San Cristóbal de la Habana Harimau Malaya ER 2020 – RAT DIC 2020 (FRCSW1)

[Mhansen85]

Montesco – 55 rg x 5 1/8”

 

On the day of new year eve in the lunar calendar, seemed appropriate to crack open a box of these and sample the new ER for Malaysia. The new packaging that Habanos is releasing both on some regionals and limitadas is really a step up from the previous. Seems the in-house packaging Facility is up and running

 

Surprisingly dark wrappers. They look and smell more like EL’s than regionals

 

Upon light, there is a short burst of strong cocoa and chocolate, a bit of green harshness as well revealing that these are Indeed not aged Tobacco limitadas but standard regionals. The flavors quickly mellow out and is in the same ballpark with cocoa bean, dark coffee and earth.

 

It is a very good start and as i smoked a trini topes EL last Night, i am actually reminded a bit about that although not as complex. Alas, quickly my hopes of a similar stick is annihilated. By end of first third there is no depth of flavor.

 

Earthy tones continue with some forest floor and vegetal hints, and more bitter cocoa. It is fairly well balanced now, no harshness. The flavors are just not fleshed out much, the smoke seems ”thin” despite output being good.

 

Halfway through flavors a still thin but a fairly pleasant aftertaste of bitter chocolate and coffee emerges.

 

There is more flavor now, but they are green. I have grass, leafy notes and a herbal bitterness. Not overpowering but not very exciting. I suspect this is due to Young age of the cigar

Once in while there is a great puff with more creamy and sweet chocolate notes, but then Again it sort of fades away to more slight green notes Again

 

Last third continues along the same parameter. Medium bodied, not a lot of sweetness anymore. Cocoa with a bitter aftertaste at this point

 

I would conclude this cigar is not yet ready to smoke. I do not know how much it will improve with time. At face value today i would say 87 points. My box will go in the bottom of the humidor for a few years nap. I did not sense the same quality as was evident from Rob and Kens Review, despite the same box code.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Edicion]

Nice review. Agree with your scoring, I don't see much potential now and would rather wait to see how they develop before smoking more. 

[gormag38]

Good review sir. Curious what a couple more years would do for em. Hoping they develop into something great for you. 

[NSXCIGAR]

Also agree, these are not to be smoked for many years and even then who knows. I've had two, both the same. Very lacking in the flavor and richness department. Mostly light wood with a light bitterness. I was longing for a La Fuerza after the first third. 

Maybe a few years will ignite these but for now the blend is a fail.