JohnS' Smoking Diary 2020

[JohnS]

Bolívar Super Coronas 2014 - Edición Limitada (circa 2014)

The Bolivar Super Coronas was the third Limited Edition of 2014. That may seems a peculiar thing to say, especially as Habanos S.A does not assign ordinal rank to their special releases, but market-wise the large 58 ring-gauge Cohiba Robustos Supremos and the Partagas Seleccion Privada sold in greater numbers. It wasn't as if the Bolivar Super Coronas was a bad cigar, on the contrary, the 25-count packaging it came in probably accounted for lesser sales.

A Hermosos No.3 at 48 ring gauge x 140 mm (or 5½ inches in length), the Bolivar Super Coronas is the same size as a Punch 48 LCDH. Contemporary reviews at the time note its chocolate, Earth, leather, fruits, pepper and the fact it was faithful to the Bolivar marca. Strength-wise it was medium-full. How has it fared after over five years of rest?

This particular example, gifted by an anonymous benefactor (thank you - you know who you are!) had mellowed a little bit in the interim. The chocolate was more like cocoa or nutmeg, the earth and leather was like mushroom and forest floor-type flavours, the dried fruits was like mild licorice. The cigar began well and stayed that way throughout. In this instance I didn't note any complexity other than the usual increase in intensity as one smokes through a cigar, and more so in the final third.

I paired this with a quality espresso coffee and champagne cocktail and I must say those beverages complimented the cigar very well. In summary, this Bolivar Super Coronas was an excellent example of a special release Bolivar vitola. Time has indeed been kind to this cigar.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales RAT Ene 2020

I've had a few of these now to conclude that the Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales is a quality option when one is seeking a 30 to 40 minute smoke. I would option this right now rather than the similarly-sized H.Upmann Half Corona or Montecristo Media Coronas.

The cigar started with a strong hit of chocolate and cherry and soon settled into an outstanding toasted tobacco and spice in the the back half. All throughout the 35 minutes of the cigar I got plenty of smoke per draw and construction was exceptional, both in the ridges and length of the ash.

If you are privy to Romeo y Julieta as a marca, do yourself a favour and pick this up to try. I guarantee you that you'll be glad you did!

[JohnS]

Cuaba Salomón RAT May 2020

The Cuaba Salomon, how often would one smoke this or the similarly-sized LCDH Partagas Salomones? It's a behemoth-sized cigar that requires a good 120 to 150 minutes smoking time but when they smoke as well as this I'd say it's well worth it.

It definitely wasn't a complex cigar but it was quite mild. Flavours where a consistent shortbread, lemon citrus, a nuttiness more like walnut than peanut, a little leather and it also had some cream texture to it. For six months old it was excellent, especially for Cuaba.

I took a little over two hours to smoke it but I didn't need to touch up the cigar after lighting up the foot. I v-cut the head and it drew well, the smoke per draw was 'right-on', I certainly had no qualms nubbing it right to the end.

If you're looking for a long smoke and would like to try something other than a Double Corona or Churchill why not give the Cuaba Salomon or Partagas Salomones a try? It's no wonder why they sell quite well on 24:24 listings when they invariably come up, they tend to be a good option for a cigar to smoke on a pleasant afternoon.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Media Luna BSM Nov 2019

We've said it before it in many a sundry way but the new 2019 regular production additions to the Trinidad marca have been smoking exceptionally well. This Trinidad Media Luna proved to be another example to that tendency in 2020.

This was medium-mild in body and strength and nicely complex in its flavours. It had a combination of coffee, wood, butter, salt and a little nut throughout its 55-minute smoking time throughout. Construction was fantastic; the ash-length was consistently around the inch mark, ridges were a few millimetres each draw and this was complimented with above average amounts of smoke per puff.

It's a 'no-brainer' to state that you owe to yourself to sample the Media Luna, Esmeralda and Topes to experience how good these Trinidad cigars have been of late, with little to no time down rested.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

The greater majority of these El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasses from this box have been plugged or tight and this has had a detrimental impact on my enjoyment of these sticks. Usually I reach for these much more often as they can be quite good for a twenty to twenty-five minute smoke, but I think I've only had two or three all year. Thankfully this ERdM Demi Tasse smoked wonderfully today; I was quite pleased (and relieved)!

