JohnS' Smoking Diary 2022

[JohnS]

I would like to thank those of you who have in turn thanked me for my previous blogs the past three years and have encouraged me to continue with a new chapter in this series in 2022. A number of you have reached out to me personally via post messaging to express your gratitude and thus the reviews that follow are dedicated to you. I'd like to simply say thank you to those members for making this all possible this year.

To say that they past six months or so have been a challenge is a huge understatement. Whilst I am grateful to my wife, Eleni for her continued support and love and my two young adult children, George and Sarah, of whom I am immensely proud, my personal life has been tainted by the illness of my brother-in-law who is currently battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. His prospects for a remission after five years stand at 35%. As I write this he has battled with the disease for two years and three months and is scheduled to undergo a bone marrow operation on the last day of March by the generosity of my other brother-in-law, Nick who is otherwise known as @Cuzz on our forum. If his body rejects this bone marrow infusion we will be sharing our final goodbyes by mid-April. Alas, I am not alone, it is a prospect many of you know of as you approach middle age and contemplate the fate of your loved ones.

My professional life has been similarly effected by the on-going myriad of social changes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Of course, I am not alone in this but the difference is that last year amidst the Delta strain I was teaching my students on-line for the greater majority of the second half of 2021. This year I have had to go to school and work with multiple student and staff absences who have required a period of isolation, so that has challenged my productivity. The unique advent of heavy rain every day during March 2022 for nearly three weeks caused subsequent damage along the east coast of Australia has also impacted daily life in Queensland and New South Wales. My understanding of Human history and civilisation has taught me to carry on as best as I can. There are those of use who are doing much worse right now!

This all means that the amount of reviews I have submitted to my blogs in the past three years cannot be reasonably sustained. I have not smoked anywhere near the amount of cigars that I did last year and this is despite the fact that I had leave from work during the month of January. On a positive note, I will continue to submit reviews of cigars that are less common in the Habanos catalogue so that at least you can enjoy something to read that is different to the norm and is of interest.

Without further adieu, kindly read on...

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo ESO Sep 2014

My first cigar for 2022 and of all things it's a simple Montecristo Petit Edmundo from 2014. Oh well, I guess that's the way it goes sometimes! So why this cigar? I suppose the simplicity of it appeals to me in someways, I don't mind what it offers over an hour's smoking time.

In regards to what it offers, I would say that the age of this Montecristo Petit Edmundo means that it's no longer a cocoa-driven beast, so-to-speak, rather; it's a mild-in-strength cigar with some interesting flavours of leather, nut and perhaps some citrus twang elements with muted cocoa, of course.

Simple to smoke and simple in its reliability, it was all that I needed this day to while away the time whilst I was busy doing 'other things'.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Talismán 2017 - Edición Limitada UAO Ago 2017

Do you remember the hype surrounding the release of the Cohiba Talisman 2017 Limited Edition? It was launched in London in October 2017, it sold out quickly despite a hefty price tag and it was subject to rumours of unauthorised pre-sales in the United States or distribution of copied fakes. From a marketing point of view, what more could Habanos S.A want? Perhaps re-release it two years later in 2019 and so make it the first 'Unlimited Edition' Habanos release?

It is the seventh Cohiba Limited Edition since 2001 (Piramides Extra 2001 and 2006, Double Corona in 2003, Sublime in 2004, 1966 in 2011 and Robustos Supremos in 2014 were the others). It is a Cañonazo Doble at 54 ring gauge x 154 mm or 6.1 inches in length. The common name for this cigar is a Robustos Extra, however take note of that factory name as the Cohiba Siglo VI is a Cañonazo, being slightly smaller, and in my mind, this cigar is its direct cousin in terms of how it smoked.

If you have picked a 10-count box of these (or two), what can you expect? How do you approach this cigar in terms of when to smoke it and how does it compare to other Cohiba vitolas?

The last time I smoke a Cohiba Talisman I felt it was like an amplified Siglo VI, much like the Robustos Supremos was like an amplified Magicos, in my opinion. I stand by this sentiment after smoking it again today.

This time I straight-cut the head rather than untwist the pig-tail, as I most often do. The first third was strong on mocha coffee, citrus, a little honey and a buttered cream texture which was indicative of a good Cohiba cigar, for me.

The middle third saw some darker coffee and leather notes pick up in the blend. At this point the cigar did not disappoint through the 'nose', it did not overwhelm via retrohaling at any point.

The final third saw change further still. The cigar picked up in more 'Earthy' notes and at this point it became more nondescript or muddled, dare I say. I have to admit that I nubbed it a little earlier than I usually do.

