JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales SMA Jun 2019

When I want a short cigar of late, something within a 30 to 40 minute time-window, invariably I reach for a Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales. I've found them consistently sound in construction and flavour.

Like my last one, this RyJ Petit Royales had strong notes of cocoa/chocolate, toasted tobacco, cherry, rosewater and walnut and smoked well from beginning to end. Again, 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.

[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, again took a little over 2 hours to enjoy. It had developed into a just under medium-strengthed cigar with core flavours of 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. At that time, the back half suggested that the rest of the box had 'peak' flavours for some time yet.

This fourth cigar from the box was similar in flavours to my third, only it had settled a little more in that the flavours had melded and it was a touch more 'cream-textured', but only by a bit.

I felt that my third cigar was the best from the box last time; however, I need to rectify that statement and admit that this fourth one was even better! This is another vindication that Limited Editions are not necessarily at their peak within twelve to twenty-four months of their box date.

I had mentioned two months ago that I would probably let this box rest for a time to see how the cigars were towards the end of 2021 but the last two cigars have been so superlative that I may continue to smoke these every few months from hereon in.  

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos Bushido 2014 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico TOS Oct 2015

The tapered head on this special Asia Pacifico Regional Edition tells you that this is a quality cigar. They were a big hit when they first came out in 2015, they were practically sold out by the beginning of 2016, so how are they in 2021?

My last Diplomaticos Bushido I enjoyed around six months ago was mild and easy to smoke and retrohale. The flavours were reminiscent of light coffee and cream, aged cedar, sourdough, capsicum and paprika spice, with these last two latter flavours the main dominant ones consistent throughout the cigar.

Fast forward six months and the flavours had melded further. The cigar had taken on a less complex nature, but this was no criticism of how it smoked. In contrast, it was outstanding. There was very little hint of any savoury notes of capsicum or bell pepper or paprika spice. Rather, this Diplomaticos Bushidos had a very light milk coffee, aged cedar, sourdough, sweet strawberries and cream texture which made it a pure delight to smoke over two hours and fifteen minutes on a pleasant Autumn's afternoon.

After nubbing this Diplomaticos Bushido I reflected that there was no need to smoke another cigar today. Frankly it couldn't be topped, it was that brilliant!

[JohnS]

Cuaba Salomón RAT May 2020

The Cuaba Salomon, how often would one smoke this or the similarly-sized LCDH Partagas Salomones? It's a behemoth-sized cigar that requires a good 120 to 150 minutes just to smoke it! (And...oh, by the way, why is one called the Salomon and the other Salomones?)

I had my first Salomon from this 10-count box around six months ago and today I wanted to check-in to see how it was developing. Again, it wasn't a complex cigar but this time there was some more strength to it. I got decent Cuaba-type flavours such as shortbread, lemon citrus and a nuttiness more like walnut than peanut. Unlike my last Salomon smoked six months ago, the leather and cream texture was non-existent, replaced by a generic toasted tobacco.

I took a little over two-and-a-half hours to smoke it and I only needed to touch up the cigar once after lighting up the foot. I V-cut the head and it drew well, the smoke per draw was 'right-on'. The cigar ashed well and I had no qualms nubbing it right to the end.

This Cuaba Salomon was not as wholesome as the Partagas Seleccion Privada and Diplomaticos Bushidos I had recently, but nevertheless, it was quite fine; those scrumptious flavours I described above were consistent enough throughout the cigar to keep me interested.

If you're looking for a long smoke and would like to try something other than a Double Corona or Churchill why not give the Cuaba Salomon or Partagas Salomones a try? It's no wonder why they sell quite well on 24:24 listings when they invariably come up, they tend to be a good option for a cigar to smoke on a pleasant afternoon.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1 BRE Nov 2018

From the first puffs, this started as the epic H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 of all time. Funnily enough, the cold draw was amongst the most insipid experiences I've encountered on my Habanos journey - dull, lifeless and boring, there's not much point describing it past saying that the cigar was like vegetal notes and wet hay prior to lighting it. Thankfully, the first half of this cigar was nothing like the cold draw.