It goes without saying that I had a perfect draw, good construction and smoke. The flavours were a nice mix of almond nut, floral notes, honey sweetness and toastiness which all up made for around 25 minutes of bliss.

Wouldn't it be nice if a Habanos distributor brought out a marevas vitola with this flavour profile? It's not likely to happen as we've yet to see a one since the Regional Edition program was introduced in 2005. (Although we have had 7 minutos/perlas/secretos cigar releases in that time.) At least we have the recent ERdM Asia Pacific Tainos, the diminutive Demi Tasse and and the Hermosos No.4-sized Choix Supreme.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire TEO May 2018

I think if I had another experience like the last, when I previously reached for a Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire, I would have abandoned the oft-forgotten entreactos vitola of the Le Hoyo series. That was an unpleasant, bitter smoke caused by poor rolling, mainly underfilling. I'm grateful that this next one from the box was constructed very well and smoked that way too!

I got typical cocoa, wood and toasty flavours but it was the vanilla spice on the edges which made this a real delight. I even got consistent ash lengths; something which is rare on these smaller ring-gauged cigars.

This Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire 'capped off'' a great day of smoking on a perfect Spring weekend afternoon. I wish I could have days like this more often when every cigar I reach for smokes above '90 points' and even the espresso coffees I drink with them aren't bitter!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Edmundos BUP Sep 2019

Why oh why have I never smoked a Montecristo Edmundo before? This is the question I ask myself after sampling this slightly-over-one-year-old example of this vitola today! I must thank @Bijan for making this possible. If you keep an inventory on Cuban Cigar Website, this year @ATGroom has made it possible to use a trade feature with friends. Through that trade feature you can negotiate with your buddies what each person doesn't have in each others inventories. Great idea isn't it?

Back to the original question, I think the answer is because the Montecristo Edmundo is akin to a big Robusto with its 52 ring gauge and 135 mm (or 5⅜ inches) length. No, it's not my favourite-sized cigar in the least, but my oh my, did it ever appeal to my overt love for the Montecristo marca! (Although only when they smoke okay - I admit, I have an exaggerated leniency towards Montecristo cigars)

What was so great about this cigar? It sang sweet praises of a defined citrus twang from the start, balanced with nice soft cocoa and milk coffee. Along the way it added a sweet almond nuttiness before it picked up in intensity in the last third, becoming a little spicy and having more toasted tobacco flavour.

The construction was ideal, ash-length was fine, as was the burn and there were no touch-ups or re-lights.

I could easily light up another as I type this out right now. Hmmm...I'd like to but I think I'll save it for another day! 

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 50 SMA Jul 2018

It's been a little over a year since I've visited this SMA Jul 2018 box. In the meantime I finished a 10-count of LMB Jun 2019 Quay d'Orsay No.50s, as well as having one or two others from a MSA May 2019 box code, but these never quite matched how good the SMA Jul 2018 Quai d'Orsay No.50s have been for me overall.

What I appreciated from this cigar was the luscious egg and butter texture to the smoke, making each puff feel like I was eating brioche bread. Added to this was the admirable complexity I got in this petit robusto, with cedar, hazelnut and ginger spice to compliment the refined brioche bread flavour evident at the beginning of the cigar. One caveat I must state though is that I've had sweeter toffee-like flavours from past QDO 50s, however; this did not detract in any way from the overall enjoyment I got from smoking this QDO 50 today.

In contrast, it seemed that every time I lit up a 2019 Quai d'Orsay No.50 this year or last it was always more prevalent in wood and spice flavours and never as complex or well-balanced. Thankfully I have some more 2018 QDO 50s to enjoy in the meantime before I explore a late November 2019 box at some point next year.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana La Fuerza LGR Jun 2018

Fuerza means power, force or strength in Spanish. It doesn't necessarily correlate that a San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza is fuller in body or strength in comparison to other Habanos cigars. Unlike the SCdLH La Punta, which means point in Spanish, the name of that campanas cigar with a point at its head is much more logical.

