JohnS' Smoking Diary 2023

[JohnS]

I would like to continue to thank you for supporting my blog in the past few years. This year's blog represented a conundrum for me... exactly how does one continue to maintain the output of recent years when things have changed so significantly in our Habanos cigar culture? Significant price rises and large scaling back in production has combined to produce something akin, metaphorically speaking, to the 1970s OPEC oil production crisis which resulted in stagflation, that unsavoury economic phenomenon whereby inflation and unemployment is high at the same time, something that the Father of modern economics, John Maynard Keynes, argued was not possible. Similarly speaking, you could argue that price rises that are not related to increased demand and production is paradoxical. Welcome to our current collectively-shared predicament and reality.

This hereby means that we're all likely to cut back our weekly cigar consumption and supplement it, in fact, with Non-Cuban additions. With all that grim, yet veritable, introduction I welcome you to the 2023 Smoking blog.

No, it won't be as quantitative in number, like in the past few years, but I assure you that the quality of it will be maintained, even if it means that I'm likely to produce 40% to 50% of the total monthly reviews I was realising in 2021 and 2022. I guess I can console myself with the thought that Habanos S.A. is producing somewhere in the vicinity of 40% of its cigar production in comparison to 2020 and 2021, if that, so it's not unreasonable for me to produce less reviews as a result this year in 2023. I just wish it wasn't the case.

As a consolation, I hope these reviews can continue to serve and guide you in your choices when it comes to your appreciation of our cigar hobby.

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art

The first cigar of this year's smoking diary demonstrates out current collective predicament. By that I mean, in regards to smoking Habanos cigars and sharing our experiences with doing so. For I'm sure that it hasn't escaped your attention that the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art is not a Cuban cigar. So, for those of you who might not be 'au fait' with these matters, how did we come to this point?

Well, in the same way that one follows a cooking recipe, one needs certain ingredients for this to occur. This includes, in no certain order, a worldwide viral pandemic, adversarial weather conditions to affect crop performance, political instability caused by hyperinflation and diaspora-type migration by Cuban citizens outside of their country. Put these factors together and this will certainly yield you a crisis in Habanos cigar production. The production of Habanos cigars in 2022 fell to something like 30% to 40% the normal yield in comparison to previous years. Coupled with subsequent steep price rises to offset these changes, and you will find the perfect scenario for questioning whether you can continue to smoke Habanos cigars in the same way you did before.

My sage advice in relation to this question is to remain steadfast. After all, the blue mold crisis of the early 1980s and the disastrous change in production techniques in the late 1990s/early 2000s wasn't that long ago. I guess everything ebbs and flows by nature and falls into its balance. I am mindful though, that I need to get back to this cigar at hand!

The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art was ranked no.6 in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 cigars of the year in 2018. Now, these lists can be subject to scrutiny, but it was Cigar Aficionado's take on the cigar that intrigued me below before I smoked my first in early September last year...

"Year after year, Arturo Fuente unapologetically creates perfecto after perfecto in his Hemingway series and unabashedly wraps them in Cameroon—sweet, spicy, tasty Cameroon. While the perfectos in the Hemingway series range in size, we had particular affection for the Work of Art, a charming little smoke with considerable curves and tapers. It’s one of the smaller models in the line (though not the smallest) but it’s very big on flavor.

Perfectos like this one are difficult to make, and in the 1980s they were few and far between. After coming across some old perfecto-shaped cigar molds, Fuente was intrigued and decided to start producing these shapely cigars. The first Hemingways came to market in 1983.

The Work of Art was a later addition to the line, and like all perfectos its combustion can be a bit slow in the beginning, as it takes a little while to fully light the skinny foot. But once the burn gets going past the bulbous taper, it really loads the palate with nutty, toasty smoke before blossoming with baking spices, citrus notes and the sweet-and-spicy properties that Cameroon wrapper is known for."

So yes, in my opinion CA got it right on this one in more than one area. Yes, it's difficult to roll yet Arturo Fuente still finds a way to maintain consistency in construction with these perfecto-shaped cigars. The Cameroon wrapper does indeed impart a wonderful sweetness to the blend and the shape of the cigar induces fantastic transitions on the palate.