My conclusion on the Talisman? It's a good choice to celebrate a milestone event, such as welcoming in the New Year, for example. Like the Robustos Supremos, this will get better with a few years as the middle and final third melds and becomes more akin to the flavours in the first third, no doubt. However, I enjoyed the cigar for what is was. Again, I wouldn't hesitate to choose it to celebrate another milestone event in the near future.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe (circa 2009)

I'd like to thank @NSXCIGAR for making this cigar available for me to smoke via trade. After all, a 2009 San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe, what's there not to like?

Unlike other cocoa-intensive Habanos marcas such as Montecristo, for example, I haven't found older San Cristobal changing too much in terms of flavours once they age beyond the three to five-year mark. Obviously, there is a decrease in strength but this hasn't detracted my enjoyment of older SCdLH El Principes in the past whatsoever.

The main thing I enjoyed about this cigar today was the soft, easy cocoa-marshmallow texture to the cigar.  There was also a molasses sweetness that really balanced well with the cocoa elements in the cigar.

Overall, the fact that this cigar was over ten years old didn't diminish how well it smoked at all. I'm grateful for the opportunity to enjoy a fine cigar like this one today!

[JohnS]

Rafael González Perlas (circa 2013)

I'd like to once again thank @NSXCIGAR for this Rafael Gonzalez Perlas I smoked today. It's been a little over twelve months since I've had a RG Perlas.

The Rafael Gonzalez Perlas is probably the mildest minuto/perlas/reyes option one could go for. Habanos cigars this size are a little more intense in flavour delivery than their larger brethren, but the Rafael Gonzalez Perlas (and Petit Coronas) tends not to be as intense.

This RG Perlas was a great way to spend a pleasant summer's afternoon. It had less floral notes and baking spice than what I would expect for an older version of this cigar, yet it still certainly had a core and dependable cocoa, earth, tobacco and slight honey sweetness to it which was great.

The back half of this cigar had a distinctive 'Earthiness' one finds in the Rafael Gonzalez marca which I appreciated and which you don't always get in other minutos or perlas-sized Habanos cigars. Thirty to thirty-five minutes of smoking enjoyment. What more could one ask for?

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana Torreon 2012 - Especialista en Habanos Exclusivo (circa 2013)

Do you recall the first release of the Habanos Specialist Exclusive program? You may think that it was the 2013 H.Upmann Connossieur A but it was in fact the San Cristobal de la Habana Torreon announced in 2012 and released the year after. We've since had the 2014 Por Larranaga Picadores, 2016 Punch 48, 2017 H.Upmann Connossieur B, 2018 San Cristobal de la Habana Prado, 2019 Cohiba Novedosos and 2020 Montecristo Herederos join this program but I'd argue that that the initial SCdLH Torreon is the most elusive. The reason is due to the unique packaging.

The peculiarity of this jar is that it is shaped like a castle tower. It contains an ashtray which crowns the jar with crenellations shaped-like dips. Every cigar in the San Cristobal de La Habana line-up is named after fortresses of La Habana, and the Torreon (or the Turret in English) is the name of the watchtower of El Morro fortress that watches over the port of La Habana. Each jar contains a humidifier system that keeps the cigar fresh and each jar is numbered. Only 2000 were produced back in 2012, and only for the Habanos Specialist shops and La Casa Del Habanos stores.

The Torreon is a 54 ring gauge x 150 mm (or 5⅞ inches) in length Geniales. The first regular production cigar to have these dimension was the 2009 Montecristo Eagle and it was joined by the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan in 2014. The 2017 Habanos Specialist Exclusive H.Upmann Connossieur B also has these dimensions as do nine other Regional Editions in the meantime.

I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 for the opportunity to smoke this cigar today. One could say that ten years is a long time to rest a San Cristobal cigar. I'd agree when it comes to this marca but that period of time has not diminished the class of this cigar whatsoever. It's a fine smoke. It was acknowledged as such when it was first released and it continues to be at this stage.

Initial tastings highlighted its panettone sweet bread texture, floral notes, wood, honey and spice with a medium to medium-full strength. This Torreon had the hallmarks of a San Cristobal cigar with cocoa, coffee and molasses at its core. The texture was not as pancake-like as perhaps a recent SCdLH El Principe or La Fuerza. I picked up some walnut and Earth flavours in the first third which remained well into the last third. There was no spice here whatsoever.

I nubbed this after 110 minutes. At the Torreon's price point I would offer that the current San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza is a better option. Still, I'm very, very glad to have had the opportunity to smoke this wonderful cigar today, and that too because it's not often one has a Habanos cigar like this.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Pirámides 2003 - Selección Pirámides (circa 2005)

Prior to the regular production release of the Cohiba Piramides Extra in 2012, there weren't just two special Limited Edition Cohiba Piramides releases in 2001 and 2006. No, in that time prior to 2012, there were in fact another 7 special Piramides releases in the Cohiba marca. Yes, seven! And all of these were your standard 52 ring gauge x 156 mm in length.

