JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[Connoisseur Kim]

On 10/10/2021 at 5:59 AM, 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.

Much agreed @JohnS! I'm a huge fan of Magnum 46 and HUHC, but they need some time to be softened compare to orthodox Upmann CCs like Connie A (it tastes really good even only after 30 days of resting period). I also think Upmann cigars tend to be getting better and better as time goes by.

[Meesterjojo]

On 10/9/2021 at 3:59 PM, 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 love upmann since I've discovered them in the past several months. I now have several boxes of mag 50 and 46s, and an aged box of Connie A and a recent box of the same. I know I should explore more, but I'm just hooked. 

They're easy, pleasing smokes. Almost like a quintessential cigar to me. As such I've been recommending them to folks new to cigars, and recently gifted several to friends back in Houston. 

I'd love to try a SW, but I'm slow at getting around to websites, and bad at hunting them. Maybe one day.

[Kaptain Karl]

On 10/10/2021 at 9:12 PM, Meesterjojo said:

I'd love to try a SW, but I'm slow at getting around to websites, and bad at hunting them. Maybe one day.

There's only a short period each year when SW's are available. They go fast! 

[Meesterjojo]

32 minutes ago, Kaptain Karl said:

There's only a short period each year when SW's are available. They go fast! 

Verily. I'm in no rush. Too many things to try to worry about just one:)

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana La Fuerza circa 2021

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

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

I've had many more El Principes in the past few years than La Fuerzas. Of the La Fuerzas I've had the TOS Jun 2016 El Principes were nowhere near the quality of my recent La Fuerza examples, which have been simply outstanding in general. And this is quite a statement to make, as my SCdLH El Principes have in excellent overall in that time period.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especial LTO Mar 2021

Together with the Cohiba Lancero, the Montecristo Especial is the epitome of the 'long-and-skinny', a Laguito No.1 with a slender 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7.6 inches) in length. I had the first cigar from this LTO Mar 2021 box about two months ago, the second around a month after that, the third one a few weeks after that and so of course I was again exuberant in the thought that I would smoke the fourth one today!

This Montecristo Especial opened with more cocoa/milk chocolate than the first three Monte Especials from the box combined. Of course, I still got a citrus twang that stayed consistent throughout the smoke. The coffee aspect to this cigar was a tad lighter than what I've previously encountered from this box. These have by no means been complex cigars, but that hasn't diminished how pleased I've been with the simple blend of flavours I experienced.

Construction, this time, was on-point. I had no complaints as the burn and ash were fine. I did not have to re-light at any point and the draw was ideal for my liking.

I mentioned in my last review that I envisaged lighting up another Montecristo Especial from this box quite soon. Fast forward a few weeks and I was true to my word. I have no qualms lighting up another a few weeks down-the-track!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Sports Largos REG Nov 2018

I'd like to acknowledge and thank @Bijan for gifting me this cigar to smoke, otherwise I don't envisage that I would have opted to review it. The reason is because I have a plethora of Habanos cigars in my inventory of various marcas and vitolas, but not too many at all of what is colloquially termed 'cheap and cheerfuls', of which the Romeo y Julieta Sports Largos is one such cigar.

The Romeo y Julieta Sports Largo is a 35 ring gauge x 117 mm (or 4⅝ inches) in length aptly-named 'Sports' vitola. I quite liked the ring gauge and length of this cigar. It smoked fine, wasn't harsh nor did it suffer nondescript flavours, it just performed like a solid 'cheap and cheerful' cigar should. In other words, if Romeo y Julieta is a marca you identify with, then this RyJ Sports Largos is the type of cigar that exemplifies the quality of a workhorse.

This cigar had some Romeo y Julieta fruity flavours, some wood and some cocoa without any of those flavours dominating the other. It was a very simple cigar and easy to smoke over 40 to 45 minutes. I think the fact that this RyJ Sports Largos was aged nearly three years also aided in the way it smoked so effortlessly today.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Epicures GEN Jun 2020

I'd to like to thank and acknowledge @Bijan for this cigar because the H.Upmann Epicures is another stogie I wouldn't typically smoke. Again, the reason is due to the fact that the H.Upmann Epicures is a 'lower-tiered' cigar within the H.Upmann marca and I feel spoilt for choice within this marca already.