Well may you say, isn't this one of those late quarter 2018 unfermented H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 box codes? Yes, verily it is. However, I've been fortunate enough to only experience one, perhaps two ordinary cigars from this box thus far and I've gone through sixty percent of it (or 15 sticks). The rest have been above average to outstanding, but yes, this started off epic, as in, the best H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 of all time.

What made it so? Simply the rich creamy texture this cigar elicited in its first half. Sure there was some light coffee notes, some more prominent cedar but it was that beautiful creamy shortbread smoke wafting gently within my palate yet lingering for what seemed an aeon that made me reflect that if all cigars were like this one, I wouldn't smoke anything else!

The mid-point of the cigar broke the spell. I got some hints of sweet licorice but invariably I got that H.Upmann white pepper lilting in and out, which detracted from the heavenly trance I was in during the first half. The second half of the cigar was still great mind you, I just wish the cigar remained the same throughout.

I guess I'm a sucker for that creamy shortbread profile you can get in H.Upmann cigars that have been rested or aged for a while. I do wish all my H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1s were like this cigar today, I honestly don't think I would reach for another Habanos marca for some time if this were the case!

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Famosos AEM May 2015

I waited four years to 'crack open' this box in 2019 and I went through half the box in that year. This cigar is just my second Vegas Robaina Famosos in the last twelve months, and my first since October 2020. Overall, I'd rate this box thus far as been simply outstanding. Vegas Robaina is a marca that is easily overlooked but when you get a fantastic box of this marca, it really can be like nothing else.

Today's cigar was nowhere near as superlative as many of the other Famosos from the box. Sure, it still had quality lush tobacco and grass, dates, baking spice and floral notes here and there, it's just that the soft creamy milk chocolate was very muted and I would have wished it had more.

I only have four cigars of this box left and I feel that it's time to acquire another box. 2019/20 Vegas Robaina Famosos has been excellent in its appraisal but it would never be the same as this box at the five to six-year stage.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2 EML Ago 2014

At two months short of seven years of age, this Diplomaticos No.2 shows no sign of diminishing in the flavour department whatsoever. However, this Dip 2 demonstrated on those rare instances, for me, whereby a cigar did diminish in intensity after the first third. The result did not detract from how good the cigar was though.

The first third was quite savoury, there were strong notes of wood, capsicum or bell pepper and paprika spice. I wouldn't say at this point that the cigar was smoking in terms of my preference in regards to flavours; nevertheless, it was smoking well as the ash was consistently over one inch and it was burning and drawing very well.

The end of the middle third saw the strong wood and capsicum or bell pepper flavours recede. At this point the quintessential Diplomaticos sourdough note shone through and the spiciness also settled. This is how the cigar basically remained. It was quite easy to smoke through in the final third, at which point I nubbed it as far as it would go.

So, all-in-all, this was an interesting ride but an enjoyable one. I'd happily settle for a Diplomaticos No.2 such as this one anytime.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1 BRE Nov 2018

It's uncommon for me to smoke the same marca and vitola within the same week but my last H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 was so enthralling to smoke I simply had to have another! That one, smoked five days ago, had some of the nicest creamy shortbread notes I've sampled in a H.Upmann cigar for some time so I think you can empathise with my decision to smoke another stick from the same box so soon.

This started off promisingly, with those same shortbread and cream texture notes as my last H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1, but it only lasted for a short while until the white pepper 'kicked in' and literally took over. This occurred around the middle of the first third and remained that way until the end. In between I also got that quintessential H.Upmann coffee and cedar to compliment the white pepper, it's just that I craved more of that shortbread and cream texture we all know and love in a brilliant H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1.

No matter, this cigar was fine for the 55 to 60 minutes it lasted. I have eight sticks left from the box and I think I'll certainly wait a tad longer until I re-visit it again...as in definitely more than a week!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo I OBM Nov 2015

The Cohiba Siglo I is the smallest of the Siglo range, a perlas (like the Montecristo No.5 and Rafael Gonzalez Perlas), it is slightly smaller than a minuto (like the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe or Partagas Shorts) at 40 ring gauge x 102 mm or 4 inches in length. This is my third Cohiba Siglo I I've enjoyed in 2021 and three have been on-mark, simply wonderful to smoke!

