JohnS' Smoking Diary 2020

[JohnS]

La Flor de Cano Grandiosos 2013 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico ROL Oct 2013

The La Flor de Cano Grandiosos is a 2013 Asia Pacifico Regional Edition that didn't begin to flourish, in my view, until it hit around the five-year mark. The greater majority of box codes for this release have been ROL Oct 2013, which is also the box code of my box which I've just 'cracked' open.

This LFdC Grandiosos smoked today is just over seven years of age, and it smoked a little differently to my last one I had around twelve months ago. My last one had a floral, citrus, almond nut and light cocoa 'on the edges' blend and had a bit of spice to it. This one was more a combination of cedar, hay, almond nut and light cocoa, again with the addition of vanilla or cinnamon spice to compliment the mild-medium strength of the cigar.

So, in summary, this wasn't as great as my last one but it was still very, very good! If you feel inclined to smoke a LFdC Grandiosos in the near future, be mindful of under-filling as these can be prone to that. Construction and draw on this was impeccable all the way.

[JohnS]

Partagás Selección Privada 2014 - Edición Limitada OPG Dic 2014

The Partagas Seleccion Privada Limited Edition was released in 2014, along with the Bolivar Super Corona and Cohiba Robustos Supremos. Initial reviews suggested that it was like a Partagas Serie D No.4, only richer. The consensus, at the time, was that this cigar was ripe for aging, with a 3 to 5 year window.

A double robusto with a 50 ring gauge by 160 mm (or 6¼ inches) length, my last Partagas Seleccion Privada Limited Edition, smoked in 2018, took a good 2 hours to enjoy. It was medium-full in strength, creamy, with a coffee, leather and wood core and cocoa, toasted tobacco and hints of white pepper at times. It was very much true to the Partagas marca, especially when compared to a Partagas Serie D No.4.

This Partagas Seleccion Privada LE, at around six years of age, has evolved further since. It was definitely more towards medium in strength and the flavours that were so distinctive before have melded this time. The cigar was not as indicative of the Partagas marca as previous examples I've smoked between the two-year and four-year mark. I still got that core coffee, leather, toasted tobacco and wood but there was no Partagas spice at all and the cocoa has receded. That being said, it was still a very good cigar and I'm curious as to how the next one from this box will smoke. I hope to do so in the next few weeks.

[JohnS]

Fonseca Cosacos circa 2019

Don Francisco E. Fonseca established a cigar factory and founded the brand named after him in 1892. He registered the brand 15 years later in 1907. By that time he had emigrated to the USA but kept visiting Cuba to oversee his factory operations. He was innovative in packaging cigars firstly in tin foil and then Japanese tissue paper to preserve the cigars he sold from atmospheric conditions. Of course, the practise of packaging with thin white paper continues today for the Fonseca brand.

This Fonseca Consecos is the first of its type I've smoked. It may be the first of its type you've actually even read in a cigar review! If you were to search our forum for this cigar or peruse for it in the popular Daily Smoking thread or Cuban Purchase thread you won't find it coming up that often. The cigar itself is halfway between a marevas and coronas with a 42 ring gauge x 135 mm (or 5⅜ inches) length. I graciously won this cigar in a FriendsofHabanos Competition prize so I'm grateful for the opportunity to smoke it.

How was it? Well, if the Fonseca No.1, which is by far more popular is light cedar/wood marshmallow texture and vanilla the Cosacos is a little stronger has a core cedar/wood, marshmallow texture, vanilla spice on the edges but it is complimented by herbal, earth and leather flavours.

This Cosacos smoked well today. I wouldn't rate it as outstanding nor would I belittle it as average. It was dependable. So in my view, it's slightly different than what I'm used to for Fonseca, the type of cigar that you'd consider for a change-of-pace if you enjoy smoking Fonseca No.1s.

[JohnS]

Punch Double Coronas PEL EPOO

I'd like to again thank @jay8354 for gifting me this fine cigar to review. Like the last cigar I smoked from this box around five to six weeks ago, I can re-affirm that 21 years for a Double Corona (the date code equates to May 1999) such as this one in no way diminished the flavours nor the fine quality of the smoking experience.

As I had written in my last review on this aged Punch Double Corona, if you smoke a Punch Double Coronas young, say 12 to 36 months, you'd likely find that they will have an array of flavours such as wood or cedar, leather, earthiness, citrus and nuts but mainly they will dominate more in those woody and leather flavours. As they age well over the 10 to 15-year mark you can get them more softer in those wood flavours, more fruity and a disposition to tart flavours.

