JohnS' Smoking Diary 2022

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 ESL May 2018

The Montecristo No.5 was of course one of the original five cigars of the Montecristo line first introduced in 1935 along with the No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4. It's a 40 ring gauge x 102 mm (or 4 inches) in length perla. The typical smoking time for a small cigar like this would be around 30 to 45 minutes.

The last Montecristo No.5 I had was a RUP Sep 2020 specimen smoked only last month. It had a slightly creamy texture and was more dominant in its citrus twang, which is just the way I like it. This ESL May 2018 example was the first cigar of a 10-count box (you wouldn't believe how tiny the box is!) I acquired three months ago and it was very different to my last Monte 5, but every bit as good!

At four years of age this was replete in cocoa but it had no harsh edges to it, the coffee was mellow and it was not cream-textured in any way. It didn't have any citrus twang either.

So, in summary, even though it was very much different to my last Montecristo No.5, this Montecristo No.5 was constructed well, smoked well and most importantly, was quite impressive in its balanced flavours. I can only hope the next Monte 5 from the box is like this one!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

If I were to ask you, a few years ago before the Covid-19 pandemic, if you could contemplate a scenario whereby there'd be a distribution shortage of Montecristo No.4 around the world in the future surely you'd laugh such a possibility off. Yet, here we are and yet still, stranger times have been known to exist and may yet be in front of us.

This Montecristo No.4 therefore made me wary, prior to lighting it, of the likelihood of my impending difficulty in acquiring such a quintessential vitola for my humidor in the near future. Then again, this feeling is much more exacerbated when I think of my Cohiba and Trinidad stock. I could go on but please let me get back to this Montecristo No.4.

As you may know, the Montecristo No.4 is another one of those vitolas has been been smoking well post-2019. The thing that has stood out for me has been the Citrus 'twang' and nuttiness that I have got in my Monte 4s for some time now, in varying degrees, and of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. This Monte 4 started in this fashion, with a lovely hit of nut and citrus 'twanginess' that was simply delectable. This lasted into the beginning of the middle third when I got more of that Montecristo coffee and cocoa we all know (and sometimes love) and it ended into the final third with a toasted tobacco which dominated the other flavours.

It's not normal to have such variance or complexity in a Montecristo No.4 over 65 minutes, but I didn't mind. I would have preferred more of that citrus twang dominating the cigar into the middle period of it but overall I was well-satisfied.

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus ABR Sep 2011

I've smoked enough Sancho Panza Non Plus cigars to know that I much prefer them aged than youthful. The reason is simple...for me,  they are more interesting flavour-wise as they age than what they tend to be in their youth.

Like many of you no doubt, I stocked up on some Sancho Panza Non Plus when they were discontinued in 2019. After smoking some 2018 SP Non Plus cigars from 2019 to 2021 and comparing them to be this 2011 box I was smoking immediately prior, the toasted tobacco which can render the SP Non Plus one-dimensional when young recedes with age (although it can still be there in the background) and in its place one can decipher floral or herbal notes and even some creaminess to the cigar.

Unfortunately, this last one from the box today was a tad tight and this was no exception. How tight? Well, not plugged but I had to draw hard to get a decent amount of smoke. At the same time I had to make sure that I didn't wet the tobacco leaf at the opening and make the cigar bitter, as is very easy to do. The flavours were also one-dimensional, just simple salt and wood. There wasn't any real floral or herbal notes or cream texture to this cigar at all.

So, in general, this was a disappointing way to finish the box but overall that is what the Sancho Panza Non Plus was known for being capable of delivering prior to discontinuation.

I still maintain, however, that if you picked up a box or two of Sancho Panza Non Plus around the time they were deleted in 2019 or immediately thereafter, take note to leave some aside for long-term aging. You'll be glad you did in the long run!

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas LGR Oct 2019

When it comes to the Por Larranaga Petit Coronas there seems to be two leading views as to what profile the cigar represents; one, the aged, refined caramel-laden variety or alternatively, the young potent coffee-and-spice version. Is it possible to like both types of these PLPCs? I would advocate that indeed it is possible, but consequently I find enthusiasts seem to favour one or the other.

