JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe LGR Jun 2018

This is the first cigar from this LGR Jun 2018 San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe box that I rested around 3 to 4 weeks. I still have around a quarter box of TOS Jun 2016 SCdlH left, and they have been quite good, however with so few left I ensured that my 'go-to' rotation on this cigar would continue 'unabated' so-to-speak. By this I mean that the El Principe has a special cigar in my humidor, I simply must always have it 'on hand'!

This mid-2018 El Principe started out well. It had plenty of flavour, a medium-mild strength and practically no spiciness...just as I like them. There was plenty of cocoa, coffee and molasses sweetness over 55 minutes of smoking time. I usually finish these in around 35 to 40 minutes but this cigar had plenty of body and a long finish on the palate so there was no need to finish it quicker. The construction was fine and the ash and burn consistent.

The one thing that was missing from this LGR mid-2018 El Principe that I got often in abundance in my TOS mid-2016 El Principes was an unmistakable and distinctive pancake texture. If I had got this flavour note today then I think that this El Principe would have been just about perfect.

In general, the TOS SCdlH El Principes have performed better than the LGR later-variety of the same vitola. I didn't cherry-pick my LGR mid-2018 El Principe box when I acquired it, nor would I, as I have smoked so many of these cigars over the years that I have wide array of tolerance to them. In other words, they have to be really bad for me to disdain them.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Tubos No.1 ULA Jun 2015

The Bolivar Tubos No.1 was a medium-full Corona cigar discontinued in 2017. It was one of the last Coronas, a 42 ring gauge, 142 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length cigar that was packaged in aluminum tubes in larger-than-average 25-count dress boxes. I remember that it was available for a lot longer via vendors than the other noted Bolivar deletion that year, the Coronas Gigantes, which sold out in seemingly three to four weeks. (The Bolivar Tubos No.1 was available for a good six to twelve months at least, if my memory serves correctly.)

Recently, there has been some sentimental references made to the Bolivar Tubos No1 on our forum, at the time of writing this review, and specifically to how well it is developing around the five to six-year mark. This is my second Bolivar Tubos No.1 from this box, after sampling the first two weeks ago, and I can confirm that yes...I would gladly smoke the third one in a heartbeat immediately after I commit this review 'to paper'!

With my first Bolivar Tubos No.1 I noted that it was like a chewy, caramel-marshmallow stick with the smoke on the palate being quite mild yet viscous and some Bolivar Earth and Leather but no spice and no real chocolate-y flavours. This second one was very similar, only I would add that it was slightly more floral and had a note of mushroom or forest floor mild 'Earthy' flavour to its core. It was every bit as brilliant as the first one I smoked from this box.

I still lament the deletion of this coronas-sized cigar and I can't wait to light up a third example from the box.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo ESO Sep 2014

The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is one of those cigars where I just prefer it to be less full-bodied than what it tends to be in its youth. This is the second MPE I smoked from this ESO Sep 2014 box, the first one was smoked two weeks ago and was a tad too light-bodied. How did this one fare? I can tell you that it was a lot better!

The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is a 52 ring gauge x 110 mm (or 4⅜ inches) in length Petit Robusto cigar. One needs a good sixty minutes to smoke it as it's not as small as one thinks! This MPE was nubbed to my fingers after precisely...you guessed it, sixty minutes!

This second MPE was much slightly more fuller in strength and body than a my first MPE from this box. Again, the cocoa/chocolate and coffee flavours were very much in the background but those leather and nutty flavours, together with a hint of citrus twang, were absolutely gorgeous. It's amazing what a difference a little more fullness of flavour within a cigar can make!

In summary, again, what I've described for you in this Montecristo Petit Edmundo may not be your 'cup-of'-tea' because of its lightness of body and strength and its diminished coffee and chocolate flavours. However; if you don't mind some leather and nuttiness in your Montecristo cigars then this was 'spot on'! I do sincerely hope that my third cigar will be every bit as superb as this one today.

