JohnS' Smoking Diary 2022

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.6 UTL Nov 2019

The Partagas Serie D No.6 was released in 2014. It's a mercurial addition to the Partagas marca, firstly due to its size (50 ring gauge x 90 mm or 3½ inch length) and secondly (and I believe foremost) due to its packaging. The square wooden single-tiered box made this awkward for Habanos S.A to price competitively in comparison to other similar cigars of the same size and as a result these have been a slow seller. Prior to the pricing re-structure announced by Habanos S.A. in April 2022, and put into effect a few months later, the Partagas Serie D No.6 had only just come into some discounting in the last few years and honestly it was overdue.

In the meantime, if you've sampled these then you'd know that they pack a ton of flavour in an oft medium-strengthed small cigar. Sourdough, coffee and leather, variously with pepper or spice; in other words, standard core Partagas DNA flavours.

This Partagas Serie D No.6 was again full of flavour but it had no spice or pepper to it, and it took me awhile to smoke because it had a strong finish. In fact, that finish lingered on my palate for many hours afterwards and I quite appreciated it!

In the past the Partagas Serie D No.6 would take me about 50 minutes to smoke but this one once again took me about an hour, like the last one I smoked six months ago. That's not bad considering that a Partagas Serie D No.4 usually takes me in the vicinity of 70 to 75 minutes to smoke.

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Famosos ARS Ene 2019

I've really enjoyed an AEM May 2015 aged box of Vegas Robaina Famosos since I opened it in mid-2019 and I've come down to my last three sticks so I figured I'd smoke some fresh samples of this vitola this year and let my 2015 sticks rest a little longer. Admittingly, this is only my second example from this early-2019 acquisition this year, and the last one was smoked four months ago. I'm surprised that I've smoked only one Vegas Robaina cigar in the last twelve months or so but Vegas Robaina is a marca that is easily overlooked. However, when you get a fantastic box of this marca, it really can be like nothing else.

Today's cigar was as great but it was very different in comparison to my seven year-old AEM May 2015 Vegas Robaina Famosos box. These aged sticks tended to have quality lush tobacco and grass, dates, baking spice, bitter or rich milk chocolate and floral notes here and there. This youthful VR Famosos emphasised more of that dark or bitter chocolate today that really appeals to the palate. It also had sweet dates or raisin, prunes and leather. Unlike my aged examples, this Famosos didn't have nuanced floral notes or baking spice but you wouldn't expect that for its age. In fact, this VR Famosos smoked similarly in flavour and construction to my first one smoked from this box code four months ago.

Normally a Hermosos No.4 of this size (i.e. 48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches in length) would take me around 70 minutes to finish. This VR Famosos had a slightly tight and resistant draw but the smoke output was fine and it didn't prove to be a setback to enjoying the flavours. It took me 95 to 100 minutes to smoke through it!

Even though this cigar took longer to smoke on account of its resistant draw, like my first one from the box, I'm still thoroughly satisfied to have acquired more sticks at this present time of Vegas Robaina Famosos. I think I will savour every single one I have left!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 PMS Abr 2015

Around seven years ago I purchased two 10-count PSP standard PMS Abr 2015 Montecristo No.2s from a 24:24 listing. I smoked through the first box between 2018 and late 2020. The wrappers on these cigars were a colorado/colorado rosado shade (i.e. one step short of colorado maduro) so I was expecting a strong cocoa and coffee hit when I 'cracked open' the first box in 2018, which was the case. There was some nut and leather, but no cream texture to those first few cigars smoked, unlike some lighter-wrappered Montecristo No. 2's I've had this past few years.

The best Montecristo No.2 from that first box was the last one smoked. The reason it was so good was because it was well-balanced, there was ample amounts of nut, coffee, cream and even citrus twang on the edges but it was the generous serving of quality cocoa which made it stand out for me.

Fast forward twelve months and the first cigar from this second box was very different to all ten cigars smoked from the first box. After six years the cocoa and coffee had receded and what we have now is the next stage of development in a cigar of this age. A mild-bodied cigar with some nut, leather and citrus twang which I feel may not be everyone's 'cup-of-tea' when it comes to smoking a Montecristo No.2 but I don't mind it like this.

The second Monte 2 from this second box was smoked eight months later and I believe at this time the cigar has reached a turning point, what many enthusiasts consider a cigar's 'peak'. By that we mean a cigar has reached a certain point in its rest or aging whereby the flavours have melded, some flavours have receded whilst others have come to the fore and the body of the cigar is still preferable. In other words, the cigar is finely balanced. Simply put, that was the best way to describe how superlative the second Monte 2 from the box smoked.

