JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No. 2 TUE Dic 2020

The Partagas Maduro No.2 was added along with the Partagas Maduro No.3 in 2018 to form the Linea Maduro with the Partagas Maduro No.1 introduced in 2015. It is a Short Piramides with a 55 ring gauge by 120 mm (or 4¾ inches) length. If the large ring gauge concerns you, rest assured, the conical head makes it much easier to smoke after cutting than it would otherwise. In my case, I use a Colibri V-Cutter which makes a deeper v-cut in cigars than typical V-Cutters.

I've had quite a few Partagas Maduro line cigars in the last year or so, and in my opinion, I wouldn't necessarily classify them as a classic Partagas-flavoured cigar. For example, you're not likely to get spice or pepper out of them. Having said this, I would categorise 2019/20 Partagas Maduro No.1, No.2 and/or No.3 as quality cigars well worth your time in acquiring.

This fifth Partagas Maduro No.2 from the box had a similar flavour profile to the first four Partagas Maduro No.2s I've smoked in the last three months. Like those Party Maduro 2s, this had more strength and more body or fullness of flavour than the Partagas Maduro No.1 or Partagas Maduro No.3. This was especially evident today with the very first puff which was quite strong in cocoa/chocolate. At times, this flavour was bordering on charred wood (at the beginning)! Thankfully the cigar settled down and was much more approachable after ten minutes or so after initial lighting. The flavours were a combination of cocoa/chocolate, anise, sour cherry and coffee. In today's cigar, the combination of anise and sour cherry was not as distinctive as in comparison to my previous Party Maduro 2s, but nevertheless there was enough to maintain satisfaction.

In regards to smoking time, normally I would give myself around 60 to 65 minutes for the Partagas Maduro No.2. This one took me a little longer to finish, around 80 minutes to finish, believe it or not!

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No. 3 TUE Mar 2021

The Partagas Maduro No.3 was added along with the Partagas Maduro No.2 in 2018 to form the Linea Maduro with the Partagas Maduro No.1 introduced in 2015. It is a unique Maduro No.3 size with a 50 ring gauge by 145 mm (or 5¾ inches) length. This was my third Partagas Maduro No.3 from the box after smoking my first one around two months ago and my second one about a month after that.

This third Partagas Maduro No.3 started off with an intense hit of cocoa/chocolate, coincidentally like the Partagas Maduro No.2 I smoked immediately proceeding it, but it soon settled thereafter. I had some issues with the burn due to some bunched leaves up on side of the cigar which affected the ash, but once the burn got past this point (around the end of the first third), the cigar smoked well.

There was definitely less body or fullness of flavour than the Partagas Maduro No.1s or Partagas Maduro No.2s I've smoked, and I wouldn't classify it as a complex cigar. The flavours were again a combination of cocoa/chocolate, sourdough, anise, sour cherry and coffee. For me, that Partagas sourdough was and is most evident in the Partagas Maduro No.3 than in comparison to the other cigars in the Partagas Maduro Linea Series.

In regards to smoking time, give yourself around 90 to 100 minutes for the Partagas Maduro No.3. This one took me around 80 minutes to finish. The reason was due to the issues I had in the first third which necessitated that I smoke a little quicker to prevent the cigar extinguishing on me. Once I got past that point it was fine.

[JohnS]

Punch Short de Punch RAT Nov 2019

The Punch Short de Punch is a recent 2019 release by Habanos S.A. In my opinion, there's nothing 'short' about it. Firstly, its length is only 4 mm (or ⅙ of an inch) shorter than a robusto and secondly, it normally takes quite some time to smoke. Whereas a robusto would normally take me around 70 to 75 minutes to smoke the average Punch Short de Punch normally takes me around 90 to 105 minutes to finish!

This RAT Nov 2019 was the second cigar from a new 10-count box. I had the first one around two weeks ago and let me tell you, it was absolutely stupendous! I have rated the Punch Short de Punch quite highly since its release, and it seems that each time I go to pull out this cigar out of my humidor it just keeps getting better!

In regards to flavours, like the previous Punch Short de Punch cigars I've had, this was again all classic Punch...the sour cream, leather, cedar and Cuban twang was all there from beginning to end, and more so the sour cream and leather notes. This cigar was simply delicious today over 80 thoroughly enjoyable minutes!

For me, the PSdP has been so good that I'm more than happy that I've acquired another box in the past fortnight. I think I will need it!