As for me, I don't mind them in their youth but yes, I do favour them aged, especially if they are strongly mild, caramel and baking spice in their smoking. This quarter box of LGR Oct 2019 PLPCs that I acquired from our host have been almost universally excellent despite been under two years of age. I've been pleasantly enamoured by how strong they've been in caramel at such a young stage and how little spice they've had.

Today's PLPC had some lovely caramel, toffee and honey until the middle third when the cigar exhibited a quality toasted tobacco into its flavour profile, together with some herbal flavours. I'd categorise these herbal flavours as being not quite 'woody', nor overly 'toasty'.

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

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

I last smoked a Por Larranaga Montecarlos as recently as last month. I mentioned, at that time, that a recent thread on our forum highlighted what a 'forum favourite' this cigar is. By that I mean a cigar that the average consumer would bypass in favour of more well-known marcas and vitolas such as the Montecristo No.2 and No.4, Partagas Serie D No.4 and Cohiba Linea 1492 Siglo Series, for example. The fact is that the Por Larranaga Montecarlos is popular amongst cigar enthusiasts but it remains little-known elsewhere. So why is that? Maybe because of the simple fact Por Larranaga is lesser-known as a marca. Also, long-and-skinnies have never been overwhelmingly popular in the history of Habanos cigars and now they are virtually down to their two last-known examples. Of course, I am speaking about the Por Larranaga Montecarlos and La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4. (Which incidentally has enjoyed a lengthy hiatus in production in the past few years to make enjoyment of this cigar even more challenging for the average cigar enthusiast. Of course, I am being 'tongue-in-cheek' here in my insights!)

The Por Larranaga Montecarlos is a 33 ring gauge x 159 mm (or 6¼ inches) in length Deliciosos, which is its Factory Name and by which no-one virtually outside of Cuba calls it as such. It's Common Name for its size, a Slim Panatela, is incidentally indeed more common. On our forum, as mentioned, yes...it's a 'forum favourite'...you know, a cigar that has many admirers for providing value for money when it comes to its smoking performance.

Personally-speaking, I quite enjoy the Por Larranaga Montecarlos and I've been smoking from three different box codes in the last few years and they each tell a different story. My LGR Oct 17 box has been by far my favourite because it is the most light-wrappered and has been consistently caramel in its profile. This box is down to three sticks. My LGR Ago 18 box has been best described as dependable. I've gone through half this box and the wrappers in this box are darker. My third box, a TOS Mar 17 example has the darkest wrappers and has been the woodiest of the lot. I've gone through 60% of this box but they are nowhere near their peak so I haven't reached for one for a few years now. Neither do I intend to re-visit this last box soon. Maybe I will in another 2 or 3 years.

I was heartened again by the fact that from the very first puff I got a hit or two of refined caramel in this LGR Oct 17 PL Montecarlos. It is always the one characteristic that I look for whenever I reach for this cigar. Together with the milk coffee, the honey, some toffee perhaps and the woodiness you can get from a PL Montecarlos it simply makes for a great smoke, flavour-wise.

In regards to construction, this was unlike my last one last month (a LGR Ago 18 sample) in that it burned consistently well and didn't need re-lights. I was more than satisfied by the time the cigar was done after 70 minutes.

In my humble view, when a Por Larranaga Montecarlos can smoke this well and be this beautifully sweet and nuanced in its flavours; well, I say Habanos S.A can keep their Cohiba and Trinidad for the 0.1% of its customers with disposable incomes equal to a first-world city. Yes, for me, give me these type of cigars any day! 

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 ETP Ene 2016

The predominance of larger ring gauge Habanos cigars since Habanos S.A. sold a 50% share of its business to Franco-Spanish tobacco company, Altadis in 2000 has meant that the appreciation for long-and-skinny cigars, such as the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, amongst cigar enthusiasts can either sway towards sentimental idealism or over-rated insipidness. So, fast forward twenty years and the Petit Corona and Robusto have been replaced by the Petit Robusto as the quintessential Habanos cigar and every new release cigar is 50 ring gauge or over.