This third cigar, smoked four months later, started off with a beautifully sweet milk chocolate, milk coffee and cream in the first half which evolved into a nutty, soft leather and floral notes combination in the second half, which I believe is indicative of the next stage of this cigar's journey. Again, like my last Monte No.2 smoked four months ago, it was all simply sublime!

The construction on this cigar was pleasantly unique in its white ash, 'stacked-dime' ash-burn and 'measured' fullness of smoke on the palate. It all combined for a fine smoking experience. As for the last seven cigars from this box, with the way the cigar is progressing, I would prefer to smoke them sooner rather than later, especially when one gets Monte 2s like the last two!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Churchills 2019 - Habanos Añejados ALP Mar 2007

The Anejados program was first announced in 2014 with the release of the Montecristo Churchill and Romeo y Julieta Piramides. In 2015 the Partagas Corona Gorda and Hoyo de Monterrey Hermosos No 4 were released and finally in 2016 we got the H.Upmann Robustos. The two characteristics these cigars all shared were that they were aged (anejados in Spanish means 'aged') and they represented vitolas not normally associated with their marcas in regular production. I could further point out a third characteristic: reviews for all these cigars have been mixed, ranging from very good, to acceptable to downright bad. The elevated price points for these cigars hasn't helped marketing either.

I suppose whispers surrounding the authenticity of the whole program haven't helped. I mean, is it plausible that Habanos S.A really kept aside cigars in unique vitolas from the mid-2000s to release to market ten years later? I mean, was some Habanos S.A. executive/s somehow inspired by the well-known story of Joseph telling the Pharaoh of Egypt from the book of Genesis to set aside grain for future famine conditions the motivation for this idea? It's been cynically suggested on our forum that the first five releases were re-packaged unsold vitolas in other marcas. For example, it's been said that the Montecristo Churchill Anejados were simply unsold 2006 Sancho Panza Gigantes. Given that no-one in the Cuban Cigar Industry has gone on record as even knowing the existence of this program prior to 2014, you'd have to say that these concerns have been well-justified.

Fast-forward to 2019 and for the first time in three years a new release to the program was added, only this time it included a vitola that is already in regular production: the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados Tubos. These Romeo y Julieta Churchills come in their historical grey aluminum tubes with a bottom screw- cap in which the cigars were aged for about 12 years. They include their original dress box from 2007, with an additional elegant brown protective case that protects and embellishes the vintage box. The old bottom screw-cap is a nice reminder of days gone past as since 2006 Habanos S.A has gradually phased them out with friction-held slide-off caps at the top of the tube.

Perhaps the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has restored 'faith' in this program, because despite the elevated price-point of these releases, in 2021 Habanos S.A announced a further two releases of cigars already in regular production; the Montecristo Tubos and Trinidad Fundadores. I'm waiting in anticipation just to view the old-style bands that these latter releases would carry. No surprises that as of late-2022 these announced releases are not yet in circulation.

This Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has the typical 47 ring gauge x 178 mm or 7 inches length and came with a wrapper that had a beautiful dark brown color, just under colorado maduro shade, just like my last one smoked six months ago, and which I purchased as a single acquisition. This Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados was acquired as a six-pack purchase from a recent 24:24 listing, based on how superb my last RyJ Churchill Anejados was. All six of these newly-purchased RyJ Churchill Anejados also have a similar dark brown wrapper shade. The cigar comes with the old Romeo y Julieta band, with a second Aged (Anejados) band on the wrapper.

I had a good draw and the cigar started off with a strong nutty/creamy texture to it, like walnut and coconut and some hints of vanilla. In the middle third, those vanilla notes dissipated and some 'Earthy' flavours took over at a medium-strength. In the final third, I got some more forest floor-type flavours. The strength also increased a little to medium-full, like the last RyJ Churchills Anejados I smoked six months ago.

I smoked this in around 110 minutes and concluded that it was another outstanding cigar but was it typical of an aged Romeo y Julieta cigar? My mind fast-tracked back to the discontinued Bolivar Coronas Gigantes in early 2017 and wondered if this Romeo y Julieta Churchill Anejados were one and the same? For a cigar purportedly fifteen years old, the strength and flavours were atypical, in my opinion. Nevertheless, there's no doubt that the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados does not share the same reputational status as other previous Anejados releases. It continues to smoke superbly.

[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?

