JohnS' Smoking Diary 2023

[99call]

On 11/14/2023 at 6:38 AM, JohnS said:

Partagas Serie E No.2 was maybe...just maybe, stellar. Indeed, I think it was.

Question John. Do you think the E2 is currently the best cigar Partagas makes? For me they seem to be able to do that Monte 2 trick. I.e. bad ones are still very respectable cigars, but good ones, can compete with the very best Cuba has to offer. 

I will admit they took me by complete surprise, I dislike the size, and was geared up to disregard them as an aimless fad, but since there release I can't help but feel they have cemented and air of true greatness. 

I was thinking to myself, if someone offered me either, an 898, a Lusi, or a E2. I would like to think I would reach for the 898, but it would be a lot tougher decision than I ever previously imagined. Interestingly I feel confident the Lusi would be in 3rd spot. 

[JohnS]

Stefan, I think Habanos S.A. markets the Partagas Serie E2 that way. It's only been around since 2011 but one can get them in three packaging options; a display box of 15 aluminium tubed cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 3, a semi boîte nature box of 5 cigars and a semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars. Despite those options for acquisition, the cigar has been somewhat rare in the last few years in terms of its availability, but that's another subject entirely, obviously related to supply issues in regards to the Covid-19 Pandemic and subsequent rationalisation of pricing in mid-2022.

In the long history of the brand, as it famously claims its origin to 1845, I would think that Habanos S.A would cite the Lusitanias as its flagship cigar. Cigar enthusiasts would also mention the 8-9-8 as being a 'class above' the other vitolas within the brand. However, there's a reason why the Partagas Serie E No.2 is colloquially referred to as ' the poor man's Behike' amongst our respected members and this is because the blend doesn't tend to have any 'edges'. On the contrary, they tend to be smooth and nuanced.

Finally, as further proof to its standing within the Habano S.A regular production catalogue, consider the cigars that Habanos S.A. has volunteered for release for their prestigious Gran Reserva Series, thus far. I think it's no coincidence that the last Partagas Gran Reserva was in fact a Serie E No.2.

https://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/cigar/list?types=grand-reserve-series

[JohnS]

Cohiba Robustos Supremos 2014 - Edición Limitada ARG Dic 2014

The Cohiba Robustos Supremos 2014 Edicion Limitada was the sixth Cohiba Limited Edition, coming three years after the release of the excellent Cohiba 1966 Edicion Limitada. It was noted as the biggest ring gauge release in the Habanos catalogue for the time, at 58 ring gauge. I have always used my Credo 3-in-1 punch cutter on cigars like this, I find the largest punch on the cutter, for above 48 ring gauge, is ideal for smoking larger ring gauge cigars and 'sipping' them from the back, so-to-speak.

Upon release, this retailed around $US25 to $US30 a stick. I remember acquiring my box for around $AU50 a stick. Nowadays, if you can find them available, they are retailing for $US260 a stick. That is quite an appreciation! (In Australia, I've seen even larger prices of approximately $AU770 a stick!)

After nine years, this Cohiba Robustos Supremos has shrunk slightly. This was evident from how easily the bands slid off. They certainly weren't like that upon their acquisition. With age, this is quite normal as cigars do lose moisture over time and thus reduce in girth and length.

The first third demonstrated, within the first few puffs, that the strength has diminished in comparison to previous CRS sticks that I've smoked. Naturally, there were typical Limited Edition flavours: namely cocoa, refined grass/hay, some coffee and honey sweetness. I'd categorise the body as medium to medium-full.

The middle third saw the cigar intensify a little, those consistent cocoa, refined grass/hay, slight coffee and honey sweetness remained but the cigar became more dominant in wood, like something akin to oak. The retrohale was quite approachable, certainly more so than what I've remembered.

The final third had similar flavours to the middle third, which saw it remain much the same in flavour and strength. I nubbed the cigar and upon finishing it I reflected that it still reminded me of an 'amplified' Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos.

So, despite not being a complex cigar, the flavours of this Cohiba Robustos Supremos continue to remain vibrant at the nine-year mark. Right now, in 2023, it seems scarcely believable what this vitola retails for on the secondary market. Rest assured though, I don't believe that it has peaked yet, but in my view, it is approaching that point whereby it has diminished in strength and body and is less intense in flavours than what I've encountered in the past.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo III TUE Jun 2020

The Siglo III is and remains my favourite of the linea 1492 series. The reason is simple, the vitola is 42 ring gauge by 155 mm (or 6.1 inches) in length and that, I feel, is the ideal cigar size for me. This was the fourth cigar I've had of a quarter-pack acquisition from mid-2021.