The H.Upmann Epicures is a 35 ring gauge x 110 mm (or 4⅜ inches) in length cigar. Believe it or not, it's the same length as a minuto cigar such as a San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe or Partagas Shorts but it seems so much smaller because the ring gauge is twenty percent thinner than those cigars. Nevertheless, this cigar did not let me down in its performance-to-cost ratio in terms of value today. After all, can one complain when a cigar like this HU Epicures smokes for a whole 65 minutes?

The H.Upmann Epicures was machine made until 2002, but now is handmade. This cigar packed quite a punch in flavours. These consisted of mainly wood, leather, coffee and some herbal or grassy notes. Again, it was not very complex, but I feel that this cigar was quite solid today and I was grateful for the opportunity to smoke it.

[JohnS]

Fonseca KDT Cadetes ROM Feb 2016

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 KDT Cadetes 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. (I think the same can be said for the the Fonseca Cosacos and Delicias.) The cigar itself is a 36 ring gauge x 115 mm (or 4½ inches) in length short panatela. I would like to thank @Bijan for graciously allowing me 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 KDT Cadetes is a little stronger in that it has a core cedar/sandalwood, marshmallow texture and is complimented by herbal, earth and leather flavours.

This KDT Cadetes smoked fine today. If there's one caveat I would add it would be that I was a little taken aback by how potent it was for a five-and-a-half year old cigar. I wouldn't rate it as outstanding nor would I belittle it as average. It was dependable over 50 minutes of smoking time. 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]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Coronas LPA Jun 2007

In Simon and Garfunkel's famous 1967 soundtrack song to the film 'The Graduate', 'Mrs Robinson' the line that is most often remembered is "where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?". Joe DiMaggio actually met up with Paul Simon in the 1970s questioning the implication that he was a recluse. Simon simply stated that the song alludes to a time when we need more unpretentious and modest heroes, an explanation which resonated with DiMaggio's sentimentality and which he accepted. In our esteemed Habanos enthusiast culture, dare we ask along similar lines, "where have you gone oh Romeo y Julieta Petit Corona?"

You see, the Romeo y Julieta Petit Corona has been around from before the time of the Cuban Revolution, possibly even before the advent of the Montecristo No.4 in 1935, but it's barely registered a whimper in our Habanos culture in the last five years or so. The last time the RyJ PC was listed on a 24:24 sale was sometime in the first quarter of 2016 and I can confidently tell you, there's nigh been a reference to it on our forum ever since.

This Romeo y Julieta Petit Corona is from mid-2007 thanks to @Bijan (thank you dear friend!) and it goes without saying that it's probably the first of its kind that I've smoked. This doesn't phase me though, as I've more than made up for it in smoking a plethora of other Romeo y Julieta offerings over the years.

So what was it like? It certainly had a fruitiness to it, alongside a pleasant creamy texture but I was taken aback by its grassiness, something I'm not used to in Romeo y Julieta as a marca. Yes, its herbal qualities made it difficult to strongly associate it with the marca for me. It certainly smoked well, construction-wise, so I had no complaints there, but by God I wish this 14 year-old cigar had more Romeo y Julieta cocoa to it!

Nevertheless, I'm grateful to have sampled it, even if it's possibly the last RyJ PC I ever smoke. I don't like my chances of acquiring it via a vendor listing anytime soon!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Sports Largos REG Nov 2018

This was the second Romeo y Julieta Sports Largos that @Bijan gifted me to smoke, so I didn't find it hard to do so after having a Romeo y Julieta Petit Coronas from 2007.

The Romeo y Julieta Sports Largo is a 35 ring gauge x 117 mm (or 4⅝ inches) in length aptly-named 'Sports' vitola. It was much like the first one, with typical Romeo y Julieta fruity flavours, some wood and perhaps a little less cocoa than my previous RyJ Sports Largos. It was a very simple, 'no-fuss' cigar to smoke over circa 45 minutes.