After smoking the first two Montecristo Petit Edmundos from this box I'm convinced that I should smoke the box within twelve months. For me, the body and strength and the first two cigars smoked necessitates it. In my view, they are where they need to be right now, no further changes or development is required.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

I am coming up to the last two cigars left from this mid-2014 Montecristo No.5 box and overall I'm grateful for how consistent they've been both flavourwise and in their construction. Of course, I have more Montecristo No.5 left in my humidor, across a few box codes, but they are all less than 24 months old.

This Montecristo No.5 had a dark colorado brown wrapper which for me, parted a ever-present deep cocoa over 40 minutes of smoking time with little else in the way of coffee, leather or nut-type flavours. Sure, they were there, but they were very much in the foreground.

With six-and-a-half years down, the strong body was matched by a mild strength. This meant that the cigar was not in anyway 'sharp' on the tongue or spicy; rather, it proved interesting to smoke because it was so flavoursome despite have next to no complexity.

Whilst I was happy with this cigar today, I have no plans to see the final two Montecristo No.5s go beyond their seventh year because there's no advantage to refining the body and strength in these cigars any further, in my view. They are fine to smoke as they are at the moment, or even younger.

[Edicion]

On 11/12/2021 at 4:00 AM, JohnS said:

Bolívar Tubos No.1 ULA Jun 2015

The Bolivar Tubos No.1 was a medium-full Corona cigar discontinued in 2017. It was one of the last Coronas, a 42 ring gauge, 142 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length cigar that was packaged in aluminum tubes in larger-than-average 25-count dress boxes. You may be struggling to account for the Coronas that we do have left in regular production to this day. Cigar enthusiasts may remember the Montecristo No.3 and Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro, but would they remember the Romeo y Julieta Cedros De Luxe No.2? Perhaps, no? I know, after smoking the first Bolivar Tubos No.1 from this box today I wondered myself why the Romeo y Julieta Cedros De Luxe No.2 is still around and the Bolivar Tubos No.1 is not. (Granted, I am aware poor sales would obviously have something to do with it!)

The Bolivar Tubos No1 was noted as an elegant cigar of better-than-average construction (probably as less were made) and provided lots of complexity in aromas, especially floral ones. The flavours tended to be Earthy, wood, some spices, leather and even bitter chocolate.

After having this box in storage for approximately five years I can tell you that this Bolivar Tubos No.1 was not necessarily bitter chocolate, leather, Earth and spices when I lit it up today. Nor was the smoke off the draw crisp or wispy. On the contrary, this cigar has very much settled with those Bolivar dried fruits developing into a chewy, caramel-marshmallow with the smoke on the palate being quite mild yet viscous. I still got some Bolivar Earth and leather but no spice and no real chocolate-y flavours as those aforementioned notes very much dominated the cigar.

It goes without saying that I rated this cigar highly, lamented its deletion and am now very much anticipating lighting up the second example from the box. I'm not exactly sure when that will be bit one thing I do know...I promise it will be soon!

Very nice review! 

Sorry if I am cluttering your reviews with questions but I am curious as to know what you think of this one vs a BPC vs the Royal Corona. Do they share the same DNA and feeling or are they different? any preference for your taste?

[JohnS]

On 11/23/2021 at 6:05 PM, Edicion said:

Very nice review! 

Sorry if I am cluttering your reviews with questions but I am curious as to know what you think of this one vs a BPC vs the Royal Corona. Do they share the same DNA and feeling or are they different? any preference for your taste?

No please ask away @Edicion, I insist! Questions are welcome. I can't help but feel that the Bolivar Tubos No.1 can be categorised as an 'UnBolivar' Bolivar if you know what I mean and if you can believe it! The Bolivar Petit Coronas and Bolivar Royal Coronas are more true to a typical Bolivar DNA in their Earthy/Forest Floor/Stout or Malt flavours. The Bolivar Tubos No.1 is definitely more dried fruits or even sweet currants, potentially. In general, milder and sweeter than a BPC or BRC would be at the 5 year-mark, in my opinion.