The Linea 1492 series was announced in November 1992 as the new line of Cohiba intended to replace the premium Davidoff Chateau series which concluded in 1991. When these cigars did hit the market (in 1994), the Cohiba Siglo III, a coronas grandes cigar with a 42 ring gauge x 155 mm (or 6⅛ inches) length was the replacement cigar for the Davidoff Château Mouton Rothschild cigar in the Chateau series.

Today, the Cohiba Siglo III is only one of two regular production coronas grandes cigars in existence (the other is the Montecristo Tubos). The last one deleted from Habanos S.A's catalogue, the highly-regarded cigar enthusiast favourite, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux was discontinued in 2014 but most coronas grandes-sized cigars were discontinued in the early-2000s soon after Habanos S.A. was 50% acquired by Altidis in 2000.

This Siglo III again continued the trend of recent 2019/20 Habanos stock smoking well with minimum time rest. It's long been said on our forum that Cohiba is a marca that benefits from long-term aging (think five years and over) but, of late, I've noted that Cohiba has smoked well a lot younger (and I'm talking about Cohiba manufactured post-2019). Also, the Cohiba brand has been noted for its herbal qualities since its inception to the consumer market in the 1980s, yet I feel that recent Cohiba hasn't had as much herbal element in their cigars in comparison to Cohiba pre-2015. When I mention herbal flavours, I am referring of course to the quintessential Cohiba grass/hay. Grass indicates that the herbal flavour is sharper and more distinct in the blend, hay indicates that the herbal flavour is rounder and more melded.

With this mid-2020 Cohiba Siglo III, the Cohiba grass was once again minimal, like all the other cigars from this quarter-box acquisition. There was a bit of honey and citrus, however; the main flavours were definitely the butter, mocha coffee and creaminess. It was simply superb. I had a Siglo III from this same box code over eighteen months ago and it's uncanny how similar this was today in its smoking. I very much wish I could have this cigar in my humidor on a regular basis. Alas, it's not possible but at least I can reminisce once in awhile when I reflect on it!

I smoked this as far as I could take it, much like the first and third cigar I had from this quarter-pack acquisition in mid 2021. For its age, this Cohiba Siglo III truly was an exquisite and exemplary example of how great Cohiba can be when it is 'on song', like it was today.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 2011 - Gran Reserva Cosecha 2005 UPE Jun 2012

This Montecristo No.2 Gran Reserva Cosecha 2005 dates from 2011. I wish to thank @Trevor2118 for gifting it to me to review. The original press release from Habanos S.A stated the following:-

The first Gran Reserva of Montecristo, a reference of flavor in the Habano.

Habanos s.a. presents the first Gran Reserva of Montecristo, manufactured in which probably is the most widely appreciated brand of Habanos*, in the Montecristo No. 2 vitola, the most emblematic of the brand.

With a limited production of 5000 numbered boxes of 15 units each, all the leaves have been aged for at least 5 years.

Since its origins in 1935, Montecristo has consolidated itself as one of the most widely recognized brands of Habanos among the most demanding smokers. Now, Habanos s.a. is pleased to present Montecristo, considered for many as the reference of flavor of the Habano, the first Gran Reserva of this brand.

This new Gran Reserva digs deeper into the unique character of Habanos as Protected Appellation of Origin. For the production of this Gran Reserva of Montecristo, the best tobacco leaves were selected from Vuelta Abajo, Cuba, harvested in 2005. All the leaves that make a Habano, filler, wrapper and binder, were aged during a long and careful process of at least 5 years.

These were no less than 5 years of care, control of the evolution of the aging of these precious leaves that, finally, in the master hands of the experienced Montecristo cigar rollers in the H. Upmann factory take shape to create a unique Habano to satisfy the pleasure of the most demanding smokers.

The emblematic Montecristo No. 2 vitola has been the one chosen for this unique production that makes the Gran Reserva of Montecristo.

The whole production process of the Gran Reserva respects the selection criteria expected of a unique product: from the long and careful aging process of at least 5 years of the best tobacco in Vuelta Abajo to the panel of tasters, who have supervised the selected blend to guarantee a unique, harmonious, and consistent flavor.

