JohnS' Smoking Diary 2023

[Perla]

On 10/4/2023 at 5:29 PM, JohnS said:

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.1 (circa 2010)

The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.1 was a unique thin ring-gauged cigar on account of its vitola, 36 rg x 185 millimetres or 7¼ inches in length. Only the LGC Medaille d'Or No.1 was released in this factory name, a Delicados Extra. It was discontinued in 2010. I would like to acknowledge @Perla for making this review possible.

Nowadays, the La Gloria Cubana marca is somewhat of an oddity in that it was Pre-Revolution brand (founded around 1885) that was discontinued in 1960, in the rationalisation of brands initiated by Tabacuba at the time. Nearly all the brands that went by the wayside never returned, except the La Gloria Cubana brand, which returned in 1965 and has remained ever since. When the LGC Medaille d'Or No.2 was discontinued in 2014, it meant that there was only one regular production La Gloria Cubana cigar left, (the Medaille d'Or No.4) but in the last year or so the brand has expanded with the release of the Turquinos and LCDH Glorias.

The first few draws of the cigar revealed a combination of Earth, leather and spices. The draw and combustion are fantastic for a long-and-skinny like this one. As this cigar is already at least thirteen years old, the flavours have well-and-truly settled, melded and were quite mild.

In the middle third, the flavours continue to show the cigar's finesse...nuance and subtlety is what this long-and-skinny is all about. The core flavours in the first third remained and were joined by some coffee and wood, which were both on the light side.

Cigars within the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or series have a solid reputation of having excellent aging potential. I can only imagine would this cigar would have smoked like when it was first rolled. One thing I do know, it can't be compared to a recent LGC Glorias or Turquinos. No, this was very different. Not better...just different.

Glad you enjoyed the LGC. I was curious about your thoughts. It was a box from 1994, and still alive. 
happy to share. 

 

On 10/4/2023 at 5:25 PM, JohnS said:

Tatuaje VI Victorias

The Tatuaje VI was created in 2006. It was Tatuaje’s first cigar produced in Nicaragua at the My Father Cigar Factory. Vitolas within this line have a Nicaraguan binder and filler and a Habana Ecuador wrapper. The Tatuaje VI Victorias is a Laguito No.2 size, that is...38 ring gauge x 152 millimetres or 6 inches in length. The cigar even comes with a triple cap and pig-tail, much like the Montecristo Especiales No.2 and Cohiba Coronas Especiales. I must thank @Perla for providing this cigar for me to review.

Tatuaje VI cigars are also known as the 'Red Label' line, for obvious reasons on account of the band. These Tatuaje cigars are also reputed for being quite 'Cubanesque' in nature. The reason for that may have to do with no ligero leaf been used in the blend. I unravelled the pig-tail with my thumb, lit up and was immediately impressed with a cream, hay and pepper/spice hit that was quite distinctive for being indicative of a Habanos cigar.

As I smoked the cigar down it had more of a cedar characteristic in its middle third. In the last third it had diminished in its creamy texture and built up in leather, Earth and pepper or spice. The cigar was easy to smoke as the draw was spot-on. It was medium in strength and medium-full in body, especially in its last third (which I considered closer to full-bodied).

Upon finishing the cigar I reflected on why this line of Tatuaje cigars is so popular with cigar enthusiasts. Quite simply, it has qualities that resemble a Habanos cigar but it is rather obviously Non-Cuban in its essential characteristics. Perhaps it's this inter-twining of both these types of cigars that appeals to its proponents. Maybe you can have the 'best of both worlds', as they say!

I had a few this summer and they really blew me away. 
This summer season I really enjoyed the Victorias, MC Esp 2 and the Nudies from 2019 & 2021

[JohnS]

13 hours ago, Perla said:

Glad you enjoyed the LGC. I was curious about your thoughts. It was a box from 1994, and still alive. 
happy to share. 

Oh wow, that's great to hear. I could re-adjust the original review but I think I'll leave it just the way it is. To know that it was sixteen years older than what I had cited is a testament to the longevity of cigars.

13 hours ago, Perla said:

I had a few this summer and they really blew me away. 
This summer season I really enjoyed the Victorias, MC Esp 2 and the Nudies from 2019 & 2021

Oh indeed...nice smokes!

[JohnS]

Partagás Lusitanias (circa 2002)

The Double Coronas is a vitola with a 49 ring gauge and 194 mm or 7⅝ inches length. It typically takes a long time to smoke, somewhere in the vicinity of two-and-a-half hours or more. Of the Double Coronas in regular production in the current Habanos catalogue, I would believe that the Partagas Lusitanias is rated the highest among our members. Of the remaining three, the question of what would be second is a subjective one. Perhaps I would guess it would be the Ramon Allones Gigantes (a cigar that of recent times has been speculated as a candidate for possible discontinuation). I would surmise further that the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas and Punch Double Coronas may not receive as much acclamation because they've been more scarce in availability in comparison to the Partagas Lusitanias and Ramon Allones Gigantes in the last five years or more.

At the present time, this may all represent a discussion that is quite hypothetical due to the downturn in current production of Habanos cigars in 2022. You see, since Habanos S.A announced their new pricing re-structure and diminished output in mid-2022, any four of these Double Coronas have been nigh on impossible to acquire. As an aside, I believe the last time the Partagas Lusitanias was available on a 24:24 listing was in mid-December 2021. At that time they retailed for $US19 a stick. On Bond Roberts, at the time of writing this review, these would currently reach a price easily twice that. My how times have changed! (At the time of writing this review, Partagas Lusitanias were retailing for around $US45 a stick on the Bond Roberts Auction site.)