The ring gauge of the Work of Art is 60 rg at its most widest, hits 56 rg at the midway point, and decreases to 46 rg around the band. It takes great skill for torcedores to create this complex vitola. That, there is no doubt! It's available in Natural and Maduro varieties. The wrapper (on the natural version), as mentioned, is of the Cameroon sweet variety and both the binder and filler contain aged Dominican tobacco.

This review is somewhat different from all my previous reviews in this series, over the years, because for the first time in many years I smoked a number of these AF Hemingway Work of Art cigars back-to-back during my annual Summer vacation time to get a better gauge of how it was smoking. After smoking around three or four of these in a row, the results were quite interesting.

The best way I can express how these cigars smoked, out of the same box, would be to provide an allegorical comparison to the 1967 song by the Beach Boys, 'Heroes and Villains'. I know that sounds strange but bear with me, you will soon understand. In late 1966/early 1967 Brian Wilson, the leader of the Beach Boys attempted to qualitatively improve his next album release after 'Pet Sounds'. Given that critically music reviews of this album rank it as either the best or second-best pop album of the 20th century and you'd agree that this was no easy task. The song 'Good Vibrations', released in October 1966 changed pop music forever. No-one had heard a song before like that arranged in parts and spliced together. 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' are but two songs that owe their existence to 'Good Vibrations' .

'Heroes and Villains' was meant to be the follow up single to 'Good Vibrations'. It was a grand production. Thirty sessions costing US$350,000 in modern terms (i.e. three-quarters the cost of 'Good Vibrations', which was even more time-consuming and expensive) yielded dozens of sections of music to be put together later. All versions of 'Heroes and Villains' began the same way with the first verse but varied greatly thereafter. In the end, these sessions were abandoned and the final single recorded in three days. The final result was, in my opinion, like comparing a H.Upmann Regalias to a H.Upmann Sir Winston.

In much the same way, every Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art I smoked this summer began the same way. The opening was always like a beautiful hit of sweet shortbread and honey. Thereafter, the trajectory would diverge into different paths. Sometimes it was savoury, like a combination of spice and cedar, and sometimes it was sweet, like light chocolate and hay. This particular version was sweeter. No matter whether I encountered an AF Hemingway Work of Art that was savoury or sweet in the middle, it was no less satisfactory in its enjoyment. This is a fine cigar.

In conclusion, there's no doubt that I greatly admire the Arturo Fuente Hemingway series but I think that I would never had stumbled upon it if the state of Habanos cigars was like it was in 2021 (or earlier). The Work of Art certainly lives up to its name. It's a quality cigar that I would easily recommend to anyone to try.

[JohnS]

Fonseca No.1 OEP Nov 2014

The Fonseca Fonseca No.1 (yes, it's name includes its marca and vitola) was officially discontinued in 2012. Thankfully, its production run continued a few years after and it has been available ever since. Since the beginning of 2022, however, I can't attest to its current status of availability due to the crisis of current Habanos cigar production.

This OEP Nov 2014 came from Spanish stock held by Tabacalera, sourced by Pacific Cigar Company (or PCC) and acquired ultimately via a 24:24 listing on Friends of Habanos. Coincidentally, I noticed that Rob and Ken released a review on the Fonseca No.1 in late 2020 and Rob stated that FoH would account for quite a few sales more than the worldwide average, which is most probably on the lower side of things.

This was my third Fonseca No.1 from this box code; the first two were smoked around mid-2021. It was mild and definitely not complex. This had a definable cedar/sandalwood, a little marshmallow, some floral notes, some nice semblances of a creamy texture on the palate and some spice in the back-end. Again, I quite enjoyed it over 90 minutes. It was very easy to smoke. After smoking these three Fonseca No.1s over the last eighteen months, I feel that it's the type of cigar that you either identify with its mellow nature and appreciate or alternatively you'd classify as bland and boring, it's that 'leisurely' on the palate.

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

[JohnS]

Juan López Selección No.2 MEL Dic 2016

The last time I had a Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 was four months ago and I wrote in my review at the time that Juan Lopez was one of those marcas I tended to struggle connecting with. I regret to say that this hasn't changed after smoking this JL2 today. On the positive side, I'm still trying, being ever-aware that a number of our members of FoH consider this a staple cigar in their rotation. I only wish I could connect with it in the same way.

