JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Petit Coronas LUB May 2014

My last H.Upmann Petit Corona was smoked around eight months ago. In comparison to my last few H.Upmann Petit Coronas in 2019 and 2020, this HUPC from this box again exhibited some early signs of that leather and creamy texture that this cigar is renowned for with long-term aging. The core cedar flavour was there, as was the sweet licorice, light espresso coffee and some white pepper on the edges.

Around the halfway mark the cigar increased in intensity and was more 'peppery'. This facilitated a change in smoking technique in that I had to smoke it much slower than I would have liked. A normal Petit Corona cigar takes me around 60 minutes to smoke; this one took approximately 90 minutes!

I have three cigars left from this box code, with some other boxes from 2015 and 2016 intact and waiting to be 'cracked' open. After today's cigar I believe I still have a little longer to wait until I reach for a H.Upmann Petit Corona from my next box.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas LGR Oct 2019

It's often said on our forum that young Por Larranaga Petit Coronas (i.e. less than 5 years old) can have some bite to it, this 18 month old example had very little of the sort. Instead, it was again a superlative example of how good recent 2019-20 Habanos cigars have been smoking so well and yet so young.

From the very first puff I got some beautiful caramel with some toffee and honey until the middle third when the cigar exhibited a quality toasted tobacco into its flavour profile, together with some herbal flavours. I'd categorise these herbal flavours as being not quite 'woody', nor overly 'toasty'.

When a Por Larranaga Petit Coronas can smoke this well at this age, it doesn't necessarily require long-term aging to enjoy to an exemplary standard.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco ABO Abr 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 it's smoked that way too! What is it about the HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco that has made it so popular?

I would say that its the creamy texture at a youthful stage which most appeals to enthusiasts who invest in this cigar. In comparison to other cigars within the Le Hoyo line, which traditionally have been woody, spicy and containing forest floor flavours in youth and requiring long-term rest to build in cream, the de Rio Seco has been much sweeter and creamier at an early age.

Whilst the HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco has been known to smoke well young since its release, I can assure you that this cigar, at around two years of age, suggests that they can get even better.

This HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco today had a cedar and cream core with some ginger sweetness, marshmallow and touches of cinnamon spice. It smoked very well and I have no hesitation in saying that I'll be reaching into my humidor for another HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco soon!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus SRO Feb 2018

My last Sancho Panza Non Plus cigar surprised me in how good it was. It was from my RUM Abr 2018 box, which are light-wrappered, and these have been better than the Non Plus cigars from my SRO Feb 2018 box, which are darker-wrappered. Admittedly I've only had three (or so) from each box.

The RUM Abr 2018 SP Non Plus, smoked a week ago, had just reached the three year-mark. It contained hints of complexity and flavour. I got the core wood, salt and floral notes to the cigar but in-between I got splashings of sweet tea at times and alternatively, white pepper at other times.

Fast forward a week and this SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus was very different. In contrast instead of having floral notes it was more vegetal in flavour, had a musty, dull oak wood core flavour with some hints of salt. It was quite generic. In my view, it would need another twelve to twenty-four months of rest until I was willing to see how it was developing. One thing I can say, it has settled in potency and melded a little since my first cigar from the box a few years ago.

On a 100-point scale my last RUM Abr 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus was 91 points (i.e. excellent to outstanding). In contrast, this SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Non Plus, smoked a week later, was more around the 84 to 85-point mark (i.e. very good).

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Galanes RAT Nov 2020

What is it about new Habanos releases lately been all individual sizes from each other? It seems that ever since around 2015 when the Partagas Maduro No.1 came out we've had a whole spate of new cigars with new sizes. Consider the following; Partagas Maduro No.1, Cohiba Medio Siglo, H.Upmann Magnum 54, Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales, Quai d'Orsay No.54, Vegueros Centrofinos, Partagas Maduro No.2, Partagas Maduro No.3, Trinidad Esmeralda, Trinidad Media Luna, Trinidad Topes, Punch Short de Punch, La Flor de Cano Elegidos, H.Upmann Connossieur No.2 and the upcoming 2021 releases - the Montecristo Wide Edmundo and Cohiba Ambar.