The Punch Short de Pinch is by no means a complex cigar, but if you like Punch in general then I'd recommend that you definitely give this a try.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Churchills GOM Ago 2018

I think in general that the Romeo y Julieta Churchill has been a standout cigar since circa 2016. For a few years before this period, I would say that this definitely wasn't the case; after all, I can recall my fair share of tasteless, bland toasted tobacco RyJ Churchills. After 2016, the opposite may be true: I have had a great number of excellent RyJ Churchills, mostly replete with delicious fruity flavours.

This RyJ Churchill started off with a barnyard-fresh cold draw but it soon became obvious that the cigar was a tad tight in the draw. Once I lit up, it was even more so. The problem accentuated but I very quickly realised a dilemma: use my PerfecDraw tool and lose the texture of the smoke on the palate or continue on with having to draw multiple puffs to get decent flavour out of the cigar. I opted for the latter.

The texture of the cigar, in case you were wondering (which of course you were) was the antithesis of wispy. In other words, I'm talking about a richness on the palate as if I were eating a chocolate-coated cherry bar from my childhood. In my home country of Australia we have such a confectionary bar: a Cherry Ripe. Well, the sentimentality afforded by my fond memories of these chocolate delights got the better of my objectivity with this particular cigar today. I soon stopped caring about the tight draw.

I persevered through the cigar but alas, it did not become bitter from moistening the head from drawing hard on the cigar nor did it intensify. It was just atypical in every way; I mean, how can you get such brilliant Romeo y Julieta flavours from a cigar that was this tight? I think Alfred Lord Tennyson said it best: "Ours is not to reason why!"

When I finished the cigar I noted that my previous RyJ Churchill from this box code was pretty good, but no way was it this good! No-one wishes for a tight draw or a cigar that is somewhat 'semi-plugged', but when one's cigar smoked like this one today, I would actively advocate for such a stogie to preoccupy me with such feelings of wonderment and joy.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro TUA Dic 2020

The introduction of the new regular production additions to the Quai d'Orsay marca in late 2017, the Nos. 50 and 54, has affected the availability of the aptly-named Coronas-sized (i.e. 42 ring gauge x 142 mm or 5⅝ inches in length) Coronas Claro of late. Thankfully, these have come back to the market in 2020. This is my fourth one that I've smoked from this box around three months after my third one and three months after I smoked the first two back-to-back within a week.

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. Incidentally, 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.

I stated in my previous review on the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro that the one characteristic common to the very best Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 I've enjoyed in the past 18 to 24 months has been without a doubt a rich egg-and-butter brioche bread pastry texture. Other flavours of note include: quality hay, cedar, cream, ginger or cinnamon spice and toffee. When these Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 have not been on-point it was usually due to the cigar being unbalanced, often with flavours of oak wood and/or spice dominating and detracting from those sweeter cake-type aforementioned flavours.

This Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro was very much better in the flavour department than my last one. This cigar had a good amount of smoke per draw, had that quintessential egg-and-butter brioche bread, hay, orange citrus and ginger sweetness. It had no woody or oak texture to it, unlike my first three QdO Coronas Claro from the box.

Construction-wise, it was very much on-point. The ash was a consistent three-quarters of an inch and the ash-rings were visually symmetrical, like stacking dimes on top of each other.

I'm glad I left this box a few months to settle to better gauge how it was progressing. I imagine I will visit my next QdO Coronas Claro in a few more months yet.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Small Club Coronas ETP Mar 2017

The Ramon Allones Small Club Corona is a reputable (42 ring gauge x 110 mm or 4⅜ inches in length) minutos which I've sadly neglected, to my detriment, over the years. Thankfully I've rectified this by acquiring some sticks three months ago. I had two delectable examples, within a week, three months ago. Today was my third Ramon Allones Small Club Corona I've sampled.

This RASCC was pretty much like my last one I had; namely, quality nut and dried fruit, like raisins, combined with light cocoa, wood and leather. Together with the spot-on construction, burn and draw, everything came together today to produce an outstanding cigar-smoking experience over 60 minutes!

This Ramon Allones Small Club Corona provided an astute example of how much value these smaller minuto-sized cigars have when they pack so much flavour, over a longer-than-expected smoking time, in such a small cigar.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Coronas Junior MSU Jul 2019

I had my first two Bolivar Coronas Junior in three years around three months ago and they were both excellent cigar-smoking experiences. The Bolivar Belicosos Finos and Bolivar Petit Coronas have been so dependably good of late, for me, that I figured that I needed to give the Bolivar Coronas Junior a go also. After smoking this third stick from this recent acquisition today, I'm still overwhelmingly glad I did!