I've noted in previous reviews on the La Fuerza that it is similar to the El Principe in blend, only more muted. I find the El Principe is more rich and intense, a 'no-brainer go-to' cigar, for me. This La Fuerza was like the last two or three I've had from this box code; molasses sweet, light coffee tones, minimal cocoa and an 'airy cake' or pancake texture to it throughout which exemplifies why recent SCdLH La Fuerza have been so good.

I've had many more El Principes in the past few years than La Fuerzas. Of the La Fuerzas I've had the TOS Jun 2016 were nowhere near the quality of these LGR Jun 2018 examples, which have been simply outstanding in general.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Fundadores ARS Oct 2017

If you've had 2017/18 Trinidad Fundadores of late then you'd know how good they've been in the last 12 to 24 months, across a number of RAG/ARS box codes.

The last Trinidad Fundadores I had was ten months ago and this smoked exactly like the last one, only it was even more flavoursome! The blend stayed much the same with milk coffee and dough flavour, which dominated throughout, as well as aspects of tea or madeira cake and almond nut.

The one criticism I have is the continual re-lights I needed as a consequence of the cigar regularly going out. That's why it took a little over 2¼ hours to smoke. However, like my last Trinidad Fundadores I had in January 2020, I had no regrets. After all, a delicious flavoursome cigar is still a delicious flavoursome cigar!

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro OMR Oct 2015

Vegas Robaina is a marca that admittedly doesn't enjoy a notable profile, is unlikely to be in your 'go-to' rotation and like the other brands ironically re-classified recently by Habanos S.A. as "other brands", has had a few regular production vitolas deleted since its inception as a brand in 1997. It was named after the famous Cuban tobacco grower, Alejandro Robaina, whom the Cuban Government decided to honour as the preeminent tobacco grower in Cuba in the 90's by naming a marca after him. A little over 20 years later there is only the Piramides-shaped vitola, the Unicos (52 ring gauge x 156 mm or 6.1 inches) and the Hermosos No.4, the Famosos (48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches) left. Like many other Lonsdales, Coronas and Double Coronas in the last 15 to 20 years, the Clásicos, the Familiar and the Don Alejandro have since been discontinued.

The Don Alejandro is the most recent deletion, although still available until 2017, it was a very slow seller (as is the Vegas Robaina marca overall). The late '15 Don Alejandro I smoked tonight has rested a little over 5 years and I wanted to re-visit it as Vegas Robaina is known for its prominent chocolate profile, and according to my palate, brands that share this dominant flavour profile tend to peak in the 3 to 5 year window, although I admit this is a personal generalisation and not a rule.

This Double Corona was 2 hours and 45 minutes of pure smoking enjoyment. What made it so was not the luscious chocolate and slight raisin sweetness balanced by a hint of sour dark cherries or prunes, although those flavours certainly appealed to my 'sweet tooth'. No, what made this so good for me was the gorgeous baking spice from beginning until the very end when I nubbed this. The baking spice was the dominant flavour and is something I look for and appeals to me in certain marcas as a sign of aging.

It's a shame this Double Corona has been deleted from the Habanos S.A regular production catalogue although I could understand why the VR Don Alejandro was a slow-seller. Simply speaking, judging by my personal ratings of the cigar within my Smoking Diary on Cuban Cigar Website, none of the VR Don Alejandros I've smoked with less than three years on them ever got more than a three-star rating. In contrast, the last few around the five-year mark have been five-out-of-five stars!

[JohnS]

Saint Luis Rey Marquéz 2016 - Edición Regional Cuba SGA Oct 2016

I had smoked a Saint Luis Rey Marquez at the beginning of 2020 and the background notes I included for that review is included below as they serve as a background reference to this release...

Saint Luis Rey, it's not a marca many of us identify with. After all, when was the last time you had one? Well may you say that there's only one regular production cigar left in this marca, the Hermosos No.4-sized Regios (48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches in length), precluding enthusiasts from enjoying Saint Luis Rey cigars more often. Why is Saint Luis Rey such an undistinguished marca...especially if you compare it to well-known marcas such as Montecristo, Cohiba, Partagas and H.Upmann?