The last ABR Oct 2011 Molinos I smoked was eight months ago but I went through five from this box in quick succession in the first three or four months after opening it in late-2021. In general, these aged Sancho Panza Molinos have had a nice balance of salted cream and wood, yet they've been light on the palate. They've varied in their floral notes but they've been fantastic to smoke and much more interesting than recent Sancho Panza Non-Plus!

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, it's a cigar that benefits greatly from having significant time down. As I mentioned already, this is now my sixth SP Molinos from this box. It was again 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. In my opinion, based on how these have been smoking, it's not even a question I'd consider for another five years. By then, I'd think I would have finished the box! If so, it's a pity, naturally, that I can't re-stock this now discontinued lonsdale cigar.

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.

[Glass Half Full]

23 hours ago, JohnS said:

Romeo y Julieta Churchills 2019 - Habanos Añejados ALP Mar 2007

The Anejados program was first announced in 2014 with the release of the Montecristo Churchill and Romeo y Julieta Piramides. In 2015 the Partagas Corona Gorda and Hoyo de Monterrey Hermosos No 4 were released and finally in 2016 we got the H.Upmann Robustos. The two characteristics these cigars all shared were that they were aged (anejados in Spanish means 'aged') and they represented vitolas not normally associated with their marcas in regular production. I could further point out a third characteristic: reviews for all these cigars have been mixed, ranging from very good, to acceptable to downright bad. The elevated price points for these cigars hasn't helped marketing either.

I suppose whispers surrounding the authenticity of the whole program haven't helped. I mean, is it plausible that Habanos S.A really kept aside cigars in unique vitolas from the mid-2000s to release to market ten years later? I mean, was some Habanos S.A. executive/s somehow inspired by the well-known story of Joseph telling the Pharaoh of Egypt from the book of Genesis to set aside grain for future famine conditions the motivation for this idea? It's been cynically suggested on our forum that the first five releases were re-packaged unsold vitolas in other marcas. For example, it's been said that the Montecristo Churchill Anejados were simply unsold 2006 Sancho Panza Gigantes. Given that no-one in the Cuban Cigar Industry has gone on record as even knowing the existence of this program prior to 2014, you'd have to say that these concerns have been well-justified.

Fast-forward to 2019 and for the first time in three years a new release to the program was added, only this time it included a vitola that is already in regular production: the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados Tubos. These Romeo y Julieta Churchills come in their historical grey aluminum tubes with a bottom screw- cap in which the cigars were aged for about 12 years. They include their original dress box from 2007, with an additional elegant brown protective case that protects and embellishes the vintage box. The old bottom screw-cap is a nice reminder of days gone past as since 2006 Habanos S.A has gradually phased them out with friction-held slide-off caps at the top of the tube.

Perhaps the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has restored 'faith' in this program, because despite the elevated price-point of these releases, in 2021 Habanos S.A announced a further two releases of cigars already in regular production; the Montecristo Tubos and Trinidad Fundadores. I'm waiting in anticipation just to view the old-style bands that these latter releases would carry. No surprises that as of late-2022 these announced releases are not yet in circulation.

This Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has the typical 47 ring gauge x 178 mm or 7 inches length and came with a wrapper that had a beautiful dark brown color, just under colorado maduro shade, just like my last one smoked six months ago, and which I purchased as a single acquisition. This Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados was acquired as a six-pack purchase from a recent 24:24 listing, based on how superb my last RyJ Churchill Anejados was. All six of these newly-purchased RyJ Churchill Anejados also have a similar dark brown wrapper shade. The cigar comes with the old Romeo y Julieta band, with a second Aged (Anejados) band on the wrapper.

I had a good draw and the cigar started off with a strong nutty/creamy texture to it, like walnut and coconut and some hints of vanilla. In the middle third, those vanilla notes dissipated and some 'Earthy' flavours took over at a medium-strength. In the final third, I got some more forest floor-type flavours. The strength also increased a little to medium-full, like the last RyJ Churchills Anejados I smoked six months ago.

I smoked this in around 110 minutes and concluded that it was another outstanding cigar but was it typical of an aged Romeo y Julieta cigar? My mind fast-tracked back to the discontinued Bolivar Coronas Gigantes in early 2017 and wondered if this Romeo y Julieta Churchill Anejados were one and the same? For a cigar purportedly fifteen years old, the strength and flavours were atypical, in my opinion. Nevertheless, there's no doubt that the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados does not share the same reputational status as other previous Anejados releases. It continues to smoke superbly.