This BCJ was a little less 'Earthy' than my previous one around three months ago. It was much like my last BCJ in how it smoked in that it still had those other core flavours of light cocoa, leather, espresso coffee and cedar, together with a little sweet Cuban twang. However, make no mistake, this cigar was full-bodied with premium flavour. It took me a whole 75 minutes to smoke! Now that is great value for a minutos-sized cigar in terms of smoking time, wouldn't you agree?

In summary, this Bolivar Coronas Junior was simply exceptional today. I would easily rate it a 93 to 94-point cigar.

[JohnS]

Saint Luis Rey Regios GOB Jun 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).

In my experience, Saint Luis Rey has always been a cigar that requires aging to get the benefits of its blend profile and my preference 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.

This was the third SLR Regios from this box code that I smoked. The first, smoked five months ago, had distinctive Saint Luis Rey flavours of cocoa, hay and a stonefruit (think dried apricots) core but its apple citrus tart flavour wasn't as dominant as I would have liked. It was merely serviceable, in my view. The second one, smoked three weeks ago, on the contrary was exemplary in all departments; construction, flavour and smoking. What appealed to me about it was the cake-like texture of the smoke and its dried apricot/stonefruit flavour profile.

This third SLR Regios started off with that aforementioned cake-type texture,  together with an obvious dried apricot or stonefruit and hay profile. Again the flavours were rich but unfortunately I ran into construction issues due to some bunched leaves up one side of the cigar. This entailed constant re-lights as the cigar was continually going out, the burn was seldom even and the flavours, although rich and redemptive, started to muddle with a generic toasted tobacco element to them. This all settled into the last third but it was struggle for a good 45 minutes to an hour of this cigar.

If I didn't have these construction issues I no doubt envisage I would have enjoyed a 95-point cigar tasting experience like I did with the SLR Regios I smoked three weeks ago. I hope that the next one will approach this mark, or at the very least, is much better than this cigar was today.

[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 pre-eminent 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 today has rested around six years and I wanted to re-visit it as Vegas Robaina is known for its prominent chocolate profile and the Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro is known for its unique flavour profile amongst Double Coronas.

My last few Vegas Robaina Don Alejandros have all been excellent and this VR Alejandro today was no different; being simply two-and-a-half hours of smoking pleasure. That lovely luscious chocolate was lighter than the last VR Don Alejandro I had five months ago but the raisin sweetness and sour dark cherries or prunes was simply delectable. In unison with the last few VR Don Alejandros I've smoked, the baking spice in this was not as strong in its overall flavour profile but it was still there and it enhanced, in my view, this gratifying cigar-smoking experience.

Construction-wise, the cigar was perfect. I did not re-light once, the ash was consistent and the burn-line was even throughout.

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 much higher.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie P No.2 GEM Ene 2020

This is my third Partagas Serie P No.2 I've had in two months and like my last one, this was also quite solid in its construction and flavours. I got a consistent ash, good burn and a decent smoke per draw. There was also a nice interplay in balance between its mix of savoury and sweet flavours.

Amongst Piramide cigars, you would have to say that the Montecristo No.2 and Diplomaticos No.2 have the most following, with the latter of these two more so amongst cigar aficionados. The Partagas Serie P No.2 and H.Upmann No.2 would be in the next tier of following, if we were to categorise in terms of sales, in my view, with the Cohiba Piramides Extra and Vegas Robaina Unicos enjoying the least appeal. So, in terms of Piramides, the Montecristo No.2 would stand out by far, one would think, whilst the Cohiba Piramides Extra negates more of a following on account of its cost and competition from alternative choices within the Cohiba marca. The Vegas Robaina Unicos might not garner more publicity due to Vegas Robaina being a minor brand within the Habanos catalogue. I wonder why, therefore, does the Partagas Serie P No.2 and H.Upmann No.2 not have more of a following? Maybe it's simply a case of the fact that there are other more high profile cigars within the Partagas and H.Upmann marcas.