Is there an art to appreciating a 32 or 33 ring gauge cigar? I believe there is. A slim panetela invariably demands your attention when smoking it due to its thin ring gauge and its propensity to overheat and smoke 'bitter' if it's drawn upon too quickly.

The La Gloria Cubana marca has been whittled to one vitola, the Medaille d'Or No.4 and this cigar had been in hiatus since the first quarter of 2018. The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 has only just recently come back into production last year in 2021, with box codes indicative of late 2020. Unfortunately, it seems that the recent update to pricing by Habanos S.A has seen stock once again diminish. What caused the hiatus since 2018 anyway? In one word, in my view, 500000 sticks of La Gloria Cubana Serie D No.5s in the much-admired (from Habanos S.A's point-of-view) Petit Robusto format certainly contributed to the leaf that would normally go into a La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 been diverted to production for the Spanish Regional Edition La Gloria Cubana Serie D No.5.

This hiatus of La Gloria Cubana product is again temporary as Habanos S.A has announced last year that the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 will be joined in regular production by the LCDH Glorias, a 49 ring gauge x 156 mm (or 6⅛ inches) in length Flechas and Turquinos, a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm (or 5½ inches) in length Gordito. Unsurprisingly though, Habanos S.A has not managed to release these latter two additions to market quite yet but if you follow these new releases than this should come as no surprise.

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

In terms of this array of contrasting flavours, these can range from savoury to sweet to spicy. This LGC No.4 began with some fruit and lemon-type citrus (which I quite like) and was soon joined by some wood, almond nut and herbal notes from the end of the first third onwards. It was simply sensational as these are the type of flavours I look for in a LGC No.4 when I smoke one.

I have to admit, in general, that I am biased towards being effusive in praise about this cigar. However, when these smoke like this one today, the accolades are most certainly justified.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Perfecto 2020 - Edición Regional México 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 reminds 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 this cigar does have a little bit of that; however, right now, I would categorise it more closely with a young Ramon Allones Specially Selected in terms of its power. At least this was unlike my last RA Perfectos smoked at the beginning of 2022 which was slightly under-filled and did not burn well as a result. Construction-wise, this cigar was fine.

Something inside me still tells me that if you have acquired this release, then you should wait and let it age. The flavours here today once again served as a brilliant example of what Ramon Allones can be like and I have a feeling these will only get better.

[JohnS]

Partagás Lusitanias UEB Abr 2019

I had smoked my last Partagas Lusitanias from this box only last month and I promise you, surely this cigar would be up there within the first five Habanos cigars you'd think of when you contemplate Cuban cigars that have the most class. Maybe the others would include the H.Upmann Sir Winston, Cohiba Esplendidos and some others but once again I digress, so let's get back to discussing the Partagas Lusitanias itself.

I wrote the following summary of the Partagas Lusitanias in my last review and I wish to reiterate some of it as it provides some context as to why this cigar is so revered amongst enthusiasts...

There was a dedicated thread on our forum on the Partagas Lusitanias recently. It's said on our forum that usually, any one time, a typical Habanos cigar will attract 75% of adherents who 'get it'. The participants in this poll (and there were close to 150 of them) who 'got' the Partagas Lusitanias, considered the flagship cigar of the Partagas brand, was numbered at 94%.

The top five flavours that were singled out in this poll were, in order; cream, wood, nut, Earth and bread, although leather was added later on and I would guess that this latter flavour would have polled higher. Coffee, capsicum or bell pepper and mushroom or Forest Floor flavours were not too far behind.

Until 1976, the Partagas Lusitania was manufactured with a 'cabeza tumbada' or a bullet-tip or dropped head. This type of cap is usually reserved for more prestigious cigars nowadays, almost exclusively for Numero 109 cigars such as the 2014 Diplomaticos Bushidos, for example.

If you feel that the modern Partagas Lusitanias doesn't quite have the strength of its predecessor in the past than you'd be right. The 'Old School' Partagas blend that cigar enthusiasts on occasion mention and like to reflect upon was jettisoned in the mid-1990s.

This Partagas Lusitanias again had a caramel-like sweetness that can be termed as nougat. It was joined by that quintessential Partagas sourdough, milk coffee, cedar, nut, leather and honey. Sometimes you can get clove spice in this cigar but this time there wasn't any.