Saint Luis Rey was introduced prior to the Cuban Revolution, which greatly streamlined and altered Cuban Cigar manufacturing in the early sixties, in 1940. It was mainly marketed to the United Kingdom, where I'd argue it enjoys its greatest popularity to this day. It's also a complex and nuanced cigar with a propensity for aging to gain benefit from its blend. This was certainly true of the Serie A and Double Corona before they were deleted six or seven years ago. The Regios defies this trend. It's a cigar that has a bread and apple citrus core flavour which is best enjoyed in its youth. Thus, it bucks the trend in regards to Saint Luis Rey being a marca that benefits from long-term aging. Perhaps this is a reason why the Regios is still in production.

So it's intriguing that Habanos S.A chose Saint Luis Rey for its fourth Regional Edition for Cuba in late 2016. Since this time there's been another two releases for six overall (La Gloria Cubana Deliciosos, El Rey del Mundo Infantes, Diplomaticos Excelencia, Saint Luis Rey Marquez, Punch La Isla and San Cristobal de la Habana La Cabana). There have also been only five Regional Edition releases in the Saint Luis Rey marca since the program was initiated in 2005, but surprisingly none of these have been targeted for the United Kingdom. (The five were Asia-Pacific, Peru, Spain, Cuba and the Middle East.)

The Saint Luis Rey Marquez is a Geniales size (or commonly a Robusto Extra) at 54 ring gauge x 150 mm (or 5⅞ inches) in length.  It was released in 7500 Semi boite nature boxes of 10 cigars each (so 75000 sticks in total). There have been nine Regional Editions released in this vitola, two regular production cigars and two Habanos Specialist releases. These include the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan, H.Upmann Connossieur B, San Cristobal de la Habana Torreon and Montecristo Open Eagle. Reviews for this cigar were mixed upon release. Some enthusiasts favoured it, others found it bland. I would advocate that after four years this would still be the case as Saint Luis Rey is a marca that is polarising...you either love it or you don't. It's definitely not for everyone.

The Saint Luis Rey Serie A, when it was around, was not an easy cigar to define, especially if you compare it to defining a Montecristo No.4 or Partagas Serie D No.4, for example. Two main flavours stood out; stonefruit (or apricot or peach) and molasses or honey sweetness. It was a cigar that was complex, subtle and nuanced and was best smoked with some time down. It was noted for developing chocolate and/or coffee notes after significant aging whereas most Habanos cigars diminish in these flavours with long-term rest.

Similarly, this Saint Luis Rey Marquez, being now a bit over four years old, had a sweet hay, dried apricot or stonefruit and cedar complexity to it. It developed a powdered cocoa into the middle third. Unlike my last Marquez around ten months ago, this did not have the same light coffee and baking spice notes; however, this cigar was still every bit as soft, nuanced and subtle as a well-aged Saint Luis Rey Serie A. It took me just under two hours to smoke, when I nubbed it after approximately 110 minutes.

Whereas some may find this cigar bland, I found it simply and utterly delectable. I have one more Saint Luis Rey Marquez cigar resting in my humidor and I intend to smoke it within the next twelve months. If you have this Regional Edition cigar in your humidor similarly resting, I suggest now is the time to reward yourself!

P.S. The Veuve Clicquot Champagne paired rather nicely with it too!

[JohnS]

Fonseca No.1 UTL May 2018

I can't believe it's three years since I've had a Fonseca No.1! I can assure you, it's not because I don't like them but I guess I've been distracted by the great variety of so many other Habanos cigars in the meantime!

I'd like to thank @Bijan for this Fonseca No.1 today. Coincidentally, I noticed that Rob and Ken released a review on the Fonseca No.1 recently and Rob stated that FoH would account for quite a few sales more than the worldwide average, which is most probably on the lower side of things.

This Fonseca No.1 was very mild and definitely not complex. It was mainly cedar/wood, a little marshmallow and some vanilla from beginning to end. Easy to smoke, this represented a great change-of-pace cigar for me.

If you're looking for a mild Lonsdale-sized Habanos option why not give the Fonseca No.1 a try? Just remember to remove that obligatory tissue-wrap prior to smoking!