I've said on previous occasion, and this remains true to this day, that I haven't had the best time with young Juan Lopez in the past, I haven't loathed them, but I haven't loved them either. With younger examples of JL2s I mainly found that they would have some Cointreau orange, citrus and chocolate to interest me but the stronger espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and spice notes tended to dominate the cigar, in general, and this was not to my liking.

Much like my last Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 I smoked four months ago, this started with some beautiful orange citrus, Cointreau-cake type flavours intertwined with milk chocolate and light cedar. This, of course, appealed to me until the end of the first third when the cigar transformed into those staid strong espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and spice flavours one can get in a JL2. Yes, I did continue to get some orange, chocolate and cointreau-type flavours on the edges here and there, but it wasn't enough to redeem the cigar to the heights of greatness. No, this was just 'run-of-the-mill' okay.

This box has just over six years on it already and, according to my palate, it still has some time to go until those stronger coffee and tobacco flavours recede. I've smoked through a little over half the box, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was another year until I re-visit it.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills LAT Feb 2018

There's an adage in our hobby that a cigar can improve over time and become great, but only after they start off being good. In other words, if you encounter a box of Habanos cigars that are smoking ordinarily within the first twelve months, don't count on them to 'blow you away', so-to-speak, after the three to five year mark. It can occur, but it's not likely.

The last Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill I had was around sixteen months ago.  Today's example was a little better than my previous Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills smoked from this box code, but still not up to the class of my ABO Ago 2018 Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 box.

What kept this cigar interesting for me was the hint of some nice turkish delight, anise and berry notes, together with wood and bitter chocolate. What let this cigar down was the multiple re-lights and the slightly tight draw. Paradoxically, despite being a little harder to smoke there was an above average smoke output per puff which easily coated my palate with flavour. A normal Robustos takes me 70 to 75 minutes to finish. This particular one took me two-and-a-half hours!  

Again, in comparison to other Romeo y Julieta cigars I've smoked, this Short Churchill was medium-mild but still faithful to its marca profile, which allowed me to persevere through smoking it. It's just that I've been more enamoured by some quality RyJ Churchills, Exhibicion No.4 and Petit Royales of recent times. Don't be surprised if I return to these aforementioned vitolas in the coming months!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Medio Siglo UTL Nov 2019

The Cohiba Medio Siglo was released in 2016. Medio Siglo means “half a century” in Spanish, which coincides in 2016 with the 50th anniversary of the advent of the Cohiba marca.

It's easy to compare this cigar to the Cohiba Robusto, after all, they almost share the same ring gauge, the Medio Siglo is about an inch shorter and yes, it is another Petit Robusto addition to the Habanos regular production catalogue. However, I'd like to theorise that the Cohiba Medio Siglo has more in common with the Cohiba Siglo VI than the Cohiba Robusto. There are a number of reasons for this.

Firstly, the Medio Siglo is a 52 ring gauge cigar like the Cohiba Siglo VI. The Cohiba Robustos is a 50 ring gauge cigar. Secondly, when the Cohiba Siglo VI was added to the Linea 1492 range in 2002 it was the biggest cigar in the Habanos regular production catalogue, at the time. Similarly, when the Medio Siglo was added to the Linea 1492 series in 2016 it was the largest ring gauge cigar in the Petit Robusto format for cigars of 4 inches length (102 mm). Thirdly, like the Cohiba Siglo VI, the Medio Siglo shares similar qualities in its rich flavour profile. In my opinion, both the Siglo VI and Medio Siglo are richer in flavours, more fuller-bodied than the other Siglo cigars.

The Cohiba Medio Siglo has the hallmarks of a Linea 1492 cigar in its quality hay and sweet honey notes. What I feel it borrows from the Cohiba Siglo VI is the buttery texture and coffee flavours, albeit in the Medio Siglo the coffee is much darker. I have had a number of Medio Siglo cigars that had really nice biscuit qualities to complement those coffee flavours.

The Cohiba Medio Siglo does have a buttery texture and coffee notes which relate it to the Cohiba Robusto. However, I'd classify it amongst the richer flavour profiled cigars in the Linea 1492 series, together with the Cohiba Siglo VI.