I've found that the Siglo I tends to be the strongest of the Linea 1492 range (i.e. Cohiba Siglo I, II, III, IV, V and VI). That doesn't necessarily mean that it gets above medium to medium-full, rather they are more intense in those typical Cohiba flavours than other cigars in this line. This wasn't exactly true today, as this was more refined than my last two Siglo Is I smoked in January and April this year. However, I'd still rate this Cohiba Siglo I at five years of age as stronger comparably even to similar-aged minutos and perlas such as the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe, Rafael Gonzalez Perlas or Montecristo No.5, in general.

This Siglo I had lighter notes of black espresso coffee, some honey and more dominant elements of Cohiba grass or hay intermingled again with a little vanilla and citrus twang. The cigar was as hard as rock, so-to-speak, packed quite tightly but the draw was fine. It made for a longer smoke than usual. I finished it over 55 minutes, around 15 minutes longer than I normally would.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Robustos MUO May 2014

The interesting note about my Cohiba Robustos consumption in the last few years is that despite it been across a number of box codes, the box code of today's CoRo has been excluded as they have been sitting in my humidor aging. So, it was a delight to pull one out of my humidor to smoke today. I smoked a MUO May 2014 example in April 2020 and it was superb. Today's specimen was even better!

There was once a time when Simon Chase commented in an interview with Nic Wing in 2015 that the Partagas Serie D No.4 sold a total of 5000 boxes in the mid-eighties worldwide. Even up to that point (i.e. in the mid-1980s) there were only four, yes four Robusto (i.e. 50 ring gauge x 124 mm or 4⅞ inches in length) vitolas available. These were the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2, the Bolivar Royal Coronas, the Partagas Serie D No.4 and the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. The Cohiba Robustos itself wasn't released until 1989. Soon after, the Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 was released in the early-90s. No, it wasn't until the 2000s that Robustos started to get more popular. In the 1980s and prior they were just thought of as very large ring gauge cigars, an anomaly, if you will.

Today, Cohiba Robustos simply sell. I would say they would be amongst the very highest selling Cohiba vitolas, and I think this can be gleaned from their availability recently when other in-demand Cohiba cigars such as the Behike line and the Cohiba Siglo III, IV and V have been in short supply. In the last decade the Partagas Serie D No.4 has via communal consensus moved past the Montecristo No.4 as the number one selling Habanos cigar in the world today.

This Cohiba Robusto had a divine mocha coffee, buttered texture and some hints of honey sweetness and lemon citrus too. The retrohale was nice and refined in the middle third too. The construction was spot-on, ash lengths were long and the ridging on the ash was consistent.

The final third only reinforced the exceptional nature of the cigar throughout the first two-thirds. This was the fourth Cohiba Robustos to receive an overall rating of five in my Cuban Cigar Inventory over the past five years. The irony is, around a year ago I wrote in my notes that I could only see these getting better with a little more age, especially in regards to its buttered texture. Today this proved to be exactly true. What's more, it took a little longer to smoke at around 90 minutes, which is around 20 minutes longer than normal for me for a Robustos.

[JohnS]

Partagás Lusitanias UEB Nov 2018

The Partagas Lusitanias is perhaps up there as one of my very favourite Partagas vitolas, it's just a pity I don't smoke them too often. In fact, my Cuban Cigar Inventory states that I've only had five Lusitanias in the last 5 years. Why so? Probably because they take a minimum of 2 hours to smoke!

This 'Lusi' was picked up in a quarter pack offering from a 24:24 listing in 2019. When I acquired them I was both surprised and pleased how 'colorado red' the wrappers were on each of them.

Even though it's been a whole two years since I've had a Partagas Lusitanias from this box code, the flavours were remarkably similar to what I had listed last time. Partagas sourdough, milk coffee, leather, some paprika spice and caramel-like sweetness (what El Pres lists as nougat).

Remarkably, this Double Coronas ashed exactly the same way it did twenty-four months ago! A standard cigar will burn around the ligero leaves in the centre, that is if it's larger than around 38 ring gauge and it contains ligero leaves, and in doing so it will leave a slight cone shape as the ash drops signifying that the seco and volado leaves around the core burn quicker and hence drop off accordingly. Sometimes a well-constructed cigar will ash off in seemingly perfect inch-long cylindrical tufts, this cigar again just ashed as it went.