John, 

Firstly, and again, I always appreciate learning from your posts.  ...To the point, I too have some of the RyJ Añejado Churchills (from a 24:24) earlier this year, and I acknowledge that they are much maligned.  That said, my thought remains that these are still RyJ Churchills regardless of the supposed aging, and I am happy to age them myself.  

I only tried one so far, and that one did not compare as favorably to self-kept examples from 2018 and 2015 (so I too am skeptical of the aged moniker), ...but I'm willing to hold these for some years to see what comes of them, especially with the help (and simple beauty) of the plain aluminum tubos.  

I hope all of them (yours, mine and any others who took the chance) experience something special in some years   

Again, many thanks for your thoughtful reviews, and with best regards, 

-Cliff

[Lamboinee]

On 10/5/2022 at 4:31 PM, JohnS said:

 My view that the Arturo Fuente Hemingway line closely compares to the H.Upmann Connoisseur Habanos line remains steadfast; it's actually quite uncanny how directly they align. I guess you just have to smoke one for yourself to see what I mean!

Your recent AF Hemmi entry is particularly interesting.  Specifically, the part where you compare the hemmi to the HUP connie line. Admittedly, I have not yet smoked anything except for Coronas and Regalias in the HUP line (I def favor these).  But, I am imminently familiar with the Cameroon wrapped hemmis and, luckily, I have some Connie 2s from 24:24 that will arrive in the future.  Based on my experiences, and some midgrade speculation regarding the conni, I find it hard to imagine that the two would share any distinct flavor characteristics warranting a comparison.  But, there it is, you said it, and you are credible.  I can’t wait to compare them for myself. I hope I am proven wrong as it would be a very interesting learning experience IMO.  I appreciate your diary entries not only for their content, but also because they provide opportunities to explore the CC flavor journey and share it with others.  

[JohnS]

3 hours ago, Glass Half Full said:

John, 

Firstly, and again, I always appreciate learning from your posts.  ...To the point, I too have some of the RyJ Añejado Churchills (from a 24:24) earlier this year, and I acknowledge that they are much maligned.  That said, my thought remains that these are still RyJ Churchills regardless of the supposed aging, and I am happy to age them myself.  

I only tried one so far, and that one did not compare as favorably to self-kept examples from 2018 and 2015 (so I too am skeptical of the aged moniker), ...but I'm willing to hold these for some years to see what comes of them, especially with the help (and simple beauty) of the plain aluminum tubos.  

I hope all of them (yours, mine and any others who took the chance) experience something special in some years   

Again, many thanks for your thoughtful reviews, and with best regards, 

-Cliff

Thank you, Cliff. The main goal I have with this review series is to remain as objective as possible. Sometimes, that means providing information that runs counter to my feelings. In regards to the Romeo y Julieta Churchills, that is a cigar that I have a soft spot for, definitely. Your thoughts on this reflect my own wishes for this vitola in the future.

I guess that ultimately, whether these 2007 Romeo y Julieta Anejados Churchills are true to their marca or not, they are atypical for the program in general because unlike other Anejados cigars, these have been generally well-received by cigar enthusiasts.

1 hour ago, Lamboinee said:

Your recent AF Hemmi entry is particularly interesting.  Specifically, the part where you compare the hemmi to the HUP connie line. Admittedly, I have not yet smoked anything except for Coronas and Regalias in the HUP line (I def favor these).  But, I am imminently familiar with the Cameroon wrapped hemmis and, luckily, I have some Connie 2s from 24:24 that will arrive in the future.  Based on my experiences, and some midgrade speculation regarding the conni, I find it hard to imagine that the two would share any distinct flavor characteristics warranting a comparison.  But, there it is, you said it, and you are credible.  I can’t wait to compare them for myself. I hope I am proven wrong as it would be a very interesting learning experience IMO.  I appreciate your diary entries not only for their content, but also because they provide opportunities to explore the CC flavor journey and share it with others. 

Thank you for your thoughts, Lamboinee. I'm yet to sample a H.Upmann Connoisseur No.2 and so when I mention the Connoisseur series I am very much thinking of the H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1. Ultimately, it's just my opinion (that there are similarities in the Arturo Fuente Hemingway line and the H.Upmann Connoisseur line) and if you find differences, trust me, that's okay. When it all 'comes down to it', cigar smoking is a subjective experience. All I can do is be as honest and well-informed, critically, as I can.

Even as I type this, I'm reflecting on the last Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art I smoked and how much I enjoyed its creamy texture and sweet tobacco. It makes me want to light another one up right now just thinking about it, in the same way a superlative H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 does!