I would like to thank @jay8354 for gifting me this cigar to smoke.The flavours here on display were not like one can get from a younger Partagas Lusitanias; that is, Partagas sourdough, milk coffee and leather, some paprika spice and a caramel-sweetness that can be likened to 'nougat'. No, instead you can tell that the cigar was well and truly aged from its aged leather core flavour. Then again, if one is astute, its Partagas 'Type A' band, with no aligned text variation, was around until 2002 or thereabouts, so it goes without saying that this Partagas Lusitanias was at least twenty years old.

Construction-wise, the ash-lengths were ideal and the cigar burnt well. Apart from the aged leather, there was a light sourdough and coffee but no, there was no caramel-sweetness or nougat. Paprika spice was not really evident either.

So, when was the last time you smoked a Double Coronas and if you have some in your humidor, are you reticent to smoke your stock given the current production hiatus of this vitola? I do hope you enjoyed reading this review as I wonder when will be the next time that I reach for a Double Coronas myself. Then again, I am very fortunate to admit that I've had five Double Coronas since December 2022. Maybe that is a bit more than the average Habanos cigar enthusiast.

[JohnS]

Punch Clasicos 2011 - Edición Regional Suiza (circa 2011)

I wrote recently, within this Review Series, that the 2011 Ramon Allones Especiales Suiza Regional Edition was a release that proverbially 'flew under the radar'. Well, there was another 2011 Swiss special release that to this day has an 'air of mystique' about it: the Punch Clasicos. It still known on account of firstly, how good a cigar it was and secondly, how there seemingly weren't enough of them made. Like the 2018 Asia Pacifico Punch 8-9-8, the Punch Clasicos was released in a 10-count varnished 8-9-8 box. Sadly, there were only four thousand of them made.

You may be wondering then, as to why I have introduced a semblance of melancholy to this review. Well, it is due to the fact that this cigar is no ordinary cigar in its dimensions; in fact, it is a Numero 109. Sometimes you'll see that abbreviated as 'Nro. 109', if so, keep it in mind because these 50 ring gauge x 184 millimetres or 7¼ inches in length cigars, with 'bullet tip' heads have quite a reputation amongst Habanos cigar enthusiasts. Also, it has been a case of when Regional Distributors have opted to market a Regional Edition special release by choosing a Numero 109 cigar, they've been spectacularly successful. Case in point: who remembers cigars such as the Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109, Bolivar 5ta Avenida, Diplomaticos Bushidos, Sancho Panza Eslavo, El Rey del Mundo Kon Tiki 1973 and La Gloria Cubana Orgullosos? Of course we do! And some of those aforementioned releases came in 50 cabs and were still very much in demand after supplies were all accounted for.

This Punch Clasicos was superb, with notes of hazelnut, a chocolate fudge or marshmallow texture, and a Punch 'Cuban twang' that marked this cigar as very much 'Punch', if you know what I mean (and I believe you do!). With a mild-medium strength and ideal construction and burning, this was the type of Punch special release that made you upset to think that they only came in 10-count varnished boxes. Not only that, I don't think it would be possible to still have any on hand if you bought only one box twelve years ago. Surely, one would have smoked all ten Punch Clasicos by now, judging by how well this performed in its smoking today.

Yes, I'd like to thank @Perla that I had the opportunity to smoke this wondrous cigar. One can never have enough of a classy Nro. 109 cigar!

[JohnS]

Tatuaje El Triunfador No.6 Lancero

The Original Release Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero came out in 2008. Pete Johnson, Tatuaje's owner brought it out to support his claim to trademark an old Cuban brand from the 1940s, which he had registered at the time. That particular cigar release sported a brown band. This Tatuaje El Triunfador No.6 Lancero comes with a red band and is a different release altogether; both in its blend and its origin story.

In 2009, Pete Johnson re-released the El Triunfador line internationally, and along with that came a milder blend. The Lancero was actually nicknamed, "The Ghost Cigar",  because it couldn’t be found on the website or any price sheet, and could only be ordered by specifically asking for it. The El Triunfador, which translates to the 'winner' in Spanish, was Pete Johnson's way of acknowledging his following he had built over the years, via releasing a very special release like the El Triunfador line.

The red-banded Tatuaje El Triunfador No.6 Lancero is the same size as a Laguito No.1-sized Cohiba Lanceros or Montecristo Especial. It has a 38 ring gauge x 192 millimetres or 7½ inches length and was made with a Nicaraguan binder and filler but a Habano Ecuador Sun Grown wrapper, which differentiated it from the original 2008 release. It's mildness, in comparison to the original, also came from the fact that it utilised seco leaf and not ligero. I'd like to thank @Perla for making this review possible by graciously providing this cigar.

This Lancero Non-Cuban cigar is now aged well over ten years (possibly twelve to thirteen) and it showed in its smoking. The first few puffs revealed a gorgeous sweet, creamy cedar note with a touch of white pepper. As the cigar smoked down into the first third that white pepper increased a touch. In the middle third, there were some hints of floral notes to support the sweet, creamy cedar and white pepper blend. In the last third, the white pepper picked up quite a bit and became the dominant flavour, but trust me, the cigar was fantastic, nonetheless.

I nubbed this cigar as far as I could go. The ash on it was immaculate; dime-stacked, perfect in its ridging and a gorgeous white-grey. I don't think that I will ever have another Tatuaje El Triunfador No.6 Lancero, but then again, I don't think you will either. These special release lines aren't around these days. But, believe me, they would make quite an impact into today's Habanos enthusiast culture on account of how good they are in been 'Cubanesque'. Yes, I've had other Lancero Non-Cuban cigars over the years such as the Herrera Esteli Lancero Limited Edition, the Tabernacle Lancero and the Oliva Serie V Lancero but this Tatuaje Lancero release easily beats them all. What a shame it's no longer around. I would love Pete Johnson to re-release it, especially in today's cigar-smoking culture that has seen such drastic changes to Habanos cigar smoking consumption in the last twelve to eighteen months. The Tatauaje El Triunfador No.6 Lancero would make a great addition to one's cigar smoking rotation, if it were possible.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Magnum 46 (circa 2010)

The H.Upmann Magnum 46 is one of those cigars that I have never seemed to have had luck with over the years. I'm sure we can all relate to that. I think it's because in regards to H.Upmann as a marca and it satisfying my avaricious need for that softer quintessential H.Upmann shortbread and coffee flavour profile, well...I feel I can get that in a H.Upmann Connossieur No.1 or Connoisseur A. The H.Upmann Magnum 46 has never quite done that for me. Well...today's experience was a little different, but I will explain more later in this review.