[JohnS]

Rafael González Perlas REG Oct 2019

I'd like to thank @Bijan for this Rafael Gonzalez Perlas I smoked today. For its age, at around twelve months old, it represents great value in my opinion.

The Rafael Gonzalez Perlas is probably the mildest minuto/perlas/reyes option one could go for. Habanos cigars this size are a little more intense in flavour delivery than their larger brethren, but the Rafael Gonzalez Perlas (and Petit Coronas) tends not to be as intense.

This RG Perlas was a great way to finish an evening. It had less floral notes and baking spice than what I would expect in an older version of this cigar, yet it still had a core and dependable cocoa, earth, tobacco and slight honey sweetness to it which was great.

Thirty to thirty-five minutes of smoking enjoyment. What more could one ask for?

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas circa 2019

I like to thank @Luca for gifting me this Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas, my very first one! I've had a heap of similarly-sized entreactos (30 ring gauge x 100 mm or 3⅞ inches in length) before with the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire and El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse but I can assert this small panatela was very different to the HdM du Maire and ERdM Demi Tasse.

The cigar started out with typical Romeo y Julieta flavours of cocoa and berry fruits but towards the middle it became very herbal, like a mix of grass and mint. It was certainly very different. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement!

I do feel that one has to be predisposed to Romeo y Julieta as a marca to fully appreciate a cigar like this otherwise it can come off as 'muddled'. If you don't mind RyJ Habanos cigars do yourself a favour and give this a try if you like the intensity of a smaller 20 to 25 minute cigar such as this one.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Cazadores LAT Sep 2017

The Romeo y Julieta Cazadores is known amongst aficionados as an 'old school' Cuban cigar, a throwback to the 1990s when Habanos S.A. produced powerful and robust cigars. It's a 43 ring gauge x 162 mm (or 6⅜ inches in length) lonsdale which should provide a minimum of 90 minutes of smoking time. I'd like to thank @Bijan for allowing me to smoke this three year-old example.

In regards to strength, this was around the medium mark but it was full in body or flavours. It had a combination of cocoa, coffee, Earth, leather and a little bit of salt throughout and stayed that way so it was by no means a complex cigar. In regards to comparing it to other Romeo y Julieta cigars it stands more on its own as it doesn't dominate in berry or fruit flavours like a RyJ Churchill or Exhibicion No.4 would.

Overall, I'd still surmise that this Romeo y Julieta Cazadores was a good cigar but due to its combined Earth and leather flavours I didn't connect with it as strongly as other Romeo y Julieta cigars. I'm grateful for the opportunity to sample it though.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.3 ESL Ene 2019

I could have sworn I've smoked a Montecristo No.3 in the last four or five years but alas my Cuban Cigar Smoking Diary does not list one from 2016 onwards. I know I had one included in a FoH Coronas/Petit Coronas Sampler I acquired around that time but it's remarkable how time flies by when one reminisces about past smoking ventures!

The Montecristo No.3 is a 42 ring gauge x 142 mm (or 5⅝ inches in length) Coronas. These were much more prevalent in the Habanos regular production catalogue once upon a time but now there are only the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro and Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.2 available beside the Montecristo No.3. In fact, in the last twenty years seventeen Coronas have been discontinued as can be seen below:

2002 - H.Upmann Coronas, Punch Royal Coronations, Ramon Allones Coronas and Romeo y Julieta Romeo No.1 de Luxe
2006 - Bolivar Coronas, Diplomaticos No.3, El Rey del Mundo Coronas de Luxe, Hoyo de Monterrey Hoyo Corona, Juan Lopez Coronas, Partagas Coronas and Sancho Panza Coronas
2009 - Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi and Punch Coronas
2010 - Saint Luis Rey Coronas
2012 - Romeo y Julieta Coronas and Vegas Robaina Familiar
2017 - Bolivar Tubos No.1

So, apart from the fact that Coronas-sized cigars just aren't around any more what else may preclude one from acquiring them? May I suggest the fact that the 20% to 25% difference in current pricing between the Montecristo No.3 and No.4 and the Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.2 and No.3 perhaps may have something to do with it?