All these releases usually came in expensive limited-run humidors. There was one way, however, to sample a Cohiba Piramides without 'breaking the bank', so-to-speak, before we got the CPE in a slightly larger format and that was via purchasing a Multi-Brand Selection gift box of Piramides cigars. This box consisted of 5 cigars (Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey and Romeo y Julieta) but was updated in 2016 with slightly different cigars and the addition of the H.Upmann No.2. This cigar comes from a 2005 Multi-Brand Selection box. I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 for gifting me this cigar to sample.

Unlike a Cohiba Piramides Extra, which tends to be stronger on that mocha coffee flavour and lighter on any grass/hay, with the stronger mocha flavour tending to invite spice at times too, this 2005 Cohiba Piramides was all typical mild Cohiba grass/hay, honey or milk coffee. I would also add that it was much like nearly every Cohiba Piramides cigar I've ever had (excepting the 2003 Reserva Seleccion Cohiba Piramides which was quite light in strength and refined in body) in that it was a full-bodied cigar bountiful in smoke per draw and packing plenty of flavour per puff. Not bad for a sixteen year old cigar!

If you'd prefer classic Cohiba grass/hay and honey notes in a softer and milder expression, stick with aged Linea 1492 series cigars from this marca, otherwise you'd enjoy this type of cigar if you want a bolder expression from your aged Cohiba stock!

[JohnS]

La Flor de Cano Mágicos 2018 - Edición Regional España (circa early 2020)

I'd like to thank @NSXCIGAR for the opportunity to smoke this Spanish Regional Edition cigar. Of course it's a La Flor de Cano Magicos and if you are unfamiliar with the brand, don't worry too much as, in fact, most people would be. The La Flor de Cano brand is classified in the Habanos S.A. catalogue within the 'Other Brands' category, (i.e. the smaller-known brands such as Fonseca, Saint Luis Rey et al.) and is known for having cigars in regular production that include short-filler tobacco. If you don't know what these are, again; don't worry as there's hardly any left now and I doubt too many of us have the LFdC Petit Coronas or LFdC Elegidos in our 'constant rotation'.

When Regional Distributors have turned to La Flor de Cano in the last ten years they've been invariably very good to excellent. Personally speaking, I highly value my La Flor de Cano Grandiosos stock that I have left. In contrast also, all La Flor de Cano Regional Editions have been your standard long-filler tobacco releases.

The La Flor de Cano Magicos was released to market around the same time as the Paises Bajo (i.e. Dutch) Robustos so it's easy to confuse the two. The La Flor de Cano Magicos had 5 times the amount of cigars manufactured in comparison to the LFdC Dutch Robustos, which mirrored the previous Spanish release, the La Gloria Cubana Serie D No.5. In my opinion, this is far too many for a run of Regional Edition cigars because of concerns regarding quality assurance issues but I digress, that is another matter for another time. A Magicos-sized cigar, (52 ring gauge x 115 mm or 4½ inches in length) this release continues the 'love-affair' that Habanos S.A and their Regional Distributors have with Petit Robustos-sized cigars. Kudos to those Distributors that have released Dalias, Churchills, Britanicas Extras and Tacos-sized cigars of late.

This cigar was light in strength and body. It had a biscuit or cookie dough texture to it which I quite enjoyed. What made it interesting for me was the cloves or paprika savoury flavours to compliment it. There was also an underlying light sprinkling of cocoa or chocolate throughout the cigar. So the balance between the sweeter and savoury flavours were certainly enticing, what let me down here was the fact that the cigar could not hold its ash. Maybe it was 'one of those days' or maybe it was the fact that this LFdC Magicos was like the Spanish LGC D5 in having construction issues due to oversupply. Maybe it was just plain 'ol bad luck.

Sometimes, that's the way it goes, as they say. Still, flavourwise it was a fine cigar that easily filled out 75 minutes of a lazy Summer's afternoon. Next time I hope the construction matches the flavours!

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Perfecto 2020 - Edición Regional México (circa mid-2021)

The Ramon Allones Perfecto Mexican Regional Edition was released in mid-2021 to a small run of 6000 10-count boxes. It's the fifth Mexican Regional Edition release after the three Edmundo Dantes-branded El Condo 109 (2007), Conde 54 (2011), Conde Belicoso (2016) and Punch Duke (2019). All these releases have generated great interest amongst cigar enthusiasts due to their perceived and actual excellence, especially the three Edmundo Dantes RE cigars. Once again, I'd like to humbly thank @NSXCIGAR for allowing me to sample this cigar today.

The RA Perfecto is a 47 ring gauge x 158 mm (or 6¼ inches) Tacos, which is identical to the recent Asia-Pacifico Cuaba APAC Regional Edition. Being a Perfecto shaped cigar, these are not easy to roll so I'm not surprised for the smaller run of cigars that were manufactured.