I probably won't smoke another Romeo y Julieta Sports Largos for some time, but I'm still grateful for the opportunity to have done so today.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin RSE ESOO (June 1999)

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin. Have you had one? In fact, have you even heard of it? Your answer well may be 'no' on both accounts and you shouldn't feel perturbed by that. After all, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin was discontinued in 2003. So what type of release was it and why was it discontinued? I shall attempt to edify you on these matters below.

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Series was first introduced prior to the Cuban Revolution in 1959. It was released as an upper-tiered luxury product in the 1940s by Swiss retailer A. Dürr and Co. Originally, the line consisted of thin gauge, delicately flavoured cigars, designed to contrast with the heavier Châteaux series, also created by A. Dürr and Co. around the same time. Of course, you may be aware that the Châteaux series went on to be developed by another Swiss retailer, Zino Davidoff, in partnership with Cubatabaco in the 1960s.

The HdM Le Hoyo Series were all graced with French regal references. The du Dauphin, which literally means 'of the dolphin' is a French term that signified historically the male heir apparent to the royal throne of France. Other HdM Le Hoyo cigars all carried similar French regal references. For example; 'du Roi' (of the king), 'des Dieux' (of the gods), du Gourmet (a reference that metaphorically aspires to a person appreciates 'finer things'), 'du Prince' (of the Prince). Personally, I don't feel that it's a coincidence that these cigars are no longer with us.

It's often speculated that these HdM Le Hoyo cigars were discontinued due to poor sales. I would add that the only HdM Le Hoyo Series cigars in production at the present time no longer carry any French regal references. I do not feel that this a coincidence. The older HdM Le Hoyo 'du Depute' (of the deputy mayor) and du Maire (of the Mayor) carry generic administrative titles, whereas the newer releases reference places in Cuba. The HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan (of San Juan) and de Rio Seco (of the dry river) are no longer thing gauge or necessarily carry a lighter, delicate blend like the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo series of the past.

Once again, I'd like to thank @Bijan for making this review possible. The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin was a 38 ring gauge x 152 mm (or 6 inches) in length Laguito No.2-sized cigar. It was released in 1969, alongside two other releases of the same vitola; namely, the Montecristo Especiales No.2 and the Davidoff No.2. These cigars were always meant to convey an aura of being of a higher quality within their respective marcas. You could make an argument that the Montecristo Especiales No.2 does so to this day. The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin was never banded and it had a pig-tail at its head, like all Laguito No.2 cigars.

The HdM Le Hoyo series could be characterised as having a 'woody' disposition to it. With age, they were noted for developing sweeter, pleasant flavours. I had no issue unwinding the pig-tail with my thumbnail on this 22 year-old cigar. The aroma on its cold draw was wondrous; I got a strong hit of a floral bouquet which yes, was very much delicate yet inviting. The cigar only got better after that.

The sweeter flavours on these HdM Le Hoyo cigars are often referred to as vanilla-type flavours. For me, I got the strongest sense of tasting a vanilla or mastic fondant on a spoon and dunked in water from my childhood. This was (and remains) a popular simple Greek confectionary dessert. I found it quite incredible how strong the connection was to this mastic flavour, especially as its around 35 years since I last tasted it! Nevertheless, it was definitely there and it most certainly appealed to heighten my senses whilst smoking the cigar.

This HdM Le Hoyo du Dauphin also had a light cedar core flavour, combined with a mushroom forest-floor type note, some leather and of course, that aforementioned mastic sweetness. After smoking it for 75 to 80 minutes I reflected on how fortunate I was to have smoked such an incredible cigar!

It's a shame that we will most likely never get these Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Series cigars like this back again. If you have any of this period make sure to savour them. I'm confident you will.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi  URL Feb 2002

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi was a cigar that very much belonged to the HdM Le Hoyo series. All those cigars were noted for their woody and/or forest-floor flavour profiles which would typically open up and recede with aging, whilst sweeter vanilla-type flavours, together with a creamy texture, would also develop. The HdM Le Hoyo du Roi did not have a band until after 2005. This HdM Le Hoyo, generously gifted by @Bijan (thank you), came from early-2002.

