JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

Bolívar Petit Coronas ETP Mar 2017

I wonder if the Bolivar Petit Coronas is the forgotten Petit Corona of modern times? Probably not as one could make a stronger case for the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas being more under-rated. As for the BPC, one could make a case however for how consistent they are and this one was no different.

As many of you know, I'm not as favourably-inclined to the Bolivar marca as I am to Cohiba and Montecristo, for example, but that's because I don't connect with the 'Earthy' flavours of Bolivar. It seems to me though that Bolivar was more 'Earthy' in the past than it is nowadays and I think this is true of recent Bolivar Petit Coronas and Belicosos Finos I've enjoyed in the last year or two.

This was a little under-filled or 'spongy' but thankfully it wasn't bitter. The flavours were excellent. These included a mix of leather, Earth, cocoa, wood, fruit and malt. I've gone through one-quarter of the box and I hope to see the remaining stock through to its fifth year, which is a little over twelve months away.  If they continue to excel as they have done thus far, the box may not make it (to its fifth year)!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo VI ARG Jun 2015

This is the first Cohiba Siglo VI I've smoked from this ARG Jun 2015 10-count box and it was every bit as brilliant to smoke as my last 'circa 2014' Siglo VI last month. Overall, I've only smoked eight Cohiba Siglo VIs in the last three or four years, including these two smoked in the last two months. There are a few good reasons for this; one, I prefer Cohiba Siglo VIs in the five to ten-year window, two, the expense of this vitola at around $US35 to 40 (or $AUD80 to $90) at the present time precludes me smoking more and three, these weren't freely available for a eighteen to twenty-four month window from 2017 onwards anyway.

This was very typical for what I've come to enjoy from the Siglo VI. A mild mocha coffee spine with Cohiba grass/hay and honey, citrus and a slight buttered texture throughout the cigar. After I finished it I desired another, which is a hallmark of a appreciated and great cigar.

I hope to smoke another Cohiba Siglo VI from this box quite soon. One thing I know, I don't think this box will see another five years of aging!

[Gamehawker]

On 2/27/2021 at 10:00 PM, JohnS said:

H. Upmann Magnum 54 circa 2018

I think this may be the second ever H.Upmann Magnum 54 I've ever had and I'm still not enamored with it. After enjoying Connoisseur No.1s and Connossieur As over the years, together with a smattering of Sir Winstons here and there, it really isn't a surprise outcome. And I've never been too fond of the Magnum 46 either. There's an idiom that's come about in the last thirty or forty years, "go big or go home". When it comes to H.Upmann, for me, that means shortbread, quality espresso coffee, a subtle cream texture and cedar all finely balanced. This is not the H.Upmann Magnum 54.

I found this slightly under-filled, a muddle of flavours such as cedar, coffee, toasted tobacco, shortbread and white pepper and I had to re-light it a few times. I smoked the cigar down into the last third but I don't think this is a 54 ring gauge cigar I will be chasing anytime soon. Ostensibly speaking, I would reach for a Bolivar Libertador, Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan, Partagas Serie E No.2 or Quai d'Orsay No.54 before I smoked a H.Upmann Magnum 54 again. There's also enough other satisfying H.Upmann cigars in current production to keep me well-occupied for the foreseeable future!

Nice review. I am an H.Upmann whore and I was on the fence about getting these and after reading your review I am glad I didn't.  ?

I'm like you John, I have never been fond of the Magnum 46.  It is a travesty how Habanos discontinued the H.Upmann Super Coronas (one of my all time favorite cuban cigars)  and left us with, pale in comparison, the Magnum 46's. ☹️

[JohnS]

5 hours ago, Gamehawker said:

Nice review. I am an H.Upmann whore and I was on the fence about getting these and after reading your review I am glad I didn't.  ?