The size and shape of the cigar naturally reminded me of the Rafael Gonzalez 88 and Cuaba APAC and both those cigars are on the 'lighter' side so it was with great pleasure that I took the first few puffs of this cigar and experienced a pleasurable hit of Ramon Allones solid, heavy cocoa, wood and fruit goodness. Okay, I wouldn't quite put it into the Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos category of being strong but it definitely had more punch than a Cuaba APAC or RG 88.

All the very best special edition Ramon Allones cigars I've ever smoked have seemed to have an element of baking spice and/or nuttiness to them (something akin to walnuts, almonds, cashews, even dates etc) and there were suggestions of that here but unfortunately this cigar was a tad under-filled in the middle and so it just couldn't stay lit or hold a long ash for fifty to sixty percent of its life.

However; I look forward to the next one, even though something inside me is telling me to wait and let it age. The flavours here served as a brilliant example of what Ramon Allones can be like and I have a feeling these will only get better.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Topes 2016 - Edición Limitada TOS Sep 2016

The regular production Trinidad Topes was released in 2019 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Trinidad marca (according to Habanos S.A). However, it was previously released in late 2016 as a Limited Edition in a large 56 ring gauge x 125 mm (or 4⅞ inches) length. And yes, it's not the first time a Limited Edition cigar has been brought back as a regular production cigar (e.g. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial and H.Upmann Magnum 50). The 2016 version of the Topes was such a great seller and well-reputed amongst aficionados that in my view, it wasn't to much of a surprise to see its re-release. Incidentally, the Montecristo Dantes and Romeo y Julieta Capuletos were also released in early 2017 as 2016 Limited Editions. Do we still remember them?

This was my third late-2016 Trinidad Topes LE from the box. In my last review I posed the question, "So how did this smoke and how does it compare to the 2019 regular production release?" I can tell you that the first two Limited Edition Topes were very good but his third one was even better!

The 2019 regular production Trinidad Topes that I've sampled since their release have tended to be a combination of spice, coffee and butter pastry, some slight gingerbread-type sweetness and even some salt. The Trinidad Topes 2016 EL had more cocoa and sweetness to it upon its release in its youth. This TOS Sep 2016 specimen was the sweetest of the three sticks I've had thus far. It was not as woody as my first two Topes LE, but it certainly had a delicious coffee-cream cappuccino and dough flavour to it that very much appealed to me senses. I was sad, in fact, when the cigar finished.

I've said previously that I still think that the maduro-shaded Limited Edition wrappers, which still carry some hefty sheen on every cigar from this box, has definitely imparted a lovely and subtle sweetness that is no longer cocoa-heavy, if you get what I mean. It's quite unlike the core savoury flavours I've gotten out of a variety of Trinidad cigars I've smoked in the last two or three years.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Tubos No.1 ULA Jun 2015

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

This is my fourth Bolivar Tubos No.1 from this box. With my first Bolivar Tubos No.1, I noted that it was like a chewy, caramel-marshmallow stick with the smoke on the palate being quite mild yet viscous and some Bolivar Earth and Leather but no spice and no real chocolate-y flavours. My second one was very similar, only I would add that it was slightly more floral and had a note of mushroom or forest floor mild 'Earthy' flavour to its core. It was every bit as brilliant as the first one I smoked from this box. The third one had yet again more Earth, leather and forest-floor flavours and was less 'chewy' in texture. I wouldn't say that it was a caramel-marshmallow laden dessert 'bomb' either. It was still quite reputable as a solid, quality cigar, nonetheless.

I would say that this fourth Bolivar Tubos No.1 was pretty much identical to the third one, which I smoked around a month ago. Yes, simply reliable, solid and dependable. I still lament the deletion of this coronas-sized cigar because as I think about this cigar whilst reviewing it I can quite easily reach for the box and smoke another!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Molinos ABR Oct 2011

We've all experienced the longing of re-connecting with family and friends in the last few years due to the Worldwide Covid-19 pandemic and for me today, I couldn't believe that it has been two months short of two years since I'd seen Alexander Groom in person, the humble genius behind the site we all know and love; Cuban Cigar Website. What do you give a guy who has seemingly smoked it all. The answer is quite simple really...reach for a quality, aged regular production cigar. For me, they 'tend to do the trick'.

In 2012, one of the last remaining regular production Lonsdales was discontinued, the Sancho Panza Molinos. As I've mentioned previously, ten years is a long time to wait before opening up a box of Habanos cigars but when it comes to the Sancho Panza Molinos, its a cigar that benefits greatly from having significant time down. That first Sancho Panza Molinos was easy to smoke and the second and third ones were much the same!