The HdM Le Hoyo du Roi (which means 'of the king' in French) was a 42 ring gauge x 142 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length Coronas-sized cigar. The Coronas was once widely common in Habanos marcas but was steadily discontinued in the 2000s after Habanos S.A. went into partnership with Altidis. The HdM Le Hoyo du Roi was deleted in 2009.

This Hoyo De Monterrey LE Hoyo du Roi was nowhere near as creamy in its texture as I would have expected. It definitely carried the hallmarks of its ilk in its cedar, forest-floor, leather  flavours. Any sweeter vanilla-type flavours that were present were periodical and subtle. I got a lot more of this note from the '99 HdM Le Hoyo du Dauphin I smoked and numerous HdM Le Hoyo des Dieuxs over the years.

Still, construction was sound; both in burn and ash consistency. I also got plenty of flavour and smoke per draw so I was well-satisfied. If I had the choice though, between this HdM Le Hoyo du Roi and HdM Le Hoyo du Dauphin, I would settle for the du Dauphin. Nothing beats that sweet vanilla (or mastic) and creamy texture!

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Gourmet MUS Mar 2013

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Gourmet (which is a French regal reference that means to appreciate the 'finer things') is the most recent Le Hoyo line cigar to be discontinued in 2013 prior to the HdM Le Hoyo du Prince been deleted in 2017. It was a 33 ring gauge x 170 mm (or 6¾ inches) in length slim panatela. Today there are only two of these type of cigars left; the Por Larranaga Montecarlos (33 rg x 159 mm or 6¼ inches in length) and the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 (32 rg x 152 mm or 6 inches in length).

Unlike most discontinuations this century, a number of slim panatelas went 'by the wayside' prior to Habanos S.A going into partnership with Altidis in 2000. That being said, we still had the El Rey Del Mundo Elegantes (2002), Punch Ninfas (2002), Rafael Gonzalez Slenderellas (2006), La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.3 (2010), and Quai d'Orsay Panatelas (2010) all cut afterwards.

Like other Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo cigars, the HdM Le Hoyo du Gourmet had no band until after 2005. As a slim panatela cigar, like the current PLMC and LGC No.4, it's a cigar that has to be smoked slowly to fully appreciate what it can offer, otherwise it's prone to burning too hot and developing unpleasant bitter flavours. This HdM Le Hoyo du Gourmet (kindly gifted by @Bijan) had decent construction, although its ash was more prone to falling off sooner in comparison to larger ring-gauged cigars.

I got those typical Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo cedar, forest-floor and leather flavours alongside some hints of clove spice here and there. This cigar was stronger than my older HdM Le Hoyo cigars smoked in this series thus far, also.

In contrast to the HdM Le Hoyo du Dauphin and HdM Le Hoyo du Roi, this HdM Le Hoyo du Gourmet had the least sweeter vanilla-type flavours and creamy texture of the lot. I would speculate that this was due to the fact that it was 8 years aged. I would be confident that further aging would do this cigar good as it was developing nicely, in my view. It just hasn't 'peaked' yet.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux RSE Nov 2001

As I've mentioned previously, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Series were all graced with French regal references. The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo 'des Dieux' (literally: of the gods), is surely a strange name by which to grace a cigar, isn't it? What exactly does it refer to, and why is the HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux revered amongst cigar enthusiasts so highly? I shall attempt to answer these questions below.

The 17th century French painter, Jean Nocret produced at request many portraits, one of which was a monumental oil canvas named, 'The Assembly of the Gods', completed in 1670. The Assembly of the Gods represents Louis XIV (also known as 'the Sun King') and his family in the guise of the Ancient Greek divinities of Mount Olympus. It is an admirable painting, unique in its kind, a true glorification of the Bourbon lineage.

The mythological deities and the heroes of Antiquity were very fashionable at this time, and indeed since the Renaissance. Louis XIV, the Sun King himself increasingly used mythological representations to glorify his reign.