The Gran Reserva of Montecristo is a unique production, extremely reduced to 5000 numbered cases containing 15 units each.

I had a Montecristo No.2 Gran Reserva Cosecha 2005 five years ago. At that time, I noted that it wasn't like a typical Montecristo No.2. It was more viscous, both in smoke and mouthfeel on the palate. It had chocolate, leather, molasses and ginger nut, together with espresso and cream. A rich cigar that was within its peak period, in my view.   

So how was it today, five years later? Well...the chocolate has definitely mellowed, it was more leathery, there was less molasses sweetness, yet it sill had a notable ginger nut and citrus twang all throughout. What about the espresso and cream? Those have dissipated with time too. The dominance of the leather notes suggests that this Montecristo No.2 Gran Reserva Cosecha 2005 has now entered its long-term stage. It still was flavoursome, but not in the same way obviously as when it was first released in 2012 or when I smoked it in 2018.

It's a quality cigar, but it's not like the standard Montecristo No.2, so don't expect that when smoking it, unlike the Cohiba Gran Reserva Cosecha 2003 Siglo VI, which was more like a standard Cohiba Siglo VI in its flavour profile, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225 2015 - Edición Regional Gran Bretaña MUR Feb 2013

The Ramon Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225 was released in 2015 to commemorate Hunters & Frankau's 225th Anniversary as a cigar distributor company. The release notes below...

About this cigar: To mark Hunters & Frankau's 225th Anniversary, we are offering a very special Havana cigar and a commemorative humidor. Just 50,000 of the cigars have been produced in numbered SLB boxes of 25. Master blender Arnaldo Vichot at the Partagas factory, created the rich mixture of leaves for the cigars. Two different blends were submitted to a tasting panel in November 2012 and once the blend was chosen by H&F representatives, production of all 50,000 cigars took place between February and May 2013 and was undertaken by just three top grade torcedores.

In the traditional British manner, the cigars were then shipped to the UK and aged for a period of two years in their condition-controlled warehouse so that they would be fully matured before being released to the market.

Popular Vitola: H&F 225th Aniversario
Factory Vitola: Gordito con Cabeza Tumbada
Ring Gauge: 50
Cigar Length: 141 mm / 5.5 inches
Body: Medium - Full

As mentioned, the Ramon Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225 was released to great fanfare in London in 2015 but I've found that critical consensus amongst cigar enthusiasts in the ensuing years has been mixed. The reason? I would venture to say that it's due to the fact that this cigar falls somewhat outside your typical range of profile within the marca; it's neither bold, cocoa-laden and fruity, nor is it refined, chocolate-y or nutty.

I last had a RA H&F 225 cigar about two-and-a-half years ago and found that it had become mild-medium in body yet still retained a core flavour of cocoa, madeira cake, baking spice and floral notes. Indeed, yes...I found it very different to a regular production Ramon Allones cigar, much lighter and nuanced. This RA H&F 225 today started off lighter still in the first third and soon settled into its familiar flavour profile. It was by no means a complex cigar, and it was easy to smoke down well into the final third.

I think the RA H&F Aniversario 225 remains a unique cigar within the Ramon Allones marca. As the cigar was already aged two years upon release, it seems evident to me that it was intended to be consumed sooner rather than later. In other words, it wasn't blended to be aged. The lightness in strength and body of this Ramon Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225 indicated to me that this cigar has peaked. It's still smokable, mind you, but if you are a fan of the Ramon Allones marca, then you're unlikely to laud it in its current state, in comparison to a myriad of other special release options within the RA marca, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Celestiales Finos 2009 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico OMA Ago 2009

The Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos. It's a Perfecto-shaped, 46 ring gauge x 137 millimetres (or 5⅜ inches) in length Britanicas Asia-Pacifico 2009 release that has garnered plenty of accolades over the years by cigar enthusiasts, yet was nigh on unsmokable on account of it full strength when it was acquirable. I deliberately cite the adjective, 'acquirable' because there is a fan base of this cigar that distinctly remembers that availability period as been quite short or limited. Possessing it, therefore, represents the opposite of how available the ultimate unlimited 'Limited Edition' the Cohiba Talisman was. No-one clamors for more of these. The Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos on the other hand...well, that's another story!