There was once a time when a vitola meant something. For example, in the case of a Numero 109 (50 ring gauge x 184 mm or 7¼ inches - Diplomaticos Bushido, Sancho Panza Eslavos), Sublimes (54 ring gauge x 164 mm or 6½ inches - Bolivar Libertador, Cohiba and Montecristo Sublimes) or even a Canonazo Especial (52 ring gauge x 166 mm or 6½ inches - Cohiba 1966 EL, Trinidad La Trova) the size of these cigars indicates excellence and quality. The Por Larranaga Galanes is a 52 ring gauge x 120 mm (or 4¾ inches) in length Robusto. I'm not sure what its size means 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. Why it's not is anyone's guess.

I suppose the main thing is ascertaining how this new release smoked the first time I tried it. I must admit I was somewhat reticent to light it up so soon after delivery. I knew that the cigar was slightly 'wet' by the extra time it took to toast the foot; it took almost twice as long to light up. The very first puff was similar in taste to a Cohiba Medio Siglo, it was that 'buttery'. It soon 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. This Por Larranaga Galanes also had a nice milk coffee flavour in the first half to compliment that brioche-type butter bread taste on the palate.

In the second half I got more of a dull oak wood flavour in addition to the aforementioned flavours in the first half. There was no Por Larranaga 'Caramel' nor rough edges to this cigar. The cigar took 80 minutes to finish and there was plenty of flavour and smoke to each draw.

I'm now going to give this box a good two to three months to settle before having another one. Based on the flavours I picked up in this PL Galanes today I wouldn't be surprised if this new release turns out to be quite popular with our members.

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 (circa 2014)

The La Gloria Cubana marca has been whittled to one vitola, the Medaille d'Or No.4 and this cigar has been in hiatus since the first quarter of 2018. The LGC Medaille d'Or No.4 is a cigar enthusiast favourite I believe for two reasons; firstly, it's one of the last truly 'long-and-skinnies' (i.e. a cigar that is less than 35 ring gauge and at around six inches in length or longer) and secondly, it has a complexity of flavours unique to its brand.

The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 has only just recently come back into production, with box codes indicative of late 2020, so it's welcome to know that we will soon be enjoying the option of acquiring it again. It is a slim panetela which demands your attention when smoking it due to its thin ring gauge and its propensity to overheat and smoke 'bitter' if it's drawn upon too quickly. I must once again thank an anonymous benefactor in gifting me this cigar to smoke today (thank you dear friend - you know who you are), especially as this cigar was already aged circa seven years and La Gloria Cubana is known as a marca that benefits greatly from aging.

In regards to flavours, the LGC No.4 is reputed for its fruit, pepper, herbal and wood flavours. My last La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 was evidently quite good soon after lighting, within the first few puffs, especially in relation to creaminess. This creaminess is an example of the 'cake-like' texture that La Gloria Cubana cigars can exhibit with aging and is a characteristic I look for when smoking the brand. This La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 was very different due to the cigar being a little tight around the band. This meant that the cigar did not exude as much smoke as I would have liked per draw. With the extra effort required to draw, it meant that those almond and cream flavours that are so desirable in a cigar like this translated to wood, fruit and pepper only.

I had to use my PerfecDraw tool to open up the draw around the beginning of the last third. I can tell you that it made a huge difference to the cigar. Together with clipping the moistened head, it meant that the cigar was more 'toasty' and I was able to enjoy some wood and pepper flavours to the cigar that weren't there before in the back half.

This wasn't the best La Gloria Cubana cigar I've ever smoked. Thankfully, thanks to my PerfectDraw tool, it wasn't the worst one either!