In regards to preference, I do prefer the Bolivar Tubos No.1 because this profile I described appeals to my taste more but I am not adverse to smoking a quality Bolivar of late. I definitely feel I've come around to them in the past year or two!

[Edicion]

On 11/23/2021 at 11:41 PM, JohnS said:

No please ask away @Edicion, I insist! Questions are welcome. I can't help but feel that the Bolivar Tubos No.1 can be categorised as an 'UnBolivar' Bolivar if you know what I mean and if you can believe it! The Bolivar Petit Coronas and Bolivar Royal Coronas are more true to a typical Bolivar DNA in their Earthy/Forest Floor/Stout or Malt flavours. The Bolivar Tubos No.1 is definitely more dried fruits or even sweet currants, potentially. In general, milder and sweeter than a BPC or BRC would be at the 5 year-mark, in my opinion.

In regards to preference, I do prefer the Bolivar Tubos No.1 because this profile I described appeals to my taste more but I am not adverse to smoking a quality Bolivar of late. I definitely feel I've come around to them in the past year or two!

That's very interesting and insightful. I had read how some were raving about the Tubos 1 and at the same time, the Bolivars are (I feel) not universally loved, which led me to think they cannot be too close to today's flavor profile. I think that's also reflected in your comparison and current preference. I think I won't go out of my way to find a Tubos 1 but definitely will give one a go if I can find a sample. Thank you again 

[Fuzz]

13 hours ago, JohnS said:

In regards to preference, I do prefer the Bolivar Tubos No.1 because this profile I described appeals to my taste more but I am not adverse to smoking a quality Bolivar of late. I definitely feel I've come around to them in the past year or two!

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe LGR Jun 2018

I smoked the first cigar from this LGR Jun 2018 this week and I felt that I needed another soon after to gauge where they are at, so-to-speak, at this initial stage. I'm pleased to report that this second one was quite good, in fact, a bit better than the first one from the box that I smoked earlier in the week.

This second San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe was sweet in its cocoa/coffee and molasses flavour combination but it did have the semblance of beginning to open up in its texture, which was more 'pancake-like' than the first SCdlH El Principe I recently sampled.

So, in general, I was quite pleased with how this performed as a robust, 'go-to' cigar. It smoked well over a whole sixty minutes and for that alone I was well-pleased and satisfied!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo ESO Sep 2014

As you are no doubt aware, I've only just opened this ESO Sep 2014 box of Montecristo Petit Edmundos and this is now the third one I've had in a very short time; something like three weeks, which is atypical for me. I guess I enjoy the simple and mild body and flavour these have produced thus far.

After seven years, the fullness of flavours (especially when it comes to the Montecristo cocoa and coffee) has greatly diminished and now these have been more nutty, leathery and there's been more room for any citrus twang to 'shine'. This was certainly true today as again I got a consistent smoke flavourwise and construction-wise over sixty minutes of smoking time.

In comparison to my other recent aged stock, such as the Bolivar Tubos No.1 and Sancho Panza Molinos, I would consider that this Montecristo Petit Edmundo box is best smoked sooner than later. After all, in the same way someone wise once said, "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?" you don't want to smoke these when they start to become floral and even more nutty. Sure, they would still be redeemable somewhat, but a little cocoa and coffee in a Montecristo cigar is more desirable, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales RAT Ene 2020

I wonder if I sound like a 'lone voice in the wilderness' in continually spruiking this release or are these Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales really this good? I have an assortment of RyJ Petit Royales across three box codes and yes, I very much like them!

So what is it that makes these so good, at least for me? It's simply that they deliver a good hit of cocoa and fruitiness or cherry in 30 to 35 minutes of smoking time. It also helps that they are quite dependable in flavour delivery.