The ash was never longer than 1/3 to a 1/2 inch in length and usually the cigar flaked white ash, yet flavour-wise it was fine. What causes this phenomenon? There are two reasons mainly; one, the minerality in the soil of the leaves used was higher than normal or two, the ligero leaf in the centre was not rolled into the core correctly. If it was the second reason then you are likely to find some tunneling going on as you go, but this wasn't the case.

No matter, I enjoyed this Lusitanias because of the flavours and in spite of the multiple re-lights. However, the re-flaming of the foot dragged out the cigar even longer. I took a whole two and three-quarter hours to smoke it!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo I OBM Nov 2015

It's not usual for me to smoke the same marca and vitola in a short time, as in the same week, but my last Cohiba Siglo I was just so good I felt that I needed to treat myself to another.

My last Siglo I had lighter notes of black espresso coffee, some honey and more dominant elements of Cohiba grass or hay intermingled again with a little vanilla and citrus twang. The cigar was tightly-packed but it smoked fine and took a little longer than normal to consume, around 55 minutes.

This Siglo I, from the same box code, was just as 'hard-as-a-rock' but this time the draw wasn't as ideal. I just wasn't getting the same smoke per draw and this impacted my enjoyment of the cigar. It's a pity, as the flavours were much the same and they were every bit as good.

I didn't nub this to my fingers this time. I hope that next time I will!

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe TOS Jun 2016

Before the advent of the Cohiba Medio Siglo, Punch Short de Punch and Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales, for me, there was but one king of the smaller cigar and that was the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe. There was a time when I would smoke these consistently because they consistently delivered in one important category: flavour!

I had one, from this box code, around six weeks ago, and I recall having to scrounge around my humidor to access it. Why didn't I just get two or three while I had my humidor open back then? Nevertheless, I simply had to go at it again today and I'm so glad I did!

This box is has just hit the five-year mark and I can tell you again with confidence that this SCdLH El Principe has not diminished one iota in the flavour department at all. The strength this time was around mild to medium-mild, so less potent than my last one, but again the cocoa, coffee, molasses sweetness, touches of spice all wrapped up in a gorgeous pancake texture was all there. It was like watching your favourite movie on repeat, it just gets better with multiple viewings!

This ended up being another 5-out-of-5 cigar today. I'm elated that I have eight of these San Cristobal de La Habana El Principes left in my humidor!

[JohnS]

Cuaba APAC 2020 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico LTO Mar 2021

If you haven't heard already then 'hear ye, hear ye', there's a new Regional Edition cigar in town and what's more, it's a Cuaba! Yes, Pacific Cigar Company (or it's more common abbreviation, PCC) is bringing 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 will come 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 than your standard Cuaba.

I was fortunate enough to receive this cigar to sample from El Pres, and yes...I am grateful for the opportunity. So how did it smoke? From the very first puffs I was delighted to savour that Cuaba peanut and orange Cointreau citrus profile. It was quite good, every bit as good as a quality Distinguidos in my view. Towards the end of the first third I picked up some chocolate but more so the quintessential Cuaba toasted tobacco with some grass or vegetal flavour on the edges. Towards the end of the second third I got some spice here and there and this was how the cigar remained until the end. For a Cuaba, I must admit, I was quite impressed in regards to its flavours.

I feel that with a LTO Mar 2021 box code that these are still young and will need time to settle. I sampled this with a few other cigar enthusiast friends and whilst my draw and construction was 'spot-on', two of a group of seven had slightly tighter draws. Whilst they didn't need a PerfecDraw tool to open up their draw, this construction issue is a testimony to the shape of the cigar and its propensity to require more skill to roll well. I think this point is something we all need to keep in mind if we were inclined to acquire a box for purchase.

