smoking experiences with this cigar in the last few years. Unfortunately, my poor run of luck continued as the draw on this was very loose and as a result the burn was uneven and required touch-ups and re-lights. This detracted a little from my enjoyment of the cigar, however, the flavour redeemed the experience a little for me, as yes, I did get that citrus orange chocolate and cream coffee blend around that JL2 toasted tobacco core. I hope the next JL2 from the box is better, especially construction-wise."

How was this one? Well, in terms of construction it was 'top-notch', but in regards to flavour it was okay, not outstanding, but fine. I didn't mind it but I had to smoke it slowly to savour the orange citrus chocolate flavour on the edges drawing me away from the strong espresso coffee and toasted tobacco core, which dominated this cigar. At the end of the day, as Aussies are prone to say when they want to make a firm summary of a situation, I just know I need these milder to suit my palate, it's as simple as that.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

This was the fifth cigar I've had from this box and it continued a great run of flavoursome sticks. Caramel, coffee, honey and a little toast this time (perhaps the youthfulness, no doubt?). Towards the last third there was more of a wood flavour which dominated and distinguished this from the other four I had in the past month to month-and-a-half. No matter, I still nubbed it!

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe TOS May 2016

This was a nice way to spend a week night, with an old favourite of mine. Big on molasses and cocoa and lighter on coffee and spice, this was a little sweeter than normal but most satisfactory nonetheless!

[Burningman]

Outstanding work Sir! 

Thank you!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo II BTO Dic 2012

I haven't had a Cohiba Siglo II for awhile now, but after having this at a little over 6 years of age, it's amazing to state that this most certainly has 'legs' to develop further. The reason was due to the core coffee flavour which dominated the other Cohiba grass/hay, honey and citrus flavours. So, it wasn't your 95-type point cigar yet it wasn't a mid-eighties nondescript 'also-ran' either.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan EML Jul 2015

At 3-and-a-half years of age, this Le Hoyo line cigar is only just staring to develop some creamy texture to it. It was mainly cedar, tea and a little cloved spice, certainly very different to the regular Hoyo de Monterrey line which I find has more light cocoa-type flavours to it. With time, I envisage that this will build in its creamy-textured flavours and be even more enjoyable to smoke.

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus ABR Sep 2011

Unfortunately, a few from the box have been a tad tight and this was no exception. How tight? Well, not plugged but if you draw once you'd only get one or two whiffs of smoke, so this was one of those cigars whereby I had to wrap my mouth literally around the head of the cigar and draw huge puffs in threes! At the same time I had to make sure that I didn't wet the tobacco leaf at the opening and make the cigar bitter, as is very easy to do, and the result was passable. The cream, salt, wood and herbal flavours were still there, but it took some work to get there!

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe TOS Jun 2016

Unlike my previous cigar, an aged Sancho Panza Non Plus which was a little tight and produced small whiffs of smoke, this San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe was a little underfilled and produced plumes and plumes of smoke. The contrast was incredible! Again, you wouldn't believe that despite this, the flavour was there. This was more cocoa and spicy than sweet molasses but I could live with it. However, this cigar proved that more smoke output doesn't necessarily equate to a better smoke.

[JohnS]

1. Partagas Shorts GEO Mar 2015 (thanks @Cuzz!)

After not sampling one for over 18 months, I got gifted two within two days! My brother-in-law loves these and gave me the first from his box. Delicious Partagas sourdough, leather and coffee, and not at all spicy. Plus, it was almost 4 years old. What more could one ask for?

2. Warped Don Reynaldo Regalos (thanks @Çnote!)

If it wasn't for your generosity Cody, I would not have sampled these two Non-Cuban cigars. I love the size of this...5 inches or 127mm by 46 ring gauge, this had the honey, vanilla and cream of the combination of Cohiba/Hoyo de Monterrey/Por Larranaga and the white pepper of H.Upmann. Did I mention some complexity? The back half built in intensity with coffee. This was a great smoke indeed!

3. Warped La Relatos (Thanks again @Çnote!)

Again, thanks Cody and again, I love the dimensions of this...6 inches or 152mm x 38 ring gauge, exactly the same size as a Cohiba Coronas Especiales or Montecristo Especiales No.2. Unlike those cigars, this was more intense in body and strength with the main flavours being toast, cedar and white pepper. It was not as sweet as the Don Reynaldo Regalos, which I must admit I enjoyed more. Still, this was another good smoke and kudos to what Kyle Gellis (the manufacturer) is aiming for in releasing these in this size.