Even when I've had a rare one encounter a construction issue, such as this one today where the burn was affected by a moisture pocket, it didn't adversely influence the overall impact on how flavourful this RyJ Petit Royales was.

So, in summary, what more can I say? Simply that I will continue to smoke these as a solid, 'go-to' cigar over the upcoming summer period and I would strongly consider acquiring more for my humidor.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Robustos SLE May 2016

I would like to thank @Luca for gifting me this Cohiba Robustos. I knew that I didn't smoke this vitola too often, but when I checked my Smoking Diary on Cuban Cigar Website I didn't realise that this was just my sixth one in the last three years. I've also only had one this year in 2021 prior to this one!

I guess it could be considered a cliche to mention that when a cigar smokes really well that from the first five to ten minutes of smoking it that you are probably in for a good experience with it overall. So okay...it doesn't happen all the time, of course, but I would put forward the case that it does occur. Upon smoking the first few puffs of this Cohiba Robustos today I was ever-grateful for that hit of sweet honey and fine tobacco. This CoRo had more grassiness or perhaps was more vegetal than what I've been used to in the past but it still had a fine buttered-texture and underlying mocha coffee core which made it a quality cigar to smoke. It left me thinking by the end of it that this CoRo enhanced the 'upper-market' value of Cohiba as a brand in the way it smoked and I suppose that is a fine accolade in itself.

I wonder too if smoking it at the five-and-a-half year mark also contributed to how well it smoked for me, at least in a subjective sense? I very much believe that was indeed the case.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.5 EOT Oct 2016

I would like to thank @Luca again for gifting me this cigar. The Partagas Serie D No.5 doesn't get anywhere near the attention of its big brother, the Partagas Serie D No.4 which is touted nowadays as the largest selling Habanos cigar by volume, overtaking the Montecristo No.4. In comparison, I would argue that the Partagas Serie D No.5 barely rates a mention. Why is that, I wonder?

From my own point of view, the only Serie D No.5s that I've smoked in the last five years have been a couple of La Gloria Cubana Spanish Regional Editions from circa 2017/18. And let me tell you, the construction faults on those still linger with me today despite how good they were flavourwise. This Partagas Serie D No.5 was nothing like that. It smoked very well. It was full of flavour, the strength after five years had made it quite approachable and it lasted a whole 90 minutes, if you can believe such a thing for a cigar that is around half an inch shorter than a Robustos!

Make no mistake, this cigar had no complexity in that it was basically mild coffee, sourdough and leather but that suited me today just fine. I could happily smoke a whole box of these and be quite satisfied!

[JohnS]

Nudies N3 Carlota

I've written enough about this cigar over the past two years that I fear that I am fresh out of accolades for it! I mean, what more can one honestly say other than to express gratitude to Robert Ayala and Hamlet Paredes and their team for producing it?

The original intention was to make a cigar utilising Non-Cuban leaf to mimic, as closely as possible, the now long-discontinued Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3. And 'by God' have they succeeded! After two years down this cigar truthfully just keeps getting better!

It is by no means a complex cigar but it wasn't blended that way. For me, it continues to deliver a simple easy-smoking experience over 75 to 90 minutes. Sometimes I get a nice lemon citrus twang to compliment the Partagas sourdough and leather flavours and sometimes I don't. I don't even think it matters as they are great either way.

I now have four left but I have no qualms about the fact that I have so few remaining. The second upcoming Desnudos release is just around the corner and I look forward to acquiring those to continue this fun journey begun with the Nudies N1 Lanceros and Nudies N3 Carlotas.

[JohnS]

Nudies N1 Lancero

I usually like to smoke a Nudies N1 Lancero straight after a Nudies N3 Carlota. I don't know why that is other than the fact that it has become a habit over the past eighteen months or so. For me, it pretty much ensures that I am going to smoke two quality cigars, one after the other, and this has consistently been the case.