[Lamboinee]

7 hours ago, JohnS said:

thinking of the H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1. 

Am I correct in assuming that the Connie 2 should be a somewhat similar blend profile to the Connie 1? 

[joeypots]

On 11/1/2022 at 2:50 AM, JohnS said:

Of course I intend to acquire some more cigars within this line in the future. The Arturo Fuente Hemingway series has become one of my favourite Non-Cuban releases and each cigar I smoke continues to exceed my expectations for frankly what good cigars they are.

Thanks for the reviews, John. I smoked a lot of Hemingways (and Fuente 898s) before I made the transition to Cuban cigars. Back then I would buy a lot of singles and the AF Hemingways were often in my humidor. Maybe I need to rethink my Cuban cigar snobbery 🤯 .

[JohnS]

6 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

Am I correct in assuming that the Connie 2 should be a somewhat similar blend profile to the Connie 1? 

Yes, you would be correct in assuming that there are similarities.

1 hour ago, joeypots said:

Thanks for the reviews, John. I smoked a lot of Hemingways (and Fuente 898s) before I made the transition to Cuban cigars. Back then I would buy a lot of singles and the AF Hemingways were often in my humidor. Maybe I need to rethink my Cuban cigar snobbery 🤯 .

I would add that perhaps it's not your snobbery that needs to be reconsidered at all. Rather, judging by how well these Non-Cuban premium brands I've tried have been smoking of late, both in regards to flavour and construction, it's Habanos S.A. that needs to not take its current problems with supply for Cuban cigars for granted!

[karp]

On 11/1/2022 at 7:56 AM, JohnS said:

If you have Sancho Panza in you humidor, excepting the SP Belicosos,

Thanks for the insightful reviews, as always they are excellent. I bought a box of SP Belis recently and was planning to age approx 5 years… does that seem reasonable? I notice you mention ‘except’ here so was wondering.. 

[JohnS]

On 11/4/2022 at 8:36 AM, karp said:

Thanks for the insightful reviews, as always they are excellent. I bought a box of SP Belis recently and was planning to age approx 5 years… does that seem reasonable? I notice you mention ‘except’ here so was wondering.. 

Sancho Panza Belicosos have been hard to come by in the last 12 to 24 months. Prior to this, from 2018 onwards, they had a reputation for smoking superbly, they were more 'toasty' and they smoked well with little downtime so they didn't need long-term rest, in my view, to enjoy them. In comparison, the Sancho Panza Non Plus benefited from more rest.

If you wanted to rest your Sancho Panza Belicosos for five years then that's fine. Trust me, they won't diminish in quality. However, in general, in recent times the SP Belicosos has been an exception to the rule that Sancho Panza benefits from long-term rest.

[karp]

Thanks for the info - I'll try one soon and see how it smokes.. The taste profile I'm reading about sounds really interesting. Looking forward to a change of pace!

[JohnS]

Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill was Cigar Aficionado’s No.8 cigar of the year in 2018 and 2020, with scores of 93 and 95 respectively. I was so impressed with the last Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill I had a month ago, I decided to acquire a 10-count box in the meantime. This cigar is the first from the box that I decide to smoke 'right-off-the-truck' (ROTT), so-to-speak.

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill is box-pressed but has a normal straight foot and a slightly curved head with a 178 mm (or 7 inches) length and 50 ring gauge, which is a little bigger than the traditional Habanos girth for a Churchill-sized cigar that is usually 47 rg. It comes with the now accustomed, yet impressive, Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper but it is the binder and filler which makes a difference to the Melanio line. Both the binder and the filler use Nicaraguan Jalapa tobacco which is said to impart more flavour and less strength.
    
On the cold draw I got some cedar and sweet barnyard. The aroma of the cigar was exquisite. The sheen on the wrapper was impressive too. It's remarkable how well these are made.

The cigar opened with a mild strength and some sweet notes of dark chocolate, walnuts and cedar which gave way to more rudimentary notes of coffee and leather in the middle third. In the last third the strength intensified a little, but honestly not too much, and the flavour blend stayed much the same.

I mentioned in my last review that Habanos S.A. have very few Churchill-sized cigars left; in fact, just three in regular production (Cohiba Esplendidos, H.Upmann Sir Winston and Romeo y Julieta Churchill). These all enjoy a ‘lofty’ reputation within the Habanos catalogue, Although, this wasn't brilliant as the last Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill I had a month ago, it was still a pleasure to smoke over 110 minutes. I very much enjoyed it and I'm glad I acquired a box.