[JohnS]

Cuaba Piramides 2008 - Edición Limitada TEB Sep 2008

Thank you @Luca for gifting me this cigar. This cigar has been touted on our forum as the best Cuaba release at times, by various members, and after smoking this I can see why. The main accolade I can give it is the core citrus/orange tang to it that stayed with me for quite some time afterwards. Luca described it like a anise or licorice tang. However one describes it, it makes this stand out from normal Cuabas.

In comparison to other Cuabas I've smoked, this was muted on nut and shortbread flavours and obviously contained chocolate flavours due to the maduro-shade wrapper. If you are adverse to Cuaba in general, do yourself a favour, and give this a chance. It's quite good for the marca and for a Limited Edition Series cigar in general.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.6 RAE Dic 2014

I gave one of these to my brother-in-law @Cuzz to smoke at the same time. These have been well rested, approaching 4-and-a-half years of age, so the flavour is a little more rounded now. There were elementary elements of coffee, sourdough and some leather. I remember reading a review by James Suckling whereby he smoked a Partagas Serie D No.6 in 7 minutes. Even Habanos S.A marketed these a quick 15-miute smoking option. I never found this to be the case, I always invariably end up smoking them over 30 to 35 minutes.

[JohnS]

Partagás Shorts ULA Mar 2015 (thanks @Cuzz)

The Partagas Shorts is a highly popular minuto amongst Cigar Enthusiasts but for some reason I've never taken to them like some other smaller Habanos cigars, such as the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe or Rafael Gonzalez Perlas, for example. Don't get me wrong though, I don't mind them from time-to-time either.

My brother-in-law, @Cuzz gifted me this and he commented that the box was inconsistent in construction and flavour delivery so far, so he gave them a rest for a little awhile. Thankfully, our two examples this evening were quite good, a pleasant instance of some Partagas sourdough and leather coming together and being complimented by some Paprika spice here and there.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 PMS Abr 2015

The image doesn't look great, the wrapper had to be re-touched up one side once or twice, but I still nubbed this. This came from a 10-count box of darker mottled-wrappered Montecristo No.2s from 2015 and I've had a few that were good to better-than-average, but this was excellent.

What made it so? It wasn't the usual Montecristo milk coffee and cocoa or nut and and leather combination (which was all there), rather it was a delicious citrus sweet tang that lingered from beginning to end and stayed for some time thereafter.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especiales No.2 LAU May 2016

The Montecristo Especiales No.2, like the Montecristo Especial is a reputable cigar in the Montecristo marca on account of its ring gauge, vitola, history and on a personal level, they pretty much smoke well nearly every time. Well, except this time, that is!

Have you ever had a cigar that started off from the first few puffs screaming, "this is the finest cigar you'll ever smoke?" This was one such time, until mysteriously about one-sixth of the way in the cigar decided to go out. It continued to do so, on-and-off, until the very end. The cause? Bunched leaves on the wrapper and binder resulted in uneven burns and voila I'm sitting there practising touch-ups with my lighter all night.

The first one-sixth was all smooth cocoa, milk coffee and yummy baking spice, exactly how I like this cigar, the last 80% of the cigar was bitter chocolate and spice. I've smoked seven Montecristo Especiales No.2's in the last 18 to 24 months and they've all been sensational, except this one.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince SOM Jun 2016

It's been a little while since I've had a Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince from my humidor, and this is timely as this is a few months short of 3 years rested. I can safely attest that these have now progressed to the next stage of their development, the time when the sweetness in them builds up, or alternatively, the woodiness in them subsides. The sweetness in this was like an anise or licorice-type flavour, definitely not vanilla. Underpinned to that flavour was the core spiced wood flavour throughout. Any cream did I hear you say? No, not really, but wait a little longer and that may come in the next stage of its aging.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 AEM May 2014

This was the very last cigar from the box which I made sure to smoke no longer than 5 years rested. Why? On the whole I find that certain marcas that have dominant chocolate or cocoa flavours peak in the 3 to 5 year window, whereas others that build in creaminess (think Cohiba, H.Upmann and Hoyo de Monterrey for example) can keep going after 10 years or more. Having said this, I am generalising and every box should be judged on its own merits.

In regards to this box, the last No.4 was without a doubt the best because it had a wonderful balance of all the Montecristo flavours one adores such as cocoa, milk coffee, nut, leather and creaminess. I savoured it by smoking it very slowly, such was the effect of its taste on my palate. What would normally take 50 to 60 minutes to smoke was instead enjoyed over 80 glorious minutes.