Although I've been fortunate enough to enjoy a number of Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieuxs over the years, I'd like to thank again @Bijan for making this review possible. The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du des Dieux was a 42 ring gauge x 155 mm (or 6⅛ inches) in length Coronas Grandes cigar. It was discontinued in 2014. Today, only the Cohiba Siglo III and Montecristo Tubos have these dimensions and are in regular production. I would assert that their respective marcas, being highly unlikely to being prone to deletion, has ensured their survival whereas other Coronas Grandes cigars have not.

Within the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo line the des Dieux enjoys an especially lofty acclamation. Why exactly is this the case? I was discussing this matter with a dear friend and member of our forum, Rob C from Canberra, Australia over ZOOM (aren't we all grateful for this wonderful program during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis?) and I was conveying the idea that I didn't want to write this review explaining this cigar in esoteric terms. In other words, describing it in such a way that many modern Habanos enthusiasts wouldn't be able to fully comprehend just how wondrous this cigar can be, especially if they're never likely to sample one now that it is gone. I explained to him that this 2001 HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux had an obvious cedar and leather core which has in time transposed itself to become a marshmallow-textured cream and vanilla 'bomb'. It was simply 'sick'! He told me to include these things in this review, "just like that", in those words, and so I decided I should. I hope you can appreciate the simplicity of why this HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux was just so fantastic today, every bit as good as the fabled 2003 variety that I've been lucky enough to sample also.

The discontinuation of the HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux in 2014 and du Prince in 2017 has, in my view, pretty much completed a full circle, so-to-speak, in bringing an end to Habanos cigars with French-referenced names. The Davidoff series, introduced in 1969 and famously discontinued in 1991 carried French monikers but since 1969 the Hoyo de Monterrey du Dauphin, du Gourmet and El Rey del Mundo Très Petit Coronas have all come and gone.

The Bourbon Royal Family Name ruled France for many years and Louis XIV firmly believed his family were emissaries of the Most High. Psalm 82:6 may reference his reign, "I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High." Then again, the fall of his family with the French Revolution, after the death of his great-grandson Louis XV in 1774 and his grandson Louis XVI in 1793 may sum up the flip-side of this biblical verse in Psalm 82 as it is written, "But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.”

Just as the Bourbon dynasty rose through the Sun King's reign and fell under Citizen Louis Capet, the Le Hoyo line as we know it is gone. However, sometimes we are reminded of how great these cigars once were and can continue to be with significant aging, as encapsulated in the smoking of this HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux today. I have six sticks left of 2013/14 HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux in my inventory and I swear to you that none of them have yet approached how superb this 2001 example was today.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin RSE Sep 2001

As I mentioned in my previous review, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin was a 38 ring gauge x 152 mm (or 6 inches) in length Laguito No.2-sized cigar. It was released in 1969, alongside two other releases of the same vitola; namely, the Montecristo Especiales No.2 and the Davidoff No.2. These cigars were always meant to convey an aura of being of a higher quality within their respective marcas. You could make an argument that the Montecristo Especiales No.2 does so to this day. The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin was never banded and it had a pig-tail at its head, like all Laguito No.2 cigars.

This late-2001 HdM Le Hoyo du Dauphin was similar to the 1999 example I had a few days ago in that it had a light cedar, mushroom forest-floor type note, some leather again and a mastic or vanilla sweetness. Construction-wise, it smoked superbly as the burn was even and the ash-length was ideal. If the 1999 example was to be rated I would give it easily 95 to 96 points. This late-2001 specimen was even better. In fact, I would rate it a 97 without a problem.

The HdM Le Hoyo du Dauphin was discontinued in 2003. It's not usually considered of the same ilk as the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux but after smoking these two HdM Le Hoyo du Dauphins this week (thanks to @Bijan) I very much think it should be, especially varieties from this time period (i.e late 90s/early 2000s). If you ever get the chance to acquire a box I strongly urge you to consider doing so. I know I would!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie du Connaisseur No.1 OSU EAOO (Aug 1999)

The Partagás Serie du Connaisseur No.1 was a pre-Revolution cigar that was discontinued in 2010. It did not feature a band until 2006 and was part of the du Connaisseur Series together with the No.2 and No.3. In their youth they were noted for their strength, spiciness, perfect burning and heavy finish. The cigar was a 38 ring gauge x  192 mm (or 7½ inches) in length Delicados. Note that the Cohiba Lanceros and Montecristo Especiales both share these dimensions but are Laguito No.1s on account of the fact that they have pig-tails on their head, whereas the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur cigars did not.