[JohnS]

Partagás 8-9-8 TLE Jun 2020

If you've ever wondered why the current version of the Partagas 8-9-8 (2) is listed on Cuban Cigar Website with a parenthesised two it's because there used to be another Partagas cigar named '8-9-8'. Sound confusing? Well, yes...obviously! Would McDonald's have two burgers on their menu called a Big Mac? We may lament Altidis' 50-50 partnership with Habanos S.A in the early 2000s because of mass rationalisation of the Habanos cigar catalogue but at least they were able to assist on the marketing side of things. In this example, the Partagas 8-9-8 (1) was discontinued in 2002. Thus the Partagas 8-9-8 only refers to one cigar ever since.

Informally, aficionados referred to the other Coronas Grandes-sized 42 ring gauge x 155 mm (or 6⅛ inches) 8-9-8 as an unvarnished version because the distinctive bowed-sided semi boite nature box it came in was plain. The modern and current 8-9-8 is a Dalias-sized 43 ring gauge x 170 mm ( or 6¾ inches) and comes in a varnished box with cigars layered in three rows of eight, nine and eight respectively...hence the name!

I would like to thank @Bijan for the trade that made smoking this cigar possible. Paradoxically, the Partagas 8-9-8 is a cigar I've smoked more often recently in the last three months than in the last three years! Then again, this cigar did go into a lengthy hiatus recently (the similarly Dalias-sized Cohiba Siglo V goes into regular hiatus periods too). In my mind, the best way to classify this cigar is too say that it's a smaller version of the Double Corona-sized Lusitanias, only stronger and bolder in flavour.

This 8-9-8 was all quality sourdough and leather upon the first puff. Again, this 'bready' sourdough remained at the core of the cigar throughout. Along the way I got various flavours of coffee, Earth, forest floor, cedar, strong tobacco and pepper, just like the last few Partagas 8-9-8s I've smoked. Even though I knew I was smoking a solid, complex, quality and reputable cigar I must confess that it once again didn't connect with my palate on account of the stronger tobacco and pepper flavours. I can't say I've ever felt that way about a Partagas Lusitanias.

Nevertheless, the Partagas 8-9-8 is a quality, reputable cigar enjoyed by many experienced enthusiasts on our forum. Unfortunately, they're not always easy to acquire and the time taken to smoke it is closer to two hours than one; however, they do exemplify excellence in a Habanos cigar, that's for sure!

[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 now three years of age and was the third one I smoked from the box. Again, the draw was ideal but ash-length was never going to approach one inch (or 2.5 cm) as is to be expected. Rather, again 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 six weeks ago there was no hint of Partagas pepper or spice to be found here and there, but I did not experience a strong nicotine 'kick' like a 2013 example I had around twelve months ago.

This was just quite good. I envisage that I will now let the other two coffins from this box (i.e. six Culebras) rest a little more until I smoke the next one.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 UTL Jul 2019

This was my fourth Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 from a 5x3 cardboard pack. The last one I had was three months ago. After smoking through just over 25% of its contents, I'm confident that the question of aging in cardboard packaging will be but a moot point as the first three cigars were great to excellent and this fourth one was good.

Again, this was light and mild, with distinctive Hoyo de Monterrey flavours evident, this HdM Epi 2 was not 'spongy' like my last one; rather, it was firm but it smoked well, the draw was fine and smoke output was ideal. The flavours were well-balanced too; light milk cocoa, cedar, malt, cream and vanilla . Around the middle of the cigar I got a pick-up of cinnamon spice which continued into the final third. The reason? I got a 'wonky' burn alongside one side of the cigar due to bunched leaves. This made the cigar a little more intense in its flavours but it was still okay.