This time around their was more cedar wood to this cigar, the fruitiness like currants was again present and there was a distinctive citrus tart flavour which I find generally characteristic of the Punch marca in general. In contrast, there was very little baking spice and leather was present, like what you may find in a long-term aged cigar like this one. Again, the cigar had little evolution or complexity but it smoked so well that it was a pleasure to nub!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie P No.2 circa 2019

Believe it or not, I think this is the first or perhaps second Partagas Serie P No.2 I've ever had. I graciously won this cigar in a FriendsofHabanos Competition prize so I'm grateful for the opportunity to smoke it. Why have I not had more? Well, like the Vegas Robaina Unicos, the Partagas P2 has simply flown 'under-the-radar' for me and over the years I've been more preoccupied with other campanas (52 ring gauge x 140 mm or 5½ inches length) and piramides (slightly longer with a 52 ring gauge x 156 mm or 6⅛ inches in length) torpedo-shaped cigars such as the Bolivar Belicosos Finos, Sancho Panza Belicosos, Diplomaticos No.2, H.Upmann No.2, Montecristo No.2 and Cohiba Piramides Extra (n.b. the 'extra' is due to the fact that the CPE is slightly larger again with a 54 ring gauge x 160 mm or 6¼ inches length). I also didn't note the San Cristobal de la Habana La Punta, although I've had a few of them here on occasion in the last decade, or the Romeo y Julieta Belicosos, which I don't believe I've ever had due to being too enamored with other Romeo y Julieta cigars of late such as the Churchills, Exhibicion No.4 and Petit Royales.

The Partagas Serie P No.2 is a reputable cigar so why hasn't it got the same notoriety as other Partagas cigars such as the Lusitanias, 8-9-8, Serie D No.4, Serie E No.2, Shorts or Maduro series, for example? If we were to look at the tasting notes on the Partagas Serie P No.2 on Cuban Cigar Website, across 12 reviews, I believe we can quickly surmise an answer:

Citrus (2), Spice (2), Tobacco (2), Baking Spice (1), Bitter Chocolate (1), Caramel (1), Cedar (1), Chocolate (1), Cocoa (1), Cream (1), Floral (1), Fruit (1), Honey (1), Leather (1), Mocha (1), Molasses (1), Nut (1), Pepper (1), Sourdough (1), Toast (1), Vanilla (1), and Wood (1).

As can be see above, the Partagas P2 is not an easy cigar to define in terms of blend in comparison to other cigars and perhaps this is why it doesn't readily lend itself to being a 'go-to' cigar like other Partagas cigars or even piramides and campanas.

So how can we better define, in relatable terms, why the Partagas P2 receives positive appraisal amongst enthusiasts in general? I believe it would be better to contrast it by using the Partagas marca as a guide. Whereas some cigars such as the Lusitanias and Serie E No.2 are known for their quality sourdough, the Shorts and Serie D No.4 for its espresso coffee and pepper and/or spice (at times), the P2 emphasises a strong milky coffee base more and the sourdough is not its core feature. El Presidente has remarked this year that the Partagas P2 has been outstanding in 2020 and he has been enjoying them due to their milk coffee, raisins and salted nuts profile. I would concur that this description is a wonderful parameter or guide to help us understand as to what tasting notes an average Partagas P2 has to offer.

As for this Partagas P2 I smoked tonight, I can attest that it was blissfully wonderful from beginning to end. Yes, it had milk coffee, raisin sweetness, sourdough bread and light spice and it made me reflect what a travesty its been that I've neglected this cigar for so long. I aim to rectify this in 2021.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo III circa 2019

The Siglo III is and remains my favourite of the linea 1492 series. The reason is simple, the vitola is 42 ring gauge by 155 mm (or 6.1 inches) in length and that, I feel, is the ideal cigar size for me. I won this cigar in a recent FriendsofHabanos Competition prize so I'm grateful for the opportunity to smoke it.

The Linea 1492 series was announced in November 1992 as the new line of Cohiba intended to replace the premium Davidoff Chateau series which concluded in 1991. When these cigars did hit the market (in 1994), the Cohiba Siglo III, a coronas grandes cigar with a 42 ring gauge x 155 mm (or 6⅛ inches) length was the replacement cigar for the Davidoff Château Mouton Rothschild cigar in the Chateau series.

Today, the Cohiba Siglo III is only one of two regular production coronas grandes cigars in existence (the other is the Montecristo Tubos). The last one deleted from Habanos S.A's catalogue, the highly-regarded cigar enthusiast favourite, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux was discontinued in 2014 but most coronas grandes-sized cigars were discontinued in the early-2000s soon after Habanos S.A. was 50% acquired by Altidis in 2000.