The Nudies N1 Lancero was blended to replicate, as closely as possible, the now deleted Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1. It's vitola is simply wonderful...an ideal thin 38 ring gauge x 192 mm or 7½ inches length. It's simply a great size!

I guess you need something like two hours to smoke one and the blend is simple but I'm glad it 'is what it is'! Today's Nudies N1 Lancero was testament to how consistent and easy these have been to smoke for me and for that I am extremely grateful!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Molinos ABR Oct 2011

In 2012, one of the last remaining regular production Lonsdales was discontinued, the Molinos. As I wrote in my last review on this cigar..."Why, oh Habanos S.A, why?" This was the second ABR Oct 2011 Molinos I smoked today around one month after I smoked the first.

As I mentioned in that initial review, ten years is a long time to wait before opening up a box of Habanos cigars but when it comes to the Sancho Panza Molinos, its a cigar that benefits greatly from having significant time down. That first Sancho Panza Molinos was easy to smoke and this second one was much the same!

This SP Molinos today was a little different in flavours than the first one. The first one had some more floral notes and was more cream-textured, this was more herbal and replete with subtle forest floor or mushroom-type flavours to compliment the light wood and minimal salt. Overall, it was another superb smoking experience one looks for when you desire an easy-going smoke with fine, subtle combination of flavours.

I wrote in my last review that if you have Sancho Panza in your humidor, excepting the SP Belicosos, and especially the recently discontinued SP Non Plus, then keep in mind to give them time to develop. I'm confident you'll be glad you did in the long run. I still stand by this statement after having this second Sancho Panza Molinos today!

[Luca]

On 12/4/2021 at 5:45 PM, JohnS said:

Partagás Serie D No.5 EOT Oct 2016

I would like to thank @Luca again for gifting me this cigar. The Partagas Serie D No.5 doesn't get anywhere near the attention of its big brother, the Partagas Serie D No.4 which is touted nowadays as the largest selling Habanos cigar by volume, overtaking the Montecristo No.4. In comparison, I would argue that the Partagas Serie D No.5 barely rates a mention. Why is that, I wonder?

From my own point of view, the only Serie D No.5s that I've smoked in the last five years have been a couple of La Gloria Cubana Spanish Regional Editions from circa 2017/18. And let me tell you, the construction faults on those still linger with me today despite how good they were flavourwise. This Partagas Serie D No.5 was nothing like that. It smoked very well. It was full of flavour, the strength after five years had made it quite approachable and it lasted a whole 90 minutes, if you can believe such a thing for a cigar that is around half an inch shorter than a Robustos!

Make no mistake, this cigar had no complexity in that it was basically mild coffee, sourdough and leather but that suited me today just fine. I could happily smoke a whole box of these and be quite satisfied!

Great review. Thank you John. I agree with your comment on the LGC Spanish regional. The construction issues I've experienced with the box I smoked recently have been disappointing. I have one left in my humidor. Hopefully it smokes better than the others! Glad you enjoyed the Partagas I aged that for 5 years in my wineador 

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro TUA Dic 2020

As we are no doubt aware, 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 fifth one that I've smoked from this box around three months after my fourth one, then six months further on from my third one and now nine months after I smoked the first two back-to-back within a week.

Despite recent larger price rises for Quai d'Orsay of 8% the Coronas Claro are still very much in-demand. In comparison though, I wonder if demand for Quai d'Orsay Nos 50 and 54 have waned since their halcyon days two years ago when they would regularly come up on 24:24 listings and after one blinked, so-to-speak, they were gone! One thing I know, the Coronas Claro is still nowhere near as widely available as the QdO Nos. 50 and 54 at the present time, which makes sense of their desire for acquisition from cigar enthusiasts.

I stated in my previous reviews 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 again very good in the flavour department. This cigar had a good draw, was very light in strength but body-wise it was fine as it had that quintessential egg-and-butter brioche bread, hay, orange citrus and ginger sweetness. This time it also had some woody or oak texture to it, like my first three QdO Coronas Claro from the box.