It's been five months since I last had a Cohiba Medio Siglo from this box code. This had a combination of honey, biscuit, hay and mocha coffee over an hour and thirty minutes, but it was that mocha coffee aspect that really dominated the flavour profile of this cigar. When the Cohiba Medio Siglo is 'off' you can tell usually that the balance of flavours is askew, they can smoke 'hot' and are more intense in coffee and spice; most especially spice.

The construction here was fine and the smoke per draw was again voluminous, which normally necessitates a change in smoking technique to properly savour (i.e. you need to smoke much more slowly).

What more can one ask for? Maybe that the Cohiba Medio Siglo return to its 2020 price-point. I know that's not going to happen, though!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Tacos 2018 - Edición Limitada UER Dic 2018

The Romeo y Julieta Tacos is a 2018 Limited Edition. At its world launch event in Madrid, Spain in September 2018 it was revealed that the Tacos' dimensions of 49 ring gauge x 168 mm (or 6⅝ inches) in length is a reference to the 1970s Tacos Imperiales. For a Limited Edition, I must admit, I did like this size, and more so in regards to its circumference or ring gauge being under 50 rg.

I have seen these RyJ Taco ELs come in Colorado shaded wrappers and Colorado-Maduro shaded wrappers. My Taco was of the Colorado-Maduro variety, and mottled to boot!

The cigar was not as full-bodied as my last RyJ Tacos smoked sixteen months ago and in the ensuing period was a touch under medium in strength. Again, like my last RyJ Tacos LE I smoked, it was not complex in its variety of flavours, rather it had a core combination of chocolate, wood, leather and some 'fruit' to it but it was not overly sweet.

So was this specific 2018 Romeo y Julieta Tacos better than the 2016 Romeo y Julieta Capuletos? For me, it was simply a case of the two cigars being different. The reason I say that is because I am partial to Romeo y Julieta as a marca, if you don't have a natural disposition to RyJ then I would surmise that you would either love or hate this 2018 Limited Edition release.

As for me, this 2018 RyJ Tacos continues to be somewhat muddled in its flavours, even after four years of rest. I can't tell you whether that will change soon. Maybe it will, but I seriously doubt it. In comparison to the other 2018 Limited Editions; that is, the Bolivar Soberanos and H.Upmann Propios, the RyJ Tacos LE is no better or worse on account of the fact that we haven't heard much from those releases in the meantime either. By comparison, I'd happily smoke any of the 2019 Limited Editions anyday! (I.e. the Montecristo Supremos, Quai d'Orsay Senadores and Ramon Allones No.2.)

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB May 2018

I finished my UEB Ago 2018 box last year but I still have five sticks of this UEB May 2018 box left for now, thankfully, as well as some quarter-box acquisitions of other Montecristo No.4 with post-2019 box codes. It's hard to believe though that this cigar is now approaching five years of age.

My last Montecristo No.4 from this box code, smoked two months ago fluctuated from smoking and ashing well to being slightly under-filled and having burn issues due to some bunched leaves in spots. In other words, it varied between been quite good to smoke and being quite ordinary. The previous one, smoked three months prior to that, was tightly packed. By contrast, this Montecristo No.4 today was simply sublime. What can I say? That's the Montecristo No.4 for you, one of three Habanos cigars keeping the Habanos cigar industry currently afloat (the others being the Montecristo No.2 and Partagas Serie D No.4).

Flavour-wise, this had light milk coffee, leather, almond nut and citrus twang that combined wonderfully. There were no construction issues, yes; I repeat, no construction issues!

Normally, it takes me sixty to sixty-five minutes to finish a marevas-sized cigar such as this one. This Monte No,4 took me around 100 minutes! No doubt, the next one from this box code will probably be ordinary but it's the off-chance that it may be exemplary that keeps me from forsaking it from my humidor altogether!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus SRO Feb 2018

The Sancho Panza Non Plus was discontinued in early 2019, with the last box codes cited from before mid-2018. I made sure to acquire some of these last boxes, despite the fact the Sancho Panza Non Plus never lived up to the same reputation as the Sancho Panza Belicosos and similarly-deleted Molinos. In early 2022, astonishingly, 2021 box coded SP Non Plus were been produced again. The same thing happened in 2021 in regards to the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, which despite never having an official verification of deletion hadn't been seen since 2018. Both these vitolas have since vanished again, a victim no doubt of the current greatly-diminished Habanos cigar production in comparison to the golden run of supply from late 2018 to early 2022.