The Partagas P2 does receive positive appraisal amongst enthusiasts in general and it does stand out in within its marca due to its flavour profile. For me, the P2 emphasises a strong milky coffee base more and the sourdough is not its core feature. El Presidente has remarked in the recent past 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 today, I can attest that the last one may have been an excellent 91 to 92-point cigar, and this one I would have to rate around the same mark. This time around I especially enjoyed the savoury flavours of salted peanuts been counterbalanced by sweet flavours of chocolate hazelnut (think Nutella), caramel and dried fruits, complimented by a milk coffee and sourdough bread core which made it again quite easy to smoke over approximately 100 minutes on a pleasant Spring day.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 GOB Mar 2021

If I asked you to think of which piramide or torpedo cigars you like to smoke would you choose the Montecristo No.2 as your primary option? You probably wouldn't, yet, it begs the question: Why do they sell so well and in volumes much larger than other similar Habanos vitolas? I mean, think about it. In regards to piramides cigars do you instantly think of favouring a Cohiba Piramides Extra or Vegas Robaina Unicos or if we include campanas cigars, perhaps you'd favour a Bolivar Belicosos Finos but would you smoke a San Cristobal de La Habana La Punta more regularly than a Montecristo No.2?

Montecristo No.2 are no-doubt big sellers and are well known, even by casual cigar smokers. They are known for their inconsistency, primarily due to the volumes involved in their production. This Montecristo No.2 was the second cigar from a quarter pack I acquired from a 24:24 listing recently. This acquisition contained light-wrappered Monte 2s. I have had dark-wrappered Monte 2s over the years too, so what's the difference, in general? I guess I've tended to find the light-wrappered Monte 2s more nutty, creamy and milk chocolate; the dark-wrappered Monte 2s alternatively have been more dark cocoa and stronger notes of coffee. This hasn't been the case for every single example of these, however, I am speaking in generalisations.

This Montecristo No.2 was again very simple in its flavours; these being a very light cocoa, milk coffee, leather, nut and an underlying citrus twang. Much like my first Monte 2 smoked three weeks ago from this acquisition, it was quite good from beginning to end. The only let-down I experienced is when I encountered some bunched leaves up one side of the cigar at the beginning of the final third and I had to 'even up' the burn. Otherwise, it was fine.

I guess if you smoke Montecristo No.2s you have a propensity for giving them a 'wide berth'. In other words, you are flexible and have lower expectations in terms of performance. If you aren't yet, my advice is to develop this attitude if you want to smoke these often.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 BOE Abr 2019

If we haven't done already, let's discuss the Marevas vitola. This cigar once used to be what I consider the quintessential Habanos cigar, or in other words, the median-sized one. You know, the cigar size that Habanos S.A had the most of in its catalogue. Let's go back twenty years, before Habanos S.A sold 50% of its business to raise foreign capital and consider one's options: Belinda Petit Coronas; Bolivar Tubos No.2 and Petit Coronas; Cohiba Siglo II; Diplomaticos No.4; El Rey del Mundo Petit Coronas and Petit Lonsdales; H.Upmann Aromaticos, Coronas Major, Kings, Petit Coronas, Regalias and Upmann No.4; Hoyo de Monterrey Coronations and Short Hoyo Coronas; Juan Lopez Petit Coronas; La Corona Petit Coronas; La Flor de Cano Coronas; Montecristo No.4 and Petit Tubos; Partagas Mille Fleurs and Petit Coronas; Por Larranaga Lolas en Cedro and Petit Coronas; Punch Coronations, Petit Coronas, Petit Coronas del Punch and Royal Selection No.12; Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas; Ramon Allones Mille Fleurs and Petit Coronas; Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.3, Club Kings, Mille Fleurs, Petit Coronas, Romeo No.2 and Romeo No.2 de Luxe; Saint Luis Rey Petit Coronas; San Luis Rey Petit Coronas; Sancho Panza Non Plus and Vegueros Marevas. That's 41 cigars!

With the re-introduction in recent times of the 'retro' releases; namely, the Partagas Capitols and Romeo y Julieta Club Kings we currently have 17 options but let's take a closer look at what this entails. The marevas vitola is a 42 ring gauge x 129 mm (or 5⅛ inches) in length cigar. The Petit Coronas is the same length but are they the same cigar or different? The answer is both. This can get a little confusing so let me elaborate. Prior to 2002 cigars of these dimensions were classified as Marevas if hand-made and Petit Coronas if machine-made. In 2002 Habanos S.A ceased production of machine-made Petit Coronas. Some of these cigars still carry a Petit Coronas 'Vitola de Galera' or Factory name. Let's consider them 'lower-tiered' options in this size. Now, of these 17 options which would you classify as 'upper-tier' cigars or 'premium-quality' ones? Judging by the Daily Smoking thread on our forum and the recurrence of this vitola I would opine that the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Montecristo No.4, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas are the only ones left. That's five in total. Yes...five!