I'm like you John, I have never been fond of the Magnum 46.  It is a travesty how Habanos discontinued the H.Upmann Super Coronas (one of my all time favorite cuban cigars)  and left us with, pale in comparison, the Magnum 46's. ☹️

You see, at sundry times, polls are conducted on our forum regarding favourite marcas and/or what marca enthusiasts have the most of in their humidor. Invariably, H. Upmann seems to always top these polls. Therefore, let's call it the enthusiast's 'go-to' marca. Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta and Partagas account for many sales in the LCDHs in the world amongst tourist and casual hobbyists/smokers but H.Upmann, I believe, has a special place in the hearts of many members on FoH.

The last thing I want when I light up a H.Upmann cigar (okay, I cede to include most Habanos cigars) are muddled flavours. I can accept that the H.Upmann Magnum 46 is blended to appeal to smokers who appreciate more intense Upmann flavours but when it comes to the Magnum 54 I question what it's trying to be.

All of us have a cigar (or two, or three!) that we don't connect with. I will continue to try the Magnum 54 in the future but I won't be seeking boxes for acquisition.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.3 ESL Ene 2019

The Montecristo No.3 is a 42 ring gauge x 142 mm (or 5⅝ inches in length) Coronas. These were much more prevalent in the Habanos regular production catalogue once upon a time but now there are only the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro and Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.2 available beside the Montecristo No.3. In fact, in the last twenty years seventeen Coronas have been discontinued as can be seen below:

2002 - H.Upmann Coronas, Punch Royal Coronations, Ramon Allones Coronas and Romeo y Julieta Romeo No.1 de Luxe
2006 - Bolivar Coronas, Diplomaticos No.3, El Rey del Mundo Coronas de Luxe, Hoyo de Monterrey Hoyo Corona, Juan Lopez Coronas, Partagas Coronas and Sancho Panza Coronas
2009 - Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi and Punch Coronas
2010 - Saint Luis Rey Coronas
2012 - Romeo y Julieta Coronas and Vegas Robaina Familiar
2017 - Bolivar Tubos No.1

So, apart from the fact that Coronas-sized cigars just aren't around any more what else may preclude one from acquiring them? May I suggest the fact that the 20% to 25% difference in current pricing between the Montecristo No.3 and No.4 and the Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.2 and No.3 perhaps may have something to do with it?

It's a shame really that the Coronas-sized cigar is not valued correctly nowadays as I feel it's both over-priced and under-rated. Even the Cuban Cigar Website smoking ratings attests to this fact. One can see plenty of ratings for the Montecristo No.1, No.2 and No.4 and even a few for the No.5. The No.3 has only achieved ten ratings to list its flavours, at the time of writing this review

So what can we make of all this? In regards to the Montecristo No.3 is it similar to the No.4? In generalised terms, in regards to blending, I would say yes it is related to the No.4 (and No.1) with slight differences in strength. Pretty much like the last Monte 3 I smoked in November 2020, this Montecristo No.3 had a discernible citrus twang, which I've noted in pretty much all the Montecristo cigars I've smoked produced since 2018 to some degree, milk coffee, nut and of course cocoa. Although this time this had less cocoa in it than the UEB '18 Montecristo No.4 varieties I've smoked through in the last 12 to 18 months and was slightly milder than your average Montecristo No.4 but had more body or flavour to it. Paradoxically speaking, this was a tad 'grassy' in the first third but this soon gave way as the cigar approached the middle third onwards.

I'd like to thank @Bijan again for making this review possible.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 ABO Ago 2018

This ABO Ago 2018 box of Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4s have been so consistently good that I'm concerned that I'll smoke through the whole box before the year is out! This RyJ Exhibicion No.4 was no different.

What I appreciated was the mildness of the cigar and the combination of typical RyJ flavours. I got more anise out of this RyJ Ex4 than the previous ones I've smoked, but this was well-balanced with light cocoa, sour cherry, rosewater and oat biscuit. I had no issue nubbing it.

The key to the 'fruity' flavours, I believe, is to ensure one gets a box of these with rosado-hued wrappers. It makes all the world of difference to the a RyJ Ex4 cigar, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No. 1 TUE May 2020

I've had enough of these outstanding Partagas Maduro No.1s to know that when they are 'on'  the cocoa and/or coffee flavours are not overwhelmed or detracted from the other wonderful flavours. These other flavours include sourdough, leather, a touch of cream, hay and distinctive flavours such as anise and sour cherry. Together with the light cocoa, none of these flavours seem to dominate the other; they just work together perfectly.