So, a brief history of this fabled Asia-Pacifico 2009 release, if I may. The first year of this release up to its second or third saw many reviewers state how potent this cigar was, like very strong stout beer. The consensus was justified, you see, Pacific Cigar Company blends their Regional Editions for a 5-year development at least. It's why so few are great 'out-of-the-box' except for a very few, one of these being the 2014 Diplomaticos Bushidos, for example.

The second phase saw the potency diminish a little but flavours were still strong. Reviewers mainly stated that the cigar had more development to go. I feel that after smoking this cigar, at over 14 years of age, that the flavours have mellowed and blended sufficiently to warrant stating that these are within their peak period now, in my view, but there's sufficient potency for development for a few years yet.

This RACF had a milk chocolate/cocoa, leather and cherried stewed fruit profile that remained consistent throughout the smoke. Previously I found this milk chocolate profile stronger, now it's comfortably medium-mild. There is a dried apricot sweetness to the cigar that now more dominant here than I remember it in the past. Even though the strength of the cigar was under medium-mild, it was still fairly flavorsome. I would say that this cigar was easily medium to medium-full in body. Construction was excellent as ash-length was consistently around the inch mark and ridges were dime-stacked, just like the last RACF I had in mid-2021.

Incidentally, the Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos is the last release in the Habanos S.A. catalogue that was made in the Britanicas vitola. The 2016 Asia-Pacifico RA88 was a slightly bigger, 48 ring gauge Britanicas Extra and we all know the reputation of that release. (Suffice to say, as it proceeded the superlative Diplomaticos Bushido, it had a veritable 'mountain to climb' in terms of matching the hype of that release.)

If you have any RACF left then you are very fortunate. I can count mine on one hand. I still advocate that there's life still in the RACF. In my view, it has enough flavour to sustain it as a quality option for a smoke from your humidor for some time yet.

[JohnS]

Punch Regios de Punch 2017 - Edición Limitada BRE Oct 2017

The Punch Regios de Punch is a 2017 Limited Edition that was quickly forgotten in the aftermath of the other Limited Edition released that year; the Cohiba Talisman. The Talisman was released in November 2017 amidst great publicity and great demand, so much so that it made the Partagas Series No.1 and Punch Regios de Punch seemingly 'fall to the wayside' when they were released in early 2018. The Partagas Series No.1 has had more of a following in the ensuing years than the Punch Regios de Punch; which I would argue barely raises a whimper on our forum nowadays. (Then again, I don't think the Partagas Series No.1 has proven to have much more legitimacy in terms of legacy either.)

Without 'sugar-coating' it, I believe the reason the Punch Regios de Punch has not attracted a devoted following, unlike the Cohiba Talisman, is because it was simply a bad cigar. By that I mean, it was a bad cigar for a Limited Edition with an elevated price-tag. I had four sticks in 2018 and they were average to ordinary. I found them too dominant in cocoa or chocolate, too potent in spice and too indicative of burnt wood flavours. Sure, it had some hallmarks of the Punch marca, but I would argue that a Punch 48 LCDH was and remains a better option when one wants a 'classy' Punch.

Fast forward five years and I can tell you that this Punch Regios de Punch LE proved to be revelation in how it has developed. It was no longer charcoal, burnt wood and spice; rather, it was now a simple combination of leather, wood and light cocoa which I had no problem smoking to the nub. It had also settled in its strength to just over the medium-mild mark.

I'd still advocate that I would much rather reach for a Punch Short de Punch or Punch 48 LCDH before I would smoke this cigar again, but at least it has become approachable with a few years down. If you picked up a box in 2018 why don't you re-visit the cigar and see how it's progressing?

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince SOM Jun 2016

Can you believe, that soon, it would have been seven years since the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince was discontinued? And can you remember how popular this cigar was on our forum during 2015 and 2016? It seemed that every time they came out on a 24:24 listing they were snapped up in a proverbial blink! There's a reason for this, I think, and it lays in the fact that this cigar, although an almuerzos at 40 ring gauge x 130 mm and not quite a petit corona (42 ring gauge x 129 mm), offers a nice change-of-pace in the petit corona range.

In comparison to the last Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince I smoked six months ago, this was relatively heavy in those typical forest floor or Earth and 'woody' flavours common with the Le Hoyo range and it did have a semblance of a mushroom core. It had little to virtually no cream and vanilla element, in fact, which is more like what I've experienced in smoking through this box code in the last few years. In terms of strength, the cigar was milder than what I've experienced in the past, being medium-mild in strength. The last third was nowhere near as intense in those aforementioned Earth and forest floor flavours and so it was still effortless to nub.