In my opinion, I feel the Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill is a quality addition to my collection of other Habanos Churchills in my humidor.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse SGA Sep 2016

The El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse can be such a delightful little flavour bomb on the proviso that they have decent construction. By that I mean whether they are rolled correctly or not. My previous box of MLU Dic 2018 ERdM Demi Tasses had far too many samples with construction issues for my liking. This older SGA Sep 2016 box has been much better; alas, I've only smoked four of them and this is my first one from the box in three and a half years.

Thankfully, this entreactos cigar was rolled well; I didn't need to re-light it once, it wasn't under-filled, it didn't burn harshly and it had a good ash-length throughout. It had the usual lemon citrus combining with a core fruit and shortbread profile, some floral and honey notes and a hint of almond flavour on the edges, which is what I was looking for. At six of years of age, I can finally say that although it was still around the medium mark in strength, it wasn't 'toasty'.

I can be satisfied that this ErdM Demi Tasse today smoked much, much better than my last one from my MLU Dic 2018 box. It lasted twenty-five minutes but the memories of my last box were long gone before I had finished it!

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No.54 MSU Jul 2018

The resurgence of Quai d'Orsay as a marca in worldwide Habanos markets since its re-branding in 2017 is something quite remarkable to reflect on. In the time that the QdO Nos. 50 and 54 were released, they've been colloquially termed the 'poor man's Cohiba' by enthusiasts. The Quai d'Orsay No.54 has been the more popular of the two new releases than the No.50, both on our forum and worldwide. Personally, I've connected more with the QdO No.50 than the No.54 in the last few years, but my last few QdO No.54s in 2020 have shown a large improvement for me in quality.

Quai d'Orsay is the only marca founded outside of Cuba and by request. The story goes that French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing wanted a uniquely French luxury cigar product to compliment other synonymous French luxury items such as French champagne, perfume and foie gras so he asked the French tobacco monopoly, SEITA to come up with the product. Tobacco Executive Gilbert Belaubre, rarely credited in these Quai d'Orsay origin anecdotes, was really the man responsible for the brand being light and Habanos as he was adamant that a French luxury cigar could not be machine-made and utilise Sumatra and Cameroon leaves (as one of the other project teams planned to do). Belaubre worked with Cubatabaco to come up with the brand in 1974. At first the brand consisted of light-wrappered cigars; in fact the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro had two versions as the lightest-wrappered product was called 'Claro Claro' and was marked 'Clarismo' on its box. This lightest-wrappered product was discontinued in the early 1980s as the extra expense didn't translate into an extraordinary cigar-smoking experience in comparison to the other cigars in the marca such as the Coronas Claro, Gran Corona, Imperiales and Panatelas.

For many years the marca utilised light wrappers in keeping with its light and mild strength and herbal, shortbread and citrus flavour profile. Quai d'Orsay became the second largest Habanos marca behind Montecristo in France but it didn't really dominate other non-French speaking markets. Fast forward a number of years, and with the brand down to one cigar in regular production; the QdO Coronas Claro, a change in using light wrappers and an upgrading of blend has meant that the Quai d'Orsay would have to be one of the hottest marcas outside the current Global (Cohiba, H.Upmann, Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta) and Value brands (Bolivar, Punch, Ramon Allones and Trinidad) in the world today.

As I mentioned already, I've preferred the Quai d'Orsay No.50 (of the two new Quai d'Orsay releases) and as a result, this is actually my first Quai d'Orsay No.54 I've smoked in almost two years. My last Quai d'Orsay No.54 had a quality hay, light cedar, cream and spice blend together with a brioche texture which made it smoke superbly. Fast forward to the present time and a almost four-and-a-half years this QdO No.54 had a similar egg and brioche blend which was much less woody as I progressed through the cigar. It also had no spice. It was quite easy to smoke; in fact, it was over after only 65 minutes but I didn't think I smoked through it too quickly. It certainly didn't become bitter.

I have no doubt that the upcoming Quai d'Orsay No.52 (a unique 52 ring gauge x 156 mm or 6⅛ inch in length Lanzas) will generate great interest whenever it arrives. In the meantime, the resurgence of Quai d'Orsay has been quite something to marvel at. There were only five special releases in this brand prior to 2018, since then they've been eight.