Construction-wise, it was pleasing that this cigar was unlike my last few Partagas Lusitanias in that it wasn't flaky. Rather, I got some nice consistent ash-lengths over two hours of smoking time.

So, in conclusion, this Partagas Lusitanias represented for me those esoteric qualities that come together to produce a cigar that is about as perfect it can be. Yes, indeed it was that good.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro TUA Dic 2020

The introduction of the new regular production additions to the Quai d'Orsay marca in late 2017, the Nos. 50 and 54, somewhat shaded the reputation of the aptly-named Coronas-sized (i.e. 42 ring gauge x 142 mm or 5⅝ inches in length) Coronas Claro for awhile thereafter. This is my sixth one that I've smoked from this box, around six months after my fifth one, and I must say that I felt that it was of the equal in smoking quality to the halcyon days of the Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 in late 2017, 2018 and early 2019.

I stated in my previous reviews on the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro that the one characteristic common to the very best Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 I've enjoyed in the past few years has been without a doubt a rich egg-and-butter brioche pastry texture. Other flavours of note include: quality hay, cedar, cream, ginger or cinnamon spice and toffee. When these Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 have not been on-point it was usually due to the cigar being unbalanced, often with flavours of oak wood and/or spice dominating and detracting from those sweeter cake-type aforementioned flavours.

This Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro was excellent, in my view, because it had a core rich egg-and-butter brioche pastry texture throughout it. It was naturally light in strength but body-wise it was quite flavoursome because along with the egg-and-butter brioche pastry it also had a balance of hay and orange citrus, along with some wood or oak, here and there.

Construction-wise, this thankfully was not under-filled like some of my last Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claros and so it smoked well from beginning to end. On caveat I must add though is that I had to smoke it slower than what I wanted to prevent it being bitter on the palate. It took me 90 minutes to finish but it was every bit as good as some of the best Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54s I've had around the time those cigars were first released.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 UTL Jul 2019

This was my fifth Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 from a 5x3 cardboard pack I acquired in late 2019. After smoking now through one-third of its contents, I'm confident that the question of aging in cardboard packaging will be but a moot point as four of the five cigars thus far smoked have been great to excellent, and the other one was servicably fine.

Light and mild, with distinctive Hoyo de Monterrey flavours that were quite evident, this HdM Epi 2 was tightly packed and initially I thought it would be a struggle to smoke, but on the contrary it smoked very well, the smoke output was ideal. The flavours were well-balanced too; light milk cocoa, cedar, malt, cream and vanilla and I must say that these milder, sweeter flavours really resonated with me.

Although this was light in strength, there was quite a lot of flavour to it and the smoke per puff was quite voluminous at times. It took me an unbelievable two hours to smoke, which is amazing when you consider that a Robustos-sized cigar such as this one would normally take me 70 to 75 minutes to smoke. I didn't mind, however, I only wish the rest of this cardboard pack of Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2s smoke like this HdM Epi 2 today.

[JohnS]

La Flor de Cano Mágicos 2018 - Edición Regional España Early 2020

I'd like to once again thank @NSXCIGAR for the opportunity to smoke this Spanish Regional Edition cigar. Of course it's a La Flor de Cano Magicos and again I had written in my last review on this cigar that 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 once again I digress. 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. This time the cigar was not as savoury as last time. It did not have cloves or paprika flavours to compliment it. The cocoa or chocolate was very light. There was a strawberries and cream undertone to the cigar which I've quite appreciated in my La Flor de Cano Grandiosos of late. There were no construction issues evident this time so the cigar smoked fine over 100 minutes.

Unlike my last La Flor de Cano Magicos, which was flaky and smoked over 75 minutes, this cigar exemplified how well a La Flor de Cano Regional Edition can smoke. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so.

[Connoisseur Kim]

On 5/29/2022 at 4:52 PM, JohnS said:

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 ETP Ene 2016

The predominance of larger ring gauge Habanos cigars since Habanos S.A. sold a 50% share of its business to Franco-Spanish tobacco company, Altadis in 2000 has meant that the appreciation for long-and-skinny cigars, such as the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, amongst cigar enthusiasts can either sway towards sentimental idealism or over-rated insipidness. So, fast forward twenty years and the Petit Corona and Robusto have been replaced by the Petit Robusto as the quintessential Habanos cigar and every new release cigar is 50 ring gauge or over.