I'd like to thank @Bijan for gifting me this cigar to review, and more so since the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur cigars from around the turn of the millennium had a better reputation for performance than the last lot produced from 2006 onwards.

The cold draw was typical of cigars of this age, it was all floral, very different to the barnyard common with contemporary Habanos cigars. The first few puffs had a Partagas sourdough and leather aspect to it. In the first third I also got some sweet twang. However, the most commendable aspect to this cigar came soon after when I got a note of sour lemon citrus. This flavour counter-balanced the sweeter tang really well and this is the way the cigar smoked until I nubbed it at the end.

Although I got really pleasant cigars with this flavours there were two points that I would like to highlight about it. Firstly, the cigar was very light in its strength and so those flavours were quite subtle as a consequence. Secondly, the ash-length was consistently short. I find this quite common with longer 'skinnies' (such as the Montecristo Especial or Trinidad Fundadores, for example). This meant that the cigar was done after 50 minutes approximately. For a skinny cigar this was quite quick but the lightness of the cigar prevented any over-heating or bitter flavours developing.

Overall, there's no doubt that this was an exceptional cigar. I can only imagine what it would have been like if it was smoked two to three years ago if it had a little more intensity.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie du Connaisseur No.2 OSU Sep 00 (Sep 2000)

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.2, discontinued in 2010, was a 38 ring gauge x 166 mm (or 6½ inches) in length Parejos. It was known for being a pleasant, aromatic and more approachable cigar than the Serie du Connaisseur Nos.1 and 3. I quite like the size of this cigar, it's not far off a Lonsdale (as in the size of a Montecristo No.1).

This cigar was only twelve months younger than the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 I smoked preceding it, so I didn't expect too much of a difference in its strength and body. After lighting it, I couldn't be more off the mark!

The cold draw again was like a strong smell of a bouquet of flowers, you know...the type of fragrance that really 'hits' you in the face! Upon lighting the cigar I immediately recognised the Partagas notes of sourdough and leather but this time I got some herbal flavour akin to tea. I think I could determine this flavour because this Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.2 had more strength (or intensity) and more body (or flavour) than the Serie du Connaisseur No.1.

Towards the end of the first third I started to get some really pleasant notes of sour lemon citrus, again more so than what I got in the Serie du Connaisseur No.1. In the middle third the cigar settled into an oak, leather, twang and sour lemon citrus profile, with some baking spice on the edges. The final third did not differ much from the middle of the cigar.

Of course I nubbed this, that was no surprise, but let me tell what could be defined as anomaly whilst I was smoking this stogie...hmmm, the smoking time! Yes, how could this cigar be one inch (or 26 millimetres) shorter than a Connaisseur No.1 but smoke for 20 to 25 minutes longer? What can I say? The strength, consistent ash and fullness of flavour for a cigar of its ilk (i.e. for a cigar twenty years of age) necessitated more contemplation on my behalf whilst smoking it!

After finishing this cigar I had a newfound appreciation for the Nudies N1 Lancero and N3 Carlotas. These cigars are developing, after two years, some really nice notes of that aforementioned sour lemon citrus twang. This Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.2 had plenty of that 'in spades'. Sure, I wish these Partagas Serie du Connaisseur cigars were still around and I am grateful to @Bijan for the opportunity to smoke this cigar today, but at least we have the Nudies!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie du Connaisseur No.3 OSU-VC-3 (Oct 1998)

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3, discontinued in 2010, was a 35 ring gauge x 143 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length Carlotas. It was known for being a more powerful, and less complex or interesting cigar, than the Serie du Connaisseur Nos.1 and 2. Despite it being simpler in flavour profile than the other Partagas Serie du Connaisseur cigars, I wouldn't hesitate to infer that the No.3 had the largest following of the lot.