This Siglo III continued the trend of recent 2019/20 Habanos stock smoking well with minimum time rest. It's long been said on our forum that Cohiba is a marca that benefits from long-term aging (think five years and over) but lately it seems to me that Cohiba has smoked well a lot younger. Also, the Cohiba brand has been noted for its herbal qualities since its inception to the consumer market in the 1980s, yet I feel that recent Cohiba hasn't had as much herbal element in their cigars in comparison to Cohiba pre-2015. When I mention herbal flavours, I am referring of course to the quintessential Cohiba grass/hay. Grass indicates that the herbal flavour is sharper and more distinct in the blend, hay indicates that the herbal flavour is rounder and more melded.

Fortunately, I did get a quality Cohiba grass in this cigar, coupled with a sweet honey, citrus and light mocha coffee. Into the final third the cigar was slightly more woody but still smoked well with those aforementioned characteristic Cohiba flavours.

I smoked this as far as I could take it. For its age, this Cohiba Siglo III truly was a pleasure to smoke.  

[JohnS]

Cohiba Lanceros MAR May 2020

In 1963 Fidel's Castro's personal bodyguard, Bienvenido ‘Chico’ Perez, offered him a fuma (a cigar rolled by a torcedor for personal use) which was rolled by Perez's friend, Eduardo Riviera. Fidel loved the fine quality of the cigar so much that he had Rivera appointed as his personal roller. Under Rivera’s supervision, the El Laguito factory was established in a grand mansion in the suburbs of Havana in 1964. The Lanceros was known at this point as an unnamed brand Laguito No.1 until the brand was named Cohiba in 1966 and it was referred to as the Cohiba Lanceros from 1969 onwards. Thereafter, the Cohiba brand became known as the personal brand favourite of Castro, high government officials, and to give as diplomatic gifts.

I acquired this Cohiba Lanceros in a trade with @Bijan and although I do prefer them with some age, I don't mind them younger either, mainly because they are such a fine cigar to smoke. In fact, the vitola (38 ring gauge x 192 mm or 7½ inches) lends itself to a reputable size in Habanos cigar history. Other cigars which had, or have this size currently, have been the Bolivar Especiales, El Rey del Mundo Grandes de Espana, Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1, Montecristo Especiales (on hiatus in worldwide markets since 2015) and Davidoff No.1. The Trinidad Fundadores is the same length but has a slightly larger 40 ring gauge.

Even when young I find the Lanceros can be a wonderfully complex cigar. The first third started with mocha and milk coffee and some Cohiba grass/hay. The middle third picked up with some sweeter notes of vanilla bean and honey, whilst the last third saw the spice pick up in intensity, possibly due to the youthfulness of the cigar. Anyway, simply put this was another 5 out of 5 cigar!

The main difference between this Cohiba Lanceros smoked at less than 12 months old and other Lanceros I've smoked in the past at five years and over was the baking spice, softer mocha coffee flavours and more defined vanilla bean prevalent in those older examples. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this cigar just as much!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Supremos 2019 - Edición Limitada GEM Jul 2020

The Montecristo Supremos is a 2019 Limited Edition cigar which comes in a 25-count ornate, yellow cigar box. Yes, it is yet another Montesco-sized release (i.e. 55 ring gauge x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches in length), but does it live up to the reputation of recent Montecristo special releases such as the 2008 Sublimes, 2010 Grand Edmundos, 2012 Montecristo 520, 2015 80 Aniversario and 2016 Dantes?

The first half started with soft, silky chocolate and oak wood, some milk coffee and a flavour akin to bitter orange citrus spice, like what you might get in a bitter Italian chinotto soda drink. These flavours were strangely complimented by a gorgeous creamy texture. I say that because it's rare for a cigar to hold the balance between carrying a spice flavour and not having it overwhelm its softer, creamy texture but believe it or not, this cigar succeeds in doing so.

The second half saw the cigar pick up in coffee notes and the bitter spice was a little more intense too, yet it still had a core cream texture, only less so. In between, the construction was ideal with one-inch ash-lengths, cylindrical ash ridges and plenty of voluminous smoke output per draw. This cigar was rolled very well, there was no doubt about that. It took me 2 hours and 10 minutes to smoke this to the nub.

Smoking this cigar today was like a tale of two halves. The pleasing thing is that those two halves (i.e. the first half and second half of the cigar) are not disparagingly good and bad, it pleases me to say that the differences are both superbly good because this Montecristo Supremos is a cigar that balances seemingly opposing and paradoxical flavours, in my mind, in perfect balance. You aren't likely to get this in another Habanos cigar in the same way and that its what makes this Limited Edition stand out as a quality release for Habanos S.A in my view.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones No. 2 2019 - Edición Limitada TUA Jun 2020

The Ramon Allones Allones No.2 (yes, that is its full name but I can foresee that it will be quickly re-monnikered the Ramon Allones No.2 amongst aficionados) is a 2019 Limited Edition that is packaged in a 10-count ornate, green box and was launched with much fanfare by Habanos S.A in conjunction with Hunters & Frankau in London in August 2020. Habanos S.A invested heavily in its marketing campaign by releasing a technically slick video advertisement and 600 guests at the launch party were gifted packs including the new cigar; a small bottle of Hine Cigar Reserve Cognac and a glass; chocolates especially designed for the event by London club, 5 Hertford Street, a cutter, matches and a detailed informational booklet. What about the cigar itself, how did that fare upon initial tasting? How does it compare to other special releases? It will be my pleasure to discuss these questions further below.