In general, I find H.Upmann needs time, for my taste, to reach its peak and I definitely favour the softer shortbread-laden varieties such as the aforementioned Connossieur A and Connoisseur No.1 and Sir Winston rather than the powerhouse, when young, espresso-laden Magnum 46, Half Corona and (now deleted) Petit Corona. In any case, I will tend to age my Upmann stock, except I'm partial to smoking the aforementioned 'softer' cigars (in terms of flavour intensity) younger.

This Magnum 46 was generously provided by @Perla (thank you, again!) and it had some lovely opening notes of a definitive licorice sweetness in its opening third. In the middle third some soft cedar and shortbread came through, with some white pepper burgeoning at this point and continuing on in the last third. That licorice sweetness remained throughout and for me, was the one stand-out, redeeming feature of the cigar. I believe this H.Upmann Magnum 46 is well over ten years 'aged' and I must say, I do prefer them like this...they're quite to my preference.

Despite being 46 ring gauge, this Corona Gorda seemed more akin to a Petit Corona when I was smoking it. It smoked easily and well and I'm enamoured that I got to smoke it and I enjoyed it been less 'vibrant' than previous H.Upmann Magnum 46s I've smoked over the years. Kudos to you if you love a more potent, younger H.Upmann Magnum 46 and it is in your 'go-to' rotation. One thing I can say about it, it is a dependable cigar; both in flavour and construction, in general.

[JohnS]

Oliva Serie V Lancero

I've written previously that 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 (38rg or 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. Having said this, I've found that this cigar is much more popular amongst our experienced cigar enthusiast members, by comparison. When young, it's normally a dense smoke with full Earthy and leathery notes combined with sweeter flavours of chocolate, almond nuts and dates.

The sub-42 ring gauge ensures that this cigar smokes differently on the palate than other Oliva Serie V cigars with a post-46 ring gauge. The difference lies in the feel on the palate, which is more on the tip of the tongue in my view, rather than being more rounded over the palate in general with those larger cigars.

My last Oliva Serie V Lancero, smoked nine months ago, opened with a semblance of a nutty and/or creamy texture. It did have some chocolate and almond notes to it too. It only became more 'Earthy' and leathery in the last third. On the whole, it was much, much better than the previous Olive Serie V Lancero I smoked three months prior, mainly because of the nutty and creamy texture of the cigar, which I found so endearing.

This Oliva Serie V Lancero was different still, mainly because I believe it was aged. I must thank @Perla for gifting it to me, as all my previous Oliva Serie V Lanceros I've smoked have been less than three years of age. This cigar started with a beautiful almond and walnut, cream and baking spice texture and developed some nice notes of milk chocolate in the middle. Towards the end it had some leather to it, but it was fantastic to smoke all the way through.

What more can one add? For the price, these are a great option to add to your rotation, in my view. They consistently offer value or 'bang for you buck', in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Padron Family Reserve No.85 Natural

The Padron Family Reserve Series are a line of cigars that commemorate special family anniversary dates within the Padron Family. The Padron Family Reserve No.85 was announced in 2011 as the fourth iteration of the Family Reserve Series, after the Nos. 44, 45 and 46. It was believed that, at the time, the new release would be monikered the No.47, but this was not to be. Instead, founder Jose O.Padron's 85th birthday was used to name the new Family Reserve Series cigar. Since then, the No.50 has also been added to the line.

Family Reserve cigars follow the Padron tradition of using quality Nicaraguan tobacco and come in sun-grown natural and maduro-wrappered varieties. The No.85 is the smallest vitola within the series at 50 ring gauge. It is 133 millimetres or 5¼ inches long. Like the greater majority of Padron cigars, the No.85 has a notable box-press to it. I acquired this cigar in a 5-pack Sampler box, together with the Nos. 44, 45, 46 and 50. Family Reserve cigars are also available individually in 5-count and 10-count options.

According to Padron, the line was blended to produce, "exceptionally smooth, complex, balanced and full-bodied flavor". In comparison to the 1926 Series and 1964 Anniversary Series, the Family Reserve Series is milder on account of using ten years-aged leaves, instead of five years like those aforementioned lines.

As for flavours, as I've mentioned, expect a milder smoke in comparison to 1926 or 1964 natural cigars. The texture of the smoke is fuller too. Overall, it's been said that the Family Reserve Series is not as flavoursome as other Padron lines. This is categorically untrue. What should be stated is that the flavours are much more subtle, more nuanced. This No.85 natural had notes of light cocoa and cedar with a cinnamon spice throughout and a soft anise or dark cherry flavour to it. In comparison to fuller Padron cigars, it's easier to smoke, in my opinion.

Yes, in summary, it's a quality cigar but it's not for you if you want bold, fulsome flavours. If that's the case, stick with the 1926 or 1964 lines instead. Otherwise, if you want to celebrate a special occasion, this just may the type of Padron cigar you are looking for.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana Harimau Malaya 2020 - Edición Regional Malasia RAT May 2021

The San Cristobal de la Habana Harimau Malaya is the first Regional Edition cigar that Asia-Pacific distributor PCC (Pacific Cigar Company) have released with a secondary band denoted to the country of Malaysia. The cigar is named after the tiger that comes from the region of Malaya, is unique in its characteristics, looks and size and is protected as an endangered species. In the same way, the SCdLH Harimau Malaya is unique for a San Cristobal special release because it is the first Montesco-sized cigar for the marca, even though Montesco vitolas are now quite common for Habanos Special releases.