Immediately after smoking this, I told myself how I need to let this box rest a little more until I re-visit it. Perhaps I'll light one up a few months down-the-track, around the time Spring comes around.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo (circa 2020)

The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is one of the few cigars I've seemingly lucked out on when smoking it over the years. Mind you, in the MPE's case, it seems to be only for youthful examples. In the last five years I'd say I'd only smoked four of these cigars. Two were around ten years aged and were glorious but the 2017 Xmas Sampler stick was just average for me. My last one, around two to three years ago, was from a FoH: Week in Pictures Competition prize and I must admit, it was fantastic!

Similarly, this Montecristo Petit Edmundo was from a three-pack prize from a recent FoH: Who Said That? Competition. I gave all the cigars thirty days rest prior to sampling them. Knowing FoH as I do, I'd surmise that the sticks were from 2020/21 box codes.

The Montecristo Petit Edmundo was one of the first regular production Petit Robustos released to market in 2006, after the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto. If you aren't aware, this size is now the 'default' quintessential size for Habanos cigars and in fact both these cigars are quite popular on our forum.

The positive aspects of this cigar today was that it smoked and ashed very well. I also didn't need any re-lights. However, it didn't deliver for me in the flavour department. I found it quite 'vegetal'. In combination with other herbal flavours I often don't mind this. In today's example there wasn't enough potency in the cocoa and citrus twang elements of the cigar to redeem it beyond the average.

No matter, I'm confident that the next Montecristo Petit Edmundo I smoke will be fine. After all, judging by how popular these are on 24:24 listings, they can't all be that bad!

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 50 (circa 2020)

I can't believe it's been six months since my last Quai d'Orsay No.50! I have really enjoyed the Quai d'Orsay No.50, when they have been good, since its release in late 2017/early 2018. Alternatively, I have tolerated them when they've been ordinary in construction or flavour/s.

This Quai d'Orsay was from a three-pack prize from a recent FoH: Who Said That? Competition. I gave all the cigars thirty days rest prior to sampling them. Knowing FoH as I do, I'd surmise that the sticks were from 2020/21 box codes.

From the first puff, this really 'hit-the-mark', so-to-speak and didn't let up. It was excellent from beginning to end. I very much enjoyed the egg-and-butter brioche bread texture to this QdO 50, together with its cedar elements and ginger spice.

If there's one thing I could critique about the new additions to the Quai d'Orsay regular production line (i.e. the Qdo 50 and 54), it's that I do wish they were more consistent in flavour delivery because when these cigars get it right they really do deliver a quality smoking experience in my view.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Choix Suprême (circa 2020)

Before there was Cohiba and Trinidad, before Davidoff and Dunhill, there was El Rey del Mundo. Yes, El Rey del Mundo was the premium Habanos brand pre-Revolution during the 1940s and 50s. How times change! Today, the brand has only two regular production cigars left, the Choix Supreme and the diminutive Demi Tasse.

This El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme was from a three-pack prize from a recent FoH: Who Said That? Competition. I gave all the cigars thirty days rest prior to sampling them. Knowing FoH as I do, I'd surmise that the sticks were from 2020/21 box codes.

The last ERdM Choix Supreme I smoked was more subtle in its flavours than this cigar. Mind you, I still got flavours of almond nut, shortbread, citrus and floral notes and it was excellent to smoke. If I had another (from the same box code) I would give it more time prior to smoking it, perhaps six to twelve months. Thankfully recent 2019/20 regular production stock has smoked so well without significant long-term rest and this mostly hasn't been necessary.

[Kaptain Karl]

On 5/27/2021 at 6:51 AM, JohnS said:

Partagás 8-9-8 TLE Jun 2020

If you've ever wondered why the current version of the Partagas 8-9-8 (2) is listed on Cuban Cigar Website with a parenthesised two it's because there used to be another Partagas cigar named '8-9-8'. Sound confusing? Well, yes...obviously! Would McDonald's have two burgers on their menu called a Big Mac? We may lament Altidis' 50-50 partnership with Habanos S.A in the early 2000s because of mass rationalisation of the Habanos cigar catalogue but at least they were able to assist on the marketing side of things. In this example, the Partagas 8-9-8 (1) was discontinued in 2002. Thus the Partagas 8-9-8 only refers to one cigar ever since.