The Ramon Allones No.2 (see, I've quickly abbreviated the name of the cigar myself!) is a campanas; a torpedo-shaped cigar with a 52 ring x 140 mm or 5½ inches length which has the identical dimensions to a Bolivar Belicosos Finos. Upon lighting I noted that this was a quality, refined cigar. It had typical Ramon Allones flavours such as cocoa and cherry fruit. These flavours were complimented with hazelnut and soft baking spices on the edges. These flavours were not delineated; rather they were melded at this point and I can't help but feel that this cigar will require a good 2 or 3 years to start opening up to fully appreciate. Then again, if we compare the 2009 Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos Asia-Pacifico Regional Edition and the 2015 Ramon Allones Club Allones, those special releases took some time to settle so saying this does carry precedence.

The cigar took me 90 minutes to finish and yes, I did enjoy it but for me, the Montecristo Supremos is much, much better at this early stage (n.b. I've yet to sample the Quai d'Orsay Senadores 2019 Limited Edition to make a further direct comparison). If you have picked up a box, perhaps sample one or two and leave the rest for a point further down-the-track. I can't help but feel the minimum window will be somewhere in the vicinity of three to five years.

[JohnS]

Saint Luis Rey Regios GOB Abr 2020

According to Cuban Cigar Website, "Saint Luis Rey is a current pre-revolution brand, established around 1940 by a British firm. It was imported exclusively into the UK market until the 1993. Production was always fairly small, and starting in the early 2000s the line has been gradually reduced to a single cigar produced for copyright reasons." That one cigar is the Hermosos No.4-sized Regios (48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches in length). I'd like to thank @Bijan for making it possible to smoke this today via a mutual trade.

The last SLR Regios I've smoked was three years ago during the 2017 Australian Rugby League grand final. My impressions then and now about the Regios are funnily enough much the same despite the long interval period it's taken me to re-visit this cigar. You see, for me at least, Saint Luis Rey has always been a cigar that requires aging to get the benefits of its blend profile and my preferential bias towards the marca makes it difficult to appreciate smoking it in its youth. Whether it's the now discontinued corona gorda-sized Serie A, the similarly deleted Double Corona, Lonsdale and Churchill or the Regional releases such as the Asia-Pacifico Pacificos and Cuban Marquez, I've always smoked them with time down.

Make no mistake however, the Regios does indeed carry the hallmarks of the Saint Luis Rey flavour profile. These are its cocoa, hay and stonefruit (think dried apricots) core. Today's Regios started well with these flavours but towards the back half it became more toasty and spicy. There was no honey sweetness, citrus or coffee that I've enjoyed in aged Serie As of late and for which I crave (although I'd be willing to admit that yes, there was some apple citrus tart aspect to the cigar in the first third but this dissipated later).

Mind you, I'm still willing to give the Saint Luis Rey Regios a go and have it in my humidor. In fact, I recently ordered some. However, there's nothing wrong with enjoying them in the first 12 to 24 months, alas for me, I'll be smoking some Hermosos No.4-sized Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4s in the meantime waiting for my Regios to develop before I smoke my next one.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana Torreon 2012 - Especialista en Habanos Exclusivo AME Abr 2013

Do you recall the first release of the Habanos Specialist Exclusive program? You may think that it was the 2013 H.Upmann Connossieur A but it was in fact the San Cristobal de la Habana Torreon announced in 2012 and released the year after. We've since had the 2014 Por Larranaga Picadores, 2016 Punch 48, 2017 H.Upmann Connossieur B, 2018 San Cristobal de la Habana Prado, 2019 Cohiba Novedosos and 2020 Montecristo Herederos join this program but I'd argue that that the initial SCdLH Torreon is the most elusive. The reason is due to the unique packaging.

The peculiarity of this jar is that it is shaped like a castle tower. It contains an ashtray which crowns the jar with crenellations shaped-like dips. Every cigar in the San Cristobal de La Habana line-up is named after fortresses of La Habana, and the Torreon (or the Turret in English) is the name of the watchtower of El Morro fortress that watches over the port of La Habana. Each jar contains a humidifier system that keeps the cigar fresh and each jar is numbered. Only 2000 were produced back in 2012, and only for the Habanos Specialist shops and La Casa Del Habanos stores.