It's a shame really that the Coronas-sized cigar is not valued correctly nowadays as I feel it's both over-priced and under-rated. Even the Cuban Cigar Website smoking ratings attests to this fact. One can see plenty of ratings for the Montecristo No.1, No.2 and No.4 and even a few for the No.5. The No.3 hasn't achieved five ratings to list its flavours, the minimum amount required to acquire a mean score out of five.

So what can we make of all this? In regards to the Montecristo No.3 is it similar to the No.4? In generalised terms, in regards to blending, I would say yes it is related to the No.4 (and No.1) with slight differences in strength. This Montecristo No.3 had a discernible citrus twang, which I've noted in pretty much all the Montecristo cigars I've smoked produced since 2018 to some degree, milk coffee, nut and of course cocoa. In fact, this had more cocoa in it than the UEB '18 Montecristo No.4 varieties I've smoked through in the last 12 to 18 months and was slightly milder than your average Montecristo No.4 but had more body or flavour to it.

I'd like to thank @Bijan for making this review possible. I have another Montecristo No.3 to sample and compare. I aim to do so in the next month or two.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Medio Siglo UTL Nov 2019

What is it about the Cohiba Medio Siglo that exudes class when they are superb? I would suggest that it is the balance of honey, biscuit, hay, butter and mocha coffee over an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. What is about the Cohiba Medio Siglo when they aren't in the outstanding to superlative class? In this case, I would suggest that the balance of flavours is askew, they can smoke 'hot' and are more intense in coffee and spice.

This UTL Nov 2019 Cohiba Medio Siglo was more akin the latter description above. It lacked a buttered texture and softer hay flavours that I enjoy in these and the mocha coffee flavour was much more intense. There was that delightful honey and biscuit flavour at its core which did keep me interested though. As usual, construction was quite sturdy, ash was consistent and the smoke per draw was more voluminous than your typical Cohiba cigar, which necessitates a change in smoking technique to properly savour (i.e. you need to smoke much more slowly).

In the end, this took me sixty minutes to smoke. Despite the amplified coffee and spice I'd still describe this as an 89 to 90 point cigar. However, when they are are balanced with a smooth buttered texture and dominate in honey and biscuit (or cookie dough) flavours they can easily hit the 94 to 95 points height. I humbly hope my next Cohiba Medio Siglo reaches this height!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 ABO Ago 2018

I had three Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4s from this box within three weeks and my Cuban Cigar Website Smoking Diary suggests that it's been seven weeks in-between lighting this fourth one (wow...that long?)! The good news is that this was just as good or even better than the first three I smoked from the box.

Why better? Simply put it's the flavours. This RyJ Exhibicion No.4 had beautiful, softer RyJ flavours of anise, rosewater, cocoa/nutmeg, oat biscuit and a hint of sour cherries. This was the third cigar smoked on a mild Summer's day (the other two being a Montecristo No.3 and a Cohiba Medio Siglo) and this was by far the best.

As Romeo y Julieta is the only Habanos marca to include a regular production Hermosos No.4 (i.e. 48 rg x 127 mm or 5 inches) and a Robustos (i.e. 50 rg x 124 mm or 4⅞ inches) how does the Hermosos No.4-sized RyJ Exhibicion No.4 compare to the Robustos-sized RyJ Short Churchill? In general, the RyJ Short Churchills I've smoked mostly last year had more toasted tobacco, wood and darker chocolate flavours in comparison to the RyJ Exhibicion No.4. For my preferences, I've 'mothballed' my RyJ Short Churchills in the hope of diminishing those aforementioned flavours as I much prefer these 'softer' Romeo y Julieta flavours I've quoted in this review on the Exhibicion No.4.

(N.B. Technically-speaking, both the H.Upmann and Hoyo de Monterrey marcas have a Hermosos No.4 and Robustos option but these marcas include an aged anejados cigar as the second choice.)

[JohnS]

Nudies N3 Carlota

If you aren't familiar with the Nudies releases on our FoH forum the following is a recap summary...

The Nudies are 2019 collaboration between El Pres and master Cuban roller, Hamlet Paredes using Non-Cuban leaf. Specifically, the filler is made up of Nicaraguan quality aged seco and volado, there is no ligero which means no strong pepper and less 'kick'. The Nudies N1 Lancero was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1, the Nudies N3 Carlota was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3. Both Partagas cigars were discontinued in 2010.