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.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Pirámides Extra ULA Dic 2013

My last Cohiba Piramides Extra was smoked six months ago. At the times I posted the following background information on the cigar below:

The Cohiba Piramides Extra was introduced as an addition to the Linea Clasica group of cigars (i.e. Lanceros, Esplendidos, Robustos, Coronas Especiales, Panatelas and Exquisitos) within the Cohiba marca in 2012. It was noted for its dimensions being a little larger than the standard piramide cigar such as the Montecristo No.2, which is 52 ring gauge by 156 mm (or 6.15 inches) in length. The Cohiba Piramides Extra is 54 ring gauge (1/32 on a inch larger) and 160 mm in length (4 mm or 1/6 of an inch longer). These larger dimensions I believe define why it was labelled as "extra", but I'd argue that the price point in comparison to other Habanos cigars would similarly justify why it's named "extra", especially in regards to price increases since its inception.

The other thing that the Cohiba Piramides Extra is noted for is its hologrammatic band which it was released with. In mid-2014, the other Cohiba vitolas began to follow suit.

I used to think that it was simply a regular production release of the 2001 and/or 2006 Cohiba Piramides Limited Editions but I'm convinced now that, apart from the increased dimensions of the cigar, this Piramides Extra is a different cigar due to its blend.

You see, there haven't been just two special Cohiba Piramides releases prior to the regular production addition of the CPE. No, in that time prior to 2012, there were in fact another 7 special Piramides releases in the Cohiba marca. Yes, seven! And all these were your standard 52 ring gauge x 156 mm in length.

When I first purchased a box of this cigar, it was on special. Five or six years later the price is two-and-a-half to three times what my original purchase price was, so it's no surprise that I smoke these on occasion. In fact, I'd say the greater majority of our members smoke this cigar only 'on occasion'.

What about the blend? How does it compare to other Cohiba vitolas? In a late-2019 poll on our forum the following question was asked; "Which is the most flavoursome Cohiba today?" Responses were limited to cigars from 2015 onwards. The Esplendidos garnered 21% of votes, followed by the Robusto which received 13%. The Cohiba Piramides Extra received around 6% of the vote, but more importantly it came eighth out of 14 cigars.  Why did it not poll higher?

In my opinion, firstly, the premium price disqualifies it from creating a better brand awareness. I feel cigar enthusiasts simply don't smoke enough of them in comparison to other Cohiba cigars. Secondly, if you were to compare it to the Esplendidos, which topped this poll, I tend to find it rather full-flavoured and most Cohiba cigars are noted for being more milder and subtle in its flavours.

I would counter that the Cohiba Piramides Extra is still flavoursome. However, don't approach it expecting mild Cohiba grass/hay, honey or milk coffee. On the contrary, it tends to be stronger on that mocha coffee flavour and lighter on any grass/hay to be found. The stronger mocha flavour tends to invite spice at times too.

Fast forward six months and this cigar had mocha coffee and Earthy flavours but this time it had those softer Cohiba grass/hay notes too, which enthusiasts adore and love in aged Cohibas. There was also got some buttery notes, a little spice and honey sweetness but no orange citrus like last time. This Cohiba Piramides Extra was more approachable than my last few ones in fact, much milder than what I've been used to in the past.  

In general though, when you want a bold cigar over two hours or more in the Cohiba line, then I'd recommend this cigar for you as they tend to be full-flavoured, even after five years down or so. Otherwise, if you'd prefer classic grass/hay and honey notes in a softer and milder expression, stick with aged Linea 1492 series cigars from this marca.

[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 third Partagas Maduro No.2 had a similar flavour profile to the majority of TUE May 2020 Partagas Maduro No.1s I've enjoyed in late 2020/early 2021 and the first two Partagas Maduro No.2s I've smoked in the last two months. Like those Party Maduro 2s, this had more strength and more body or fullness of flavour than the Partagas Maduro No.1. 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 took me about 60 minutes to finish. The Partagas Maduro No.1 requires a little longer, perhaps 80 to 90 minutes to smoke.

[Chucko8]

12 hours ago, JohnS said:

 

Cuaba APAC 2020 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico LTO Mar 2021

If you haven't heard already then 'hear ye, hear ye', there's a new Regional Edition cigar in town and what's more, it's a Cuaba! Yes, Pacific Cigar Company (or it's more common abbreviation, PCC) is bringing 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 will come 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 than your standard Cuaba.