The Torreon is a 54 ring gauge x 150 mm (or 5⅞ inches) in length Geniales. The first regular production cigar to have these dimension was the 2009 Montecristo Eagle and it was joined by the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan in 2014. The 2017 Habanos Specialist Exclusive H.Upmann Connossieur B also has these dimensions as do nine other Regional Editions in the meantime.

One could say that seven-and-a-half years is a long time to rest a San Cristobal cigar. I'd agree when it comes to this marca but that period of time has not diminished the class of this cigar whatsoever. It's a fine smoke. It was acknowledged as such when it was first released and it continues to be at this stage.

Initial tastings highlighted its panettone sweet bread texture, floral notes, wood, honey and spice with a medium to medium-full strength. This Torreon had the hallmarks of a San Cristobal cigar with cocoa, coffee and molasses at its core. The texture was more pancake-like. It remained this way for the first half until I picked up some walnut and Earth flavours midway which intensified into the last third. There was no spice here whatsoever.

I nubbed this after 115 minutes. At the Torreon's price point I could make an argument that current San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza is a better option. Still, I'm very, very glad to have had the opportunity to smoke this wonderful cigar today.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Medio Siglo UTL Nov 2019

There are so many cigars 'smoking hot' right now in 2020 that the Cohiba Medio Siglo might not be consistent enough to be in most members' Top Ten lists for the year. Then again, when they exudes class I'd argue that they exemplify the very best characteristics of what Cohiba can offer in a cigar, in my view. What exactly is it in a Medio Siglo that would identify it as smoking 'a class above'? 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.

Fortunately this UTL Nov 2019 Cohiba Medio Siglo was more akin to the former description above today in the way it smoked. Again, 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). I got a nice balance of hay, honey, mocha coffee, biscuit and a buttered texture over an hour's smoking time.

What more can one ask for? Not much really. That's why I keep stocking up on these wonderful petit robustos!

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1 BRE Nov 2018

The H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 is a forum favourite for simple reasons, it just seems to get things right. These include its simplicity and the correct spelling of connoisseur! Seriously though, when you want an hour's hit of mild, shortbread quality in a cigar what would one opt for? I'd advocate the H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 most of the time.

I opened this a box a few months ago and I've already reach the halfway point. Sure I've given some away, but that was mainly because I needed an objective confirmation of how good this box has been despite being a late quarter BRE '18 box code, known for being prone to sourness and/or bitterness in smoking due to the use of unfermented leaf in those box codes. Apart from one ordinary cigar from this box, all the other cigars have been great to outstanding thus far!

This cigar had nice mild cedar, shortbread and light espresso coffee with a hint of vanilla sweetness on the edges. It was simple and satisfying over 70 minutes of smoking time. Some H.Upmann cigars benefit from long-term rest to build in that shortbread and creamy texture we all know and love in the Upmann marca. Thankfully the H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 most often doesn't need that!

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 BUP Mar 2018

When one thinks of robusto-sized vitolas they're likely to think of a Partagas Serie D No.4, Cohiba Robustos or perhaps even a Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 or Ramon Allones Specially Selected. Yet the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 pre-dates all those cigars. In fact, it is the only Robustos that dates from prior the Cuban Revolution in the early 1960s. (N.B. There was a pre-revolution Partagas Serie D No.4 which was was discontinued in 1965. The Partagas Serie D No.4, which we all know and love as the current No.1 best-selling Habanos cigar in the world currently, was introduced in 1975.)

This HdM Epicure No.2 had some cedar, powdered soft cocoa, vanilla malt and a cream texture which appealed, held my attention and satisfied over 70 minutes of smoking time. It didn't smoke as well as my last one, but that was only because my last Epicure No.2 was a 95 point cigar, the best Epi 2 I've ever had. This was great nonetheless!

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco ABO Abr 2019

Ever since its release in 2018, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco has been one of the hottest sellers within the regular production Habanos catalogue and it's smoked that way too! What is it about the HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco that has made it so popular?

I would say that its the creamy texture at a youthful stage which most appeals to enthusiasts who invest in this cigar. In comparison to other cigars within the Le Hoyo line, which traditionally have been woody, spicy and containing forest floor flavours in youth and requiring long-term rest to build in cream, the de Rio Seco has been much sweeter and creamier at an early age.

This HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco today had a cedar, spice and cream core with some ginger sweetness; I just wish it had more. It still smoked well and I envisage I'll be reaching into my humidor for another HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco soon!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especiales No.2 REG Nov 2018

If there's one Montecristo cigar in my humidor that I reach for when I need a dependable and excellent example of the marca, it's the Montecristo Especiales No.2.  For many years the Montecristo line, founded by Alonso Menendez in 1935 and named after the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, had just the famous five cigars in its line-up (i.e. the No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4 and No.5) but after the Cuban Cigar industry was nationalised in the early 60s, Jose Manuel Gonzalez, a top grade torcedor promoted to factory manager after Menendez left Cuba, fatefully introduced the Montecristo Especial, Especiales No.2 and Joyitas to the marca. Today Montecristo has been expanded to 24 regular production cigars.