Informally, aficionados referred to the other Coronas Grandes-sized 42 ring gauge x 155 mm (or 6⅛ inches) 8-9-8 as an unvarnished version because the distinctive bowed-sided semi boite nature box it came in was plain. The modern and current 8-9-8 is a Dalias-sized 43 ring gauge x 170 mm ( or 6¾ inches) and comes in a varnished box with cigars layered in three rows of eight, nine and eight respectively...hence the name!

I would like to thank @Bijan for the trade that made smoking this cigar possible. Paradoxically, the Partagas 8-9-8 is a cigar I've smoked more often recently in the last three months than in the last three years! Then again, this cigar did go into a lengthy hiatus recently (the similarly Dalias-sized Cohiba Siglo V goes into regular hiatus periods too). In my mind, the best way to classify this cigar is too say that it's a smaller version of the Double Corona-sized Lusitanias, only stronger and bolder in flavour.

This 8-9-8 was all quality sourdough and leather upon the first puff. Again, this 'bready' sourdough remained at the core of the cigar throughout. Along the way I got various flavours of coffee, Earth, forest floor, cedar, strong tobacco and pepper, just like the last few Partagas 8-9-8s I've smoked. Even though I knew I was smoking a solid, complex, quality and reputable cigar I must confess that it once again didn't connect with my palate on account of the stronger tobacco and pepper flavours. I can't say I've ever felt that way about a Partagas Lusitanias.

Nevertheless, the Partagas 8-9-8 is a quality, reputable cigar enjoyed by many experienced enthusiasts on our forum. Unfortunately, they're not always easy to acquire and the time taken to smoke it is closer to two hours than one; however, they do exemplify excellence in a Habanos cigar, that's for sure!

I agree with you surprisingly! I’ve found when 898’s lack sweetness they just don’t do it for me. I’m preferring Lusi’s as for me they show far more sweet flavors (like honey, cake etc) to balance out the stronger aspects. 

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos Excelencia 2015 - Edición Regional Cuba SGA Dic 2015

I like to thank my dear friend, @khamy for bringing these back from Cuba. It was a few years ago, and after reading initial reviews, I knew, for my taste, it was best to give this cigar some rest. How was it after almost 5 years? Well, the last one I had at three years of age had strength and an intensity of flavours that was a little above medium and more intense than I expected. However, it was still definitely indicative of the Diplomaticos marca. At the 5-year mark, this Diplomaticos Excelencia was now medium-mild and flavours have very much settled.

In regards to construction, which was an issue upon release, this was a struggle to maintain an even burn as I got some bunched leaves halfway through the cigar which caused the burn to misalign askew. Believe it or not, I also had to contend with a rare mousehole burn! As for flavour, the cigar was absolutely impeccable.

A few years ago my last Diplomaticos Excelencia I smoked started out like some previous Diplomaticos Bushidos I've had, with some sourdough, sour cream, paprika pepper, toast and roasted nuts which were a little intense at times. Fast forward another two years and today's Excelencia was more akin to a Diplomaticos Nortenos in its strawberries and cream core flavour profile. It also had some sourdough but any savoury paprika, capsicum or bell pepper flavours had now dissipated. I smoked this down to the nub. Despite the construction issues I wouldn't hesitate to smoke another if afforded the opportunity!

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Revolution 2015 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico SGA Nov 2015

As I wrote in my previous review on this cigar eighteen months ago, the La Gloria Cubana Revolution is an Asia Pacifico Regional Edition release that followed the Diplomaticos Bushidos. Although listed as a 2015 release, like the Bushidos, it didn't hit the market until the following year, in the case of the Revolution, around mid-2016. Following the actualised hype of the Bushidos, this was a tough act to follow. Not unsurprisingly, the Revolution is not as acclaimed as the Bushidos, but reviews haven't been that bad either, flavour-wise.