The packaging is unique too. It comes in an ornate outer cardboard carton box which neatly houses a 10-count semi-boite nature box, of which of course there were 8888 produced (for good luck - this is a Chinese cultural reference). As mentioned, a Montesco-sized 55 ring gauge x 130 mm or 5⅛ inches length cigar now no longer seems as grand or intimidating to cut at the head as it once used to.

This is my fourth SCdLH Harimau smoked from this box; the last one was smoked six months ago. You see, I have smoked many, many San Cristobal de la Habana El Principes over the years; they are a favourite 'go-to' Habanos cigar of mine, for sure. My first two SCdLH Harimau I smoked were quite different to the SCdLH El Principe in their 'feel' on the palate. Those SCdLH Harimau were much fuller in their 'mouthfeel' and simpler in flavour. Perhaps this is the antithesis of the ScdLH El Principe and that is why I struggled to connect with this cigar, previously.

Construction-wise; again, it was 'spot-on' (in other words, fine). Yet, like when the Rafael Gonzalez 88 first was released nearly five years ago, the initial SCdLH Harimau Malayas I smoked were 'closed' in their flavours...a little one-dimensional but I wouldn't go so far as to label it 'offensive'. No, rather, I would advocate that being an Asia-Pacific Regional Edition surely it needed more time to develop to my preference.

So did particular SCdLH Harimau 'open-up', as my last one did six months ago? In a word, yes...but, in my view there's still a way to go. There were gorgeous notes of baking spice, walnut, cocoa and raisin throughout the cigar, which I quite liked. Last time, I got more of a cake-like texture. However; this fourth cigar, at just over two years of age, was every bit as light in 'feel'.

It wasn't a classic 93-point cigar or above...no, nothing like that. But this smoke today continues to bode well for the rest of the box into the future.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 UEB Feb 2019

It's hard to believe that I finished a superb ROP Feb 2020 10-count box only a month ago. All, apart from one PSD4 that had construction issues and the last one that gave me a 'nicotine buzz', had been exemplary or 'nigh on' close to that point. Interestingly, they were all simple in flavour blend; basically a combination of sourdough, coffee and quality leather with perhaps a touch of paprika spice here and there.

This is the first Partagas Serie D No.4 of a new 10-count UEB Feb 2019 box. Again, it continued the trend of been a simple combination of sourdough, coffee and leather from beginning to end over about an hour or so. I would add further that this cigar, being older than my previous PSD4s from my ROP Feb 2020 box was lighter on coffee and had specifically no paprika spice at all. That being said, it was still a fine smoke. After all, I still maintain that the Partagas Serie D No.4 is one of the most consistent Habanos cigars currently available, and furthermore, no doubt it is keeping the Cuban cigar industry afloat, given what's happened since the price re-structure of mid-2022.

Despite this Partagas Serie D No.4 not been up to same mark as the greater majority of other PSD4s I've enjoyed in the last twelve months or so, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to acquire more, even at the present time when prices are higher than in the past. As it stands, thankfully I still have nine other cigars to explore from this box first.

[JohnS]

Punch Punch RAT May 2020

Did you know that Punch was once a major brand and that it once had six Coronas Gordas in its marca? These were the Punch Punch de Luxe, the Royal Selection No.11, the Super Selection No.2, the Black Prince, the Nectares No.2 and the Seleccion de Luxe No.1. The last two were discontinued in the 1980s. In the mid-80s the Punch Punch de Luxe was renamed the 'Punch Punch Punch' (yes, it actually has three 'Punches' in its name!) and between 2002 and 2010 the other aforementioned Punch coronas gordas were deleted.

The Punch Punch, with dimensions of 46 ring gauge x 143 mm in length seems somewhat small in girth nowadays than what it used to. I had acquired a 10-count box of Punch Punch Tubos in May of 2022 and had the first one 'right-off-the-truck' (or ROTT) and it was quite 'run-of-the-mill' or average. I had the second and third cigars from the box at two month intervals thereafter and both of those were a bit better than average. The fourth one, smoked again two months later (and so six months after having the first right-off-the-truck) was very different to them all. It was simply sublime! The fifth Punch Punch was smoked five months later. It wasn't as ethereal (or other-worldly) as my last one, but if it had been a little bit better constructed, who knows?...it may have been! This sixth one, smoked four months ago, was more like the fourth one, a wonderful example of how good Punch can be when everything 'aligns', so-to-speak.

I've said this in previous reviews on this cigar, but to me, the Punch Punch is always a cedar and classic 'Cuban Twang' affair when its at its best. I esteem it as perhaps one of the few Habanos cigars to encapsulate the ideal of perfect 'Cuban Twang' within a cigar which makes Habanos cigars so distinctive. On the other hand, it can also be quite variable in its flavour delivery on account of the balance within its simple flavours, in my view. If you find your Punch Punch is not balanced, then it's likely to be quite 'woody', 'leathery' or dare I say - bland.

This Punch Punch opened with what I would term as a flavour akin to Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Chewing Gum. Now, to ascertain precisely what flavour that is presents difficulties, for sure, as Wrigley's have never offered a flavour guide to their famous product; unlike Wine or Coffee Producers over the years, for example. I suppose one could describe it like a jackfruit taste which can be sweet, yet have a 'leathery-type' texture to it. If this Punch Punch had more sour cream to it, in my opinion it would have smoked quite differently, but it was quite fine, nonetheless - basically a mix of cedar, leather and a sweetness like jackfruit. Despite the wrapper tearing upon clipping the head, the cigar thankfully stayed intact. Normally, this wouldn't happen as fissures usually open up with more heat produced by smoking down the cigar. In the case of today's Punch Punch, I would opine that the wrapper was very, very thin yet quite tensile and that's why it retained its integrity.