The Montecristo Especiales No.2 is a Laguito No.2-sized cigar with a pigtail, 38 ring gauge and is 152 mm or 6 inches in length (the same size as the Cohiba Coronas Especiales). Because of the pigtail, I dispense with a normal cutter on this cigar and I tend to use a 'Cuban cut', which is a simple method of dispensing with a cigar cap from the head by using one's thumbnail, albeit carefully.

The wrapper on the Monte Especiales No.2 was a light colorado claro and it smoked supremely well, The flavours were a combination of milk coffee, cocoa, almond nut, cream and citrus twang and they were truly delightful from beginning to end.

If I could, I would reach for a Montecristo Especial more often. Alas, and sadly, this Laguito No.1-sized cigar (the same vitola dimensions as the Cohiba Lanceros) has been in hiatus in 2015. Thankfully, we still have the Montecristo Especiales No.2.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 REG Ene 2020

Recently the Montecristo No.2 was nominated as the No.1 cigar of 2020 by El Pres on our forum. Considering that a number of 2019/2020 cigars have been smoking so well of late, and seemingly soon after their boxing dates, this appraisal is even more noteworthy, in my opinion. Despite having a few Montecristo No.2s from separate box codes in my humidor, I fortunately picked up a quarter pack offering of 2020 Montecristo No.2s in mid-2020 to sample some recent examples of this piramide cigar.

This Montecristo No.2 was dark-wrappered, somewhere between colorado and colorado maduro in shade. I mention this because I much prefer lighter shades in Montecristo cigars, in general, because they tend to emphasise citrus twang, nut and creaminess in their blends, in my view. Darker-wrappered Montes tend to dominate in cocoa, coffee and leather flavours, according to my palate, and I tend to compensate by resting them longer.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this Monte 2, although medium in strength, was nuanced in body and shone with quality dark milk chocolate flavours, as well as citrus twang and some leather. I greatly enjoyed this Montecristo No.2 and was well-pleased to have sampled it.

When Monte 2s smoke as well as this, and I mean somewhere in the 95 point range and above, there's no advantage to be gained in aging the other cigars from the box code. In my mind, they are smoking outstanding well right now and I aim to smoke my other five cigars from this box within the next 12 months.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas LGR Oct 2019

Rudyard Kipling, in his 1890 poem 'The Betrothed' wrote "There’s peace in a Larranaga, there’s calm in a Henry Clay; But the best cigar in an hour is finished and thrown away—" I think if Kipling were to write this poem for his fiancé today to explain his passion for cigars he might write, "There's caramel in a Larranaga, don't worry too much about Henry Clay, nor throwing them away in an hour. After all, they smoke so fine and so well!"

Caramel is the one characteristic that defines Por Larranaga and this attribute has been noted in cigar literature for a good twenty to thirty years in my research. The Por Larranaga Petit Coronas is noted amongst enthusiasts for needing five to eight years of aging before it starts to peak in its quintessential soft, caramel flavours. What I like about this late 2019 box is that they've had wonderful lashings of caramel at such a young age; yes, just 12 months!

This cigar had caramel, baking spice and herbal flavours throughout. I'd describe those herbal flavours as not been quite 'woody', nor was this PLPC 'toasty'. To me, it smoked like a PLPC may smoke at the three or four-year mark and the lack of 'bite' or 'mongrel' only makes this box currently appeal even more for my liking!

At one time Por Larranaga was the sixth highest-selling brand in the Habanos catalog (around the period when the Cuban government nationalised Habanos cigar production in 1960) and it certainly has fallen from its peak days due to machine-made cigars and cellophane packaging been phased out 20 to 30 years ago, along with trademark disputes; but I'm glad we have cigars like this around today!

[JohnS]

Punch Short de Punch TPO Sep 2019

The Punch Short de Punch has only been around since 2019 but it's made quite a mark since been released. I think the reason is because of how true its been to the Punch marca and how well its smoked thus far.

Punch as a marca is noted as a brand that's certainly not for everyone. Polls on FoH consistently mark it as a cigar that enthusiasts either love and adore or don't connect with at all. Punch also takes time for its signature flavours to come to fore. For example, I have a cab of Punch Punch still resting in its fourth year; the Punch Short de Punch has demonstrated these indicative flavours from the 'get-go' seemingly.

The flavours I got from this cigar, and the greater majority of this 10-count box, were leather, sour cream, a clove spice which picked up in the last third as well as some cedar, which also picked up in the last third. Of course there's also the Cuban twang which Punch is known for, which can be best described a sour citrus tart unique to Habanos cigars.