In comparison to the most recent Le Hoyo releases of the de San Juan (a Geniales at 54 ring gauge x 150 mm) and Rio de Seco (an Armorosos at 56 ring gauge x 140 mm), those cigars are different to this du Prince box in that those cigars have more crispy, toasty flavours when young, can have a distinctive tea flavour, and in my opinion, are more approachable in their youth.

Now that this Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince has reached the seven-year mark, I am hopeful that the last stick from this box code in my humidor replicates my last one smoked six months ago. That was well within my 'wheelhouse' or quite simply, that phase where I prefer them to be. Light in forest floor and Earth flavours and containing a cream texture with evidence of some vanilla sweetness on the edges, that last smoke was a 'proverbial dream'! Unfortunately, this one was not, but I am hopeful that the next one is!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 BOE Abr 2019

I have had a good run with a variety of UEB 2018 box code Montecristo No.4s in the past few years so I was excited to acquire this quarter pack from FoH to compare a 2019 Monte 4 in the second half of 2021. This was my fourth cigar from that quarter pack. I had the first two within a month of this acquisition, the third one was smoked eighteen months later and this fourth one was smoke six months after that.

These cigars have had a strong colorado hue to their wrapper but that hasn't been their standout feature. Rather, the box-pressed shape of the quarter pack has been the most curious characteristic of these cigars; but for me, I don't mind box-pressed cigars on occasion.

How did it smoke? Well, whereas my last Monte 4, smoked six months ago, was a tad dry, with the wrapper being on the brittle side, it was a little on the light side in terms of strength and body. It was also light on cocoa and coffee flavours but the nut and citrus twang notes on that Monte 4 were quite appealing. It was also quite superb. By contrast, this fourth one today was not at the same mark. It was not as well-balanced, it was heavy in cocoa/chocolate and light in those sweeter Montecristo flavours we all know and love. In fact, at times it was quite a chore to smoke through because of its heaviness on the palate.

So in summary, this was merely serviceable for what you can get and expect in a Montecristo No.4. It's without any hint of cynicism that I wouldn't be surprised if my next Monte 4 from this box code was markedly different and replete with nut, citrus twang and coffee flavours!

[JohnS]

Rafael González Petit Coronas UTE Oct 2015

The Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas is commonly viewed as an under-rated cigar. Enthusiasts laud it, casual cigar hobbyists and tourists outright ignore it.

At seven years of age, this cigar has lost none of its vigour in the flavour department, trust me. Like my last RGPC from this box, smoked around two-and-a-half years ago, I especially loved the combination of cocoa, earthiness and baking spice in this cigar, together with a floral mildness throughout. The only difference this time was that, unlike that last UTE Oct 2015 RGPC, I didn't really get notable hints of honey sweetness.

This RGPC, construction-wise, had an ash that was grey, consistent, held well and did not need any re-lights. I only have two left from the box and I feel at this point that I don't need to age them much more; they're quite fine at this point in their development. Then again, I said that in the first half of 2021 with the last one I smoked.

So there you go. These 2015 Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas are in their 'peak' window right now. I wonder, then, if it will be another two-and-a-half years before I smoke the second last one that I have in my humidor? I should hope not!

[JohnS]

Saint Luis Rey Serie A MOE Oct 2014

It may not surprise you to know that since 2014, Habanos S.A have reduced the Saint Luis Rey to one regular production vitola, the Regios. Saint Luis Rey as a brand established itself in the 1940s in the United Kingdom and did not do so in other regions. Despite this, I find it interesting that although there have been six Saint Luis Rey Regional Edition releases since 2009, not one of them have included the United Kingdom.

The Serie A, in my opinion, can be quite complex in their flavour delivery. By comparison, I find the Regios more approachable young, yet the Serie A can really take you on a journey when smoked with some age on it. It is quite possible to deduce that the Serie A's demise was due to the long time it would take for the cigar to develop and delineate in its flavours. Indeed, it's not implausible to state that a young Serie A, when they were in regular production, could be 'muddled' for a time in its blend, generally-speaking.

This cigar when aged can give you nuanced and delicate flavours and changes throughout the thirds. My most recent Serie As showed notes of powdered cocoa, hay, lemon/orange citrus sweetness and apricot or peach stonefruit flavours in the first third, floral flavours and cream in the middle third and chocolate and espresso coffee in the final third.