One could argue a case of the inclusion of the Bolivar Tubos No.2 and maybe even the Montecristo Petit Tubos in the 'upper-tier' classification but I would argue that the Bolivar Tubos No.2 makes a rare appearance on our forum and the Montecristo Petit Tubos invariably never does. In fact, what is a Montecristo Petit Tubos, is it a Montecristo No.4 in a tube? It probably isn't but I raise the question to highlight why that particular cigar is around nowadays and not the Partagas Petit Coronas or Ramon Allones Petit Coronas, perhaps. How about a re-release of the Diplomaticos No.4 or even the H.Upmann Petit Coronas?

So consider this, of the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Montecristo No.4, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas what would you smoke the most of? One thing I know, and that is, there's one cigar in that list that may possibly out-sell the others combined on an annual basis, worldwide. However, do you reach for a Montecristo No.4 as often as the rest of the world does and why does it sell so well?

I would make a case that, whilst they vary in quality, and more so than other Habanos cigars, they offer a generic cocoa, milk coffee, perhaps nut, leather and/or citrus twang flavour profile which is very approachable. Perhaps, this is why they sell so well; Monte 4 are more approachable than other cigars in its vitola group. This cigar was exactly that way today, in its generic flavours, but hey...it satisfied me well over 65 to 70 minutes.

I enjoy and smoke the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas semi-regularly but the Montecristo No.4 is always in my humidor. And I mean...always!

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Taínos 2018 - Edición Regional Formosa BRO Jun 2019

The 2018 Asia-Pacific Regional Edition release from Taiwan (hence the band labelled 'Exclusivo Formosa') is an obvious and wondrous gift to cigar enthusiasts who pine for a time when Cuban cigars were 'less' in girth and 'more' in length. Note that I referred to this cigar as a 2018 release. It didn't actually hit the market until mid-2019. It also represents Taiwan's first Regional cigar. Wow...what a cigar to release first up!

The original El Rey del Mundo Tainos had the same dimensions; a Churchill-sized cigar at 47 ring gauge x 178 mm (or 7 inches) in length. Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2006, as were many other Churchill (and Lonsdale) cigars in the meantime. In regular production we have only three left...the iconic Romeo y Julieta Churchills, the Cohiba Esplendidos and the seasonal H.Upmann Sir Winston. That's why I'm so glad that Pacific Cigar Company, the Habanos Regional distributor for the Asia-Pacific market, brought out a regional release in this vitola.

Yes, I'm especially enamored that Pacific Cigar Company took a huge risk in re-releasing this iconic cigar. More so, I'm glad I have a box left, but I consider that I may lament that I did not acquire more in the future! After all, I believe the availability of the ErdM Regional Edition Tainos is about 'saturated', so-to-speak or done and the similarly risky, but successful, Punch 8-9-8 Regional Edition is nearing the end of its 'time' until it is no longer around.

It's been six weeks since I last visited this cigar, and twelve months prior to that for the one before. The delay in re-visiting this cigar for twelve months was due to the fact that I've felt that some ERdM Tainos' I had in the first half of 2020 were slightly closed in their flavours. Six weeks ago, I felt that the cigar had opened up much more with those trademark El Rey del Mundo candied almond nut, citrus, cake, shortbread and honey flavours that were stupendous from beginning to end over two hours and twenty minutes of smoking time.

Today, this ERdM Tainos had candied almond, citrus cake and honey flavours and was a touch lighter on the shortbread. Again, it was an easy and thoroughly enjoyable ride over two hours. In other words, an exemplary smoke.

A year ago I asked the question whether the El Rey del Mundo Tainos is approachable when young more often than not? The answer, for me at that time, was yes it can be, but only around half the time. The other times made me lament not giving the cigar more time. Fast forward twelve months (or so) and I'm glad I was willing to wait longer until I had my next one, six weeks ago. With this ERdM Tainos smoking so well today, I can only envisage these getting even better with more downtime!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Churchills GOM Ago 2018

What more could I say about this cigar that I haven't already? It's had a sizeable turnaround since been in the doldrums in the mid-2010s, for a period, and its obvious from this Review series that I simply adore them. I very much look forward to lighting them up when I reach for one from my humidor.

The flavours here were quite reliable. I got a combination of cherry, anise, turkish delight and a little toasted tobacco. There was no spiciness or 'sharp edges' to be found here.

I smoked this cigar during a ZOOM catch-up with fellow FoH members, Mus and Rob C. While we were 'waxing lyrical' about sports such as Formula 1 motor racing, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Cricket and their related historical moments from our adolescent and young adult years, this RyJ Churchill was almost finished.