I was fortunate enough to receive this cigar to sample from El Pres, and yes...I am grateful for the opportunity. So how did it smoke? From the very first puffs I was delighted to savour that Cuaba peanut and orange Cointreau citrus profile. It was quite good, every bit as good as a quality Distinguidos in my view. Towards the end of the first third I picked up some chocolate but more so the quintessential Cuaba toasted tobacco with some grass or vegetal flavour on the edges. Towards the end of the second third I got some spice here and there and this was how the cigar remained until the end. For a Cuaba, I must admit, I was quite impressed in regards to its flavours.

I feel that with a LTO Mar 2021 box code that these are still young and will need time to settle. I sampled this with a few other cigar enthusiast friends and whilst my draw and construction was 'spot-on', two of a group of seven had slightly tighter draws. Whilst they didn't need a PerfecDraw tool to open up their draw, this construction issue is a testimony to the shape of the cigar and its propensity to require more skill to roll well. I think this point is something we all need to keep in mind if we were inclined to acquire a box for purchase.

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.

Thanks for the review on this John, I have been looking forward to reading your view. I’m eagerly anticipating that peanut and orange citrus profile which I personally find pleasing in this marca. Just received a box yesterday so shall let you know how I find them after a few months of rest.

[JohnS]

4 hours ago, Chucko8 said:

Thanks for the review on this John, I have been looking forward to reading your view. I’m eagerly anticipating that peanut and orange citrus profile which I personally find pleasing in this marca. Just received a box yesterday so shall let you know how I find them after a few months of rest.

Thank you. As usual, I'll be looking forward to your review on the Cuaba APAC. 😉

[JohnS]

Fonseca No.1 OEP Nov 2014

If there's a candidate for a regular production Habanos cigar, which you don't reach for that often, I'd hazard to guess that the Fonseca No.1 would be most likely in that list.

This OEP Nov 2014 came from Spanish stock held by Tabacalera, sourced by Pacific Cigar Company (or PCC) and acquired ultimately via a 24:24 listing on Friends of Habanos. Coincidentally, I noticed that Rob and Ken released a review on the Fonseca No.1 late last year and Rob stated that FoH would account for quite a few sales more than the worldwide average, which is most probably on the lower side of things.

This Fonseca No.1 was very, very mild and definitely not complex. It was mainly cedar/sandalwood, a little marshmallow, some floral notes and cloved spice interspersed from beginning to end. It was very easy to smoke. It's the type of cigar that you either identify with its mellow nature and appreciate or alternatively you'd classify as bland and boring, it's that 'leisurely' on the palate.

By the way, if you are curious about the green stain on the band, don't fret. It's simply a matter of oxidization from the ink on the band. It's nothing to worry about.

If you're looking for a mild Lonsdale-sized Habanos option why not give the Fonseca No.1 a try? Just remember to remove that obligatory tissue-wrap prior to smoking!

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial TOS May 2016

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial was the first Limited Edition to be re-released as a regular production cigar. The H.Upmann Magnum 50, Partagas Serie D No.5 and Trinidad Topes has since joined this elite club, although one could argue that the Cohiba Talisman should join this rare club as an anomaly of its own for being the first and only Limited Edition to be released...as a Limited Edition. (Yes I know, don't try to understand it as it makes no sense of the word 'Limited' to bring back the same release as a 'Limited' Edition, but forgive me for I digress!)

Like the 2004 Limited Edition, the regular production Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial, released in 2008, is a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm (or 5½ inches) in length Gorditos vitola. Like the HdM Epicure No.1 and No.2, it was released in a 25-count and 50-count Slide lid box, as well as a Display box of 15 aluminum tubed cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 3. The HdM Epicure No.1 and No.2 also come in a Display box of 15 cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 3 whereas the HdM Epicure Especial comes in a Slide lid box of 10 cigars. The Epicure No.2 is the only vitola of these three still released in 50 cabs. (The Epicure No.1 50 cab was discontinued in 2010 and the Epicure Especial was discontinued in 2012.)