The last review on this cigar I noted that, for me, it was like a quality Partagas Serie E No.2 with a maduro wrapper. Today's cigar was not like this at all. Rather, it was a conglomeration of simple cocoa or chocolate, coffee and pepper which I admittingly don't care for that much in Partagas. I did get some other interesting flavours in the middle of the cigar such as sourdough, anise and sour cherry but overall I smoked the cigar reflecting on better days.

So, in summary, if this is what the Partagas Maduro No.1 smokes like when it is 'off'; well, truthfully I've had worse (that is, with other marcas and vitolas). Thankfully I've also had better.

[JohnS]

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

Regular production La Flor de Cano cigars are short-filler and very mild. With the recent discontinuation of the Selectos though, only the Petit Corona is left. The special releases within the marca are long filler and vary from stellar floral, cream, shortbread and hay wonders if they are light-wrappered or being more Earthy, coffee and cedar-bodied if they are darker-wrappered.

The first special release in the La Flor de Cano marca was in 2010 with the UK Short Robusto, then came the 2013 Asia-Pacifico Grandiosos and Great Britain Gran Cano, the 2014 Canadian Siboney, the 2016 Italian Casanova and the 2018 Spanish Magicos and Dutch Robusto. These releases have been critically praised in cigar enthusiast circles with the 2013 Grandiosos and Gran Cano and 2018 Magicos and Robusto being the standout releases.
 
This was my fourth La Flor de Cano Grandiosos cigar from this 10-count box, and it was mainly almond nut, floral and cedar in its flavour profile. It was slightly stronger than my last LFdC Grandiosos but even then it was only a touch above medium-mild.

So overall I was quite happy with how this smoked. Sure, it could have had more shortbread, cream and been more 'velvety' in texture but not every cigar can receive a 95-point rating. I guess that's why we keep at this hobby.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

I think the more I smoke from this box the better the cigars are smoking! This Monte 5 seemed to have the perfect balance of cocoa/chocolate, light milk coffee, nut and baking spice. It was just a pleasure to smoke a 40 ring gauge cigar after smoking a couple of 50 ring gauge cigars prior to this one today. It certainly feels like quite a difference on the palate and the smoking technique is markedly different.

I believe I've smoked through one-third of the box, given one-third away and thus I have one-third left. On the whole, these have been quite popular with the recipients I've given them to. I feel that at six-and-a-half years of age these Montecristo 5s are well within their 'peak' period but they are more towards the end of that 'window' rather than the beginning. Therefore I hope to finish the box this year.

[PuroDan]

On 2/28/2021 at 1:17 PM, JohnS said:

Cohiba Siglo VI circa 2014

This is the first Cohiba Siglo VI I've had since I had a '99 to 100-point' aged 2009 one in November 2020. As the rating suggests, it was about the best one I've ever sampled. I'd like to have them more often but I find both current pricing ($US35 or $AU80 a stick) and the fact that I've been enamored or 'blown away' by other Cohiba vitolas more often means I don't smoke them as regularly.  

This 2014 Cohiba Siglo VI had a light mocha coffee and Cohiba grass/hay core with honey, some vanilla and a light buttered and cream texture throughout. I paired it with a glass of Canard-Duchene champagne and this complimented the cigar really well. In fact, I'd offer to say that it was a sensational pairing indeed as the champagne had a butter pastry taste to it with a hint of citrus which enhanced the flavours of this Siglo VI perfectly. It goes without saying that I nubbed the cigar to my fingertips.

I wish I could offer some more insight into how the Cohiba Siglo VI smokes within a younger time frame, say 12 to 24 months. I envisage that it would have more mocha coffee and/or spice in general than what it would at the 5 to 10 year mark. Alas, I've enjoyed a number of Cohiba Siglo VIs within the 5-to-10 year 'time-window' and when they smoke as well as this cigar I'd be hesitant to change a winning formula!