Construction-wise, this was a struggle at times to contend with because the cigar was a tad under-filled in the middle and as a result it wouldn't maintain its burn. I believe I had to re-light it three times. It didn't effect the flavour delivery though, thankfully!

I envisage that I will smoke my next QdO Coronas Claro from this box in another month or two to further gauge how they are developing.

[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.

As I've mentioned previously in my reviews on the Partagas Maduro line, I've had quite a few of these 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 was the sixth Partagas Maduro No.2 from the box had a similar flavour profile to the first five Partagas Maduro No.2s I've smoked in the last six months. Like those Party Maduro 2s, this most definitely had more strength and more body or fullness of flavour than the Partagas Maduro No.1 or Partagas Maduro No.3. This was again 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!) but it didn't deter me from my enjoyment of the cigar. In other words, the cigar was still well-balanced in its flavours. These flavours were a combination of cocoa/chocolate, anise, sour cherry and coffee. In today's cigar, like my last one around three months ago, this 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 75 minutes to finish, I believe, mainly due to the quality amount of smoke per draw which necessitated a longer time between puffs on the cigar.

[JohnS]

Rafael González 88 2016 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico SOM Dic 2016

The Rafael Gonzalez 88 is a 2016 Asia-Pacific Regional Edition release. It stood out at at the time for its vitola dimensions, a Británicas Extra at under 50/64ths of an inch ring gauge and was in fact only the second Rafael Gonzalez Regional Edition release other than the 2013 German Petit Piramides at the time. The hype generated by its predecessors, the 2014 Asia-Pacific Diplomaticos Bushidos (and less so the 2015 La Gloria Cubana Revolution) caused a lot of demand from our forum members for the RG88 when it came out eventually in 2017, so much so that supplies for the new release couldn't keep up with demand initially. But then things quickly changed!

You see, much like the 2010 discontinued Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra, this cigar was 'closed' in its flavours in its youthful stages upon release and the consensus amongst our forum members at the time was that it need a good five years for it to blossom or 'open up'. I've waited four-and-a-half to smoke this cigar today and I can adamantly tell you that boy I was glad I did!

The number 8 is a number considered lucky in the Chinese Culture, hence the name of this Asia-Pacific release. The cigar is perfecto-shaped, tapered at the head and foot and has a 48 ring gauge x 137 mm or 5⅜ inches length. I smoked a few upon their release in mid-2017 and yes, I felt that they were okay but I concurred that they needed more time. The critical consensus was generally negative but to be fair I felt this occurred because other releases such as the 2014 Diplomaticos Bushidos was so good and the RG88, in comparison, had a lot to live up to in terms of consumer expectation.

Fast forward to today, late-2021, and the wise adage that one should give an Asia-Pacific Regional Edition a good five years to develop came to fruition, in my mind, upon the first few puffs of smoking after lighting up. Yes indeed, it was that clearly obvious that this was a different cigar to 2017. This RG88 was one of two of its type that I have 'loose' in my humidor. I also have an unopened 10-count box with the same late-2016 box code to visit at a later date. This RG88 had more of a darker colorado maduro shade than the other one, which has a lighter (comparatively-speaking) colorado, 'neutral' shade. I intend to smoke this second RG88 in the next day or two to make an immediate comparative assessment to this cigar.

In mid-2017, I found my RG88s to be very light in flavour and body paradoxically. They tended to be a flavour combination of cocoa, floral notes, honey and nuts but those flavours were undistinctive in the blends of the cigars I sampled at the time. In other words, slightly muddled. This RG88 after five years of course was light in strength (as all Rafael Gonzalez cigars tend to be) but the body was thankfully medium to medium-full and the flavours were simple yet quite enunciated and expressive. I basically got a combination of cocoa, earthiness and a floral bouquet that ran through the core of the cigar from beginning to end. Make no mistake, this RG88 smoked like a quality cigar from beginning to end.