This fourth SP Molinos today from the box was simply superlative in its aroma, construction and flavour-delivery. This cigar was all floral, cream-textured, light wood and minimal salt. It was simply another superb smoking experience one looks for when you desire an easy-going smoke with fine, subtle combination of flavours. It was pleasure to smoke one with Alex and he wholeheartedly agreed that his SP Molinos was an outstanding smoke too.

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

[JohnS]

Cohiba Coronas Especiales 2003 - Reserva Selección (circa 2003)

The Cohiba Reserva Seleccion from 2002 was the first special release in the Reserva line. Nowadays, the Reserva series is a bi-annual release, alternating with Gran Reserva releases. They also include common regular production cigars, albeit made with higher quality leaf. The first Reserva release was paradoxical in that it included 30 cigars (which is around twice what you get in these type of releases these days) and it included five vitolas; 8 Piramides (i.e. standard size 52 ring gauge x 156 mm, not the bigger-sized current regular production cigar, the Cohiba Piramides Extra which is 54 ring gauge x 160 mm), 4 Esplendidos, 6 Robustos, 6 Coronas Especiales and 6 Media Coronas (which was a vitolas specifically made for this release, being identical in ring gauge to the Coronas Especiales but 10 mm shorter - 38 ring gauge x 142 mm and the first Cohiba release to include medio tiempo leaf).

I would rate this Cohiba Coronas Especiales 2003 Reserva Seleccion cigar I smoked today more highly than the many mid-2000s Cohiba cigars I've smoked, and that's saying something as those latter cigars have consistently been outstanding cigars.

With this Cohiba Coronas Especiales 2003 Reserva Seleccion cigar I especially enjoyed the quality grass/hay, deep cedar and vanilla bean consistency to the cigar. There was also a wonderful citrus 'tanginess' to the cigar unique to this release I suppose; it was unlike any similar flavour/s I've experienced in a cigar of this ilk. It was also highly delectable.

I must thank and acknowledge @ATGroom for gifting me this cigar to smoke and review. It proved a testament to the longevity of quality Habanos cigars as this smoked so supremely well.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Robustos 2003 - Reserva Selección (circa 2003)

As I mentioned in my review on the Cohiba Coronas Especiales 2003 Reserva Seleccion cigar, the Cohiba Reserva Seleccion from 2002 was the first special release in the Reserva line. It included 30 cigars (which is around twice what you get in these type of releases these days) and it included five vitolas; 8 Piramides (i.e. standard size 52 ring gauge x 156 mm, not the bigger-sized current regular production cigar, the Cohiba Piramides Extra which is 54 ring gauge x 160 mm), 4 Esplendidos, 6 Robustos, 6 Coronas Especiales and 6 Media Coronas (which was a vitolas specifically made for this release, being identical in ring gauge to the Coronas Especiales but 10 mm shorter - 38 ring gauge x 142 mm and the first Cohiba release to include medio tiempo leaf).

This Cohiba Robustos 2003 Reserva Seleccion cigar had a lot more body and flavour than any other cigar I've sampled from this release, and incidentally this includes at least one each of all of them. It was also more intense in mocha coffee flavour, which surprised me for a cigar aged twenty or so years.

In comparison to the 2003 Reserva Seleccion Cohiba Coronas Especiales I had immediately previous to this cigar, this 2003 Reserva Seleccion Cohiba Robustos had a deep mocha coffee, honey sweetness and an identical citrus 'tanginess'. It didn't have that creamy texture that I found in other cigars from this 2003 Reserva Seleccion release.

Again I must thank and acknowledge @ATGroom for gifting me this cigar to smoke and review. It proved a nice choice to celebrate the announcement of Alex's upcoming release of 'El Habano Moderno', his magnum opus on modern Habanos cigars post-2000. I know a lot of us are looking forward to this book coming out in 2022!

[JohnS]

Partagás Salomones Espanola 1995 - Salomones Espanola Humidor (circa 1995)

What can I tell you about the Partagás Salomones Espanola? Have you even heard of it? Unless you have been smoking Habanos cigars since the 1990s, the chances are you haven't.

Thanks to Alexander Groom's upcoming magnum opus in 2022 on modern Habanos cigars, aptly named 'El Habano Moderno', I can share with you some background on this special release. The Partagás Salomones Espanola is a 57 ring gauge x 184 mm (or 7¼ inches) in length Salomon-sized Double Perfecto, tapered at the head and the foot. It was originally released for the Partagas 150 Aniversario Humidor, but due to miscalculation it did not fit into the humidors. A batch of Coronas Grandes cigars were manufactured made to fit into the drawers that was different in blend to the other 150 Aniversario cigars; namely, the 109 and Robustos.

The left over Salomones Espanola were put into generic humidors unbanded, but it had a blend similar to the 150 Aniversario cigars mentioned above. These were sold to tourists in shops in Havana.