Imo 14 was an epic year for Cuba. One of the best in the last 10 years. Just my opinion

 

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

I think the more I smoke from this box the better the cigars are smoking! This Monte 5 seemed to have the perfect balance of cocoa/chocolate, light milk coffee, nut and baking spice. It was just a pleasure to smoke a 40 ring gauge cigar after smoking a couple of 50 ring gauge cigars prior to this one today. It certainly feels like quite a difference on the palate and the smoking technique is markedly different.

I believe I've smoked through one-third of the box, given one-third away and thus I have one-third left. On the whole, these have been quite popular with the recipients I've given them to. I feel that at six-and-a-half years of age these Montecristo 5s are well within their 'peak' period but they are more towards the end of that 'window' rather than the beginning. Therefore I hope to finish the box this year.

A great value cigar coming outta Cuba. Love em.

 

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 ABO Ago 2018

This ABO Ago 2018 box of Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4s have been so consistently good that I'm concerned that I'll smoke through the whole box before the year is out! This RyJ Exhibicion No.4 was no different.

What I appreciated was the mildness of the cigar and the combination of typical RyJ flavours. I got more anise out of this RyJ Ex4 than the previous ones I've smoked, but this was well-balanced with light cocoa, sour cherry, rosewater and oat biscuit. I had no issue nubbing it.

The key to the 'fruity' flavours, I believe, is to ensure one gets a box of these with rosado-hued wrappers. It makes all the world of difference to the a RyJ Ex4 cigar, in my opinion.

I agree 100%. Rosado wrappers on RyJ do provide the fruit flavor.  I prefer a deeper rosado wrapper on HU as well. Like the HUHC you had posted up. Those are poster boy wrappers for HU

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2 EML Ago 2014

The last Diplomaticos No.2 I had from this box around four months ago was strong on sourdough, had some capsicum or bell pepper, nutmeg and wood but had no cloved or paprika spice.

Fast forward to today and the next one couldn't be more different. It was much more full-bodied even if it was mild to medium-mild in strength. It had very little sourdough but plenty of wood, capsicum or bell pepper and paprika spice.

As far as being on the 'savoury-side' of things, this Diplomaticos No.2 would have to be up there amongst the best of them that I've smoked over the years. It's not my preference but at least I can't complain that it lacked flavour!

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Royal Robusto 2011 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo SUB Abr 2012

The H.Upmann Royal Robusto was released circa 2012 and is an Edmundo-sized vitola with a 52 ring gauge x 135 mm (or 5⅜ inches) length. Incidentally, the H.Upmann Connossieur A is the same ring gauge and only 5 mm (or one-fifth of an inch) longer, but I would definitely classify the Royal Robusto as a very different Upmann cigar to the Connossieur A. Broadly speaking, in my opinion, there are Upmann cigars that excel in 'softer' flavours such as shortbread and cream and there are Upmann cigars that are more robust giving you stronger cedar, coffee and leather flavours. I'd put the Connossieur A in the former category and the Royal Robusto in the latter one.

I'd like to thank @baragh for gifting me this cigar to smoke today. With almost nine years of age on this cigar started off really well, the coffee, cedar and leather spine to it was light and pleasant. Into the middle third it picked up in white pepper and frankly became a little 'muddled' and I had to slow down my smoking to accommodate it as there was also quite a bit of smoke per draw. Thankfully I was able to smoke it down until the final third.

So this H.Upmann Royal Robusto was not as good as my previous one, which was excellent in comparison.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1 BRE Nov 2018

This box of H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 has been quite good so far. Invariably speaking, chances were that I was going to hit upon a HU Connie 1 that would struggle with and today was that day.

Thankfully the cigar wasn't sour, bitter or acrid like you would experience if it was rolled with unfermented leaf (as late quarter H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 from BRE 2018 have been known to be) but apart from some nice cedar, coffee and shortbread notes in the beginning of the first third this cigar descended into a muddled 'toasted tobacco' mess. I've never known to pitch a H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 but today was that day. At least I got to the final third.

So overall, this was a disappointment and the embodiment of what we mean when we reference a 'generic' cigar. So sure, they can't all be great and on the flip-side, they can't all be as bad as this either!