Is there an art to appreciating a 32 or 33 ring gauge cigar? I believe there is. A slim panetela invariably demands your attention when smoking it due to its thin ring gauge and its propensity to overheat and smoke 'bitter' if it's drawn upon too quickly.

The La Gloria Cubana marca has been whittled to one vitola, the Medaille d'Or No.4 and this cigar had been in hiatus since the first quarter of 2018. The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 has only just recently come back into production last year in 2021, with box codes indicative of late 2020. Unfortunately, it seems that the recent update to pricing by Habanos S.A has seen stock once again diminish. What caused the hiatus since 2018 anyway? In one word, in my view, 500000 sticks of La Gloria Cubana Serie D No.5s in the much-admired (from Habanos S.A's point-of-view) Petit Robusto format certainly contributed to the leaf that would normally go into a La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 been diverted to production for the Spanish Regional Edition La Gloria Cubana Serie D No.5.

This hiatus of La Gloria Cubana product is again temporary as Habanos S.A has announced last year that the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 will be joined in regular production by the LCDH Glorias, a 49 ring gauge x 156 mm (or 6⅛ inches) in length Flechas and Turquinos, a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm (or 5½ inches) in length Gordito. Unsurprisingly though, Habanos S.A has not managed to release these latter two additions to market quite yet but if you follow these new releases than this should come as no surprise.

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

In terms of this array of contrasting flavours, these can range from savoury to sweet to spicy. This LGC No.4 began with some fruit and lemon-type citrus (which I quite like) and was soon joined by some wood, almond nut and herbal notes from the end of the first third onwards. It was simply sensational as these are the type of flavours I look for in a LGC No.4 when I smoke one.

I have to admit, in general, that I am biased towards being effusive in praise about this cigar. However, when these smoke like this one today, the accolades are most certainly justified.

As a big fan of LGC MdO4, I really like the herbal and fruity flavor profile of that beautiful long skinny CC 😃! I wish LGC MdO4 box will pop in future 2424 sales more frequently as Monte 1 boxes 😄.

[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' for 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. Again, there was no cocoa here whatsoever but it did have a delightful combination of baked bread, walnut and apple and pear citrus. The wood notes have dissipated as this cigar has aged and it has built a more definable citrus note as it's got older, in my opinion.

This was a long cigar to smoke, around two hours and twenty minutes. Again the ash was flaky but this time it only occurred in the second half of the cigar. In the first half, the ash held together really well.

So, in summary, I wouldn't call this a complex cigar but its simple concoction of flavours resonated well with my palate. I have one more in my humidor which I intend to smoke soon!

[JohnS]

Cohiba A 2003 - Serie A Humidor circa 2003

In 2001, Habanos S.A commemorated the 35th anniversary of the Cohiba brand by released a special humidor, in a run of 500. The original press release is reproduced below:

    To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Cohiba, which is probably the most emblematic brand of cigar in the world, Habanos S.A. launches a special production of 500 numbered humidors.

    Cohiba was created in 1966 and is likely the most renowned tobacco product on the planet. That distinction was earned, among other reasons, by being the gift of Cuban leaders to other world leaders here and abroad.

    The unmatched quality that these Habanos posses, likewise the fact that they were Fidel Castro’s favorite brand, contributed to creating the conditions to present this brand in society in the Ritz Hotel in Madrid in 1982. This made it possible to bring the myth of this cigar to the demanding cigar world.

    Cohiba, whose name is the first denomination the indigenous gave the cigar, has become an example of how to maintain the tradition of Cuban cigar know-how with the modernity of being a vanguard brand. It maintains exquisite care in the selection of its tobacco, likewise the elaboration process in the “El Laguito” factory.