So, in summary, my first cigar from this box was ordinary whilst the next two were similar in been simple-blended typical Punch-flavoured cigars, perhaps marginally better than average. The fourth one was a revelation and the fifth one was a little below average. The sixth one represented the first cigar since the box has reached the three-year mark and I was well-satisfied with it, in terms of blend and flavour. Today's Punch Punch Tubos, the seventh from the 10-count box, thankfully continued the upswing in trend, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic

The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic is a Perfecto measuring ¾ of an inch in diameter (i.e. 48 ring gauge) and 7 inches (or 178 mm) in length. It's shaped more like a Habanos Perfecto such as a Salomones than a Taco-type cigar and thus, the AF Hemingway Classic is only slightly tapered at the head but it is predominantly tapered at the foot. There is a common urban-like adage that some have advised to snip the foot to open up the cigar and make it easier to light. Trust me, this is unnecessary. All one needs to do is light the foot with a single-flame lighter, draw and the cigar will take care of itself.

The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic has most probably become one of my very favourite Non-Cuban cigars, and seemingly in a short time. After enjoying two of them in late 2022 I acquired a 10-count box in late October. I waited four months to have the first AF Hemingway Classic from this box. Why I waited so long is a mystery as honestly I should have helped myself sooner! I smoked the second one from the box two months after the first one, and this third one today around four-and-a-half months since the last one.

According to Arturo Fuente, the Hemingway natural line employs a combination of patiently aged Dominican filler and binder encased in a select African Cameroon wrapper. The line is said to be medium-mild to medium in body.

The aroma from this cigar box upon opening in late-October 2022 was quite overwhelming. The hit of cedar was all-encompassing, it was in fact quite something to experience.

I first smoked this cigar around fourteen months ago and was greatly impressed. At that time I noted that the cold draw had notes of hay. That cigar was quite simple in its flavours; basically sweet hay, cedar and creamy texture. There was a sweetness which I categorised as hints of hazelnut and vanilla on the edges. The cigar was mainly mild until the beginning of the last third whereby it ramped up in intensity to be medium-bodied; less sweet and more cedar and leather in profile. The second cigar, smoked six months ago, was much the same; simple, yet it had more spice to it which was a bit like white pepper.

This AF Hemingway Classic started off beautifully sweet, like vanilla with hay and cedar. In the middle third it was mainly cedar, hay and a touch of spice, whereas the last third had had the cedar become more dominant. In summary, I was amazed just how much this cigar turned out to be in comparison to the last two I had. They were very, very similar in their smoking performance, draw and construction. It was quite something to marvel and behold. Again, it was simple but once again I honestly wouldn't hesitate to smoke another straight afterwards!

Construction-wise, Arturo Fuente cigars are well-known for their consistency and this was much the same. Even burn, consistent ash and decent flavour per draw. What more could you want?

I apologise in advance if you don't subscribe to the same adulation I have for the Arturo Fuente Hemingway series. As it is, I envisage that the 2023 Smoking Blog will see a number of entries from this line of cigars this year. I simply love, love, love this cigar and continue to do so!

[joeypots]

On 10/13/2023 at 8:10 PM, JohnS said:

my first cigar from this box was ordinary whilst the next two were similar in been simple-blended typical Punch-flavoured cigars, perhaps marginally better than average. The fourth one was a revelation and the fifth one was a little below average. The sixth one represented the first cigar since the box has reached the three-year mark and I was well-satisfied with it, in terms of blend and flavour. Today's Punch Punch Tubos, the seventh from the 10-count box, thankfully continued the upswing in trend, in my opinion.

Another affirmation of the old 4 to 5 years of age and Cuban cigars really start to shine, even in tubes.

The Hemingways were getting to be favorite of mine before I became obsessed with Cuban cigars. Fuente has always made a consistant product, imho, and I can think of an island not too far from the Dominican Republic that could take a class or two from their neighbors.

Thanks for the reviews!

[JohnS]

3 hours ago, joeypots said:

Another affirmation of the old 4 to 5 years of age and Cuban cigars really start to shine, even in tubes.

The Hemingways were getting to be favorite of mine before I became obsessed with Cuban cigars. Fuente has always made a consistant product, imho, and I can think of an island not too far from the Dominican Republic that could take a class or two from their neighbors.

Thanks for the reviews!

Well said. Thank you! 👍

[JohnS]

Cohiba Robustos MUO May 2014

There was once a time when Robustos were the exceptional cigar in one's inventory. For example, Simon Chase commented in an interview with Nic Wing in 2015 that the Partagas Serie D No.4 sold a total of 5000 boxes in the mid-eighties worldwide. Even up to that point (i.e. in the mid-1980s) there were only four, yes four Robusto (i.e. 50 ring gauge x 124 mm or 4⅞ inches in length) vitolas available. These were the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2, the Bolivar Royal Coronas, the Partagas Serie D No.4 and the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. The Cohiba Robustos itself wasn't released until 1989. Soon after, the Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 was released in the early-90s. No, it wasn't until the 2000s that Robustos started to get more popular. In the 1980s and prior they were just thought of as very large ring gauge cigars, an anomaly, if you will.

Today, the robustos vitola simply sells. In the last decade the Partagas Serie D No.4 has via communal consensus moved past the Montecristo No.4 as the number one selling Habanos cigar in the world today.

I last smoked a MUO May 2014 Cohiba Robustos six months ago and it was superb. That Cohiba Robusto had a scrumptious buttered texture, a honey sweetness, mocha coffee and lemon citrus too. The construction was spot-on, ash lengths were long and the ridging on the ash was consistent, just like the previous time I smoked a cigar from this box code. Today's sample was just as good, sharing similar flavours, only it was a little more 'grassy' in sections.

