JohnS' Smoking Diary 2019

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2 EML Ago 2014

You may have heard the story, which some hold to contention, that the Diplomaticos marca was introduced post-revolution in the mid-1960's as a cheaper alternative to the Montecristo marca for the French market. Whether this is true or not, one thing I do know is that the vitolas that came out in the Diplomaticos line resembled the Montecristo No's 1 to 5 in their dimensions, but whereas those original Montecristo vitolas are still in production, unfortunately, only the Piramide Diplomaticos No.2 remains with us today.

I find the Diplomaticos No.2 can be either a little sweet in its cinnamon, nutmeg and wood expression or alternatively, it can be a little savoury when it's more sourdough, paprika spice and capsicum (or bell pepper). I've enjoyed a few La Corona TOS/LGR Diplomaticos No.2's in the last few years and so recently I felt it was time to call down my box from my OLH of these EML Ago 14 Diplomaticos No.2's to compare how these cigars are when a little older.

This Diplomaticos No.2 was full of flavour, especially sourdough. The difference with the age of the cigar lay in the fact, that after almost 5 years, it was mild and so the paprika spice and capsicum which intertwined with that core sourdough didn't overpower my palate. In fact, it was very pleasant to draw down on this cigar and nub it to its conclusion. Coupled with the excellent construction that was evident, I very much look forward to next cigar from this box and soon!

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

I was so eager today to try one of these Demi Tasses from a new box I acquired recently. Unfortunately, I was profoundly disappointed with the experience. That youthful 'toastiness', citrus, fruit and honey was there, it was just hard to find when the cigar was plugged like it was. Sure, PerfectDraw helped but by then I had enough of 'slobbering' all over the mouth of the cigar, wetting the head and getting a bitter edge to the small amounts of wispy smoke per draw. See, it happens to all of us!

Funnily enough, I coincidentally was on a forum post that El Pres had initiated a few years ago which discussed the demise of skinny cigars not being due to a lack of demand of modern consumers, as Habanos S.A. currently claim, but rather to poor construction issues in the 90's and 2000's, mainly plugging. After today's smoke I can empathise with how frustrating it can be to smoke a plugged skinny cigar. The flip-side to this is the fact that they can be sensational when construction is not an issue.

[JohnS]

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

This stick came from a box I had rested in my OLH for three years and recently had shipped to see how it was coming along. Again, like my previous cigar, an El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse, I was eager to sample one.

Unlike my previous La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 a few weeks ago, gifted by our friend @Luca and similarly around 3 years old, this had a wrapper that was 'toothy' and a darker colorado brown. I had an inkling of what I was in for and this proved correct...the nutty creaminess in my previous LGC Medaille d'Or No.4 was not there, instead the fruit and spice intermingled with a stronger toasty wood core flavour.

I still very much enjoyed the cigar for what it was giving me, but instinct tells me to enjoy a few more for the time being and then rest them to the side for awhile. Aged La Gloria Cubana can develop 'cake-type' flavour when aged and they are truly special when like this. Who knows, the wrappers on these may preclude such flavours developing but there's no harm in trying!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

You know the story with these by now (and Montecristo No.2's). When they are good, they can be exemplary but my goodness can they be 'bog-average' at times. Today's Montecristo No.4 was the sixth from the box and from memory the previous five were fantastic. Today's cigar was just ordinary.

In retrospect, whilst smoking it I thought to myself that it was okay...I could live with what it was offering me, which was very light cocoa, nut and a little citrus twang that keep me interested in the cigar. If only there was more quintessential Montecristo coffee and cocoa flavour in this then I know it would have been like the previous five (and that is unequivocally sensational!).

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Famosos AEM May 2015

I had a Vegas Robaina Famosos from this box a few days ago so I felt I should reach for another to compare the first one. At four years rested I must say that I have found the first two cigars smoked quite intriguing.

This second one had a light chocolate and raisin sweetness throughout, the main flavours were the grass or pure tobacco flavour and baking spice which overall made this cigar quite subtle on the palate and a pleasure to nub.

I don't feel inclined to have this cigar in my 'go-to' rotation though as after smoking two thus far, it lacks a dominant strong flavour which other cigars in my rotation possess (e.g. the caramel in a Por Larranaga Montecarlos or the molasses in a San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe et al.). However, I do think that for a change-of-pace option this type of cigar is a superb choice.