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial is noted for being the 'king of cream' amongst Hoyo de Monterrey vitolas. For me, when they lack that creamy texture their appeal wanes so my preference is to smoke them with at least two to three years down. Before this time I feel that the Epicure Especial's propensity to smoke with an array of spices tends to overshadow any creamy texture notes.

Construction on this Epicure Especial was outstanding. Flavour-wise, the light cocoa, cedar and vanilla was mingled with clove spice throughout as well as that aforementioned creamy texture. The last third revealed some 'Earthiness' which made the cigar a little 'heavier' on the palate but this did not detract my willingness to smoke this to the nub after 105 minutes of smoking pleasure.

I still think I may re-visit the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco the next time I want to reach for a large ring-gauged creamy cigar as the HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco is more 'crispy' in its creaminess at a younger age. Also, I'm more inclined to smoke the HdM Epicure No.2 in its youth as it has more range in its spiciness. The HdM Epicure Especial, when aged like this cigar at five years, certainly appeals in its mix of cocoa, cedar and creaminess though. When aged, the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial is a great choice when one desires 'creaminess' in a cigar!

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

I've come down to the last 20% of this box, that is, 5 sticks left and I promise you that this box just seems to get better. If you've followed my reviews of this LGR Oct 2017 Por Larranaga Montecarlos box, since I acquired it in January 2019, you'd know just how brilliant they've been. Today's example more than confirmed this (fact).

What made it just so other-worldly? In one word, it was the refined caramel. You just can't mistake it when a Por Larranaga cigar smokes like this one today. Together with the baking spice, the honey and the woodiness in the last third it simply made for a perfect smoke.

I bought this box for $US72 and in my mind that represents, by far, the greatest return in smoking pleasure for the price over the last two-and-a-half years I've gone through this box. I'm elated I have 5 sticks left!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

I have to say that overall I've very much enjoyed these UEB 2018 Montecristo No.4s I've smoked in the past two-and-a-bit years (twenty-eight months to be exact according to my Cuban Cigar Website Smoking Diary). I finished my UEB Ago 2018 box last month but I still have ten sticks of this UEB May 2018 box left, thankfully.

Construction-wise this Montecristo No.4 smoked well. Ash length and ridges were consistent. Flavour-wise this was a little 'heavy' on the dark cocoa but it still had enough coffee and citrus twang to keep me interested in smoking this well into the final third.

Normally a Montecristo No.4, being a marevas vitola, takes me around 60 minutes to smoke but this one lasted close to 90 minutes. I think the darker cocoa flavour necessitated longer breaks between draws as it resonated on my palate a little more than usual, I guess.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Belicosos Finos UER Abr 2019

The Bolivar Belicosos Finos topped the poll for the tastiest cigar of 2019 on our forum not once, but twice! It's simply been a superlative and dependable cigar in the last few years and it remains a Friends of Habanos forum favourite.

Your average Piramide (also known colloquially as a Torpedo) is 52 ring gauge x 156 mm in length, the BBF is a Campanas and so is slightly smaller at 52 ring gauge x 140 mm in length. I've found them quite reliable in construction and flavour delivery over the years, on the odd occasion I have one.

I've had excellent smoking experiences with BBFs in 2019/20 and so I admit that I was a little surprised that it has been around ten months since I've had one. I think the reason for this is because this was the first one of a quarter pack acquisition in mid-2019 and I had intended resting them, albeit not for this long though!

This BBF had a strong cocoa and marshmallow texture to it from the 'get-go'. Soon after the quintessential bitter malt, nutmeg, Earth and leather flavours made for a wonderfully complex and ideal cigar for a change-of-pace from my usual 'go-to' cigars. I even got a sweet hint of licorice in the first half of the cigar. The only criticism I could give is that the second half had a pick up of spice which dominated the other flavours and increased the intensity much more than what I've been used to with my BBFs I've enjoyed over the last two or three years.