The humidor included the following cigars; there were six different sizes included in each humidor. They were: 20 Cohiba 35 Aniversario Gran Coronas (47rg x 235mm or 9¼ inches), 20 Cohiba 35 Aniversario Espléndidos (47rg x 178mm or 7 inches), 20 Cohiba 35 Aniversario Siglo V (43rg x 170mm or 6¾ inches), 20 Cohiba 35 Aniversario Robustos (50rg x 124mm or 4⅞ inches), 20 Cohiba 35 Aniversario Pirámides (52rg x 156mm or 6⅛ inches) and 35 Cohiba 35 Aniversario Lanceros (38rg x 192mm or 7½ inches).

They were very much sought after upon release and expensive. Time has only enhanced both these characteristics of this release even further. I had an 35 Aniversario Cohiba Esplendido four years ago and my short mini-review was effusive, to say the least! I've reproduced it below:

Wow...what a flavour punch this was! It's remarkable that this is 16 years old. It had a combined mocha coffee and spice spine throughout, with the intensity building up in the second half. A little Cohiba grass/hay and some honey was there, with cinnamon at times in the aftertaste. 5 out of 5 cigar!

I'd like to thank Trevor Leask ( @Trevor2118 ) for gifting me this cigar. I've been meaning to save it for a special occasion and what's more special than one's 50th birthday? Well, I can think of a few things but life is short and as @Habana Mike (Mike Lindsay - our dear friend who many of us sorely miss) aptly said, "there's no time like the present!" At around the twenty year mark this 35 Aniversario Gran Coronas had very much 'smoothed out' into a simple cigar replete in mocha coffee, citrus and honey and it stayed this was from the first puff until the end. The cigar lasted a massive two-and-three-quarter hours.

What I feel distinguished it, in terms of its development, was the fact that it entered that phase of its life whereby the cigar was fairly the same strength throughout, its flavours had melded well and the last third did not become more intense at all. In fact, it was quite easy to nub.

It goes without saying that I consider myself both lucky to have smoked this cigar and lucky to have the opportunity to write a review about it.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux MER Abr 2013

I have a confession to make. Then again, I think I've mentioned it before, but I used to believe that the greater majority of Hoyo de Monterrey des Dieux were the pinnacle of creaminess in a cigar. This came about because the greater majority of des Dieuxs I smoked, at first, came from a 2003 box code. With time, I've come to understand that those '03 des Dieuxs were a 'class above' and other HdM Le Hoyo de Dieux (up to when they were discontinued in 2014) were subject to normal development over time like other Le Hoyo cigars.

When I mention the aging development of Le Hoyo line cigars I am naturally not including the recent additions to the line, the 2018 Rio de Seco and the 2014 de San Juan. Like Cohiba in the past five years or so, these two Le Hoyo additions seem to develop their peak flavours much younger than in the past. In the case of the Rio de Seco and de San Juan, this means the advent of creaminess in the cigar, with the Rio de Seco being noteworthy for creaminess even sooner than the de San Juan.

So what have traditional Le Hoyo cigars been like, in general? In a word, they have been characterised by their woodiness when young. The aim of resting them long-term is to let them become more creamy. As mentioned, like traditional Cohiba, developing those peak flavours can take five to ten years.

This early to mid-2013 HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux was amongst the last des Dieux to be produced prior to their sad deletion. I'd like to thank @baragh for gifting it to me. At around eight years rested the woodiness has definitely receded to become a quality cedar. When Le Hoyo cigars are under five years they can have a mushroom/forest floor-type flavour to them that can dominate the cigar. This des Dieux had a forest floor flavour that intermingled very nicely with a consistent sweet vanilla, but this only developed into the second half of the cigar. The first half was much more creamy. I

It's been around eighteen months since I last had a 2013/14 Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux and this cigar exhibited even more creaminess now than what these have done in the past. It also had no clove spice elements to it either, which is another characteristic of Le Hoyo cigars.

In my mind, when the last third start to develop more creaminess and the flavours have melded from beginning to end, then that's the time when the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux has peaked. We may be a few more years away in the case of the batch of the last run of the HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux from 2013/14.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Edmundos circa 2020/21

The Montecristo Linea Edmundo series is quite popular amongst enthusiasts on our forum. It must be similarly popular worldwide, as a recent Halfwheel article intimated that the price of these cigars (the Double Edmundos, Edmundos and Petit Edmundos) were going up in price by more than the percentage increase of other regular production Montecristo cigars in Germany. Therefore, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank @Luca for providing me the opportunity to sample this cigar.