[Fugu]

On 7/30/2019 at 12:59 PM, JohnS said:

If you are familiar with these releases from this distributor, then you'd know that the first three have been reputable - the La Gloria Cubana Glorias (2015), the Bolívar Tesoro (2016), the Por Larrañaga Coronas (2017). The fourth release, the upcoming 2018 Punch Preferidos is due sometime in 2019.

Not to correct you, John, but to perhaps add and clarify things a bit - true, this is indeed the third release under the "5ta Avenida"-label. But it is not the third release for that distributor. To put this into historical perspective, in fact, 5th Avenue Products Trading, of Heinrich Villiger, had started as a distributor (for all CCs not just REs) for Germany only (in 1989). So, from the start of the ER-program, their Regionals were released as "Exclusivo Alemania". One of the first Regional Editions to be released had been their Por Larranaga Lonsdale of 2006. Later on, in 2012 5th Ave also took over the distribution for Austria. And finally, when Poland came on board in 2014 a decision was made to release Regionals as "5ta Avenida" in order to serve and include those countries' markets in the ER-program as well (in fact, the Glorias had originally been announced as "Alemanias", in 25-ct 898 boxes). Interestingly, the total amount of cigars produced remained unchanged since then, despite a wider market and an increased international demand, with being mostly 60,000 sticks (few exceptions).

So, among the almost constant flow of reputable releases, as you put it, are the mentioned PL from 2006, the Boli Esp. No.2, the Boli 5ta Avenida from the same year, the great little Rafael Gonzales Petit Piramides and the RA 898, which had been the last to be released so far under the 'Alemania' label. Other important releases of this distributor worth mentioning have been the Vegas Robaina 15th Anniversary ("15 Jahre Jubiläum") or the first re-release of the Boli Gold Medal from 2004 (under the LCDH umbrella).

Flip side, with increased international demand it is getting harder and harder for the local Joe Bloggs to get a hand on those sticks, let alone a box, whereas a few years back you had time to check them out carefully in their development for a good three to four years before they were going to be sold out.

[JohnS]

Thank you @Fugu! Please feel free to add information like this, it is much appreciated. ?

[Fugu]

Thanks John, I knew you wouldn't take offence in me 'mixing up' the flow of your wonderful blog.

[PigFish]

Great videos John. 

I just finished up the PLMC video. I am sitting in the shade smoking a QdO Coronas while Lady Piggy does some wine tasting while watching your videos. Kinda felt like we were sitting here smoking together.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers, Ray

[JohnS]

32 minutes ago, PigFish said:

Great videos John. 

I just finished up the PLMC video. I am sitting in the shade smoking a QdO Coronas while Lady Piggy does some wine tasting while watching your videos. Kinda felt like we were sitting here smoking together.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers, Ray

That is tremendous to hear, Ray. It really fills me with joy! Thank you.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

The previous one I had was plugged so I couldn't help myself, I had to have another! Thankfully this wasn't plugged but it was a little tight on the draw. Still, it was a lot better than my previous El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse from the box!

At only 6 to 7 months old, this was typically 'toasty', fruity, shortbread and honey on the edges. Quite nice flavour-wise but I have to admit that I've had better Demi Tasses in the past.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2 EML Ago 2014

This is the second Diplomaticos No.2 I've had from this box soon after I had my first a few days ago. Again, although it was just on 5 years rested, there was plenty of flavour and smoke to be had, and construction was absolutely faultless. In fact, I'd go 'out-on-a-limb' and admit that this cigar was the most capsicum (or bell pepper) rich Dip 2 I've ever had in my life. Coupled with the paprika spice, which was evident in spades, the sourdough barely got a look-in over 90 minutes of smoking.

In comparison to recent TOS 16/17 Diplomaticos No.2 I've enjoyed I've found these two EML 14 examples a lot more savoury and more 'punchy' in flavours. I'm now curious to examine a third from the box, as I'm inclined in my preferences to go for milder examples of Habanos cigars when I get the opportunity, yet paradoxically I don't mind too much when cigars are 'punchy' in their flavours like this either.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Secretos (circa 2008 thanks @Trevor2118!)