This cigar was the oldest of the three Partagas Serie du Connaisseur cigars I smoked this week and it was by far the strongest, and by this I mean both in strength and body.

Quite amazingly, and I promise you I'm not making this up, the cold draw was exactly like the cold draw I got on the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 and No.2 cigars. Imagine the strongest perfume of a bouquet of flowers, the type of fragrance that really 'hits' you in the face, and you will be able to envisage what it was like for me! The first notes I picked up after lighting the cigar were of wood and leather. I also got a distinct herbal flavour like black tea or perhaps you could categorise it as a unami taste like cooked steak...you know, the type of flavour one does not experience too often in a Habanos cigar.

Again, I got some pleasant notes of sour lemon citrus, but nowhere near as much as the Serie du Connaisseur No.2. In the middle third the cigar picked up in spice but it was neither savoury nor sweet, perhaps because of the strong wood flavours, which for me dulled the spice flavours a little. The spice was like nutmeg or cinnamon, perhaps you could even categorise it as cloves.

The construction on this cigar was absolutely on-point, I couldn't ask for more. I got a consistent and even burn and a regular long ash-length, the type that is atypical for a thin ring-gauge cigar such as this one. It goes without saying that I nubbed this as far as I could go!

After finishing this cigar I could quite confidently say that it was very different to a Nudies N3 Carlotas. I wouldn't say better or worse...no, I wouldn't use those parameters, it was just different! I still wish these Partagas Serie du Connaisseur cigars were still around and I would again like to acknowledge @Bijan for the opportunity to smoke this cigar today.

[Bijan]

@JohnS such amazing reviews! Especially the du Dauphin and des Dieux reviews. Those two are real masterpieces!

[99call]

8 hours ago, JohnS said:

I would be confident that further aging would do this cigar good as it was developing nicely, in my view. It just hasn't 'peaked' yet.

Du Gourmet are amazing in terms of how long their legs are, I find super skinnies are often pretty surprising in that regard.  The box I have are 2011 (I think) and nowhere near ready.

Great reviews as ever John, hats off to you

 

7 hours ago, JohnS said:

I also got a distinct herbal flavour like black tea or perhaps you could categorise it as a unami taste like cooked steak...you know, the type of flavour one does not experience too often in a Habanos cigar.

These buttery cooked meat sugars  , is for me a calling card of this series, and I defo can see what you mean how it connects to herbals and umami aspects within teas.     I find the PL Picadores very interesting for this, they present a green pea sweetness that almost boarders on Matcha tea.    

The tart twang you mentioned is so specific too.   For me the only think that is similar in the current portfolio is the clean lemon zest in Monte 1's.  For me I struggle to do the choc/lemon combo.   but this lemon edge really works for the SduC blend. 

The thing I love about the Nudies, is they has ticked all these SduC core character traits, but the mintiness they have managed to capture is really impressive.     For me touches of fresh mint in a aged cigars is always a sign of high quality tobacco, and well cigars that have been well kept. 

[JohnS]

2 hours ago, Bijan said:

@JohnS such amazing reviews! Especially the du Dauphin and des Dieux reviews. Those two are real masterpieces!

Thank you @Bijan! I appreciate the opportunity to research these iconic cigars and provide references for the benefit of our members.

1 hour ago, 99call said:

Du Gourmet are amazing in terms of how long their legs are, I find super skinnies are often pretty surprising in that regard.  The box I have are 2011 (I think) and nowhere near ready.

Great reviews as ever John, hats off to you

I completely concur, super skinnies do seem to have 'long-legs'. As an example, look at the discontinued La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.1 and No.3. I've never read a review where these did not pack flavour even after twenty years down!

1 hour ago, 99call said:

These buttery cooked meat sugars  , is for me a calling card of this series, and I defo can see what you mean how it connects to herbals and umami aspects within teas.     I find the PL Picadores very interesting for this, they present a green pea sweetness that almost boarders on Matcha tea. 

The tart twang you mentioned is so specific too.   For me the only think that is similar in the current portfolio is the clean lemon zest in Monte 1's.  For me I struggle to do the choc/lemon combo.   but this lemon edge really works for the SduC blend. 