For me personally, the old adage that Quai d'Orsay cigars require time (in the vicinity of somewhere like three to five years) to appreciate more fully is certainly true when it comes to the Quai d'Orsay No.54.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Leyenda LGR Sep 2018

The Montecristo Leyenda is part of the Linea 1935 series, a group of three cigars (the others are the Dumas and Maltes) which are the Montecristo version of the Cohiba Behike series. Its dimensions are identical to the 2015 Montecristo 80 Aniversario release, that is big...a Maravillas No.2 cigar with a 55 ring gauge by 165 mm (or 6½ inches) length. These have been marketed as been fuller in strength (or is it flavour, or possibly both?), but I consistently found these to be suitably medium to medium-mild. Interestingly, in late 2021 Habanos S.A introduced the similarly-themed Linea de Oro Dianas, Hidalgos and Nobles in the global Romeo y Julieta marca.

Like my last Leyenda smoked a little over twelve months ago, this had a wonderful marshmallow-textured creaminess to it which is something I actively look for in this cigar and appreciate. It also had notes of light cocoa, cedar, almond nuts and citrus twang. This time it had no had hints of white pepper from the end of the first third onwards, unlike the last few Leyendas I've had in 2018 and 2019. Like last time, the cigar did not get intense into the last third and I enjoyed it well past the band. It took a good two hours and forty minutes to finish.

This was even better than the last excellent Leyenda I had because the cocoa in it was just right, which meant that it was balanced, and the marshmallow-textured creaminess was able to 'shine' through the cigar.

Due to the increase in pricing from mid-2022 by Habanos S.A. this will probably be the last of the Linea 1935 cigars I will sample. At least I can say that it was very much savoured and appreciated!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 ROP Feb 2020

This is the fourth Partagas Serie D No.4 from a 10-count box I acquired around eight months ago. The Partagas Serie D No.4 is considered the number one selling Habanos cigar in the world today, overtaking the Montecristo No.4. It's certainly come a long way since, because of its size (50 ring gauge x 124 mm or 4.9 inches), it sold only 5000 boxes annually as recently as the mid-1980s.

In general, I prefer Partagas on the mild side and well-rested, unless it's a Lusitanias because these Double Coronas are usually big on sourdough, light on spice or pepper and medium-mild or less in strength, even when young.Therefore, I haven't had many Partagas Serie D No.4s in the last few years. I say this, however, as a result of the fact that I've had many Partagas cigars young in the past that have been more vibrant in flavour and especially strength when young, and I note that these Partagas Serie D No.4s that have been produced in the last two or three years have not been like that at all. In fact, I've found them quite approachable from very early on.

This fourth Partagas Serie D No.4 was not quite as excellent as the first three. I suppose that was due to its simple nature. Sure it was consistent in its balance of coffee, sourdough and leather but flavourwise it wasn't as 'fulsome' as the others. Despite this, it still smoked well and construction-wise there was nothing here to complain about.

I wrote in my last few reviews that the first three cigars from this box were probably some of the best Partagas Serie D No.4s I've ever had and I could easily smoke them more regularly when they are like this. I'd still contend that this box of Partagas Serie D No.4 represents some of the best product that is available from Habanos S.A in regular production right now, even after smoking this fourth one which was above average in comparison to other Partagas Serie D No.4s I've smoked in the distant past.

[LLC]

I am enjoying an outstanding Partagas D4 while browsing the forum and reading your latest batch of reviews. I’ll also say, I am also a big fan of the Leyenda. 

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 UTL Jul 2019

This was my seventh Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 from a 5x3 cardboard pack I acquired in late 2019. I smoked the first four HdM Epi 2s within six months but the fifth was smoked twelve months later. The sixth one was smoked three months after the fifth one. This seventh one was smoked two months later. After smoking now through almost half the content of this cardboard pack, I'm confident that the question of aging in cardboard packaging will be but a moot point as five of the seven cigars thus far smoked have been great to excellent, and the other two were serviceably fine.

Like my last HdM Epi 2, the draw here was fine. The flavours were a little muted in comparison to the rest of the HdM Epi 2s thus far; light milk cocoa, cedar, malt were present but this wasn't as cream-textured as the others, nor did it have any vanilla sweetness.

All my HdM Epi 2s from this box code have been light in strength. The fifth one had quite a lot of flavour to it and the smoke per puff was quite voluminous. It took me an unbelievable two hours to smoke. By contrast, the last two HdM Epi 2s took me a more standard 70 minutes to smoke.

Although this Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 today wasn't as superlative as the majority of the others, I'm confident in my aspirations for the rest of the box as overall they've been quite reliable to smoke thus far.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Small Club Coronas ETP Mar 2017

The Ramon Allones Small Club Corona is a reputable (42 ring gauge x 110 mm or 4⅜ inches in length) minutos. I think I've had around six or seven RASCCs in the last six months or so and overall I've rated them quite well for their flavours and smoking time. In fact, although I would opine that cigar enthusiasts favour the Montecristo No.5 or San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe more, I find the Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas is quite dependable and varies less in its quality, both construction-wise and flavour-wise.