This Saint Luis Rey Serie A, at nine years of age, opened with some hay, lemon citrus and typical stonefruit flavours of apricot or peach. In the middle I had notes of espresso coffee. In the last third there was a bit of tea to the cigar, believe it or not. This cigar was quite flavoursome in body too upon finishing it.

Sadly, I have only two Serie As left in my humidor. I don't think there are any regular production Coronas Gordas left today that are quite as complex as this Serie A was, and will no doubt continue to be into the future.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Coloniales APU Jul 2015

If you are wondering, if it were indeed possible, to read a review within this blog series that you haven't come across before...well then, welcome to this one on the Trinidad Coloniales. It's not that I lack a predilection towards Trinidad as a marca or the Coloniales as a vitola, it's just that I haven't had the opportunity to explore this cigar for quite some time. After eight years and four months the wait is over. I finally 'cracked' open this box!

Now, I don't need to bore you with some background details in regards to the veracity of Trinidad's origin story as a marca or Trinidad's seemingly symbiotic relationship with Cohiba do I? I mean, we have covered these things in more detail before in previous reviews. In a nutshell, believe it or not, Trinidad may not have been founded in 1969 and if you consider that Cohiba is a premium marca and Trinidad is its pesky little sibling...well, sure you're entitled to that view but in the long traditions of Habanos S.A. Trinidad is considered to stand on 'equal footing' with Cohiba in its brand status. The proof of that can be seen in the recent marked prices rises in Cohiba and Trinidad stock in mid-2022 and the discontinuation of popular Trinidad vitolas in the past (such as the Robustos T and Robustos Extra) that didn't sell as expected in general retail.

When it comes to specifying the blend characteristics of vitolas within the Trinidad marca, I can verify that such a thing is much easier to do with other Habanos marcas. You see, the Trinidad marca is noted for having a complex blend. This was especially true when it started to expand in the early 2000s as a brand, with the addition of new vitolas. In the past Trinidad has been described as been a combination of coffee, Earth, leather, wood, spice, grass, hay, butter and yes, even honey and/or vanilla. I think that with the advent of the La Casa Del Habanos release in 2017, the La Trova and especially with more recent long-and-skinny Fundadores the blend became sweeter and cake and cookie dough flavours were more prevalent. In my view, the 50th anniversary releases of the Esmeralda, Topes and Media Luna saw a return to classic, savoury and complex blends within the Trinidad brand. This Trinidad Coloniales, rolled and boxed in mid-2015, was more referential to this classic, savoury and complex blend today.

The Trinidad Coloniales was released in 2004 in a unique 'Coloniales' size. It has a 44 ring gauge and it is 132 millimetres or 5¼ inches in length. It comes in a varnished semi boîte nature box of 24 cigars, separated in four rows containing six cigars each. Initially, the Coloniales was packaged in a display box of 25 cigars in five cardboard packs of five, but this was discontinued in 2017.

The cold draw revealed an interesting combination of sweet spices, oak and barnyard. The first third then opened with those aforementioned sweet spice flavours, oak and 'Earthy' notes. I also got some roasted nuts. The cigar was robust and rich in flavours at this point. By the end of the first third, the cigar had settled with some nice spice notes.

The middle third continued on in its rich flavours. There was a coffee, almond nut and leather aspect to the cigar at this point. The burn and ash were pleasingly consistent too.

In the final third, naturally the cigar profile strengthened again. One could describe the body as being medium to strong...in other words, full-bodied. Coffee, 'Earth' and spice were the main flavours here, with some almond nut and leather on the edges. I would maintain that the cigar was reasonably 'potent' in its finish at the end. Despite this, I still nubbed it.

Overall, this Trinidad Coloniales was rich and cream-textured. The ash was firm throughout. Even though it was eight-and-a-third years of age, it was full in body, yet medium-mild in strength. This balance of fuller flavours in body and nuanced strength very much appealed to me. It also demonstrates that Habanos cigars take a long time to diminish in body in comparison to strength, but certainly that can also depend on the marca and vitola.

In summary, this was a wonderful 'walk down memory lane' to the days when Trinidad cigars shone in complexity, had strength in body and were 'classy' on the finish. I wish you were here to smoke one from the box with me. As it is, I hope I have described in words for you the wonderful journey this Coloniales took me on today.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan OLM Oct 2014

I used to say that the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan was the latest addition to the Le Hoyo line but since the 2018 de Rio Seco was released I can no longer say that. At least I can ponder that nine years have passed since the de San Juan was added to the Le Hoyo line. (Has it really been that long? Indeed, yes it has!)