Yes, it was that type of cigar. Easy to smoke and easy to finish!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie E No.2 circa 2021

I've had very few Partagas Serie E No.2s over the years but that's not because I have an aversion to them. On the contrary, they enjoy quite a stellar reputation on our forum. In 2018 the Partagas Serie E No.2 was even touted (again, on our forum) as a 'Behike replacement' and El Laguito factory code Partagas Serie E No.2s are highly sought after.

Again, like my last two Partagas Serie E No.2s this year, this E2 had excellent flavours of coffee, leather and sourdough in the first third and for a time it was looking as if this was going to be an outstanding, quality smoke. Towards the end of the first third, however, things changed when I got a bit of paprika spice lilt in and out of the cigar and this continued pretty much until the end. One can read between the lines that this scenario was not to my 'optimal liking'!

Perhaps the problem here is that I've had Partagas Serie E No.2s of the highest quality in the past and my recent few just couldn't compete with such lofty ideals. In reality, this cigar wasn't that bad and maybe...just maybe, I wanted it to be stellar. Maybe...

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Magnum 46 circa 2021

The H.Upmann Magnum 46 is one of those cigars that I never seem to have luck with. I think it's because in regards to H.Upmann as a marca and it satisfying my avaricious need for that softer quintessential H.Upmann shortbread and coffee flavour profile, well...I feel I can get that in a H.Upmann Connossieur No.1 or Connoisseur A. The H.Upmann Magnum 46 never quite does that for me.

In general, I find H.Upmann needs time, for my taste, to reach its peak and I definitely favour the softer shortbread-laden varieties such as the aforementioned Connossieur A and Connoisseur No.1 and Sir Winston rather than the powerhouse, when young, espresso-laden Magnum 46, Half Corona and (now deleted) Petit Corona. In any case, I will tend to age my Upmann stock, except I'm partial to smoking the aforementioned 'softer' cigars (in terms of flavour intensity) younger.

This Magnum 46 had some lovely opening notes of shortbread and cedar, a core espresso coffee and a little licorice sweetness but the white pepper that kicked in around halfway through the first third and 'overstayed' its welcome until the end, just didn't endear me to this smoke whatsoever. It just wasn't to my preference.

Kudos to you if you love the H.Upmann Magnum 46 and it is in your 'go-to' rotation. One thing I can say about it, it is a dependable cigar; both in flavour and construction, in general.

[99call]

22 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Perhaps the problem here is that I've had Partagas Serie E No.2s of the highest quality in the past and my recent few just couldn't compete with such lofty ideals. In reality, this cigar wasn't that bad and maybe...just maybe, I wanted it to be stellar. Maybe...

I bought a SOR MAR 21 box the other Month, and whilst I wasn't expecting such a young cigar it to be stellar, I have been happily surprised with the ROTT sample.   I've only ever had 5 boxes in the past, and always been impressed.   Such an unusual Partagas expression, it's got all the hallmark Partagas stuff, but also slips over into floral vanilla aspects of high class Hoyo.   An ingenious blend,  almost like rests on that knife edge point where savoury meets sweet. 

I still can't get over the fact that as much as I want to hate them (for their proportions), the Connie A, QDO 54 and E2 are all pretty epic, and due the respect they've earned. 

[LLC]