So what was it like? I was smoking this cigar on a ZOOM meet-up with FoH members in January and El Pres asked me how it compared to a current regular production Partagas cigar. I can unequivocally say that this cigar had that quintessential Partagas sourdough in it, but the one flavour that stood out was what we 'old-timers' refer to as that 'Old School' Partagas Earth. Even after more than 25 years, the 'Earthiness' of this cigar still resonated strongly. I can only imagine what smoking this cigar around the turn of the century would have been like.  

The cigar flavours had melded over time so that the Sourdough and Earthiness was joined by some Leather and Wood, but when I got to the last third those Earthy flavours completely dominated my palate. Thankfully the cigar wasn't so strong that I couldn't smoke it down to the nub. I can't say that I've experienced this blend of flavours in a Partagas cigar post-2000!

I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 for the chance to smoke this very rare Habanos release. What a ride it was!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo V (circa 2004)

The Cohiba Siglo V would have to be my second favourite of the Linea 1492 range after the Cohiba Siglo III. At 43 ring gauge x 170 mm (or 6¾ inches), a dalias, it represents a vitola that is only shared by the Partagas 8-9-8 currently in regular production, and both these cigars have been periodical in their availability it seems for quite some time. For those of you who are experienced enthusiasts, do you still remember the Bolivar Inmensas (discontinued in 2009) and the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.2 (discontinued in 2014)?

I'd like to thank and acknowledge @Trevor2118 for gifting me this aged Cohiba Siglo V from 2004 to smoke today. The cold draw had a Barnyard and honey/oak profile, the initial draw upon lighting had that typical Cohiba grass/honey dominate. The cigar quickly settled into the first third, developing into a Cohiba grass/honey and oak profile. I have to admit that I was a little surprised how much oak or cedar this had in it for a Cohiba Siglo V its age.

In the second third I started to get some more stronger coffee/tobacco flavours to compliment the flavour profile mentioned in the first third above and which continued throughout the middle third.

In the final third the flavour profile changed and for me, was somewhat atypical for an aged Linea 1492 cigar, in my opinion. You see, the last thing I would expect in a Cohiba cigar is a strong Earth and oak flavour profile but this is what I got. At this point the Cohiba grass/honey and coffee flavours had completely receded or vanished into the background. Nevertheless, I still nubbed this Cohiba Siglo V. After all, how often does one reach for and smoke a Cohiba Siglo V nowadays?

[JohnS]

Cohiba Espléndidos 2003 - Reserva Selección (circa 2003)

The Cohiba Reserva Seleccion from 2002 was the first special release in the Reserva line. Nowadays, the Reserva series is a bi-annual release, alternating with Gran Reserva releases. They also include common regular production cigars, albeit made with higher quality leaf. The first Reserva release was paradoxical in that it included 30 cigars (which is around twice what you get in these type of releases these days) and it included five vitolas; 8 Piramides (i.e. standard size 52 ring gauge x 156 mm, not the bigger-sized current regular production cigar, the Cohiba Piramides Extra which is 54 ring gauge x 160 mm), 4 Esplendidos, 6 Robustos, 6 Coronas Especiales and 6 Media Coronas (which was a vitolas specifically made for this release, being identical in ring gauge to the Coronas Especiales but 10 mm shorter - 38 ring gauge x 142 mm and the first Cohiba release to include medio tiempo leaf).

This Cohiba Esplendidos 2003 Reserva Seleccion cigar started off brilliantly but for me, it did not 'keep pace' with other regular production Cohiba Esplendidos I've smoked of the same age that I've smoked over the years, unfortunately. It had a myriad of flavours in the first third, starting with Cohiba mocha coffee, sweet honey, vanilla bean and a delicious creamy texture but this greatly receded into the middle third and thereafter.

In the middle third until the end, the cigar developed a softer cedar profile that was bordering on a subtle and bland flavour profile. One could say that this cigar is almost twenty years old and so this shouldn't come as a surprise; however, on the contrary, I've had many cigars over the years in this age-bracket and this experience for me is quite unique.

I must thank and acknowledge @ATGroom for gifting me this cigar to smoke and review. I'm still very much grateful for the opportunity to have smoked this cigar today!

[JohnS]

Bolívar Gold Medal 2007 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo LSO Jul 2007

The Bolivar Gold Medal was once a regular production Lonsdale (in other words, the same size as a Montecristo No.1) but it was discontinued in 1992. It was re-released as an exclusive La Casa del Habano special release in 2004 and 2007 and remained available until circa 2011. They were always known for their gold foil outer sleeve over the head and body of the cigar.

