JohnS' Smoking Diary 2020

[JohnS]

Juan López Selección No.2 MEL Dic 2016

It's been a little while since I've had a Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 so I must thank @Luca for graciously gifting me this specimen to smoke, especially since I have two-thirds of a box resting away of the same box code. My JL2's are progressing slowly and I've decided to give them some more time until I have the next one. How did this JL2 fare?

At first I was supremely excited to pick up on some Cointreau orange, citrus and chocolate in the first third but the cigar soon settled into a stronger espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and spice offering towards the end of the first third and stayed that way until the end.

In summary, this wasn't too different to the JL2s from my box. For me, I need some more time for those orange and chocolate flavours to come more to the fore and for those espresso coffee and toasted tobacco flavours to recede. How long? Perhaps I will sample another one in the next six to nine months to see how they are coming along.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 EAG Jul 2015

I'd like to thank @Luca once again for graciously gifting me this cigar, telling me these were smoking great right now, from a 10-count box, and it certainly proved true after I smoked it today.

What I liked about this cigar at 5 years of age was the sourdough element to it. It also had some coffee, leather and spice in addition but it was that quality sourdough which really stood out and made this so easy to smoke and enjoy.

My only regret was that it was over too soon!

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connossieur A MEG Jun 2016

The H.Upmann Connossieur A would have to be amongst the most critically-rated cigars on our forum and again, after having one today, it's easy to understand why.

Firstly, the construction, they just seem to draw well and avoid burn issues (well, at least a lot less than other Cuban cigars). Secondly, they deliver in flavours on a consistent basis and those flavours come from a marca that is a favourite amongst enthusiasts, that being H.Upmann.

At around four years of age, this had typical H.Upmann coffee and shortbread, was nutty and there was a wonderful burgeoning cream texture to be found throughout, but it was that refined, quality cedar aspect which I really appreciated in this H.Upmann Connossieur A today. 'Satisfying and dependable' is the best is the best way to sum up this cigar-smoking experience today!

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1 BRE Nov 2018

Another H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1; another instance of dependability and satisfaction. Yes, the H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 is not a complex H.Upmann vitola but it is consistently gratifying.

For me, it's the simple combination of oft-milder flavours such as cedar, light espresso coffee, shortbread, white pepper and/or vanilla spice and a touch of cream texture which just seems to 'hit-the-spot' pretty much nearly every time I reach for one.

Today's H.Upmann Connie 1, as they are affectionately called by fans and enthusiasts alike, didn't have any white pepper but it did have those other aforementioned flavours and it smoked 'on-point' until I was force to nub the cigar when it was less than a quarter of an inch in length.

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No. 1 TUE May 2020

As you may well be aware, the Partagas Maduro Linea series (i.e. the Discretos-sized 52rg x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches in length No.1, the Short Piramides-sized 55 rg x 120 mm or 4¾ inches in length No.2 and the Maduro No.3-sized 50 rg x 145 mm or 5¾ inches in length No.3) has really 'come-into-its-own' this year in terms of quality and reputation. The reason for this I believe is two-fold: firstly, they've had a remarkable consistently in delivering quality, refined smoking experiences and secondly, they've been smoking so well despite minimal age.

Today's Partagas Maduro No.1 was more chocolate/cocoa and coffee than my previous two cigars from this box, but it still had elements of smooth Partagas sourdough, leather and a touch of spice. In terms of strength, this had a touch more 'nicotine-kick' or punch despite the body of the cigar being a touch under medium.

Overall, this was still quite good. In regards to my two previous Partagas Maduro No.1s, this would have been a 90-point cigar while those two where around the 95-point mark. Not bad for a cigar around six months old!

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Robustos 2016 - Habanos Añejados (circa 2008)

This H.Upmann Robustos Anejados was graciously gifted to me by @Trevor2118 (thank you!). It came as a prototype release from the XVI Festival del Habano in February 2014, which was also memorable for Tom Jones performing on the night. It had no box code but my best guess is that it would have been either 2007 or 2011, gauging by the box codes quoted on this cigar since its release in 2016.

The cold draw exhibited signs of quality: cedar and hay aplenty and I was eager to light this up. When I did so, I got seemingly every quality H.Upmann flavour you could think of in the first few puffs; cedar, shortbread, nutmeg, light espresso coffee, cream...it was all there and it was sensational. Then the white pepper kicked in.