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3 was 35 ring gauge by 143 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length. The N3 Carlota is slighter bigger and longer, 38 ring by 152 mm (or 6 inches) in length. The reason for this was the difference in blend and taste once it got down past the 38 ring gauge mark in testing. Hence why the N3 Carlota is slightly bigger than the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3.

I was fortunate enough to discuss the N3 Carlota with El Pres earlier this year in 2020 whereby I noted, in my opinion, that the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3 tended to be more 'toasty' or crispy from my memory. He agreed, but they did what they could with the resources they had. By those standards I concurred that El Pres and Hamlet did a fine job.

This N3 Carlota today started off spectacularly. I got a wonderful hit of quality bread sourdough, sweet cocoa and leather. It was every bit as good as the many quality Habanos cigars I've enjoyed lately. The cigar picked up more in toasted tobacco in the second half but it retained its core flavours as in my opinion, is still smoking every bit as well as when I acquired them at the beginning of 2020.

[JohnS]

Nudies N1 Lancero

Below is a little background on the 2019 Nudies releases...

For those of you unfamiliar with the Nudies releases, the intention was to blend more than the eventual two cigars produced, but this wasn't possible to achieve for commercial reasons, so El Pres and Hamlet settled on tweaking a blend which was close enough to replicating the 2010 discontinued Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 and Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3.

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 was a lancero size with 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7½ inches) in length dimensions. I gave my N1 Lanceros the recommended 90 day rest period to allow them to settle and keenly lit up my first one in March 2020. The first thing I noticed was that the smell of the cigars when I broke open their packaging was very different to the standard Habanos 'barnyard' smell that I've become accustomed to. This was more akin to grass rather than hay. The cold draw was quite inviting though, there was lashing of a sweet cocoa which had me intrigued and excited to light it up.

It didn't take me long to realise what El Pres and Hamlet were trying to achieve when I smoked my first N1 Lancero in March this year. For me, it was plainly obvious that they were attempting to bring back the classic Habanos deeply rich leather-blended cigars of the early 2000s. This, together with notes of sourdough and mild sweet cocoa made me appreciate how good Partagas-type cigars like this once were. There was also a touch of Partagas spice here and there.

It makes it hard to believe it was blended with Non-Cuban tobacco, but knowing that there's no Nicaraguan ligero leaf in these makes me understand and appreciate the muted bite and the sweet flavours. El Pres himself said that the small factory, small team (6 rollers), Hamlet blending, Cuban factory manager, choice of good aged tobaccos and great chemistry made things all come together well for the 2019 edition. I couldn't agree more!

This N1 Lancero I smoked today in late 2020 had that core sweet cocoa, leather and sourdough but one thing I must share about this cigar in comparison to my first one in March was the Partagas spice which has diminished in the meantime. It's almost like it's not there. No matter, this is still every bit a quality cigar. I'm glad I have a few left to enjoy over the upcoming summer!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo VI LBT Jun 2009

There is no strict and public data available on the Cohiba Siglo VI but in my opinion, I wouldn't be surprised if it has been the most popular Linea 1492 cigar for Habanos S.A for a number of years. However, the recent change in prices due to the impact of Covid-19 on the Cuban economy may yet damper this market dominance. In regards to flavour profile, I've always felt that the Siglo VI has a blend slightly different to the Cohiba Siglo I-V, and I find it quite common amongst cigar enthusiast friends that the Siglo VI is rated highly and smoked more regularly than other Cohibas.

This is the first Cohiba Siglo VI I've had since I reviewed a 2006 and a 2015 Siglo VI for my Cohiba 2020 Video Reviews Series around six months ago. I'd like to have them more often but I find both current pricing ($US35 or $AU80 a stick) and the fact that I've been enamored or 'blown away' by other Cohiba vitolas more often means I don't smoke them as regularly.  