Punch is a brand that was founded in 1840 and was named after the Punch puppet character from 'Punch and Judy'. At the time of the Cuban revolution it was the fifth largest Cuban brand behind Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta and H.Upmann. Due to the blue mold crisis of 1980 and the rationalisation of sizes when Habanos S.A went into partnership with Altidis in the early 2000s, forty-four vitolas have been discontinued in the meantime. However, it still holds brand value as Habanos S.A has designated it as a Value marca alongside Bolivar, Ramon Allones and Trinidad when they re-classified Habanos brands in 2019. If they continue to release vitolas such as the Punch Short de Punch I can only see the brand continue to grow in profile in the near future.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 54 MSU Jul 2018

The resurgence of Quai d'Orsay as a marca in worldwide Habanos markets since its re-branding in 2017 is something quite remarkable to reflect on. In my mind, it's akin to the Filet-O-Fish usurping the Cheeseburger as the second most popular hamburger for McDonald's behind the Big Mac worldwide. I mean, it's just not possible, is it? So what has caused Quai d'Orsay to become so popular in the last few years? I would advocate that the reasons why have to do with excellent marketing emphasing new releases that are a class above standard regular production Habanos cigars, new bands and excellent leaf going into those new releases; namely, the Quai d'Orsay No.50 and No.54.

Despite recent larger price rises for Quai d'Orsay of 8% they are still very much in-demand. In fact, they've been colloquially termed the 'poor man's Cohiba' by enthusiasts and judging by how well the QdO No.50 and No.54 have smoked of late I can understand why. The Quai d'Orsay No.54 has been the more popular of the two new releases than the No.50, both on our forum and worldwide. Personally, I've connected more with the QdO No.50 than the No.54 in the last two years, but my last few QdO No.54s in 2020 have shown a large improvement for me in quality.

Quai d'Orsay is the only marca founded outside of Cuba and by request. The story goes that French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing wanted a uniquely French luxury cigar product to compliment other synonymous French luxury items such as French champagne, perfume and foie gras so he asked the French tobacco monopoly, SEITA to come up with the product. Tobacco Executive Gilbert Belaubre, rarely credited in these Quai d'Orsay origin anecdotes, was really the man responsible for the brand being light and Habanos as he was adamant that a French luxury cigar could not be machine-made and utilise Sumatra and Cameroon leaves (as one of the other project teams planned to do). Belaubre worked with Cubatabaco to come up with the brand in 1974. At first the brand consisted of light-wrappered cigars; in fact the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro had two versions as the lightest-wrappered product was called 'Claro Claro' and was marked 'Clarismo' on its box. This lightest-wrappered product was discontinued in the early 1980s as the extra expense didn't translate into an extraordinary cigar-smoking experience in comparison to the other cigars in the marca such as the Coronas Claro, Gran Corona, Imperiales and Panatelas.

For many years the marca utilised light wrappers in keeping with its light and mild strength and herbal, shortbread and citrus flavour profile. Quai d'Orsay became the second largest Habanos marca behind Montecristo in France but it didn't really dominate other non-French speaking markets. Fast forward a number of years, and with the brand down to one cigar in regular production; the QdO Coronas Claro, a change in using light wrappers and an upgrading of blend has meant that the Quai d'Orsay would have to be the hottest marca outside the current Global (Cohiba, H.Upmann, Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta) and Value brands (Bolivar, Punch, Ramon Allones and Trinidad) in the world today.

This Quai d'Orsay No.54 had quality hay, light cedar, cream and spice together with a brioche texture which made it smoke superbly. As I progressed through the thirds I got more cedar/woodiness and spice but the brioche egg-and-butter texture to the cigar remained and solidified for me why this cigar is currently so popular amongst enthusiasts and is selling so well.

I have no doubt that the Quai d'Orsay No.50 and No.54 will continue to sell well in the near future. The re-branding has been so successful that Habanos S.A released a Hermosos No.2-sized Limited Edition Senadores in 2019 and Intertabak AG, the Swiss distributor of Habanos, is planning to release a Regional Edition Nro. 109 cigar to commemorate its 25th anniversary soon. Could it be possible that a similar resurgence could happen to Fonseca? It's not likely but with Habanos S.A I would reckon anything is possible!

[JohnS]

Bolívar Petit Coronas ETP Mar 2017

This is my fourth Bolivar Petit Coronas from this box and it smoked similarly to my second one.

This BPC was similar to recent BBF in its profile, especially in its maltiness and stout flavours. Along the way it had that cocoa, wood and leather alongside a touch of earthiness (something like gravel, although this wasn't unappealing) and a little creamy texture to it.