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan is a large Geniales. It has a 54 ring gauge x 150 millimetres or 5⅞ inches length. It comes packed in a variety of options; a Slide Lid Box of 10 cigars, a Slide Lid Box of 25 cigars and finally a display box of 15 aluminium tubed cigars in 5 cardboard packs of three cigars each (this was released a little later in 2015).

When they first came to market in late 2014/early 2015 I enjoyed quite a few of these but this HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan is just the fourth I've enjoyed since early 2018. What happened, did I hear you ask? Nothing out of the ordinary, I was just distracted by the de Rio Seco for a little awhile, plus maybe some excellent, recent HdM Epicure No.2s. This HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan has been settling for nine years prior to smoking. I am very much interest to see how these initial batch HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan have aged and progressed.

After smoking this today, I can emphatically reassure you that this 2014 specimen of a de San Juan still remains every bit as good as the numerous examples I had when they first were released. In comparison to the de Rio Seco, this de San Juan was less creamy, had less sweet spice (like ginger) but still retained a distinctive cedar core, had a subtle creamy texture, characteristic tea notes and a cinnamon or vanilla sweetness. In general, this was wonderfully flavoursome, just milder in comparison to younger HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan I've enjoyed. Just remember to give yourself time to smoke it. This took me one hour and fifty minutes to smoke through today.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 PMS Nov 2013

I have had enough reviews, within this blog series, of the Partagas Serie D No.4 in the last two years to not have to 'wax lyrical' about its virtues, its history, even its popularity. Yes, the Partagas Serie D No.4 is the leading Habanos cigar in the world currently, ahead of the Montecristo No.4 and Montecristo No.2. It is a 50 ring gauge x 124 millimetres (or 4⅞ inches) robustos-sized cigar and it was around pre-Revolution. In other words, pre-1960, when robustos-sized cigars weren't popular in comparison to thinner ring-gauged cigars.

I believe this is the twelfth Partagas Serie D No.4 that I've smoked since the beginning of 2022. This compromises five in 2022 and seven in 2023, across a few box codes; mainly a superlative 10-count box of ROP Feb 2020 PSD4s. If you aren't aware, post-2020 Partagas Serie D No.4 have been consistently very good. For a time I had 'waned' off this popular cigar. In fact, I had none in 2021 but their virtuous smoking performance lured me back. And yes, I'm glad I have smoked a number (of them) since 2022.

This late-2013 box of Partagas Serie D No.4 was rested ten years prior to opening it. How did the first PSD4 from the box fare? In a word, magnificently! I was expecting it to be more milder in strength and body than what it was, but what factored the most in its smoking, in my view, was the magnificent rosado-shade wrappers, in general, on these cigars from this 25-count box. Yes, trust me, they made a huge difference.

This ten-year old Partagas Serie D No.4 was mild-medium in strength, simple in its flavour profile, yet medium-full in its body. The flavours were a simple combination of sourdough, coffee, leather...perhaps a touch of honey sweetness. In comparison to my more recent PSD4s, I guess I can say that those had more coffee to them. This 2013 example certainly had more sourdough and leather. It was very much still flavoursome. There was no reason to suggest that the box has 'peaked' and the strength and body have now started to deteriorate. That is not the case at all!

I envisage that I will smoke the second PSD4 from the box in little time. If that is as good as this one today, you can expect that I will have another six or seven of these to smoke through and enjoy in 2024!

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2 TOS Dic 2015

POU Jun 2013 Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4s, LUB May 2014 H.Upmann No.2s, EML Feb 2015 San Cristobal de la Habana El Principes, LGR Ago 2017 Por Larranaga Montecarlos. In and of itself, these cited vitolas may not mean anything in particular, but as a collective they represent examples of vitolas that have had premium value for how exceptional they've been in comparison to their peers. To that end then, one could easily add the TOS Dic 2015 Diplomaticos No.2, of which I am grateful for sampling one for this review.

Within this blog series I have been smoking from an impressive EML Ago 2014 Diplomaticos No.2 box. This TOS Dic 2015 Diplomaticos No.2, therefore, has waited patiently for nearly eight years to be 'cracked open'. The TOS series of Dipomaticos No.2 in the second half of 2015 and 2016 were well-noted and highly popular with our forum members when they were been produced and available. Within the first twelve to twenty-four months they were known for their simple combinations of flavours; yet, there was a general consensus pertaining to their higher quality. I was eager to discover for myself exactly how complex (or simple) and flavoursome they were with this box, after almost eight years rest, today.