In general, of the boxes I acquired, my RUM Abr 2018 box, which are of a light-wrappered colorado to colorado claro shade, have been better than the Non Plus cigars from my SRO Feb 2018 box, which are darker-wrappered and more of a mottled colorado rosado shade. Admittedly I've only had four (or so) from each box.

The last SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus I smoked, more than a year-and-a-half ago, was vegetal in flavour, had a musty, dull oak wood core flavour and some hints of salt. It was quite generic. In my view, at the time I thought it needed another twelve to twenty-four months of rest until I was willing to see how it was developing. It did show promise, however, in that it had settled in potency and melded a little since my first cigar from the box a few years ago.

In contrast, this SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus was simply sensational. At one month short of four years it was a simple delight of wood, floral notes and sweet tea from beginning to end. It smoked ideally, with no construction problems, over seventy minutes. It was quite possibly one of the best SP Non Pluses I've ever smoked!

On a 100-point scale my last SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus was around the 84 to 85-point mark (i.e. very good). By contrast, this specific SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Non Plus, smoked twenty months later, was more around the 92 to 93-point mark (i.e. outstanding).

[JohnS]

Rafael González Petit Coronas SOM Ene 2017

I never considered the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas a polarising cigar until a 'Deep Dive' topic on the cigar eventuated on our forum at the beginning of the New Year (in 2023). The link is located below:

As can be seen, there are two schools of thought on this cigar. One; it's a complex and subtle melange of sweet and savoury flavours which surpasses the Montecristo No.4 in class as a petit coronas or two; it's bland and undistinguished, unworthy of comparing to the Sancho Panza Non Plus even in how basic it aspires to be.

What does one make of all this? I say nothing. Welcome to the world of cigar smoking, whereby views on cigars are highly subjective and opinions serve as a guide upon the enjoyment of our shared hobby. For, you see, it's okay to extol the virtues of this cigars knowing that other cigar enthusiasts are likely to be bemused at what the fuss is all about.

My last two Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas were both sensational, smoked within the same week five months ago (a rare occurrence of smoking the same marca and vitola concurrently, for me). The one before those one was a disappointment because it was not as balanced in its flavours as I would have liked it to be. It had cocoa, wood and some dried fruit to it but it lacked that subtle honey sweetness and at times it was too 'Earthy' for my liking. I suppose the balance between the sweet and savoury flavours of the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas is quite small, which supports the view that it a cigar that can encapsulate the notion of subtlety.

This particular Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas was again excellent because it had a perfect balance in its flavours. It had a mild, soft cocoa and baking spice core flavour with a distinct earthiness after the first third, together with some dried fruit and honey. All throughout the cigar I especially enjoyed its walnut-inspired texture on the palate.

Like my recent examples from this box code, I didn't consider the draw overly tight but I still had to puff a little more than what I normally would to get some decent smoke from each puff. The smoke volume was sufficient but this Petit Coronas-sized cigar took me a little longer to finish. I guess that when a Habanos cigar smokes as well as this did, you don't really mind that much at all!

[JohnS]

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

Did you know, apparently, that the La Gloria Cubana marca now has two vitolas, the Medaille d'Or No.4 and the La Casa del Habano Exclusivo Glorias? The LCDH Glorias, a 49 ring gauge x 156 mm (or 6⅛ inches) in length Flechas was finally released in October 2022. A third regular production cigar, the La Gloria Cubana Turquinos, a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm (or 5½ inches) in length Gordito, is yet to be released.

The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, the LGC vitola that many of you no doubt are familiar with, had been in hiatus since the first quarter of 2018. The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 had only just recently come back into production in the first quarter of 2021, with box codes indicative of late 2020. Unfortunately, it seems that the recent mid-2022 update to pricing by Habanos S.A has seen stock once again diminish.

For me personally, the prolonged hiatus of this cigar has had an affect on my smoking habits as I smoked six La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4s in 2021 but only one in 2022 and this is my first one smoked in 2023. This is also inclusive of the fact that I've only had three in total since September 2021.