Unfortunately, today's MUO May 2014 Cohiba Robusto was the last one in my humidor. At today's pricing, it's unlikely that I will seek to replace it. I guess I will have to 'make do' with my unopened mid-2015 box and make it last as long as I can, whenever I get around to 'cracking' it open!

[JohnS]

La Flor de Cano Grandiosos 2013 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico ROL Oct 2013

The La Flor de Cano Grandiosos is a 2013 Asia Pacifico Regional Edition release cigar with a 52 ring gauge x 135 mm (or 5⅜ inches) length. I opened this 10-count box once it had approached the seven year mark and I've had eight of them (or exactly four-fifths of the contents) in just over two years, with the ninth one smoked a bit over nine months ago. Yes, you could say I've enjoyed them!

If you aren't aware, the thinking on our forum behind Asia Pacifico Regional releases is that they generally need 5 years to 'open up'. The only recent exception to this maxim that I can recall could be the 2014 Diplomaticos Bushido, which was exemplary from the 'get-go' when it finally came out in 2015 or perhaps even the recent 2019 Punch 8-9-8 (although one could argue that this dalias-sized cigar can benefit from aging too).

I've had this cigar around the four and five-year mark and I've found it to be a combination, at that time, of butter cake and cream, floral notes, almond nuts and spice. Around the six-year mark the cigar progressed to a flavour profile of floral notes, citrus, almond nut and light cocoa 'on the edges' with a bit of spice to it.

This LFdC Grandiosos smoked today finally hit the ten years of age mark. It was not as complex as my last few LFdC Grandiosos. In fact, I would say this particular specimen had melded significantly in its flavours. From the beginning it was a combination of almond nut, floral notes and cinnamon spice and it stayed that way to various degrees from beginning to end.

In brief, these cigars have all been so good, in general, that I'm glad I finished the box at the ten year mark. There was no point to aging them further, in my view.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 ESL May 2018

I acquired this 10-count of Montecristo No.5 a little over eighteen months ago. The box has now reached five years of age and I've gone through just over half the contents. My evaluation of its contents has been somewhat 'mixed', thus far, simply due to the fact that some cigars have been outstanding, whereas others have been more average, by definition.

Today's Montecristo No.5 was not much different to my last Monte 5 smoked about one-and-a-half months ago. There where some elements of coffee and chocolate within the Montecristo blend, but also some softer elements of baking spice and nuttiness. Note that I refer to chocolate deliberately because in my view, when that quintessential Montecristo cocoa flavour starts to soften or mellow out, or whenever it seems sweeter on the palate, that's when I like to refer to it commonly as 'chocolate'.

In general, this Monte 5 was more mild and nuanced in relation to some other examples from this box. Honestly, I didn't mind it for what it was. I've had quite a number over the years and believe me, I've had much, much worse by comparison!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo VI ARG Jun 2015

If the Cohiba Siglo VI is considered a 'special occasion' cigar, then surely Habanos S.A's price re-structuring in mid-2022 has solidified this reputation even further. After all, consider the outlay: $US100 to 105 or $AUD155 to $165 at the present time for a Cohiba Siglo VI. Will Cohiba have a market left after a spate of price increases in the last twelve months or so? I must say that yes, even after the recent January 2023 rounds of appreciation, I believe it will.

My last Cohiba Siglo VI I had, around ten months ago, was ideal in its balance of flavours and construction. I happily nubbed it. In the exact same way as my last two Siglo VIs began, from the very first puff I took of it, I immediately was overwhelmed at how fantastically this smoked in the first third. In simple terms, it smoked like I was eating a honey-flavoured biscuit (or cookie).

In the middle third, the cigar was more dominant in mocha coffee. Construction was absolutely spot-on as ash-lengths were more or less perfect, ridges were uniformly parallel and there were no need of any re-lights or touch-ups.

The final third had less mocha to it and more hay, but in general, it continued in much the same vein as the middle third. Of course, I again nubbed this Siglo VI far as it could go.

Regrettably, this was my last Cohiba Siglo VI left from this 10-count box. The last three examples of these Siglo VIs have smoked superbly now (and incidentally, in the same way flavour-wise and construction-wise). I took one hour and forty-five minutes to smoke this today. It might have been one hell of an expensive cigar, but in my mind, it was well worth it!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Medio Siglo LTO Oct 2021

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.

In regard to the Cohiba Medio Siglo cigars I have sampled, I've mentioned previously that I feel it has the hallmarks of a Linea 1492 cigar in its quality hay and sweet honey notes. What I feel it has in similarity with the Cohiba Siglo VI is its buttery texture and coffee flavours, albeit in the Medio Siglo the coffee is much darker. In fact, I'd classify it amongst the richer flavour profiled cigars in the Linea 1492 series, together with the Cohiba Siglo VI.

It's been three months since I last smoked a Cohiba Medio Siglo. I do have around half a box in my inventory across two box codes, though. I guess I want to savour them for the odd occasion when I want to enjoy its blend of quality biscuit combined with espresso or mocha coffee.

Normally, when this cigar is 'on' it provides an eloquent balance of honey, biscuit, hay, butter and mocha coffee over an hour to an hour and ten minutes (or so). When the Cohiba Medio Siglo is not 'on' you can tell usually that the balance of flavours is askew, they can smoke 'hot' and are more intense in coffee and spice. Unfortunately, today's example was more akin to the latter description in how unbalanced it was. Incidentally, the last time three times I smoked a Medio Siglo from this late-'21 box code I found the same thing as that cigar wasn't 'to taste' either! (It's) So disappointing!