Much like the last time I had a Bolivar Gold Medal around three years ago, this cigar was distinctive for me for its wonderful marshmallow texture that shone from beginning to end. Again, I got notes of light cocoa, a caramel or burnt honey sweetness but this time there was very little Bolivar leather and earthiness, maybe just a touch of these latter two flavours due to age, but the marshmallow texture was akin to confectionery Rocky Road because of the sweetness of the cigar.

This was again a pleasure to retrohale throughout, was mild and cool well into the last third, and made me wish that I had another handy to light straight after! Surely this is the hallmark of a great cigar?

The 2007 LCDH run of this vitola was not as well received as the initial 2004 run, however, after smoking three of these mid-2007 Gold Medals in the last three years, I can reassure you that a cigar like this would make you wish you stocked up at the time. In my opinion, they have been that good to smoke!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Molinos ABR Oct 2011

I mentioned in my review upon opening this box of Sancho Panza Molinos in late-2021 that 2006 was a bad year for Sancho Panza. Four vitolas, the Bachilleres, Coronas, Coronas Gigantes and Sanchos were deleted that year. In 2012, one of the last remaining regular production Lonsdales was also deleted, the Molinos. Why, oh Habanos S.A, why? This is the fifth ABR Oct 2011 Molinos I smoked today in the  last three or four months it was once again everything one could asked for in an aged Sancho Panza cigar. It had a nice balance of salted cream and wood, yet it was light on the palate. Maybe it wasn't as floral as previous SP Molinos I've had but it was magnificent.

The last Sancho Panza Molinos I had acquired, prior to opening this box, was from a Family Cruise holiday I took throughout the Caribbean. The boat docked in port in Jamaica on the trip and I visited the LCDH there at Falmouth in December 2018. In the shop was a box containing around six to eight sticks, that's how long they were in the shop from 2011, so that may explain why they were deleted.

Ten years is a long time to wait before opening up a box of Habanos cigars but when it comes to the Sancho Panza Molinos, its a cigar that benefits greatly from having significant time down. As I mentioned already, this was my fifth SP Molinos from this box. It was very easy to smoke, easy on the palate yet it still had significant body and flavour to suggest that it had plenty of life in it. In other words, it was nowhere near its expiry date.

It's a shame though that more cigar enthusiasts are not familiar with how well Sancho Panza ages and how uniquely good they can be. If you have Sancho Panza in you humidor, excepting the SP Belicosos, and especially the recently discontinued SP Non Plus, then keep in mind to give them time to develop. I'm confident you'll be glad you did in the long run.

[JohnS]

Edmundo Dantes Conde Belicoso 2016 - Edición Regional México TOR Dic 2016

I had written previously in my last review on the Edmundo Dantes Conde Belicoso in mid-2020 that according to Cuban Cigar Website, the Edmundo Dantes brand was created in 2007 by Max Gutmann, owner of the Mexican Habanos distributor, for use with Mexican special releases. Because of the design similarities with Montecristo, it was long rumoured that these were Montecristo cigars, sold under the Edmundo Dantes brand because of 'copyright issues' in Mexico. This is untrue. Montecristo cigars are sold in Mexico.

There have been three releases thus far; the 2007 Nro. 109 El Conde 109 (50 rg x 184 mm or 7¼ inches in length), the 2011 Sublimes Conde 54 (54 rg x 164 mm or 6½ inches in length) and the 2016 Campanas Conde Belicoso (52 rg x 140 mm or 5½ inches in length). All three releases have been highly reputable and sought after by cigar enthusiasts.

I'd like to thank @Luca for gifting me this cigar and therefore making this review possible today.

In general, I have enjoyed all my Edmundo Dantes Conde Belicosos I've had and this one reinforced that well-deserved enhanced reputation. Best described as a blend of Montecristo and Por Larranaga marcas, this did have those cocoa, coffee, nut core flavours but the caramel marshmallow sweetness and gorgeous citrus tang was not as dominant in the blend as I remembered it in the past. No matter, it was still quite good. It's not hard to understand why these are so highly sought after. Consider yourself fortunate if you've picked up a box!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo ESO Sep 2014

Once upon a time, way back in the 1980s and 1990s every marca in the Habanos catalogue seemingly had a Coronas-sized cigar. Soon after the Petit Coronas (for a short time) and then the Robustos post-2000 became a favoured size as Habanos S.A became semi-privatised (inviting foreign investment but still maintaining control over the supply of tobacco, as it does to this day). With the advent of the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robustos in 2004 (a 50 rg x 102 mm or 4 inches in length cigar) and the Montecristo Petit Edmundo in 2006 (a slightly bigger 52 rg x 110 mm or 4⅜ inches in length cigar), the propensity towards larger ring-gauged, yet smaller-in-length sized cigars proliferated to the point that today you'd have to argue that the Petit Robusto is the quintessential-sized Habanos cigar, with every second Regional Edition released in that size (or at least it seems that way!).