The last LGC Revolution I had was brilliant; a real testament to what a quality La Gloria Cubana cigar can smoke like optimally. The one before that unfortunately unravelled in the final third and I had to pitch it early.

I must say that I very enjoyed the flavours of this cigar, even if I didn't much enjoy the Montesco vitola (i.e. 55 ring gauge x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches in length). I got a wonderful combination of cream coffee, wood, fruit and floral notes with a cake-textured feel on the palate. Last time I even got a hint of some pepper but there was none evident eighteen months later.

Even though I felt very satisfied after finishing this cigar, I still question the current market value of this release as being too high for what it delivers. Nevertheless, at five-and-a-half years of age it's progressing nicely in the flavour department. I have one left...I wonder how long I can resist smoking it?

[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.

Most of the Shorts (yes, they are technically Shorts on account of their 26 ring gauge. Cigarillos, on the other hand, are 20 ring gauge despite being the same 82 mm or 3¼ inches length) from this pack I've smoked over a two-year period were every bit as rich in flavour as their Trinidad brethren, obviously not as refined though and filled with short-filler leaf. This last one, however, was slightly more nuanced and refined. A short-filler short cigar maturing with rest? Who would have thought?

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 do pack quite 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 again was today.

[JohnS]

Nudies N3 Carlota

If you aren't familiar with the Nudies releases on our FoH forum the following is a recap summary, (which I posted in my last review on the Nudies N1 Carlota in November 2020)...

The Nudies are 2019 collaboration between El Pres and master Cuban roller, Hamlet Paredes using Non-Cuban leaf. Specifically, the filler is made up of Nicaraguan quality aged seco and volado, there is no ligero which means no strong pepper and less 'kick'. The Nudies N1 Lancero was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1, the Nudies N3 Carlota was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3. Both Partagas cigars were discontinued in 2010.

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3 was 35 ring gauge by 143 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length. The N3 Carlota is slighter bigger and longer, 38 ring by 152 mm (or 6 inches) in length. The reason for this was the difference in blend and taste once it got down past the 38 ring gauge mark in testing, hence why the N3 Carlota is slightly bigger than the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3.

I was fortunate enough to discuss the N3 Carlota with El Pres earlier in 2020 whereby I noted, in my opinion, that the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3 tended to be more 'toasty' or crispy from my memory. He agreed, but they did what they could with the resources they had. By those standards I concurred that El Pres and Hamlet did a fine job.

This N3 Carlota today was gifted to me by @jay8354 and it started off spectacularly, even better than my last N3 Carlota smoked around seven months ago. I got a wonderful hit of quality bread sourdough, sweet cocoa and leather. It was every bit as good as any quality Habanos cigars I've enjoyed in 2021.

I feel that at around eighteen months down, this N3 Carlota exhibited signs whereby the cigar was less 'toasty' than I remember and the flavours have started to meld. Needless to say, I very much savoured this cigar over 90 minutes!

[smbauerllc]

On 5/6/2021 at 7:20 AM, JohnS said:

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales SMA Jun 2019
My love affair with this cigar continues on, it seems! What more can I say anew about this wonderful addition to the Romeo y Julieta marca?
From the very first puff I instinctively knew that I was in for a treat. This RyJ Petit Royales had strong notes of cocoa/chocolate, toasted tobacco, cherry, rosewater and walnut and smoked well from beginning to end. This time there was no spice.
If you have a predilection towards the Romeo y Julieta marca than do yourself a favour and find out for yourself what a good, short smoke these are! Give yourself around 30 to 35 minutes to savour it.

Just had my first few of these, also 2019, and really enjoyed them, and I typically dont care for petite Robustos much, but am a pretty big RyJ fan, so had to try them.