When it comes to the RASCC you are really looking for its typical and distinctive dried fruit flavour, something akin to raisins. When that is present they're ideal. When they are not, I tend to still find them a decent option to smoke when I need a shorter smoke due to time.

This RASCC had a balance of quality nut, light cocoa, wood and leather but it was light on that characteristic raisin-type flavour. Again, the construction was spot-on here; both the burn and draw, with a smoking time of around 35 to 40 minutes.

Despite this Ramon Allones Small Club Corona not being as fulsome in flavours as my last few, I still found it okay to smoke. I would go further in saying that overall they represent decent value for a minutos-sized cigar.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Coronas Junior MSU Jul 2019

The Bolivar Coronas Junior is another minutos (42 ring gauge x 110 mm or 4⅜ inches in length) which, like the Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas, I have found to be very dependable; even more so than the Montecristo No.5 and San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe. In relative comparison within the Bolivar marca, of the four Bolivar vitolas I have sampled in the last two years or so including the Bolivar Tubos No.1, Bolivar Belicosos Finos, Bolivar Petit Corona, I would rate the Bolivar Coronas Junior as perhaps the best (but maybe only just a little better than the others) for how consistent they've been for me.

I've not found my recent BCJs smoked as particularly 'Earthy'. This still had those other core Bolivar flavours of light cocoa, leather, espresso coffee and cedar, it even had a little sweet Cuban twang. This cigar was a touch under medium-full in body with plenty of flavour. It took me an forty-five minutes to smoke which I consider about normal for a minutos-sized cigar in terms of smoking time.

In summary, this Bolivar Coronas Junior smoked around the same as my last one smoked from this box. It was at least a 90 to 91-point cigar.

[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!)

The last few times I smoked this cigar 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 wasn't quite as 'night and day' as the last one I smoked in early-2022 but it was still well-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. Today's cigar started off with that welcome orange citrus and softer, creamy texture. By the start of the middle third is transposed itself into a cocoa and wood-heavy cigar. The last third changed again in how the spice, which was minimal at the halfway point, became so evident on the edges of the smoke at the end. I could still make out that spice on my palate hours later after I finished the cigar!

This Limited Edition cigar was quite popular upon its release and so if you picked up this cigar as an acquisition when it was available then you are indeed fortunate. In my opinion, the reputation of this cigar will most likely grow even more positive as the years pass.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones La Palmera 2016 - Edición Regional Emiratos Arabes Unidos SOM Dic 2016

The Ramon Allones La Palmera is a 2016 U.A.E Regional Edition which was released to market in early 2018. According to Cuban Cigar Website, this cigar made first use of a new regional band for the United Arab Emirates with the text Emiratos Arabes. Previous releases wore a band with E.A.U.

With a 54 ring gauge x 164mm length (or 6½ inches)  the RA La Palmera is a Sublimes vitola, the same size as the 2004 Cohiba Sublimes and 2008 Montecristo Sublimes Limited Editions and LCDH Bolivar Libertador. It comes packaged in a 10-count semi boite nature box.

This cigar has become somewhat of a 'guilty pleasure' as I have quite enjoyed every one I've had, even if their construction has been inconsistent. They've tended to be more a touch under mild-medium to mild, so nothing like a youthful Ramon Allones Specially Selected in strength or body, more like an aged Ramon Allones Superiores. I've mentioned in previous reviews that I've tended to find the flavours are unique to this marca, something similar to the 2017 Montesco-sized Asia Pacifico Regional Edition Silver Jubilee.

As with all the Ramon Allones La Palmeras I've smoked both this year and last, there was no cocoa to be found here whatsoever. It did however have a combined baked bread, walnut and apple and pear citrus blend. Any wood notes this cigar has have now dissipated as this cigar has aged and, as I said in my last review on this cigar, it has definitely acquired a more definable citrus note as it's got older, in my opinion.

This was a long cigar to smoke, around two-and-a-half hours. Unlike my last three RA La Palmeras, which all had ash that was flaky, this RA Palmera had an ash that held together quite well.

So, in summary, I wouldn't call this a complex cigar but its simple concoction of flavours resonated well with my palate. If you have a box vested away I would consider sampling one sooner rather than later as it's quite a light cigar, especially for a Ramon Allones vitola!