[JohnS]

Bolívar Petit Coronas ETP Mar 2017

It just so happened that my adult son, an occasional cigar smoker, asked me for a cigar to smoke at home one Saturday night whilst I was at a friend's wedding with my wife. I had a Bolivar Petit Coronas dry boxing and ready to go the next day so I directed him to it, not knowing if he'd like it or not. I figured it may be a tad strong for him as he's conditioned to milder Habanos faring such as Montecristo, Hoyo de Monterrey, H.Upmann etc. The next day, I asked him how it was and yes, he said it was a little strong, but he got through it.

I reached for the next Bolivar Petit Coronas from the box and smoked it that next day and I concur, it was a tad strong, more so as it reached the halfway point of the cigar. With experience one can compensate. I did so by smoking slower and taking shorter draws. After all, the flavour was all there and it's what I appreciated.

I got solid Bolivar flavours of leather, Earth, cocoa, wood, fruit, malt or stout and some bitter chocolate over 75 minutes so it wasn't all too bad. This box is hitting the four year mark and for my liking it has been milder in general, but I don't mind an occasional stronger cigar myself, especially when it's this full of flavour.

[JohnS]

Partagás Selección Privada 2014 - Edición Limitada OPG Dic 2014

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

A double robusto with a 50 ring gauge by 160 mm (or 6¼ inches) length, my last Partagas Seleccion Privada Limited Edition, smoked two months ago, took a little over 2 hours to enjoy. It was medium-strengthed and the flavours were not as indicative of the Partagas marca as previous examples I've smoked between the two-year and four-year mark. I still got that core coffee, leather, toasted tobacco and wood, some Partagas spice, a little creaminess and minimal cocoa. That being said, it was still a very good cigar.

This third cigar from the box had a core coffee, sourdough, wood, leather and toasted tobacco blend. It was as equally creamy as my last one and it had little to no Partagas spice. It was also a little under medium strength. Again, the back half suggested that the rest of the box had 'peak' flavours for some time yet.

This was the best of the three that I've smoked from the box thus far, in the last three or four months since I've opened it and for me, it was a vindication that Limited Editions are not necessarily at their peak within twelve to twenty-four months of their box date. I will probably re-visit this box in another few months and then let it rest for a time to see how the cigars are towards the end of 2021. 

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

What can I say about these lately other than they've been outstanding? When I have a half hour window to smoke presently, invariably I reach for these!

Again, this Monte 5 had the perfect balance of cocoa/chocolate, light milk coffee, nut and baking spice, similarly to my last one. It was mild and very easy to smoke.

I still hope to finish the box this year, after all, I now only have seven left!

[JohnS]

Partagás Culebras 2007 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo MSU May 2018

The Partagas Culebras...when was the last time you had one? It's not exactly the type of cigar that will pop up in your rotation, but it is the perfect cigar when you want to share something with friends. Culebras means 'snake' in Spanish and this release signifies how three cigars are intertwined around each other in a twisted fashion resembling the outline of a snake.

Despite their 'mangled' and twisted shape they invariably always smoke well, flavourwise and draw-wise. How are they made that way? According to Cigarsofhabanos.com's late-2018 blog article, the cigars are purposely under-filled and over-moistened so that they may be bound together in a bunch without cracking the wrapper. Once bound, the cigars are sold in a bundle, and stored in this bundle until the an individual cigar is ready to be smoked. Once the bundle is separated, the individual cigars maintain their twisted shape, and the under-filled nature of the cigar results in a better draw than you’d expect.

Today, only Partagas has a Habanos Culebras product but in the past H.Upmann and Romeo y Julieta had one too. These Habanos Culebras were and are all 39 ring gauge x 146 mm (or 5¾ inches) in length, even the straight ones that were produced for the Caney and La Flor del Caney marcas. Prior to the Cuban Revolution (in the early 60's) Hoyo de Monterrey also produced a three-in-one Culebras vitola.