Towards the middle third that white pepper dominated even more and into the last third it completely took over. It was still fine to smoke, it's just that this cigar didn't seem to have that normal H.Upmann delineation.

If you've had the H.Upmann Robustos Anejados you are likely to have experienced this marked contrast in the thirds I experienced whilst smoking this. The threads below bring out this contrast in the blend of this cigar and make for interesting further reading...

 

[JohnS]

Cohiba Media Coronas 2003 - Reserva Selección (circa 2003)

The Cohiba Media Coronas came from a 30-cigar humidor 2003 Reserva Seleccion release. This was the first release in the Reserva Seleccion series and thus far the only one to include a multitude of vitolas rather than just the usual one.

The original Habanos S.A press release below...

This humidified box contains a selection of 30 cigars:

    6 Coronas Especiales
    4 Espléndidos
    6 Robustos
    8 Pirámides
    6 Medias Coronas

“Cohiba Selección Reserva” has been elaborated with tobacco coming from the best vegas of San Luis and San Juan y Martínez, in the Vuelta Abajo producing region. The tobacco filler leaves have been aged for over 3 years time before rolling the cigars. This specially aged tobacco liberates even more progressively the unique Cohiba’s flavour and aroma.

This production incorporates the Reserva band, accompanying the main Cohiba band, which in this occasion incorporates the name of the brand in golden letters. All of it so as to brighten the presentation of the Selección Reserva.

It’s also the first time that the Media Corona Vitola is produced in the Cohiba brand, and it will only be available in this special production.

Due to the exclusivity of this Cohiba Selección Reserva, which contains the Habanos’ most outstanding brand, and also because of the meticulous selection of the best Cuban tobacco leaves from Vuelta Abajo finest vegas, specially aged for this occasion, Cohiba Selección Reserva is bound to be a noteworthy event in the world of cigars.

As mentioned in the press release above, the Media Coronas was a 38 ring gauge x 142 mm or 5⅝ inches vitola which was the first cigar to officially include medio tiempo leaves. According to Habanos S.A, medio tiempo is a rare leaf used very occasionally to bring extra intensity to the taste. It has a strength rating of four, in contrast volado has a strength rating of one, seco is two and ligero leaf is three. Medio tiempo is best suited for larger cigars because of the fullness of flavour it brings to the blend of a cigar. This is the reason why the smallest ring gauge in the Cohiba Behike Linea series is 52 and it is also why the Media Coronas, at 38 ring gauge, was not re-introduced as a regular production vitola afterwards (unlike the Cohiba Piramides Extra, for example).

I've been fortunate enough to have sampled the Pirámides and Espléndidos from this Reserva Seleccion release and they were both exemplary. This Media Coronas was similar, yet different. I would attest the reason for the difference would be the medio tiempo leaf included in the blend of the Media Coronas.

Like the Pirámides and Espléndidos, this Media Coronas had quality cedar, honey sweetness, quality grass/hay, vanilla bean underlying core flavour which made it really resonate with me. The addition of the medio tiempo leaf to this cigar gave it an intensity far more than the previous Pirámides and Espléndidos I smoked from this series and it imparted a stronger mocha coffee and spice flavour upon the cigar. I still enjoyed the Media Coronas, mind you, but I have to admit that it wasn't in the same class as the aforementioned ones without medio tiempo leaf added.

It makes sense in my mind, after smoking this Media Coronas today, why medio tiempo leaf is only added to the larger Cohiba Behike Linea series because of the effect it has on the intensity of the blend. Then again I enjoyed this skinnier cigar enough to nub it. I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 for having the opportunity to smoke it and compare it to other cigars within the initial and highly reputable 2003 Cohiba Reserva Seleccion humidor.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Choix Suprême MLU Abr 2018

Unlike the previous El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme I had about a week ago, the wrapper on this was not 'fireproof' but it was similarly a darker shade and a tad 'rustic'. Nevertheless, it definitely burnt better!

I got a nice combination of floral notes, almond nut and lemon citrus upon smoking it; however, there was a little more strength here than I would prefer for a ERdM Choix Supreme and this imparted a toasted tobacco flavour upon the cigar from the middle third onwards.

Overall, I'm grateful to @Luca for gifting me this cigar as I still smoked it down and enjoyed it nonetheless. I'm now keen to smoke my last light-wrappered MLU Nov 2018 El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme from my humidor to compare it to this one. I hope to do this soon.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1 BRE Nov 2018

I had a H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 a few days ago and it was so good to smoke that I was literally salivating to try another from this box today. After a smoking this today, all I can say is..."Boy, what a difference a few days can make!"