On 5/6/2021 at 7:21 AM, JohnS said:

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire TEO May 2018
In my last review I had written that when it comes to the Le Hoyo series I sometimes wonder why the du Gourmet, du Roi, du Prince and des Dieux were discontinued but the du Maire remains. I surmised then (and I still do) that the cold hard facts is that the du Maire continues to sell, while the other aforementioned cigars of the Le Hoyo series did not, but I still reminisce and pine for a des Dieux or du Prince at times; whereas I never pine for a du Maire other than when I need a cigar to smoke for a 20 to 25-minute duration.
This box is now coming onto three years of age and it's been an up-and-down ride thus far. The last HdM Le Hoyo du Maire I had around two months ago was ordinary; in contrast, this du Maire today was brilliant. It had everything one could ask for from a Habanos cigar. It was well-constructed, the draw was perfect and it smoked well and cool. The flavour profile was ideal too - light cocoa. cedar and vanilla and no spice or bitterness on the draw whatsoever. I just wish I could have HdM Le Hoyo du Maires like this more often.

I was generously gifted about a dozen 2001's and while they are nothing special, even with that much age, I still enjoy them as a short after meal smoke

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

[Chucko8]

On 6/3/2021 at 8:25 PM, JohnS said:

La Gloria Cubana Revolution 2015 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico SGA Nov 2015

As I wrote in my previous review on this cigar eighteen months ago, the La Gloria Cubana Revolution is an Asia Pacifico Regional Edition release that followed the Diplomaticos Bushidos. Although listed as a 2015 release, like the Bushidos, it didn't hit the market until the following year, in the case of the Revolution, around mid-2016. Following the actualised hype of the Bushidos, this was a tough act to follow. Not unsurprisingly, the Revolution is not as acclaimed as the Bushidos, but reviews haven't been that bad either, flavour-wise.

The last LGC Revolution I had was brilliant; a real testament to what a quality La Gloria Cubana cigar can smoke like optimally. The one before that unfortunately unravelled in the final third and I had to pitch it early.

I must say that I very enjoyed the flavours of this cigar, even if I didn't much enjoy the Montesco vitola (i.e. 55 ring gauge x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches in length). I got a wonderful combination of cream coffee, wood, fruit and floral notes with a cake-textured feel on the palate. Last time I even got a hint of some pepper but there was none evident eighteen months later.

Even though I felt very satisfied after finishing this cigar, I still question the current market value of this release as being too high for what it delivers. Nevertheless, at five-and-a-half years of age it's progressing nicely in the flavour department. I have one left...I wonder how long I can resist smoking it?

This inspired me to jump on the 1/4 box offering today John. Shall let you know how they perform once have them and rested.

[Chucko8]

On 5/20/2021 at 5:05 AM, JohnS said:

Por Larrañaga Galanes RAT Nov 2020

What is it about new Habanos releases lately been all individual sizes from each other? It seems that ever since around 2015 when the Partagas Maduro No.1 came out we've had a whole spate of new cigars with new sizes. Consider the following; Partagas Maduro No.1, Cohiba Medio Siglo, H.Upmann Magnum 54, Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales, Quai d'Orsay No.54, Vegueros Centrofinos, Partagas Maduro No.2, Partagas Maduro No.3, Trinidad Esmeralda, Trinidad Media Luna, Trinidad Topes, Punch Short de Punch, La Flor de Cano Elegidos, H.Upmann Connossieur No.2 and the upcoming 2021 releases - the Montecristo Wide Edmundo and Cohiba Ambar.

There was once a time when a vitola meant something. For example, in the case of a Numero 109 (50 ring gauge x 184 mm or 7¼ inches - Diplomaticos Bushido, Sancho Panza Eslavos), Sublimes (54 ring gauge x 164 mm or 6½ inches - Bolivar Libertador, Cohiba and Montecristo Sublimes) or even a Canonazo Especial (52 ring gauge x 166 mm or 6½ inches - Cohiba 1966 EL, Trinidad La Trova) the size of these cigars indicates excellence and quality. The Por Larranaga Galanes is a 52 ring gauge x 120 mm (or 4¾ inches) in length Robusto. I'm not sure what its size means 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. Why it's not is anyone's guess.