This Partagas Culebra is approaching three years of age and was the first one I smoked from the box. As was to be expected, the draw was ideal but ash-length was never going to approach one inch (or 2.5 cm) as is to be expected. Rather, I got regular ash-lengths of just under half an inch (or just over 1 cm). As usual, flavours were better than standard in their appeal and consisted of cedar, coffee, leather and sourdough. Unlike my last Partagas Culebras a little over twelve months ago there was no Partagas pepper or spice to be found here, neither did I experience a strong nicotine 'kick'.

This was just simply glorious through-and-through. I am eager to smoke another soon!

 

 

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Cazadores LAT Sep 2017

The Romeo y Julieta Cazadores is known amongst aficionados as an 'old school' Cuban cigar, a throwback to the 1990s when Habanos S.A. produced powerful and robust cigars. It's a 43 ring gauge x 162 mm (or 6⅜ inches in length) lonsdale which should provide a minimum of 90 minutes of smoking time. Once again, I'd like to thank @Bijan for allowing me to smoke this three year-old example.

In general, the RyJ Cazadores is noted for being a more 'powerful' RyJ cigar, even when aged and has mainly flavours of toasted tobacco, Earth, leather and cedar. Every now and then they are known to be sweeter and possess the typical Romeo y Julieta fruity flavours. Today's example was one such a cigar and it couldn't be more different from the previous RyJ Cazadores I smoked from this same box code.

This RyJ Cazadores smoked, believe it or not, akin to a quality Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4. It had cherry, rosewater, Turkish delight and a coconut cream-flavoured velvety texture off the draw. For me, it reminded me of what a Montecristo No.1 smokes likes in comparison to a Montecristo No.4. If Habanos S.A could manufacture the Cazadores to smoke like this on a more consistent basis I would definitely be 'chasing them down' and including them in my 'go-to-rotation. Alas, this RyJ Cazadores was an anomaly; albeit, a stupendously pleasant one at that.

It goes to show that one shouldn't 'pigeon-hole' cigars into blend or flavour categories as they can have an element of surprise to them every now and then, as today's Romeo y Julieta Cazadores demonstrated.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo VI ARG Jun 2015

This is the second Cohiba Siglo VI I've smoked from this ARG Jun 2015 10-count box and it was even better than my first one, which was superb. I shared one each with @Luca, paired with some Yellow Chartreuse and this was easily a 95-point cigar.

@Luca stated that his example was a combination of butter, toffee, hay and some mocha coffee. That's good enough for me as later on we both were trying to smoke our Siglo VIs way past their safe 'nubbing point' and endangering our fingers!

Again, I hope to smoke another Cohiba Siglo VI from this box quite soon. One thing I'm now sure of: I don't think this box will see even another twelve to eighteen months of aging, judging by how good the first three from the box have been!

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 ETP Dic 2015

I am very grateful to @Luca for gifting me this cigar to smoke, especially as it's been in hiatus for three years now (although El Pres has just intimated this very week that recent examples have come back into regular production).

I can unequivocally say that this La Gloria Cuba Medaille d'Or No.4 was better than any I've smoked from my inventory in the last few years. Firstly, this ETP Dic 15 LGC 4 was light-wrappered, firm but not tight; in contrast, my '16 and '17 varieties are all darker and more 'spongy' and slightly loose in draw. Secondly, my LGC 4s have been mainly wood, fruit and pepper in profile, this LGC 4 was cedar, fruit, citrus and creamy throughout. It was smooth and glorious to smoke, just the way I like my La Gloria Cuban Medaille d'Or No.4s to be.

@Luca suggested to me whilst smoking that my La Gloria Cuban inventory needs more time. Yes, this may be the case. However, they're still quite good to smoke, it's just that this LGC 4 was better.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas OPG Ene 2015

I like to once again thank @Luca for gifting me this Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas, my second one after the first I had around six months ago. I've had a heap of similarly-sized entreactos (30 ring gauge x 100 mm or 3⅞ inches in length) before with the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire and El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse but I can assert this small panatela was very different to the HdM du Maire and ERdM Demi Tasse.