Montecristo No.4 BOE Abr 2019
If we haven't done already, let's discuss the Marevas vitola. This cigar once used to be what I consider the quintessential Habanos cigar, or in other words, the median-sized one. You know, the cigar size that Habanos S.A had the most of in its catalogue. Let's go back twenty years, before Habanos S.A sold 50% of its business to raise foreign capital and consider one's options: Belinda Petit Coronas; Bolivar Tubos No.2 and Petit Coronas; Cohiba Siglo II; Diplomaticos No.4; El Rey del Mundo Petit Coronas and Petit Lonsdales; H.Upmann Aromaticos, Coronas Major, Kings, Petit Coronas, Regalias and Upmann No.4; Hoyo de Monterrey Coronations and Short Hoyo Coronas; Juan Lopez Petit Coronas; La Corona Petit Coronas; La Flor de Cano Coronas; Montecristo No.4 and Petit Tubos; Partagas Mille Fleurs and Petit Coronas; Por Larranaga Lolas en Cedro and Petit Coronas; Punch Coronations, Petit Coronas, Petit Coronas del Punch and Royal Selection No.12; Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas; Ramon Allones Mille Fleurs and Petit Coronas; Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.3, Club Kings, Mille Fleurs, Petit Coronas, Romeo No.2 and Romeo No.2 de Luxe; Saint Luis Rey Petit Coronas; San Luis Rey Petit Coronas; Sancho Panza Non Plus and Vegueros Marevas. That's 41 cigars!
With the re-introduction in recent times of the 'retro' releases; namely, the Partagas Capitols and Romeo y Julieta Club Kings we currently have 17 options but let's take a closer look at what this entails. The marevas vitola is a 42 ring gauge x 129 mm (or 5⅛ inches) in length cigar. The Petit Coronas is the same length but are they the same cigar or different? The answer is both. This can get a little confusing so let me elaborate. Prior to 2002 cigars of these dimensions were classified as Marevas if hand-made and Petit Coronas if machine-made. In 2002 Habanos S.A ceased production of machine-made Petit Coronas. Some of these cigars still carry a Petit Coronas 'Vitola de Galera' or Factory name. Let's consider them 'lower-tiered' options in this size. Now, of these 17 options which would you classify as 'upper-tier' cigars or 'premium-quality' ones? Judging by the Daily Smoking thread on our forum and the recurrence of this vitola I would opine that the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Montecristo No.4, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas are the only ones left. That's five in total. Yes...five!
One could argue a case of the inclusion of the Bolivar Tubos No.2 and maybe even the Montecristo Petit Tubos in the 'upper-tier' classification but I would argue that the Bolivar Tubos No.2 makes a rare appearance on our forum and the Montecristo Petit Tubos invariably never does. In fact, what is a Montecristo Petit Tubos, is it a Montecristo No.4 in a tube? It probably isn't but I raise the question to highlight why that particular cigar is around nowadays and not the Partagas Petit Coronas or Ramon Allones Petit Coronas, perhaps. How about a re-release of the Diplomaticos No.4 or even the H.Upmann Petit Coronas?
So consider this, of the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Montecristo No.4, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas what would you smoke the most of? One thing I know, and that is, there's one cigar in that list that may possibly out-sell the others combined on an annual basis, worldwide. However, do you reach for a Montecristo No.4 as often as the rest of the world does and why does it sell so well?
I would make a case that, whilst they vary in quality, and more so than other Habanos cigars, they offer a generic cocoa, milk coffee, perhaps nut, leather and/or citrus twang flavour profile which is very approachable. Perhaps, this is why they sell so well; Monte 4 are more approachable than other cigars in its vitola group. This cigar was exactly that way today, in its generic flavours, but hey...it satisfied me well over 65 to 70 minutes.
I enjoy and smoke the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas semi-regularly but the Montecristo No.4 is always in my humidor. And I mean...always!

Great write up on the Petit Coronas/Marevas.


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[LLC]

42 minutes ago, JohnS said:

H. Upmann Magnum 46 circa 2021
The H.Upmann Magnum 46 is one of those cigars that I never seem to have luck with. I think it's because in regards to H.Upmann as a marca and it satisfying my avaricious need for that softer quintessential H.Upmann shortbread and coffee flavour profile, well...I feel I can get that in a H.Upmann Connossieur No.1 or Connoisseur A. The H.Upmann Magnum 46 never quite does that for me.
In general, I find H.Upmann needs time, for my taste, to reach its peak and I definitely favour the softer shortbread-laden varieties such as the aforementioned Connossieur A and Connoisseur No.1 and Sir Winston rather than the powerhouse, when young, espresso-laden Magnum 46, Half Corona and (now deleted) Petit Corona. In any case, I will tend to age my Upmann stock, except I'm partial to smoking the aforementioned 'softer' cigars (in terms of flavour intensity) younger.
This Magnum 46 had some lovely opening notes of shortbread and cedar, a core espresso coffee and a little licorice sweetness but the white pepper that kicked in around halfway through the first third and 'overstayed' its welcome until the end, just didn't endear me to this smoke whatsoever. It just wasn't to my preference.
Kudos to you if you love the H.Upmann Magnum 46 and it is in your 'go-to' rotation. One thing I can say about it, it is a dependable cigar; both in flavour and construction, in general.

I also struggle with the Mag 46. I love Corona Gorda size cigars so I really want to like the Mag 46 but I just don't enjoy it to the same level as other HU cigars.