Today's H.Upmann Connie 1 just wasn't as balanced in flavours as the superlative example I enjoyed this week. There was less cream texture and shortbread and more cedar and espresso coffee today. However, I did get some nut and sweetness at times akin to something like licorice and that redeemed the cigar for me until the end.

Perhaps the bunched leaves at the end of the first third, requiring a corrected burn, affected the cigar although otherwise construction was impeccable. Overall, it was still a 'serviceable' smoke and I wouldn't hesitate to smoke another in a week or two.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Media Luna BSM Nov 2019

The Trinidad Media Luna is a Marinas size with a 50 ring gauge x 115mm (or 4½ inch) length. "Media Luna" is the name of the Hostel with an important architectonic value located in the street of the same name in the city of Trinidad.

My previous two Trinidad Media Lunas from this box code have been outstanding 90 to 95 point cigars so I figured I would try another today to see how they were coming along.

This Media Luna had distinctive rich butter pastry, coffee and wood flavours but was light on dough and a little more salty, at times, than my previous Media Lunas I've had this year. Again, I had to savour it and smoke it slow; this was not a cigar to rush in any way.  

In summary, I still thought this was a fine cigar but not outstanding like my previous two Media Lunas. On a 100-point scale I'd still rate this cigar today as 88 to 89 points.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 ABO Ago 2018

This has been my third cigar from this box in the last few weeks and today's Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 continues a trend of being dependable and satisfying for me, thus far.

The draw the time was perfect and flavours were again consistent with the RyJ marca; anise, rosewater, sour cherry, oat biscuit and toasted tobacco. As I mentioned before, the main difference with other quality Romeo y Julieta cigars I've had in the past few years such as the RyJ Churchills and Capuletos 2016 Limited Edition is that the Exhibicion No.4 doesn't tend to have strong notes of cocoa like those other aforementioned cigars.

Overall, this was very, very good. I wouldn't hesitate to have another from this box in the next week or two.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 PMS Abr 2015

Today's darker-wrappered Montecristo No.2 is the best one from this 10-count box thus far and unfortunately there's only one left! The reason it was so good was because it was well-balanced, there was ample amounts of nut, coffee, cream and even citrus twang on the edges but it was the generous serving of quality cocoa which made this stand out for me.

Interestingly, I can't say in general that my recent lighter-wrappered Montecristo No.2s have been so generous in quality cocoa, however; they've shone on account of their nut and citrus twang.

When Montecristo No.2 is like this, it's no wonder they sell so well!

[JohnS]

Punch 48 2016 - Especialista en Habanos Exclusivo LGR Oct 2018

I had a box of LGR Ene 2018 Punch 48 prior to this box and whilst that was quite good overall, this LGR Oct 2018 box has thus far been sensational!

Again, it was the consistent construction and well-balanced flavours which appealed to me. Cedar, nut, a generous helping of citrus twang and some cream texture made this easy to smoke from 'go-to-whoa'.

Whilst I'd categorise the Punch 48 as being closer in blend to the 2018 Punch 8-9-8 Asia Pacific Regional Edition than the regular production Punch Punch or Punch Short de Punch, they've been consistently above average for me over the past 24 months.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales RAT Ene 2020

This is my second Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales from this 15-pack Tubos box and it was just as impressive as my first. Again, smoke output was voluminous, flavours were faithful to the Romeo y Julieta marca DNA and it smoked just fine for 30 to 35 minutes, I didn't need it to be any longer.

The chocolate and cherry was complimented by a deep toasted tobacco but it wasn't as spicy this time. The increased volume of smoke per draw did necessitate me smoking slightly slower. Check this release out if you get a chance and you don't mind Romeo y Julieta as a brand.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Medio Siglo TPO Oct 2019

The Cohiba Medio Siglo is currently enjoying a solid reputation on our forum as a quality 'go-to' cigar which, antithetically in relation to other Cohiba cigars, can be smoked and enjoyed with minimal time rest.

The one main distinction I have enjoyed in all the Medio Siglos I've smoked this year is the consistent honeycomb biscuit in them, something akin to a UK Cadbury Crunchie confectionary or the similar Australian Violet Crumble. This cigar had very strong honeycomb biscuit notes from the very first puffs, yet it also had the hallmarks of classic Cohiba grass/hay, butter and mocha coffee, making it like a 'pared-down' Cohiba Siglo VI, in my opinion. It also had plenty of smoke per draw, which necessitated smoking it slowly and it also picked up in spice in the second half, but it was superb flavour-wise.