My first RyJ Petit Julietas had typical Romeo y Julieta flavours of cocoa and berry fruits but towards the middle it became very herbal, like a mix of grass and mint. I greatly enjoyed it. This second one was also faithful to the Romeo y Julieta flavour profile although it was not as good as my first one, but only because it was a little more intense. Sure, it had those RyJ cocoa, toasted tobacco and berry fruit flavours but it had quite a bit of spice too which necessitated a slower smoking regimen to compensate.

One a positive note, construction was ideal as I got excellent ash-length for an entreactos cigar (around 1.5 cm or three-fifths of an inch) and ash was volcanic white, which one doesn't see too often!

After smoking this second one, I still feel that one has to be predisposed to Romeo y Julieta as a marca to fully appreciate a cigar like this otherwise it can come off as 'muddled'. If you don't mind RyJ Habanos cigars do yourself a favour and give this a try if you like the intensity of a smaller 20 to 25 minute cigar such as this one.

[JohnS]

Partagás Shorts ALO Mar 2016

The Partagas Shorts is a highly popular minuto amongst Cigar Enthusiasts but for some reason I've never taken to them like some other smaller Habanos cigars, such as the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe or Rafael Gonzalez Perlas, for example.

In late-2016/early-2017 I went through a three year-old 25 count of Partagas Shorts in just under six months. Since then I've had two gifted to me, the last around two years ago. It's funny how trends change over time, isn't it?

Once again, I'd like to thank @Luca for gifting me this cigar. It had some Partagas sourdough and leather coming together but I found the paprika spice quite overwhelming at times, especially in the back half. I laboured with the cigar as long as I could. After 50 to 55 minutes I ashed it. Still, I was grateful to have smoked this today.

You see, I've smoked enough Shorts to know that today's variety was but an anomaly. Sure, I may not reach for another for awhile, but I won't say no to sampling one either as Partagas Shorts are quite reliable, both in construction and flavour delivery.

[JohnS]

Juan López Selección No.2 MEL Dic 2016

I'd like to thank @Luca for this Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2. It's been six months since my last JL2, also kindly gifted by @Luca. At the time I wrote that the cigar had some Cointreau orange, citrus and chocolate in the first third but it soon settled into a stronger espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and spice offering towards the end of the first third and stayed that way until the end.

In summary, it wasn't too different to the JL2s from my box these past few years. For me, I felt that I needed some more time for those orange and chocolate flavours to come more to the fore and for those espresso coffee and toasted tobacco flavours to recede. How long? At the time I indicated that I will sample another one in the next six to nine months to see how they were coming along.

Fast forward six months and this four-and-a-third year-old Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 was the kind of cigar that makes you perform a complete 180° turn in your wish list. I make no secret of the fact that I haven't had the best time with young Juan Lopez in the past, I haven't loathed them, but I haven't loved them either. This was all orange peel citrus right from the word go, with a combined light coffee and milk chocolate core and most importantly, it was medium to medium-mild in strength the whole way.

It's been explained to me in the past, from a dear and sage friend, that the key to a quality Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 was letting them rest and develop, and this was why I guess this cigar today connected so favourably with my palate. 5 out of 5, 10 out of 10, a 95 point cigar, however you want to rate it, it was superb!

[JohnS]

Trinidad Shorts

If you've enjoyed the 2019 50th Anniversary Trinidad regular production Esmeralda, Media Luna and Topes releases, then you're bound to enjoy the recent Puritos Trinidad addition, the Trinidad Shorts.

They're every bit as rich in flavour as their Trinidad brethren, obviously not as refined though and filled with short-filler leaf. Nevertheless, they're quite good for a 10 to 15 minute smoke. Expect a combination of coffee, dough, toasted tobacco and spice when smoking one.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Shorts

I can't help but feel that the late 2017/early 2018 addition of the Cohiba Shorts to Puritos line of ICT cigars rejuvenated the sales of those short-filler cigars. What can one say about them? For a 10 to 15 minute short cigar they sure to pack a bit of Cohiba flavour!

Expect a combination of honey, grass/hay, spice, citrus and even some mocha and wood when you smoke one. I found them very consistent and dependable, especially in their flavour delivery, as this example was today.