Over the years I've had my fair share of Cohiba Siglo VIs which have been too spicy, too dominant in mocha coffee, too light in sweet honey/vanilla flavours etc but this cigar today was simply superlative because all those Cohiba flavours that fans of this cigar adore were both perfect and finely-balanced. This had a mocha coffee spine with Cohiba grass/hay and honey, some vanilla and a slight buttered texture throughout. I paired it with a champagne cocktail and this only enhanced how brilliant this Siglo VI was. After I finished it I desired another, which is a hallmark of an appreciated and great cigar.

I'd like to acknowledge @cfc1016 for gifting me this cigar some time ago (thank you kindly dear friend). I saved it for a special occasion, that being my daughter becoming independent by passing her Driving Test today. I have no hesitation in asserting that this Siglo VI was one of the very best examples of this vitola I've ever smoked. It was as close to a 99 to 100 point cigar that one could wish for.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 ABO Jun 2018

Simply put, I believe this is the best ever Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 I've ever had! The reason I say this is because it smoked and tasted perfectly ideal. How ironic this is my last stick from this box code!

It's not uncommon to smoke a HdM Epicure No.2 and have some element of cedar or wood and/or spice/cinnamon or pepper to the cigar. This did not smoke like that. Instead, I got a gorgeous powdered soft cocoa, vanilla malt and cream textured smoke from the first puff right unto the last. Sure it picked up a little in the last third in toasted tobacco-like intensity but this is to be expected. It didn't prevent me from nubbing this as far I could possibly take it!

Like my previous cigar smoked, a 2009 Cohiba Siglo VI, it's not an exaggeration to rate this above the 95 point mark because honestly it was that good. I hope the next Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 you smoke is as good as this one. In the meantime, I'm off to ponder replacing this box in my humidor!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

If you're curious as to what happens to smaller perlas, reyes, minutos etcetera as they age then please kindly read on. You see, the thing is, these smaller cigars so often get smoked when we want a quick half-hour smoke, usually replete with intense flavours, that aging can often be left to other larger vitolas in our humidor.

The Montecristo No.5 is a 40 ring gauge x 102 mm (or 4 inches in length) perla and was amongst the foundation Montecristo numbered vitolas introduced when the brand debuted in 1935. It stands a little on its own in relation to the Montecristo No.1, 3 and 4 because it is indeed more intense in strength and body in comparison and the flavours may appear 'sharper' to the palate.

At six-and-a-half years don't expect a Montecristo No.5 to develop a creamy texture nor does it develop softer nut flavours. No, on the contrary, I found that indeed this AUM Jul 2014 Montecristo No.5 did diminish to just under medium in strength and it maintained an admirable simplicity in its melded quality chocolate, cocoa and milk coffee flavours. In fact, that milk coffee was certainly in the background, to me this half hour smoke was an adventure in chocolate. So no nut, citrus twang nor creaminess yet still a dependable quality smoking cigar experience.

Perhaps there was but a hint of baking spice coming through as the cigar was approaching its seventh year. I doubt that I will seek it out as this was fine right now as it was. I envisage that I'd be happy to smoke through the box over the next 12 to 24 months.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Half Corona OPG Feb 2015

It wouldn't be often that you'd read a cigar review on an almost six year-old H.Upmann Half Corona. Yes, I admit it's an anomaly but if you're curious then kindly read on.

The H.Upmann Half Corona was released in 2011, has a 44 ring gauge and is 90 mm or 3½ inches in length. It typically smokes around 25 to 35 minutes. It comes packaged in a 5-pack metal tin or 25-count dress box. This OPG Feb 2015 H.Upmann Half Corona I smoked today came from a dress box.

When young the H.Upmann Half Corona is noted for its espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and white pepper/spice flavours. In its fifth year I've found that the flavours have melded a little and this HU Half Corona had diminished to around the medium mark in strength. The flavours were mainly coffee, toasted tobacco, a little shortbread, leather and a hint of sweet licorice at its core.

I wouldn't say that this cigar has become 'softer' over time. Rather, I would state that it's certainly nowhere near as intense as a HU Half Corona typically smoked within 12 to 24 months of its box date and the toasted tobacco and white pepper/spice you might find in youth has given way to other interesting flavours. I'm certainly glad to have aged it to this point but I don't think I'm inclined to smoke through the box in the next 12 to 18 months because I'm curious as to how this cigar will develop further.