It goes without saying that I'm overjoyed with how this cigar smoked after five years of aging. I now eagerly look forward to smoking another RG88 very, very soon and I hope to open my aforementioned 10-count Rafael Gonzalez 88 box sometime thereafter in the new year.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana Harimau Malaya 2020 - Edición Regional Malasia RAT May 2021

The San Cristobal de la Habana Harimau Malaya is the first Regional Edition cigar that Asia-Pacific distributor PCC (Pacific Cigar Company) have released with a secondary band denoted to the country of Malaysia. The cigar is named after the tiger that comes from the region of Malaya, is unique in its characteristics, looks and size and is protected as an endangered species. In the same way, the SCdLH Harimau Malaya is unique for a San Cristobal special release because it is the first Montesco-sized cigar for the marca, even though Montesco vitolas are now quite common for Habanos Special releases.

The packaging is unique too. It comes in an ornate outer cardboard carton box which neatly houses a 10-count semi-boite nature box, of which of course there were 8888 produced (for good luck - this is a Chinese cultural reference). Upon lighting this cigar I reflected upon the fact that its 55 ring gauge x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches length no longer seems as grand as it once used to.

I didn't know what to expect when I began smoking but one thing I didn't consider was my final evaluation of the cigar upon finishing. You see, I have smoked many, many San Cristobal de la Habana El Principes over the years; they are a favourite 'go-to' Habanos cigar of mine. Sure, I didn't expect the SCdLH Harimau Malaya to be quite like a SCdLH El Principe yet I didn't think it would be so one-dimensional either. When cigars are like this there is a propensity for disappointment; however, the one saving grace note here was the fact that the cigar didn't smoke that badly, it's just that it wasn't that good either.

Construction-wise; sure, it was perfect. And yes, I mean perfect. Yet, like the Rafael Gonzalez 88 I smoked prior to this cigar in terms of when that came out nearly five years ago, this SCdLH Harimau Malaya was 'closed' in its flavours...a little bland and non-distinct but I wouldn't go so far as to label it 'offensive'. No, rather, I would advocate that this cigar was nigh on six months of age and being an Asia-Pacific Regional Edition I feel that I do owe it the due service and respect of letting it age a little before I try the next one form the box.

So what flavours did I get? El Pres has mentioned on a number of occasions on 24:24 listings on our forum that this cigar is like Italian Panettone with its assortment of sweet cake-type flavours all mixed together and I would say that this would be a good guideline for what this cigar was today. I now look forward to when this cigar starts to delineate in its flavours more and becomes a little more interesting for my preference.

 

[nKostyan]

On 12/10/2021 at 6:50 PM, JohnS said:

Despite recent larger price rises for Quai d'Orsay of 8% the Coronas Claro are still very much in-demand. In comparison though, I wonder if demand for Quai d'Orsay Nos 50 and 54 have waned since their halcyon days two years ago when they would regularly come up on 24:24 listings and after one blinked, so-to-speak, they were gone! One thing I know, the Coronas Claro is still nowhere near as widely available as the QdO Nos. 50 and 54 at the present time, which makes sense of their desire for acquisition from cigar enthusiasts.

 

Great reviews, John! Annotations on the history of marcas and vitolas are also valuable and informative.
Let me add a little bit. I heard this information at a lecture by the brand ambassador of Habanos S.A.: QdO Coronas Claro is produced in small circulation due to the lack of an impeccable Claro wrapper.

 

[JohnS]

4 hours ago, nKostyan said:

Great reviews, John! Annotations on the history of marcas and vitolas are also valuable and informative.
Let me add a little bit. I heard this information at a lecture by the brand ambassador of Habanos S.A.: QdO Coronas Claro is produced in small circulation due to the lack of an impeccable Claro wrapper.