The LGC Medaille d'Or No.4 has two unique characteristics as a Habanos cigar; 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 had a core almond nut flavour, wood and creamy texture overall which remained throughout the cigar. There was a hint of fruit and herbal notes on the edges. As this particular cigar has now approached seven years of age, the band was easy to slide off and the cigar was very easy to smoke. Normally, experienced cigar enthusiasts would advise to smoke these long-and-skinny cigars slowly to prevent overheating and therefore inducing 'bitter' flavours. I finished this cigar in one hour (normally it would take much longer) but as the cigar has aged it drew down quicker than a younger LGC Medaille d'Or No.4.

One could say that my appraisal of this LGC4 today is influenced by my bias and continued lament of its unavailability. However, when these smoke like this one once again today, the acclaim is well-merited.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

The Por Larranaga Montecarlos is a 33 ring gauge x 159 mm (or 6¼ inches) in length cigar commonly considered a 'forum favourite' on our forum...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 its last stick (which I will smoke today). 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.

Like my last LGR Oct 17 PL Montecarlos smoked three months ago, this cigar was characterised by its beautiful hit of sweet, refined caramel. It is always the one characteristic that I look for whenever I reach for this cigar. Together with the milk coffee, the honey and the woodiness you can get from a PL Montecarlos (especially again in the last third today) it simply makes for a great smoke, flavour-wise. Sometimes, you can get a sweet toffee flavour from these cigars too, but this was not evident today.

In regards to construction, this PL Montecarlos burned consistently well and didn't need re-lights. I was content, yet sentimental, by the time the cigar was done after 65 minutes. This box had reached its five-year mark late last year and this was the last of its contents.

The adage when it comes to Por Larranaga cigars that they need five to eight years to mature is certainly a generalisation. Well, I can state that this may be more true of the PL Petit Coronas than the PL Montecarlos in that the PL Petit Coronas does need more time. This box, purchased for $US72 (don't we wish we could see those prices again?), is probably one of my most significant acquisitions I've ever made in terms of Habanos cigars. The return in value has indeed far exceeded what I paid for it.

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus RUM Abr 2018

The Sancho Panza Non Plus was discontinued in early 2019. It was never a big seller in the Habanos catalogue. I have mentioned before that, in my view, the main reason for this is because of the generic flavours the SP Non Plus is known for in its youth. In other words, it needs time to develop its potential, unlike other premium marevas cigars.

So far, of the two Sancho Panza Non Plus boxes I've acquired prior to their denounced deletion, my RUM Abr 2018 box, which are of a light-wrappered colorado to colorado claro shade, have been better than the Non Plus cigars from my SRO Feb 2018 box, which are darker-wrappered and more of a mottled colorado rosado shade. It must be said though, I've only had four (or so) from each box.

My last RUM Abr 2018 SP Non Plus, smoked a little over eighteen months ago, pleasantly surprised me in its hints of complexity and flavour. I got a core wood, salt and floral notes to the cigar but in-between I got splashings of sweet tea at times and alternatively, white pepper at other times. The cigar before that, smoked nine months prior, had mainly generic toasted tobacco, hints of wood and salt and only some floral notes on the edges. It was a solid cigar, nothing more.

This next cigar from this April 2018 box code, was more generic in flavour than my last one. It had floral notes, a little salt and wood, which increased in intensity in the back half. In the first half I did get a hint of sweet tea in the first third. I would have loved to have had more of it!

On a 100-point scale my last RUM Abr 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus was 91 point-cigar (i.e. outstanding). In contrast, this RUM Abr 2018 Sancho Non Plus, smoked a few months short of two years later, was more around the 86-point mark (i.e. very good).

[Fugu]

6 hours ago, JohnS said:

As a consolation, I hope these reviews can continue to serve and guide you in your choices when it comes to your appreciation of our cigar hobby.

Keep up the good “work”, John. It’ll be fun nonetheless, I reckon. 👍

[JohnS]

18 minutes ago, Fugu said:

Keep up the good “work”, John. It’ll be fun nonetheless, I reckon. 👍

Thank you. True, it will be fun. Even though my acquisition of Habanos cigars with post mid-2021 box codes is much less in comparison to my other inventory, I believe the reviews will remain relevant for the greater majority of our members, nevertheless.