I only opened this ESO Sep 2014 box of Montecristo Petit Edmundos late in 2021. For me, I guess I enjoy the simple and mild body and flavour these have produced thus far.

After seven years, the fullness of flavours (especially when it comes to the Montecristo cocoa and coffee) has greatly diminished and now these have been mainly been nutty, leathery and there's been more room for any citrus twang to 'shine'.

Today, it was the addition of a creamy texture to the cocoa, nut and light coffee blend of this cigar that really appealed to my senses. I have to admit that they haven't all been like this from the box, but overall they've been pretty good according to my taste. (That may not be true if you desire stronger coffee and/or cocoa in your Montecristo cigars) This one, in contrast, was thankfully exceptional!

[JohnS]

Bolívar Tubos No.1 ULA Jun 2015

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

The Bolivar Tubos No.1 was noted as an elegant cigar of better-than-average construction (probably as less were made) and provided lots of complexity in aromas, especially floral ones. The flavours tended to be Earthy, wood, some spices, leather and even bitter chocolate.

After having this box in storage for approximately five years I can tell you that none of the Bolivar Tubos No.1s I've had from it have been necessarily bitter chocolate, leather, Earth and spices in their blend. Nor have they exhibited sharp, distinct and fulsome flavours. On the contrary, this cigar was pretty much all chewy, soft caramel-marshmallow with some Bolivar Earth and leather and a touch of spiciness on the edges. In a word, simply scrumptious!

It goes without saying that I continue to rate this cigar highly, lament its deletion and look forward to lighting the next cigar from this box, whenever that is!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Supremos 2019 - Edición Limitada GEM Jul 2020

The Montecristo Supremos is a 2019 Limited Edition cigar which comes in a 25-count ornate, yellow cigar box. Yes, it is yet another Montesco-sized release (i.e. 55 ring gauge x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches in length), but does it live up to the reputation of recent Montecristo special releases such as the 2008 Sublimes, 2010 Grand Edmundos, 2012 Montecristo 520, 2015 80 Aniversario and 2016 Dantes? (Okay, maybe not so much the 2016 Montecristo Dantes!)

I'd like to thank @jay8354 for gifting me this cigar to review today. The last time I smoked this cigar four months ago I noted that it was a cigar that 'told a story' of two halves (i.e. the first half and second half of the cigar) and this was not disparagingly good and bad, rather the differences were both superbly good because that Montecristo Supremos was a cigar that balanced seemingly opposing and paradoxical flavours, in my mind, in perfect balance. I concluded that you weren't likely to get this in another Habanos cigar in the same way and thus this Limited Edition impressed me as a quality release for Habanos S.A in my view.

Today's Montecristo Supremos LE was quite as 'night and day' as the last one I smoked four months ago but I can assert that it was still wonderfully balanced in its contrasting flavours. On the one hand, you have cocoa, wood and spice; on the other you have notable creamy texture and orange citrus which brings out the very best in Montecristo as a marca.

I can only conclude that if you picked up this cigar as an acquisition then you are indeed fortunate. In my opinion, the reputation of this cigar will most likely grow even more positive as the years pass.

[LLC]

16 hours ago, JohnS said:

Rafael González Perlas (circa 2013)

I'd like to once again thank @NSXCIGAR for this Rafael Gonzalez Perlas I smoked today. It's been a little over twelve months since I've had a RG Perlas.

The Rafael Gonzalez Perlas is probably the mildest minuto/perlas/reyes option one could go for. Habanos cigars this size are a little more intense in flavour delivery than their larger brethren, but the Rafael Gonzalez Perlas (and Petit Coronas) tends not to be as intense.

This RG Perlas was a great way to spend a pleasant summer's afternoon. It had less floral notes and baking spice than what I would expect for an older version of this cigar, yet it still certainly had a core and dependable cocoa, earth, tobacco and slight honey sweetness to it which was great.

The back half of this cigar had a distinctive 'Earthiness' one finds in the Rafael Gonzalez marca which I appreciated and which you don't always get in other minutos or perlas-sized Habanos cigars. Thirty to thirty-five minutes of smoking enjoyment. What more could one ask for?

Enjoyed going through this batch of reviews John. I have not had a Perlas yet but I recently received a box from 2015. Not sure it’s a cigar that I would think of as being in my “wheelhouse” but part of the fun of this hobby is trying new things and expanding one’s horizon. I’ll let the settle a bit and then give them a try. 
 

On another note, I’m quite tempted to open my last 2007 BGM box after reading your review. Cheers. 

[Goodfortune]

Some gorgeous smokes and excellent reviews to start the year! Thank you @JohnS for all the reviews, really enjoy reading and smoking them vicariously through you. Looking forward to more! Cheers 🍻