I suppose the main thing is ascertaining how this new release smoked the first time I tried it. I must admit I was somewhat reticent to light it up so soon after delivery. I knew that the cigar was slightly 'wet' by the extra time it took to toast the foot; it took almost twice as long to light up. The very first puff was similar in taste to a Cohiba Medio Siglo, it was that 'buttery'. It soon 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. This Por Larranaga Galanes also had a nice milk coffee flavour in the first half to compliment that brioche-type butter bread taste on the palate.

In the second half I got more of a dull oak wood flavour in addition to the aforementioned flavours in the first half. There was no Por Larranaga 'Caramel' nor rough edges to this cigar. The cigar took 80 minutes to finish and there was plenty of flavour and smoke to each draw.

I'm now going to give this box a good two to three months to settle before having another one. Based on the flavours I picked up in this PL Galanes today I wouldn't be surprised if this new release turns out to be quite popular with our members.

Thanks for the review on this John. Have a box from our host that has been resting for just over 1 month now. Post your review and some others that I have read, think I shall let them go for 3 months until trying the first 1. Cheers 

[Chucko8]

Looking forward to your review on the taco mate.

[JohnS]

7 minutes ago, Chucko8 said:

Looking forward to your review on the taco mate.

Haha...you mean the new PCC Cuaba APAC Regional Edition? I was coincidentally working on that this afternoon. Indeed, it's coming! 👍

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Gordito de Allones 2010 - Edición Regional Canadá (circa 2010)

The Ramon Allones Gordito de Allones is a Canadian Regional Edition release from 2010. It is a Gorditos vitola with a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm or 5½ inches length and came packaged in 10-count dress boxes of which 2500 were produced.

Gifted to me by @Fuzz (thank you kindly!), this cigar has aged beautifully. It was also faithful to its Ramon Allones marca profile, which is not always consistently true when it comes to assessing Regional Edition releases and the development of their flavour profiles.

The first third opened with light milk chocolate and sweet black cherries. In the middle third the cigar picked up in wood whilst the final third saw some intensity in baking spice, which was evident throughout the cigar from the beginning, just more so towards the end.

Make no mistake, this was simply a great cigar and I'm grateful for having smoking it. If you have this cigar in your humidor do yourself a favour a re-visit it soon. I assure you, you'll be glad you did!

[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 augurs visions of a jaw-breaking cigar-smoking experience, rest assured, the conical head makes it much easier to smoke after cutting than it would otherwise.

I've had quite a few Partagas Maduro No.1s since acquiring a box in September 2020 so I was again quite keen to smoke this cigar to compare it to that original Partagas Maduro cigar after smoking my first Partagas Maduro No.2 from the box a month ago. The Partagas Maduro No.1 has been a refined cocoa, chocolate, coffee, anise and sour cherry smoke according to my palate, in general. I wouldn't necessarily classify it as a classic Partagas-flavoured cigar. Having said this, I would categorise 2019/20 Partagas Maduro No.1 as a quality cigar well worth your time in acquiring.

This second Partagas Maduro No.2 had an almost identical flavour profile to the majority of TUE May 2020 Partagas Maduro No.1s I've enjoyed in late 2020/early 2021 and the initial Partagas Maduro No.2 I smoked recently. It had more strength and more body or fullness of flavour (than the Partagas Maduro No.1s I've smoked). The flavours were a combination of cocoa/chocolate, anise, sour cherry and coffee...quite distinctive and quite enjoyable.

In regards to smoking time, give yourself around 60 to 65 minutes for the Partagas Maduro No.2. This one again took me about 65 minutes to nub. The Partagas Maduro No.1 requires a little longer, perhaps 80 to 90 minutes to smoke.