[99call]

8 hours ago, JohnS said:

I would like to continue to thank you for supporting my blog in the past few years.

good to have you back John.   Something always feels wholly wrong with the world, when you can't periodically check in to 'Johns smoking diary'.   when it's not there, with a recent update, I know I always feel a little gutted, and aimless. 

loved your paragraphs on the Beach Boys...I'm a huge fan.....and i enjoyed where you went with it. 

As ever keep up the good work. Hat's off to you Squire!

[99call]

19 hours ago, JohnS said:

What does one make of all this? I say nothing. Welcome to the world of cigar smoking, whereby views on cigars are highly subjective and opinions serve as a guide upon the enjoyment of our shared hobby. For, you see, it's okay to extol the virtues of this cigars knowing that other cigar enthusiasts are likely to be bemused at what the fuss is all about.

I great couple of lines John....The recent deep dive on the RGPC was a personal matter for me.  I could not comprehend anyone bagging this cigar...........but wait.....of course I could.   The reality is, we are binary society ....seemingly in everything these days. A perfect 50% want erratic fireworks, and drama, and the other 50% want a comfy brandy nightcap and slippers. 

What can I say!?  I'm all about the brandy and slippers....... The RGPC is a reflection of a life lived, that point whereby, you've sowed your wild oats, and you've learned a thing or two. You are looking for something (in every element of your life). that is both excellent, refined, trustworthy, and most importantly not ruinous on either your emotions or your pocket. 

I would like to be as generous as i can to those who don't realise the greatness of the RGPC, but when you really boil it down......they must just dead inside lol

The RGPC, is a gourmands cigar, it may be middle of the road, but the middle of the road is where perfect balance also resides. 

 

[JohnS]

On 2/13/2023 at 8:20 AM, 99call said:

good to have you back John.   Something always feels wholly wrong with the world, when you can't periodically check in to 'Johns smoking diary'.   when it's not there, with a recent update, I know I always feel a little gutted, and aimless. 

loved your paragraphs on the Beach Boys...I'm a huge fan.....and i enjoyed where you went with it. 

As ever keep up the good work. Hat's off to you Squire!

Thank you Stefan, much appreciated. I could go on for hours about certain topics...1960s pop music being one of them. 

On 2/13/2023 at 8:40 AM, 99call said:

I great couple of lines John....The recent deep dive on the RGPC was a personal matter for me.  I could not comprehend anyone bagging this cigar...........but wait.....of course I could.   The reality is, we are binary society ....seemingly in everything these days. A perfect 50% want erratic fireworks, and drama, and the other 50% want a comfy brandy nightcap and slippers. 

What can I say!?  I'm all about the brandy and slippers....... The RGPC is a reflection of a life lived, that point whereby, you've sowed your wild oats, and you've learned a thing or two. You are looking for something (in every element of your life). that is both excellent, refined, trustworthy, and most importantly not ruinous on either your emotions or your pocket. 

I would like to be as generous as i can to those who don't realise the greatness of the RGPC, but when you really boil it down......they must just dead inside lol

The RGPC, is a gourmands cigar, it may be middle of the road, but the middle of the road is where perfect balance also resides. 

Haha...dead inside, I know what you mean. You feel like asking, "are we devoid of our senses, or what?" Then again, one man's appreciation for subtlety is another's lament at mediocrity, I suppose.

[99call]

On 2/13/2023 at 8:56 PM, JohnS said:

Thank you Stefan, much appreciated. I could go on for hours about certain topics...1960s pop music being one of them. 

What did you think of the 2014 film "love and mercy" John?  hopefully you've seen it.  It really focused a lot of my thoughts about the Beach Boys. 

In a way I'll reference the great deal of emotive hype that was built around Tarantino's inclusion of the foot tapping "stuck in the middle with you" during a torture scene in Reservoir Dogs.  Obviously the juxtaposition affect has been also used to great affect in countless Scorsese movies also, especially 'Mean Streets'

It's to say that enveloped into...... the over sweet .......the over sunned...... meringue of the Beach Boys music, was the much darker much more powerful and impressive unique "Beethoven of pop" talent which is Brian Wilson.   That combination is so powerful, the simple innocent teenage lyrics intertwined with melodies that are the absolute height of musical complexity. 

It's such a sadness that the genius of Brian Wilson has drawn in such bottom feeders, and people that has sought to take advantage of him.  God only knows what other music he could have written with the right kind of understanding and support.