Thank you kindly, @nKostyan, I am pleased with however I may assist others in our shared hobby! Thank you too for adding the information about the wrappers. It makes complete sense when it comes to Quai d'Orsay.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Galanes RAT May 2020

The Por Larranaga Galanes is a 52 ring gauge x 120 mm (or 4¾ inches) in length Robusto. I'm not sure why it has a unique size but if it was slightly smaller in girth I'd like to think it to be like a Punch Short de Punch, which is 50 ring gauge, but the same length. Why it's not is anyone's guess.

It's been eight months since I had the first cigar from this 10-count box and five months since I had my second one. Today's cigar was my fourth from the box. I wrote previously that my first one was quite 'buttery' upon its opening whereby it settled in the first half in its core butter bread flavour; something akin to a recent Quai d'Orsay no.50 or 54 with its brioche characteristics. The second Por Larranaga Galanes was similar and it also had a milk coffee flavour in its opening to compliment that brioche-type butter bread taste on the palate, but halfway through the first half that characteristic dull oak wood flavour came to the fore of that cigar.

This fourth cigar, after eight months, reinforced the notion that this regular production Por Larranaga release is currently simply fantastic. This time, the flavours I picked up were a combination of milk coffee, oak wood, brioche bread and a wonderful butterscotch sweetness in its core throughout the cigar. I wrote in my last review of this cigar that I felt that the best way to characterise that PL Galanes would be to state that it was like a Punch Short de Punch with a butterscotch sweetness, if you could imagine such a thing! This PL Galanes, smoked over 95 glorious minutes, would be much the same. So, if you are looking for that typical Por Larranaga caramel sweetness, I would advise to look elsewhere as it wasn't present in this cigar.

I am aware that the Por Larranaga Galanes has not been easy to source, but if you have a box or two, then I'm confident that you can relate to my acclamation of this outstanding cigar. I am certainly glad I have more than one 10-count box in my inventory.

[JohnS]

Cuaba APAC 2020 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico LTO Mar 2021

If you haven't heard already Pacific Cigar Company (or its more common abbreviation, PCC) brought out the 2020 Cuaba APAC in mid-2021 as an Asia-Pacifico Regional Edition, the very first Regional Edition since the program was conceived in 2005.

The Cuaba APAC is packaged in a 10-count box, with PCC distributing a run of 8888 boxes. The cigar is a Tacos vitola, a 47 ring gauge x 158 mm (or 6¼ inches) in length Perfecto, the same size as the LCDH Hoyo de Monterrey Elegantes, 2020 Mexican Regional Edition Ramon Allones Perfecto and the regular production Partagas Presidentes. The Tacos vitola differs a little from regular production Cuaba Perfectos in the shape of the head, which in the case of the APAC, is more conical (or streamlined/straighter at the head and foot) than your standard Cuaba.

This is my third Cuaba APAC since my first one was sampled six months ago, with the second one smoked three months ago. Both smoked very well. This cigar had that typical Cuaba peanut and orange Cointreau citrus profile with a smooth, mild and refined strength and body. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it was better than a quality Distinguidos in my view. Apart from the peanut and orange Cointreau citrus I was pleased again with the quality shortbread and cedar aspects to this cigar and some quintessential Cuaba toasted tobacco together with what I'd term as grass or vegetal flavour on the edges. For a Cuaba, again like my first two Cuaba APAC REs I must confess, I have been very impressed in regards to their flavours.

Will these sell? Is PCC taking too large a risk, especially as Cuaba is commonly maligned in the Cigar Enthusiast community for its construction and performance issues related to their harder-to-roll vitolas? My opinion is that the curiosity of an initial Cuaba Regional Edition will cause more interest than normal, at first, but longer-term success depends on how the cigar is received thereafter once consumers have sampled it. Judging by how the first three cigars from this box have smoked, I have been quite pleased with them and I'm more than content for acquiring a box to sample.