The last late-'21 Cohiba Medio Siglo's construction was frankly just poor, no is no other way to 'sugar-coat' it! The problem was evident soon after I lit the cigar. The wrapper wasn't burning but I was getting nice volumes of smoke per draw. Once I got past the first half-inch of the cigar it was easy to see that it was under-filled in the middle. This resulted in a more intense mocha and wood taste on the palate to go with the nice sweet honey, hay, butter and biscuit notes that were definitely there, it's just that the appreciation for this smoke wasn't what it could've been. I also needed a number of re-lights and I had to cope with some bunched leaves inducing an un-even burn. That smoke per draw was more voluminous than your typical Cohiba cigar, however, which normally necessitates a change in smoking technique to properly savour (i.e. you need to smoke much more slowly), so it took around eighty-five minutes to persevere through.

This Cohiba Medio Siglo, smoked three months later from the same box code, also started off not burning well on account of some under-filling in the middle...again! This then resulted in a slightly bitter smoke at times, which I had to slow down to appreciate the mocha coffee, wood and honey that was there. Fortunately, this time the under-filling ceased around the beginning of the second third and I was able to appreciate more hay and honey notes to compliment the nice mocha coffee. Ironically, the cigar was really nice in the last third. I nubbed it but by then it was too late. Honestly, Cohiba cigars should not be rolled incorrectly like this. It's a travesty of common decency! After all, whoever said, 'you get what you paid for' most probably never purchased a box of Habanos cigars.

What more could one add? Ever since the price re-structuring by Habanos S.A. in mid-2022 a number of us have supplemented our smoking regimes with the acquisition of Non-Cuban cigars. I reflected the last time I had a poor Cohiba Medio Siglo that I'd never, ever had a difficult-to-roll Arturo Fuente Hemingway series cigar or a Padron cigar or an Oliva cigar constructed and smoke as badly as that Cohiba Medio Siglo at that time. Quite simply, at current prices, it's an outrage. Even though this Cohiba Medio Siglo was better overall, I still stand by this view. Don't expect me to return to the Cohiba Medio Siglo anytime soon.

[joeypots]

14 hours ago, JohnS said:

Cohiba cigars should not be rolled incorrectly like this. It's a travesty of common decency! After all, whoever said, 'you get what you paid for' most probably never purchased a box of Habanos cigars.

Very well said!!

 

 

 

[JohnS]

Punch Short de Punch RAT Nov 2019

The Punch Short de Punch is a 2019 release by Habanos S.A. In my opinion, there's nothing 'short' about it. Firstly, its length is only 4 mm (or ⅙ of an inch) shorter than a robusto and secondly, it normally takes quite some time to smoke. Whereas a robusto would normally take me around 70 to 75 minutes to smoke the average Punch Short de Punch normally takes me around 90 to 105 minutes to finish!

This RAT Nov 2019 was the fifth cigar from a 10-count box I purchased almost two years ago (or so). I had the first two within the first two weeks and they were both absolutely stupendous! I smoked the third one around eleven months later and I can honestly admit that they are getting even better. The fourth one was smoked four months afterwards and today's fifth one was smoked around nine months after that.

In regards to flavours, like the previous Punch Short de Punch cigars I've had, this was again all classic Punch...the sour cream, leather, cedar and Cuban twang was all there from beginning to end, but as I noted about a year-and-a-half ago, the leather in this cigar was more prominent. The cigar took me ninety minutes to finish, despite been quite mild to smoke, on account of been somewhat tight in the draw (but not tight enough to require intervention with a PerfecDraw tool).

For me, the PSdP has been quite good in general, overall, but I wonder if the mildness evident today was an anomaly or not. In my opinion, I would need to smoke another PSdP from this box somewhat 'soonish' to compare its strength as previous cigars from this box were more 'vibrant', so-to-speak.

Without a doubt, the Punch Short de Punch is by no means a complex cigar, but if you like Punch in general, then I'd definitely recommend that you give this a try. If you do so, perhaps try the cigar with a more recent box code, rather than an older one. After all, it's quite an approachable cigar when young.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Galanes RAT Nov 2020

The Por Larranaga Galanes is a 52 ring gauge x 120 mm (or 4¾ inches) in length Robusto. I'm not sure why it has a unique size but if it was slightly smaller in girth I'd like to think it to be like a Punch Short de Punch, which is 50 ring gauge, but the same length. Why it's not is anyone's guess. One thing I do know, in general, I've quite enjoyed the Punch Short de Punch and I've taken a serious liking to the Por Larranaga Galanes too.

I went through five cigars of this 10-count box (and so half-a-box) in the first twelve months of opening it but I've had only three in the last eighteen months, at six-month intervals. I have written in previous reviews that some of my PL Galanes have been quite 'buttery' upon their opening and some have exhibited a core butter bread flavour; something akin to a recent Quai d'Orsay no.50 or 54 with its brioche characteristics. Other Por Larranaga Galanes have also had a milk coffee flavour in their opening to compliment that brioche-type butter bread taste on the palate, whereas others have had a characteristic dull oak wood flavour come to the fore.

This eighth cigar from the box was not as brilliant as other examples I had from the box, but it was not that bad either. The flavours I got were a typical combination of milk coffee, butterscotch, dull oak wood and spice. The latter two flavours were more prominent in the last two-thirds of the cigar. I think that if this PL Galanes was less 'heavy' in dull oak wood and spice I would have enjoyed it more.

I still maintain that the best way to characterise a PL Galanes would be to state that it is like a Punch Short de Punch with a butterscotch sweetness, if you could imagine such a thing! If you are looking for that typical Por Larranaga caramel sweetness, I would advise to look elsewhere as again it wasn't present in this cigar.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo ESO Sep 2014

The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is a Petit Robusto (52 rg x 110 mm or 4⅜ inches in length), released in 2006. It was the second regular production Petit Robusto-sized cigar (and by that I am referencing its Common Name) after the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto was introduced in 2004. The Cohiba Magicos came soon after in 2007. After a spate of Regional Edition cigars were released from 2009 to 2011 utilising this vitola there's been a number of additions ever since to the regular production catalogue.