The Montecristo Edmundo is akin to a big Robusto with its 52 ring gauge and 135 mm (or 5⅜ inches) length. No, it's not my favourite-sized cigar in the least, but still, it is the Montecristo marca and I admit I have a more general tolerance, an exaggerated leniency if you will, towards Montecristo cigars.

This cigar started off great in that it had a defined citrus twang from the start, balanced with nice soft cocoa, milk coffee and some almond nuttiness before it picked up in intensity in the last third, becoming a little spicy and having more wood and toasted tobacco flavour.

The construction was ideal, ash-length was fine, as was the burn and there were no touch-ups or re-lights.

Perhaps there was too much contrast between the beginning and end thirds of this Monte Edmundos as, quite frankly, I've had better. Then again, those were of a very high standard and this Monte Edmundos was quite fine today as it was.

[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 acquire some more fresh singles to compare and 'tide me over' before the upcoming price rises. 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 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 and leather. Unlike my aged examples of late, this Famosos didn't really have nuanced floral notes or baking spice but you wouldn't expect that for its age. Nevertheless, it was still a fine and satisfying cigar.

This was the first of ten single sticks I acquired of this box code and 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 slight tight and resistant draw but the smoke output wasn't affected so it didn't prove to be a setback to enjoying the flavours. It took me a whopping 100 minutes to smoke through it!

I'm thoroughly satisfied to have acquired more sticks at this present time of VR Famosos. I think I will savour every single one I have left!

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Half Corona OPG Feb 2015

I opened this box in 2020 and I've now gone through half a box of it (including gifting three for others to sample). The cigars came with glorious rosado-shade wrappers but I must say that the H.Upmann Half Corona flavour blend is not to my choosing when it comes to H.Upmann as a marca. After all, there's plenty of choice elsewhere within this brand.

When it comes to H.Upmann I have a stronger preference for the milder shortbread-intensive vitolas such as the Connoisseur No.1 and Connossieur A. This one was just under medium-strength, but unlike most of the sticks I've had thus far this had a pleasant licorice sweetness combined with a core espresso coffee, some toasted tobacco and more definitive shortbread, believe it or not. It lasted around 30 to 35 minutes.

So, in essence, this H.Upmann Half Corona turned out to be the very much like the last one I enjoyed around nine months ago, from this box. It's taken them hitting the seven-year mark to start to 'turn' for my liking I suppose, and I must admit that I was probably 'churning' through them prior to that. Still, I envisage that I will explore other minutos and perlas options prior to returning to this (box), in the meantime.

[99call]

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

In my mind, when the last third start to develop more creaminess and the flavours have melded from beginning to end, then that's the time when the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux has peaked. We may be a few more years away in the case of the batch of the last run of the HdM Le Hoyo des Dieux from 2013/14.

It's funny I can't help but wonder just how many DD's have been smoked long before they were anywhere near ready,  Last 14 I smoked was like death by woodshed, with a big nic hit to boot,   I agree with you totally John, although enjoyable now,  the last batch still have another 3-5 yrs to go. 

I have 2 boxes + 2 loose sticks left.  Will likely smoke them all or give to friends, as strangely the auction sold prices for DD's is nowhere near there actually worth.....The last BR box up for sale went for $530 ......seems like an absolute snip compared to where other prices are at. 

Great review as always

[Bijan]

2 hours ago, 99call said:

I have 2 boxes + 2 loose sticks left.  Will likely smoke them all or give to friends, as strangely the auction sold prices for DD's is nowhere near there actually worth.....The last BR box up for sale went for $530 ......seems like an absolute snip compared to where other prices are at. 

It's changing a bit now that prices are up across the board. But in general a lot of discontinued cigars are undervalued at auction (relatively, they're still expensive), because they've been gone 5+ years and the new folks bidding don't know about them. Some small exceptions like BCG, and the LGC Md0 (because even the #4 that is left is unobtanium), but otherwise there's a bump up in the price of discontinued cigars right after discontinuation and then they sort of fall off.