The thing I love about the Nudies, is they has ticked all these SduC core character traits, but the mintiness they have managed to capture is really impressive.     For me touches of fresh mint in a aged cigars is always a sign of high quality tobacco, and well cigars that have been well kept. 

This is a brilliant summation. Thank you @99call!

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco TEO Sep 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 this despite its large 56 ring gauge girth. This is is just the third one I've had in 2021 and the first one from a two year-old 10-count box that I've been resting for a little over a year.

In general, when categorising cigars within the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo line, one could describe them as being woody, spicy and containing forest floor flavours in their youth and requiring long-term rest to build in cream. The HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco, on the other hand, has been much sweeter and creamier at an early age.

This HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco today was not as sweet, nor creamy as the HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Secos I have sampled closer to 2019 and early 2020. Still, it smoked very well but the flavours were quite generic. It was basically cedar or wood, a little spice which was more akin to cloves rather than cinnamon, and frankly that was it.

As per my last few HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco cigars, this cigar had a light and 'toasty' texture which made it 'inoffensive' to the senses over 95 minutes. Maybe it was a tad too inoffensive, if you get my drift!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales SMA Jun 2019

I can quite confidently assert that currently this cigar is the one I go to when I need something solid, reliable and most likely to give me consistency of flavours, construction and performance. It lasted the usual 30 to 35 minutes and no, it did not let me down!

This Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales had all the hallmarks of the many previous ones I've smoked this year; namely, an abundance of quality flavours such as cherry, fruit, chocolate, anise and a little turkish delight. It was the type of Romeo y Julieta cigar-smoking experience you love and enjoy, and thankfully with the RyJ Petit Royales, the type of experience one can colloquially 'hang their hat on'!

I have Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales across three different box codes in my humidor and I can verify that no one code is better than the other. That's how consistent they've been for me!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Secretos MSU Nov 2017

This is the second Cohiba Secretos from this MSU Nov 2017 box I've sampled. It was acquired from PCC and sourced from the Spanish Habanos distributor, Altidis. The Secretos is a Reyes-sized cigar with a 40 ring gauge x 110 mm (or 4⅜ inches) length. Of the three Cohiba Maduro 5 releases first introduced in 2007 (the Genios, Magicos and Secretos) I would opine that the Secretos remains the most popular amongst enthusiasts, followed closely by the Genios.

In my experience, the Cohiba Maduro series takes a very long time to peak, somewhere in the vicinity of 7 to 10 years. In contrast, I've found the Partagas Maduro series much more approachable much sooner. The reason I say this is because the Cohiba Maduro 5 series tends to be more full-bodied when young, packing strong flavours which very much benefit from melding with time down.

The first Cohiba Secretos I had from this box around four months ago was medium-strengthed but indeed, very much full-bodied. The chocolate and coffee dominated the Cohiba grass/hay in its spine and it necessitated me slowing down to not overwhelm my palate each time I drew down on the cigar. At that time I felt that the box needed more rest until at least the time came that the chocolate and coffee receded, the Cohiba grass/hay was more definable and we started to get some baking spice and perhaps floral notes on the edges.

I was glad to hand out some of these to some fellow Sydney FoH members to sample today as the Covid-19 Pandemic has caused a recent social lockdown on our city and today was the first time in four months we had the chance to get together after social restrictions were recently eased. The consensus was universal, all four of us could easily discern that out Cohiba Secretos were quality cigars, even if two of us had draws that were slightly tight.

Mine was ideal in smoking and construction. This Cohiba Secretos was much more refined than my previous one in the middle of this year. It still had that Chocolate/cocoa body but the Cohiba grass/hay and some honey sweetness was much more evident. The cigar was packed with flavour yet was very smooth and classy. Much like last time, a Reyes-sized cigar like this would normally take me 35 to 40 minutes to smoke. This one took a whole 75 minutes to savour (again)!

I was really pleased to have sampled this quality Cohiba Secretos today (as were my dear friends!). If you have a box of this Altidis-sourced Cohiba Secretos stashed away now may be the perfect time to visit it!