Despite being released in late 2016, I'm still 'kicking myself' as to why it took me a little over three years to get into these as this vitola, in my opinion, is amongst the finest Cohiba products currently available at the present time.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Topes MUP Oct 2019

This is now my fourth 2019 regular production Topes within six months. My first one was superlative, my second one was mind-numbing average, my third one was a 'return-to-form', so-to-speak (i.e very, very good to excellent) and this fourth one was simply outstanding!

The first one was spice, coffee and butter which took on elements of butter pastry, some savoury salt and slight gingerbread-type sweetness as it went along. It felt like I was smoking a rich butter croissant, it was all-quality and all-class. The second one was more wood, dark coffee, salt and thankfully a delicious and viscous buttered texture which redeemed the cigar for me. The third one had elements of both the first and second cigar, but more of the first, which made it above-average in quality in my thinking.

This fourth Topes had milk coffee, dough and a buttered texture from the beginning. As it smoked down it had elements of salt and buttered pastry, like a mix of a croissant crossed with brioche bread, at other times the cigar had stronger notes of wood and strong coffee, much like my previous Topes a few months ago. The flavours resonated on the palate for hours afterward, this was a cigar that was rich and required attention to smoke slower.

I did not use my Credo 3-in-1 Punch cutter this time but I did alter my cigar-smoking technique for 'sipping' this large-ring gauge cigar from the back, meaning that it smoked slower and felt richer to smoke. After smoking the Topes this week and the Media Luna last week, I still feel that these new 2019 Trinidad releases are reputable in keeping with the premium brand status of Trinidad. I've found the Topes, Media Luna and Esmeralda quite satisfying to smoke thus far in 2020.

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Famosos AEM May 2015

I waited four years to 'crack open' this box in 2019 and I went through half the box in that year. This cigar is my fourth Vegas Robaina Famosos in 2020, but my first since early May. Overall, I'd rate this box thus far as been simply outstanding. Vegas Robaina is a marca that is easily overlooked but when you get a fantastic box of this marca, it really can be like nothing else.

Today's cigar had quality lush tobacco and grass, soft creamy milk chocolate, dates, baking spice and floral notes here and there. In a word...luscious from 'go-to-whoa'!

I have one-quarter of this box left and I feel that it's hit its peak after today's cigar. I could leave the remaining cigars for another year or two but the fact is that the last few cigars having been smoking so well that there's really no need to.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2  EML Ago 2014

At just over six years of age, this Diplomaticos No.2 was strong on sourdough, had some capsicum or bell pepper, nutmeg and wood but this time it had no cloved or paprika spice. The texture of the cigar on the palate was also completely different than some of the toasty Diplomaticos No.2s I had from this box in 2019, that is, it was more akin to an older cigar.

The blend, flavour profile and balance of this Diplomaticos No.2 was just 'spot-on' for me today. After finishing it I reflected to myself how good it would be if this blend were available again in another vitola in the Diplomaticos marca, such as the long-since discontinued No.1, No.3, No.4 and No.5. I suppose one could dream, couldn't they?

[JohnS]

H. Upmann No.2 LUB May 2014

The H.Upmann No.2, like its Montecristo No.4-sized sadly discontinued brother, the H.Upmann Petit Corona, can be fuller-bodied when youthful. For that reason, I like to age these cigars to bring out their shortbread cream flavour, but it takes time...typically 5 years ore even longer.

Like the Montecristo No.2, the H.Upmann No.2 is a torpedo cigar (52 ring gauge x 156 mm) but I wouldn't envisage that it sells anywhere near the volume of Montecristo No. 2's annually. It's not because of their blend either, the H.Upmann No.2 is a fine-tasting cigar, rather it simply a matter of brand appeal...the Montecristo No.2 is much more well-known.

At 6 and a half years of age, this was slightly more intense in strength than my last H.Upmann No 2, around six months ago. The strength was more akin to a H.Upmann Magnum 46 rather than a H.Upmann Connossieur A or Sir Winston, for example. Unlike previous Upmann No.2s from this box, this cigar had little or no spice or white pepper. The spine of the cigar was more like wood and leather, complemented by a slight honey or licorice sweetness at times. Overall, in comparison to other piramide cigars I've enjoyed in 2020, such as the Montecristo No.2 and Diplomaticos No.2, this H.Upmann No.2 was definitely fuller in strength and body than those two cigars, despite its age.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 54 MSU Jul 2018

It's been awhile since I've smoked the Quai d'Orsay no.54, approximately six months since my last one. Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck with this 10-count box code thus far and I've gone through half of it periodically over the last two years.