[99call]

1 minute ago, Bijan said:

It's changing a bit now that prices are up across the board. But in general a lot of discontinued cigars are undervalued at auction (relatively, they're still expensive), because they've been gone 5+ years and the new folks bidding don't know about them. Some small exceptions like BCG, and the LGC Md0 (because even the #4 that is left is unobtanium), but otherwise there's a bump up in the price of discontinued cigars right after discontinuation and then they sort of fall off.

Agree,  and would expect that 'fall off' from other forums,  however the majority of FOH members either know personally the quality of DD's or have been exposed to the specific FOH hype on these cigars.    I'm not saying they should be hugely over where they are, but if I have to value them personally, in the current market, I would say around the $800 - $850 mark. 

 

[Bijan]

58 minutes ago, 99call said:

Agree,  and would expect that 'fall off' from other forums,  however the majority of FOH members either know personally the quality of DD's or have been exposed to the specific FOH hype on these cigars.

I think there are a fair bit of non-FOH die-hards bidding on BR. Certainly not a lot of us with the coin for the $10k+ boxes at least...

[LLC]

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' for 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. Again, there was no cocoa here whatsoever but it did have a delightful combination of baked bread, walnut and apple and pear citrus. The wood notes have dissipated as this cigar has aged and it has built a more definable citrus note as it's got older, in my opinion.
This was a long cigar to smoke, around two hours and twenty minutes. Again the ash was flaky but this time it only occurred in the second half of the cigar. In the first half, the ash held together really well.
So, in summary, I wouldn't call this a complex cigar but its simple concoction of flavours resonated well with my palate. I have one more in my humidor which I intend to smoke soon!

From my first box, I’ve had four. Two were great and two only ok because of slight under filling. Hopefully the balance of this box and the others are not under filled because when there not, they really are very good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnS]

Oliva Serie V Lancero

The Oliva Serie V Lancero is an unusual Non-Cuban cigar because of its dimensions. It's long (7 inches or 178 mm) and its ring gauge is thin (19/32 of an inch diameter in circumference). The Oliva Serie V line is known for its intensity and full flavors. The cigar is made in Nicaragua.

In my opinion, this cigar is a deference to cigar aficionados because, from my understanding, it's not as popular as other Non-Cuban cigars, even within the Oliva Serie V line. It's a dense smoke with full earthy and leathery notes combined with sweeter flavours of chocolate, almond nuts and dates.

One thing that stood out for me how well-constructed this cigar was in comparison to Non-Cuban cigars of a similar vitola. It was neither under-filled or over-filled, had consistent ash lengths and rings and did not require re-lighting.

Upon lighting, I noted how it reminded me of a Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro in its chocolate, almond nuts and dates. It even had some baking spice in the first third and was at a medium-mild strength. Towards the middle third the cigar built in intensity, being joined by some earthy and leathery flavours and becoming more medium-full in strength. The last third I would recommend only to seasoned cigar smokers as those earth and leather flavours completely dominated and the cigar became quite full in its strength.

In comparison to a Nudies N1 Lancero, I would opine that the Olive Serie V Lancero is not as mild nor as nuanced in its flavours. Nevertheless, I wouldn't hesitate to acquire more of these and enjoy them in the future, much the same as I did today.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe LGR Jun 2019

A new box code in a favoured Habanos cigar often brings a new hope in its performance. If you aren't aware, yes; the San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe is a sentimental favourite of mine and it always has a place in my humidor and rotation. I have quite a few across several box codes.

This was the first cigar from this recent acquisition and I'm here to tell you that this review will hereby denounce everything that one does not seek from this usually consistent and wonderful cigar. It wasn't the construction that let me down, rather it was the flavour.

The cigar started off being too strong for my liking and too spicy and basically it stayed that way throughout. It certainly had cocoa or chocolate but whether it had a molasses sweetness or not, frankly; I couldn't tell you.

At this point many of you would pitch the cigar but I persevered. Thankfully I have many other San Cristobal de la Habana cigars to look forward to in the future, but maybe I might take my time to return to this box code!