I only opened this ESO Sep 2014 box of Montecristo Petit Edmundos late in 2021. Overall, they've been consistently mild and smooth. Today's Montecristo Petit Edmundo was also as similarly mild and light-bodied as my last Montecristo Petit Edmundo I smoked five months ago.

I wrote in my last review on this cigar a few months ago that in general, as this box enters its now ninth year, the fullness of flavours (especially when it comes to the Montecristo cocoa and coffee) has greatly diminished and now these have been mainly been nutty, leathery and there's been more room for any citrus twang to 'shine'.

These aged Montecristo Petit Edmundos have also acquired an additional creamy texture to the cocoa, nut and light coffee blend, which I quite like. If you desire stronger coffee and/or cocoa in your Montecristo cigars, then you are best to have them before the 3 to 5 year window, depending on the specific vitola of course. This is a generalisation of course. Today's Monte Petit Edmundo opened with signature nut and leather flavours and was quite light in milk chocolate and milk coffee in its second half.

As it was, the combination of that hazelnut and leather made this a very easy cigar to smoke. Like my last Monte Petit Edmundo, this took around an hour to smoke.

At the 10 to 15 year mark, the Montecristo brand can begin to develop floral notes and the nuttiness becomes more generic and less savoury, something akin to walnut or similar. At that point, you aren't likely to be enjoying any dominant coffee flavours. I have no desire to let this box age that long, though. I have only one cigar left and I doubt that it will last to see its tenth year.

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Molinos ABR Oct 2011

I mentioned in my first 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?

Indeed, if we turn our attention to the Lonsdale, a 42 ring gauge x 165 mm (or 6½ inches) in length cigar, 2006 also saw the discontinuation of the Diplomaticos No.1, Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdale and Saint Luis Ray Lonsdale. In 2012, alongside the Sancho Panza Molinos, the Vegas Robaina Clasicos was also deleted. Even the Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.1, an inconspicuous cigar within that marca, saw the 'chopping-block' in 2017. Lamentably, only the Montecristo No.1 survives to this day in this vitola in regular production. Given that Montecristo cigars (and Cohiba) tend not to get discontinued, I have every confidence the Montecristo No.1 will remain, but to think there's only one cigar left of its kind seems quite incredible. Nowadays, we can see Habanos S.A.'s commitment to ceasing the release of any more cigars of this size in the Bolivar Gold Medal, a cigar that enjoyed a LCDH special release in the 2000s for a time on two occasions, recently become available again with an increase in its girth to 48rg. Personally, I find it all too hard to fathom.

The last ABR Oct 2011 Molinos I smoked was around six months ago. 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 definitely 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. This is now my eighth SP Molinos from this box. Once again, it was very easy to smoke, easy on the palate yet it still had significant body and flavour to suggest that it had plenty of life in it. The cigar was a tale of two halves; the first half was floral, sweet and replete in cream, the second half was more wood and salt but still maintained a core element of the flavours found in the first half. Of course I nubbed it and as I stated in my last review on this cigar, I felt that after smoking it, it was nowhere near its expiry date. In my opinion, based on how these have been smoking, in general, it's not even a question I'd consider for another four or 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 (and reintroduced) SP Non Plus, then keep in mind to give them time to develop. I'm confident you'll be glad you did in the long run.

[JohnS]

Padron Family Reserve No.44 Natural

The Padron Family Reserve Series are a line of cigars that commemorate special family anniversary dates within the Padron Family. The Padron Family Reserve No.44 was the first release of this line which came out in 2007. Initially, the Padron Family Reserve No.44 was only available at Padron events where a family member was present, and thus the inspiration for the naming of the brand.

Family Reserve cigars follow the Padron tradition of using quality Nicaraguan tobacco and come in sun-grown natural and maduro-wrappered varieties. The No.44 is the only torpedo vitola within the series. It has a 52 ring gauge and is 152 millimetres or 6 inches long. Like the greater majority of Padron cigars, the No.44 has a notable box-press to it. I acquired this cigar in a 5-pack Sampler box, together with the Nos. 45, 46, 50 and 85. Family Reserve cigars are also available individually in 5-count and 10-count options.

According to Padron, the line was blended to produce, "exceptionally smooth, complex, balanced and full-bodied flavor". In comparison to the 1926 Series and 1964 Anniversary Series, the Family Reserve Series is milder in body on account of using ten years-aged leaves, instead of five years like those aforementioned lines. In terms of strength, one could rank the 1926 Series as having the most strength, the 1964 Anniversary Series the least and the Family Reserve Series between them. (Although I would categorise the Family Reserve Series as been closer in strength to the 1964 Anniversary Series rather that the 1926 Series.)

I took my Colibri V-Cutter and applied it to the head of this cigar prior to lighting. As usual, the draw was a touch loose (as is typical for Padron cigars) and it was effortless to smoke from the first puff to the last. As for flavours, as I've mentioned in my recent review on the Padron Family Reserve No.85 (Natural), overall it's been said that the Family Reserve Series is not as flavoursome as other Padron lines. This is categorically untrue. What should be stated is that the flavours are much more subtle, more nuanced. This No.44 Natural had notes of light cocoa, coffee, cedar with a sweet cinnamon throughout. Whereas the No.85 had a soft anise or dark cherry flavour to it, this No.44 had some almond or marzipan notes. Like the No.85, in comparison to fuller Padron cigars, the No.44 is easier to smoke, in my opinion.

The Padron Family Reserve No.44 was ranked no.4 in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 cigars of the year in 2018. Now, these lists can be subject to scrutiny, but in my opinion, it's not hard to see why it was classified within the Top 10 ranked cigars that year. In my view, it's a quality cigar and ideal if you are looking for smooth, nuanced flavours. If you want bold, fulsome flavours, then stick with the 1926 or 1964 lines instead. Otherwise, if you want to celebrate a special occasion, this just may the type of Padron cigar you are looking for.