This QdO No.54 began as usual with creamy cedar, ginger and hay flavours. There was little or practically no spice, nor complexity throughout the thirds as I smoked this down, although it was impeccably constructed and smoked very well. Ash was consistent. As usual, this was a very mild smoke, you could easily smoke this first thing in the morning and it wouldn't overwhelm your palate.

In summary, I aim to smoke a QdO No.50 soon to compare it to this QdO No.54 as I want to keep an open mind on these two releases. Hopefully a superlative QdO No.54 is 'just-around-the-corner' for me!

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 50 SMA Jul 2018

This 2018 Quai d'Orsay No.50 box has been much better, in general, than my 10-count 2019 box (which I've since finished). I had found, in general, that the 2018 QdO 50s have been mainly soft egg and butter brioche bread, cedar and ginger/toffee sweet in flavour whilst the 2019 QdO 50s have been more woody and spicy.

Today's Quai d'Orsay No.50, from my 2018 box, was actually quite good, light in body with flavours consistent with the recent re-branded Quai d'Orsay marca. I got an egg and butter brioche pastry core flavour, some ginger, cedar, toffee sweetness and roasted hazelnut. The only thing that let this cigar down was the thin wrapper which split around the band. It meant that I had to be more careful smoking past the halfway point, but I did manage to smoke it into the final third.

Overall, I'd say this SMA Jul 2018 Quai d'Orsay No.50 was still better than most cigars from my LMB Jun 2019 box. Hopefully next time the construction will compliment the flavours!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

I can't believe it's been ten months since I've re-visited this UEB May 2018 box. I've since been smoking UEB Ago 2018 Montecristo No.4's in 2020, which like the UEB May 2018 box, have been similarly outstanding.

This Montecristo No.4 was quite heavy on the 'citrus' twang, which I simply adore. The cocoa and milk coffee flavours were light but these flavours and the wonderful nuttiness I've got of the Monte 4s from this box in general, balanced the sour tartness of the citrus twang just fine. One characteristic that both these UEB 2018 cigars dominant in citrus twang have shared was their white ash and this time the ash-strength was quite sound, not flaky.

It all made for an interesting cigar. Not quite quintessential Montecristo no.4 but fine nonetheless.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe TOS Jun 2016

It's been a little over two months since I've had a San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe and this is just my third one this year, although the last two were both excellent examples of this vitola.

This El Principe had a very mild cocoa and coffee core flavour to it but where it shone was in its molasses sweetness. Unlike my previous El Principe, that quality soft pancake texture was not as dominant but it was there. Again, there was no spice or strong tobacco flavours to this at all, it was just pure refinement at its best (which is how I prefer these).

Still, this was easily a 90 to 92 point cigar, I'm elated to know that I still have half a box left. I'm looking forward to my next one!

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

Well, this started off well...full of caramel and some twang but soon settled into an an unbalanced mix of sour twang, wood and glorious caramel and toast. I persevered with the cigar until the final third because overall it was average but not bad enough to 'pitch' (i.e. throw out).

I guess it was disappointing because I've had so many good ones from this box. On the other hand, I have every confidence that the next one will be better as so many have been excellent to outstanding thus far.

[JohnS]

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

The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 is a slim panetela which demands your attention when smoking it due to its thin ring gauge and its propensity to overheat and smoke 'bitter' if it's drawn upon too quickly. It's also known to be a complex cigar, with a range of flavours, depending on its age.

In regards to flavours, the LGC No.4 is reputed for its fruit, pepper, herbal and wood flavours. This was more wood, spice and herbal in nature and for me, it was a little unbalanced due to its citrus qualities which stood out. I've had much better LGC 4s from this box whereby this 'citrus' flavour was much more fruity in nature. In summary, the cigar was okay but only after I gave it specific attention to smoking slowly.

This was just my fourth La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 in 2020. Like you, no doubt, I'm conserving my stocks until there's some confirmation that this vitola is no longer in hiatus as the last confirmed boxes produced are from early 2018. We saw some recent box codes in mid-to-late 2020 of Partagas 8-9-8s after that vitola went into hiatus for a time, so 'you never know', as they say!