I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 for this 2008 Cohiba Secretos as this Maduro 5 Reyes still packed a punch of flavour even though it was over 10 years aged. Like my previous aged Secretos around six months ago, its intensity has rescinded with age, so it's now a nice medium-strengthed smoke. The chocolate and coffee still dominate, with some Cohiba grass/hay in its spine and some nice floral notes on the edges.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Coronas Especiales (circa 2006 thanks @Trevor2118!)

I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 again for gifting me this aged Cohiba Coronas Especiales. I was genuinely surprised at how much flavour and 'punch' this had for its age. After smoking it I felt that it had 'legs' easily for another 5 years, if you can believe that!

The cigar had those typical Cohiba flavours one associates with the brand such as mocha milk coffee, light hay, honey and vanilla. There was a touch of spice which I noticed more through the retrohale. One flavour that was missing that you'd might expect from a cigar of this ilk was butter or cream but no matter, the cigar was quite tasty, I nubbed it down as far as it could go with my fingers!

One other interesting matter to bring up in relation to this vitola is the pig-tail. I had no issue clipping it with my thumbnail (and the draw was fine) but funnily enough I enjoyed this with @Luca and @Trevor2118 and both experienced a slightly tight draw on theirs. The reason? The leaves were bunched a little too tightly around the pig-tail cap which they both resolved by cutting further down the head of the cigar.

[JohnS]

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

This was the second cigar I had from this box and it had very similar flavours to the first one I had not too long ago. Fruit, spice and toasty wood flavours were to be had in the main, perhaps this was a little more toasty and less woody than my last La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4.

Be mindful, although I'm confident that many of you are aware of this, that these skinny ring gauge cigars really benefit from smoking more slowly. The reason for this recommendation is to prevent the cigar becoming too hot and thus preventing a build-up of potentially bitter flavours.

[JohnS]

Punch Punch 48 LGR Ene 2018

After eighteen months there has been no doubt in my mind that these have got better with age. The smoke output on this in the first third was exemplary! Cedar, peanut and cloves, citrus twang and a hint of cream, if you have picked up a box of these make sure to give them a little time to see how they develop!

Towards the middle of the last third it got a little hot and the flavours mellowed out, which indicates to me that this box can still benefit from some more time down. The development of flavours at this point in comparison to a year ago reminds me of how some of my Ramon Allones Superiores LCDH sticks have similarly improved over time for me in the past. In my opinion, this Habanos Specialist Punch 48 release is a winner.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Abr 2018

Gifted by @Luca (thank you), this darker-wrappered Por Larranaga Montecarlos was much like the previous PLMC I smoked from this same box a few months ago.

My previous notes on this cigar are below...

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.

This cigar today was pretty much the same. After smoking it the idea that the PLMC is amongst the best value for money Habanos cigars currently available is still applicable, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 50 SMA Jul 2018

I've only just recently secured a second 10-count box of this, with quite amazingly, the same box code. So, at a year old I knew I had no qualms about trying one from this new box since the other two from the other box (of the same SMA Jul 2018 code) were so good.

How was this? Simply put, every bit as good as the others I've tried, and with a little more rest, even better. El Pres likes to say that these new Quai d'Orsay No.50 and No.54 releases have an element of brioche to them, which is a French bread high in egg and butter content and is more rich and tender than normal bread. I can confirm that the gingerbread and toffee notes one gets in these is of that rich and tender bread quality. Again, as in my previous QdO No.50's, the last third was more cedar, hazelnut and 'toasty'.

One note of issue that attested to quality seco leaf that has been used in these new QdO releases arose in the first third when I had a runner along the wrapper develop. It seemed that a potential 'mouse-hole' burn was about to occur, and a small ridge or hole was evident under the wrapper, but this wasn't due to bunched leaves, rather it seemed to me that the ridge was there due to a stem pulled prior to rolling. As a result of this, the anamoly in the wrapper burn soon corrected itself and there was no affect on the taste of the cigar.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Ago 2018

I recently picked up another box of Por Larranaga Montecarlos because my LGR Oct 17 box has smoked so well thus far and today was the first opportunity for me to smoke one out of this LGR Ago 18 box. Although I didn't specify box codes or wrapper shade when ordering this box, the wrapper shade on these Por Larranaga Montecarlos are light colorado brown, similar to, although perhaps a touch darker than my 2017 box.