[JohnS]

I thought that Bill Pohlad, the director of Love and Mercy, did a great job with this biopic on Brian Wilson. It does well to avoid the usual stereotypes of biopics.

I heard a reference from a podcast review on YouTube recently that creative artists in general enjoy a 5 to 7 year window when it comes to their creative peak. I reflected on this statement and marvelled at how true it was. When we think of the time period certain artists absolutely excel it's amazing how true that '5 to 7 year window' is. For example consider the golden period of the Beach Boys, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Eurythmics, Stevie Wonder just to name a few.

Personally speaking, incidentally I've reached my 5th year doing this blog series. I feel I'm getting better and still have something new to share and reflect upon. I guess that keeps me going.

As for Brian Wilson, think about what he achieved after having to give Chuck Berry royalties for the big hit, 'Surfin' USA' because he allowed his brother Carl to keep that Berry riff in the song. This made him determined to build upon his influences in such a way that his new compositions were always meant to be an original, yet pay homage to his influences. This included Phil Spector, George Gershwin and Johan Sebastian Bach. It's Wilson's take on the simple, yet complex melodic style of Bach that culminated in his absolute zenith during the Pet Sounds-SMiLE era. Yes, it's a great tragedy that he didn't have the support to keep going. He peaked around that 5 year mark.

[LLC]

Welcome back John. Great first batch of reviews


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnS]

Thank you kindly @LLC!

[Lamboinee]

As always, love the reviews, perspective, and info/background you provide!  Glad to see the return of the 2023 edition of JSSD.

On 2/12/2023 at 7:47 AM, JohnS said:

It's available in Natural and Maduro varieties. The wrapper, as mentioned, is of the Cameroon sweet variety and both the binder and filler contain aged Dominican tobacco.

Your 2023 AF Hemmi WoA review inspired some research.  I found some conflicting info. re: details of the Maduro's wrapper (see e.g. two CA links below with different wrapper info). Retailer sites were also contradictory, but probably less reliable. I was surprised by any reference identifying the Maduro wrapper as a cammi as my own experience and observations with both WoA's suggest the Maduro is not a cammi.  AF's site did not provide varietal details beyond (N)/(M). Review sites suggest conn. broadleaf.  Food for thought. 

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/ratings/15041/name/arturo-fuente-hemingway-work-of-art-maduro

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/ratings/20858/name/arturo-fuente-hemingway-work-of-art-maduro

can't wait to see what's next!

[JohnS]

19 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

As always, love the reviews, perspective, and info/background you provide!  Glad to see the return of the 2023 edition of JSSD.

Your 2023 AF Hemmi WoA review inspired some research.  I found some conflicting info. re: details of the Maduro's wrapper (see e.g. two CA links below with different wrapper info). Retailer sites were also contradictory, but probably less reliable. I was surprised by any reference identifying the Maduro wrapper as a cammi as my own experience and observations with both WoA's suggest the Maduro is not a cammi.  AF's site did not provide varietal details beyond (N)/(M). Review sites suggest conn. broadleaf.  Food for thought. 

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/ratings/15041/name/arturo-fuente-hemingway-work-of-art-maduro

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/ratings/20858/name/arturo-fuente-hemingway-work-of-art-maduro

can't wait to see what's next!

Thank you @Lamboinee. I have amended the initial review because I wanted to make it clear that I was referring to Natural wrappers in the Arturo Hemingway series. I've not tried the Arturo Hemingway Maduro series, thus I have not researched their origin.

Edit:

Okay, so @Lamboinee's enquiry intrigued me and so I did a little more research this morning to add to @Lamboinee's quoted Cigar Aficionado reviews above, which have different sources referenced in regard to the wrapper leaf of Maduro Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigars.

Arturo Fuente's website is unfortunately not detailed to provide a definitive answer in regards to the origin of their leaf used in their cigars.

I have tracked down two Halfwheel reviews of the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story Maduro. Both state that Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro is used for the wrapper.

https://halfwheel.com/hemingway-short-story-maduro-2011/17635/

https://halfwheel.com/redux-arturo-fuente-hemingway-short-story-maduro/30712/

[Chas.Alpha]

Hi John!

That’s really all I had to say…😀