I will probably go back to smoking my ETP Mar 2017 Bolivar Petit Coronas in the immediate future before I re-visit this box code again. I didn't mind this BBF; I just prefer it to be a little more approachable in the last half.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Topes MUP Oct 2019

It doesn't seem that long ago that the Trinidad Topes was released as a Limited Edition cigar in 2016. It continued the trend of highly reputable large ring gauge Limited Edition releases with the H.Upmann Magnum 56 released the year before. Both these cigars were spectacular successes; in fact, the Trinidad Topes I would argue was instrumental in turning around the status of Trinidad as a premium marca. The LCDH La Trova continued that turnaround a year later. And two years later, in 2019, Habanos S.A commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Habanos version of the marca by releasing the excellent Esmeralda, Media Luna and Topes.

With a 56 ring gauge, I've learnt that one has to be weary about untwisting the pig-tail on the head as it's very easy to rip the wrapper past the shoulder. Similarly, the larger girth at the foot requires more dedication and time to light the cigar properly to guarantee an even burn.

I smoked three 2019 50th Anniversary regular production release Topes in a month when I acquired them in May 2020 and have smoked two since; the last one six months ago.

In my last review at the beginning of 2021 I asked how does the 2019 Topes compare to the 2016 Limited Edition Topes? The difference is all in the wrapper as the LE utilised filler, binder and wrapper leaves aged for two years and those wrappers on the 2016 version were more colorado maduro in shade. I found that they imparted a cocoa flavour to the cigars and more sweetness. Otherwise, the Topes was faithful to the traditional savoury Trinidad blend.

In this 2019 version smoked today, this traditional blend was all there: coffee, wood, earth, salt or spice and a rich buttery texture to the smoke which reminds me of pastry; something akin to a croissant. My last Topes six months ago had cake/dough flavour in the beginning of it. In contrast, this was savoury all the way. In fact, the first half was a powerhouse of smoke per draw which required me to slow down to savour it. This settled towards the end of the first third and it was much easier to smoke thereafter.

In summary, this 2019 Topes was again every bit as good as some recent Esmeralda and Media Luna I've enjoyed but it hasn't quite enjoyed the same critical acclaim amongst enthusiasts. Why is that I wonder? I would venture to say that in comparison to the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco, the Topes has to compete for attention in the Trinidad marca with the Esmeralda and Media Luna whereas the HdM de Rio Seco is distinctive from the HdM de San Juan and stands on its own a little more. You can't blame enthusiasts for spending their hard-earned money on the Trinidad version of the Cohiba Siglo VI (i.e the Esmeralda) or the Trinidad quintessential petit robusto offering (i.e the Media Luna). Make no mistake though, the 2019 Topes is an excellent cigar and you won't put a foot wrong in acquiring it, in my view.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince SOM Jun 2016

Can you believe that it's been four-and-a-half years since these have been discontinued? And can you remember how popular this cigar was on our forum during 2015 and 2016? It seemed that every time they came out on a 24:24 listing they were snapped up in a proverbial blink! There's a reason for this, I think, and it lays in the fact that this cigar, although an almuerzos at 40 ring gauge x 130 mm and not quite a petit corona (42 ring gauge x 129 mm), offers a nice change-of-pace in the petit corona range. How are they after 5 years? For me, they are now just starting to come into my 'wheelhouse' or quite simply, where I prefer them to be.

This had your typical forest floor or Earth and heavy wood flavours common with the Le Hoyo range from the 'get-go' but it also had a mushroom core. It had a cream and vanilla element too, more so than what I've experienced in smoking through this box code in the last few years and more so than my last one around ten months ago. The cigar was also much milder than what I've experienced in the past. Whereas my previous HdM Le Hoyo du Prince was around the medium mark in strength, this was more medium-mild and that made a big difference in the smoking experience. The last third was nowhere near as intense in woody flavours as my previous HdM Le Hoyo du Prince cigars either. It was quite easy to nub.

In comparison to the most recent Le Hoyo releases of the de San Juan (a Geniales at 54 ring gauge x 150 mm) and Rio de Seco (an Armorosos at 56 ring gauge x 140 mm), those cigars are different to this du Prince box in that those cigars have more crispy, toasty flavours when young, can have a distinctive tea flavour, and in my opinion, are more approachable when young. But now that this Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince has hit the five-year mark, I can confidently assert that this can easily hold its own as a quality HdM Le Hoyo option, if one is seeking it.