How was it? Well the first third was all caramel with a bit of wood, the middle third saw the caramel and wood even out a little more and the last third saw some spice pick up. So overall that told me that I may need to re-visit this particular box a few times more and maybe let this box settle a few more months (like three to six). However, I was encouraged at the amount of sweeter caramel flavours this produced despite being around 12 months old. 

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

This cigar, the third from this box thus far, has been the best of the lot up to this point. Flavour and construction was spot on...shortbread, honey and citrus in the first half and a build-up of spice the second half which suggests youth. I might have a few more in the next few months and then let the box settle before I see how these are in a year or two.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Robustos Extra OUS Sep 2009

This was the first cigar sampled from a 12-count box I've rested in my OLH for a number of years and shipped recently. After smoking it, you have to wonder why this was ever deleted. Simply put, this was as close to a 100 point cigar that I've ever had, and trust me, I've been fortunate to have had some good ones. Better than the recent LCDH Trinidad La Trova? In a word...yes.

What made this near 10 year-old cigar so sublime was the rich creamy butter texture it gave from beginning to end. The La Trova I had a few months ago was similar but more intense in flavour, more salty and spicy. In comparison, this Robustos Extra had no significant dough flavours, but it had cedar, grass or hay, leather and tea flavours aplenty and these flavours were both balanced and mild. It was also very easy on the nose, retrohaling was pure bliss throughout the smoke.

The question of when cigars are at the peak comes up from time-to-time on our forum. This cigar today makes that question moot as I have every confidence that I can leave the rest to smoke over the next 5 to 10 years and this will still be great.

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Taínos LRE Dic 2009

This is the first cigar from a box I've rested in my On-line Humidor for a number of years and recently had shipped. If you've researched the La Gloria Cubana Tainos on the forum you'd know that it is a much-loved and much-missed cigar. Although, perhaps the examples from the early 2000's were not as much-loved, the last few years of production in '08 and '09 were better.

This LGC Tainos had a core cream, nut and fruitcake flavour that was wondrous, together with some floral notes that comes with aging. Retrohaling, which I'm disinclined to do on younger cigars, presented no issue here as the draw left a pleasant tingle through the nose and I had no problem retrohaling into the last third either.

What a pity this cigar had to end after around two hours. Even then I wanted to smoke more but it would have necessitated burning my fingers! 

[JohnS]

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

The third from my box, this La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 was a little different to the other two in that it had a hint of nut and cream, albeit mainly in the first half of the cigar. Fruit, wood and a little spice flavours were well-balanced throughout.

The odd thing about this cigar was the fact that it went out two or three times. This was not on account of the gorgeous winter afternoon weather today which was 21°C (or 70°F). The re-lights did not detract from my enjoyment of the cigar at all, thankfully.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 BUP Mar 2018

I haven't had one of these for a couple of months so I decided to re-visit it to see how it was developing and also for a change-of-pace from my regular cigars I've been smoking lately.

This was mainly cedar wood and light cocoa with a hint of malt and vanilla...quite nice overall. It didn't have any cloved spice to it at all. Construction was perfect, as was the burn. If it had some more 'vanilla-type' sweetness to it I would have enjoyed it even more, but it was most satisfactory as it was, despite the surprising slight 'nicotine-kick' I got in the last third.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills LAT Feb 2018

The last Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill I had around 2 months ago was strictly-speaking, average. This was definitely a step up and pleasantly complex through the thirds.

The first third began well with strong berry, turkish delight and a hint of creaminess, much like the very best RyJ Churchills I've had in the last 12 to 24 months. The cigar changed towards the end of the first third as the wrapper burn became uneven, but I resisted the temptation to correct the burn and it even out by itself. At this point I got a lot of spice kicking in. Towards the halfway point the cigar evolved again, with a strong anise flavour flourishing and enveloping the flavours in the last third. Unlike my previous RyJ Short Churchills from this box, there were no bitter chocolate or wood flavours to be found.

In comparison to recent RyJ Churchills I've smoked, this Short Churchill was a tad stronger, medium-mild to medium, but still faithful to its marca profile, which made it a delight to smoke.