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[JohnS]

14 minutes ago, 99call said:

I bought a SOR MAR 21 box the other Month, and whilst I wasn't expecting such a young cigar it to be stellar, I have been happily surprised with the ROTT sample.   I've only ever had 5 boxes in the past, and always been impressed.   Such an unusual Partagas expression, it's got all the hallmark Partagas stuff, but also slips over into floral vanilla aspects of high class Hoyo.   An ingenious blend,  almost like rests on that knife edge point where savoury meets sweet. 

I still can't get over the fact that as much as I want to hate them (for their proportions), the Connie A, QDO 54 and E2 are all pretty epic, and due the respect they've earned. 

There's a number of members who espouse the virtues of the Partagas Serie E No.2 of late that I'm convinced that I simply must persevere with this cigar! 😉

[JohnS]

13 minutes ago, LLC said:

Great write up on the Petit Coronas/Marevas.

Thank you most kindly! 😊

10 minutes ago, LLC said:

I also struggle with the Mag 46. I love Corona Gorda size cigars so I really want to like the Mag 46 but I just don't enjoy it to the same level as other HU cigars.

Oh indeed I'm with you. The thing is, so many of our members like or even adore this cigar so I can't help but feel that I need to be transparent in my struggles with it. Also, I want to convey an understanding that even if I have issues with a certain marca and/or vitola, it doesn't mean that the particular cigar in question can't or shouldn't be popularly acclaimed.

[joeypots]

15 hours ago, JohnS said:

This Magnum 46 had some lovely opening notes of shortbread and cedar, a core espresso coffee and a little licorice sweetness but the white pepper that kicked in around halfway through the first third and 'overstayed' its welcome until the end, just didn't endear me to this smoke whatsoever. It just wasn't to my preference.

 

Circa '21? That's a young 46 there, John. I'd never smoke one that fresh. But then, I'm not reviewing cigars on a regular basis like you are. I think the question with these is will patience be rewarded and when.

[griller]

@JohnS I really enjoy your reviews, and details you put into each experience. I'm grateful that you invest the time into sharing your passion for Havanas, and are willing to dispense your expertise to other devotees like me.

I just wanted to say "thank you" and let you know that your efforts here are much appreciated.

[99call]

22 hours ago, JohnS said:

Oh indeed I'm with you. The thing is, so many of our members like or even adore this cigar so I can't help but feel that I need to be transparent in my struggles with it. Also, I want to convey an understanding that even if I have issues with a certain marca and/or vitola, it doesn't mean that the particular cigar in question can't or shouldn't be popularly acclaimed.

I think it's testament to you that you continue to experiment John, after all,  being well acquainted with what you don't like, only succeeds in making you more accurate in locating what you do like.   For me I think the truth is with cigars like JL1's, Mag46, BBFs, Cazzies and the like, is they are still enjoyable in their older states, but they are essentially flavour fireworks, they are at their best when they are edgy, schizophrenic, youthful and strong, 

I continue to sample Cohiba every now and then, hoping the penny will drop for me,  but apart from Medio Siglo and Piramedes extra,  I am still in the wilderness.   I will not give up,   but it is annoying.   My next port of call is Siglo V.

[JohnS]

9 hours ago, joeypots said:

Circa '21? That's a young 46 there, John. I'd never smoke one that fresh. But then, I'm not reviewing cigars on a regular basis like you are. I think the question with these is will patience be rewarded and when.

I believe that particular H.Upmann 46 was a FoH Competition prize win. I have had overwhelmingly positive outcomes from smoking 2020-21 stock of late but yes, I agree with you @joeypots, my luck ran out in this instance! 😄

8 hours ago, griller said:

@JohnS I really enjoy your reviews, and details you put into each experience. I'm grateful that you invest the time into sharing your passion for Havanas, and are willing to dispense your expertise to other devotees like me.

I just wanted to say "thank you" and let you know that your efforts here are much appreciated.

Thank you kindly!

1 hour ago, 99call said:

I think it's testament to you that you continue to experiment John, after all,  being well acquainted with what you don't like, only succeeds in making you more accurate in locating what you do like.   For me I think the truth is with cigars like JL1's, Mag46, BBFs, Cazzies and the like, is they are still enjoyable in their older states, but they are essentially flavour fireworks, they are at their best when they are edgy, schizophrenic, youthful and strong, 

I continue to sample Cohiba every now and then, hoping the penny will drop for me,  but apart from Medio Siglo and Piramides Extra,  I am still in the wilderness.   I will not give up,   but it is annoying.   My next port of call is Siglo V.

I hope that works out well for you Stefan! 👍