This Bolivar Petit Coronas was so good that I again I became pre-occupied with researching the internet this afternoon and didn't notice the end of the cigar coming up well into the final third! I smoked it down nonetheless and reconciled myself to pay more attention to the next Bolivar Petit Coronas I smoke, which no doubt will be sooner rather than later!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 ABO Ago 2018

The Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4s from this box are like a gift that 'keeps on giving'! I've gone through one-quarter of this box and they keep on getting better!

For a cigar approaching two-and-a-half years of age, this was beautifully mild to mild-medium and flavoursome. The cocoa, coconut and cream was evident from the beginning and was well-complimented by noted Romeo y Julieta cherry evident towards the middle of the first third. There wasn't much complexity or development through the thirds on offer here, but there didn't need to be as this RyJ Exhibicion No.4 was great as it was.

Why, oh why is this cigar 'under-the-radar', so-to-speak? Perhaps it's because Romeo y Julieta is not everyone's 'cup-of-tea'; it regularly tops polls on our forum which cite inconsistency. If you can tolerate Romeo y Julieta as a marca, then you owe it to yourself to sample this cigar, especially when it smokes as superbly as this did today.

[JohnS]

La Flor de Cano Grandiosos 2013 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico ROL Oct 2013

The La Flor de Cano Grandiosos is a 2013 Asia Pacifico Regional Edition that has started to open up past the five year mark. This ROL Oct 2013 release is just over 7 years of age, and it continues to develop wonderfully in its floral, citrus, almond nut and light cocoa 'on the edges' blend. I also got some nice complexity through the thirds, with butter cake and cream in the first third, the core floral, citrus, almond nut and light cocoa blend in the middle and a pick-up of spice in the final third.

The strength of the cigar surprised me a little though and I expect them milder at this stage of their development. Oh well, it no doubt means that this box has 'legs' for many a year to come!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales RAT Ene 2020

The Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales may have been released in late 2017 but it's certainly left an impression on Romeo y Julieta fans since its come out. A diminutive 47 ring gauge x 95 mm (or 3¾ inches) in length Caprichos, it's been likened to the H.Upmann Half Corona and Montecristo Media Corona for its size, but it deserves its accolades for its faithfulness to the Romeo y Julieta marca.

If we include the 2014 Partagas Serie D No.6 (50 rg x 90 mm) alongside the 2011 H.Upmann Half Corona and 2015 Montecristo Media Corona (both 44 rg x 90 mm) there aren't too many cigars of this size in regular production; nor have there been in the past post-revolution as both the Bolivar Petit Bolivar (42 rg x 95 mm) and Partagas Half a Corona (42 rg x 90 mm) were discontinued in the 1970s.

It doesn't seem that long ago that the Romeo y Julieta Princess; a 40 rg x 102 mm (or 4 inches) in length perla was deleted in 2012 and replaced that same year with the Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill; a 50 rg x 102 mm petit robusto which has its loyal fans yet I would argue that the RyJ Petit Royales currently has much more sales.

The reason for the demand is simple...quality flavour in a 30 to 35 minute smoke. This small cigar provides a long creamy finish on the palate together with distinctive RyJ flavours such as chocolate or cocoa, cherry fruit and spice whilst never seemingly rising above medium strength.

If you are inclined to enjoy Romeo y Julieta as a marca; if you aren't likely to find them been just toasted tobacco sticks, then do yourself a favour and try this cigar and see for yourself what the fuss is all about!

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No. 1 TUE May 2020

The Partagas Maduro No.1 (a 52rg x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches in length Discretos) was first released in 2015 as a LCDH and Habanos Specialist release but its popularity spiked markedly when it was re-designated as a regular production cigar in early 2020 when it was joined in its own line by the Partagas Maduro No.2 (a 55 rg x 120 mm or 4¾ inches in length Short Piramides) and Partagas Maduro No.3 (a 50 rg x 145 mm or 5¾ inches in length Maduro No.3). All three Linea Maduro cigars have contrasted significantly from the Cohiba Maduro 5 series because they've been more approachable to smoke with much less time down.

The maduro wrappers used in the Partagas Linea Maduro series refers to a process whereby wrapper leaves undergo an extra fermentation. The result does add an element of cocoa or chocolate to these cigars but they don't overwhelm the blend; rather they compliment the quality sourdough I invariably find in these cigars. This was very easy to retrohale, it had some nice notes of light mocha coffee, nutmeg, cedar and hay as well as some spice, but only a little.

Overall, I've tended to find this TUE May 2020 box of Partagas Maduro No.1 mild and easy to smoke. I liken them to a Partagas Serie E No.2 with a maduro wrapper imparting a quality cocoa flavour to a sourdough, mocha coffee and leather core blend. In my mind, it's quite easy to understand why these have been so popular in 2020.