I find that, in general, Diplomaticos cigars can vary markedly between flavours that are savoury (such as capsicum or bell pepper, paprika spice) and flavours that are sweet (cinnamon, nutmeg). My Dip 2s from my EML Ago 2014 box were more on the savoury side. How was this initial cigar from this TOS Dic 2015 box?

It was evident, from the very first puffs, that this Dip 2 was more on the savoury side, with notes of wood, capsicum or bell pepper and sourdough. The cigar had a fair amount of smoke per puff and packed a heap of flavour. This is important to highlight; after eight years, this cigar has not lost its efficacy in how flavoursome it was. The ash was consistent and the burn and draw were both fine.

Furthermore, there were notes of 'toastiness' and the cigar did have a core sourdough flavour, unlike my last few Dip 2s from my EML Ago 2014 box. In terms of any paprika spice I can say that there really wasn't that much evidence on hand here, throughout the smoke, of it.

So, all-in-all, this Diplomaticos No.2 continues to support the adage that a quality cigar has the potential to develop and age well, given that it has been reputable within its early stages of that development. In addition, there is a common predisposition to compare the Diplomaticos No.2 to the Montecristo No.2 among cigar enthusiasts. With this TOS Dic 2015 Diplomaticos No.2 today, that point is definitely 'moot' and does not bear expanding upon at all.

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Masterpiece

The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Masterpiece is a Perfecto measuring 13/16 of an inch in diameter (i.e. 52 ring guage) and a massive 9 inches (or 229 mm) in length. It's shaped more like a Habanos Perfecto such as a Partagas Salomones than a Taco-type cigar and thus, the AF Hemingway Masterpiece is only slightly tapered at the head but it is predominantly tapered at the foot. The smaller Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic and Signature are similar shaped-perfectos.

The Partagas Salomones and Cuaba Salomon have a slightly bigger 57 ring gauge but are small in length at 7¼ inches (or 184 mm). Still, these are big cigars and they take a long time to smoke. Only the 47 ring gauge x 9¼ inch (or 235 mm) Montecristo A is longer than the AF Hemingway Masterpiece, but I would contend that the AF Hemingway Masterpiece requires the longest time to set aside for a smoke.

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.

Like the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature or Classic, this Masterpiece has a simple blend. Basically you can expect a combination of hay, cedar, light spice (possibly cinnamon-like) and sweet tobacco. There may be hints of hazelnut and vanilla on the edges with these cigars.

I had an AF Hemingway Masterpiece about a year ago and this one was slightly different than my last one, yet the same, in other ways. The cigar started off sweet but soon settled with a core sandalwood flavour. As per my last example, this cigar was again fairly one-dimensional through its long thirds. Again, perhaps one could say that there was more leather and a touch of spice in the last third, with the strength increasing to medium-mild, but it remained fairly easy to smoke.

I've said it before in relation to the Arturo Fuente Hemingway line; however, it bears reiterating that construction-wise, Arturo Fuente cigars are well-known for their consistency and this was much the same. The burn, once again, was even throughout, the draw was smooth and effortless, the ash held together well and the smoke output was outstanding. There was plenty of flavour per draw.

I finished the cigar after an incredible two hour and forty-five minutes. Yes, that's a long time but it didn't bore me. I can't say that I will be acquiring too many more of these vitolas in the future as other Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigars suit me better with their vitola dimensions (for example, the 42 rg × 102 mm or 4 inch Short Story, the 46 rg × 124 mm or 4⅞ inch Work of Art and the 46 rg × 178 mm or 7 inch Classic). Still, in my view, this cigar remains not a bad Non-Cuban option to celebrate a special occasion, when one desires a long cigar, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Caldwell Long Live The King My Style is Jalapeno

Introduced in 2014, the Caldwell 'Long Live the King' line was a collaboration between AJ Fernandez and master blender, Robert Caldwell that was intended to produced a full-bodied and full-strength cigar. It comprises a Dominican Corojo wrapper, a Dominican Corojo binder, and a filler blend composed of Dominican ligero and Pelo de Oro, Nicaraguan Habano leaf, and tobacco from Peru. The combination ensures a full-bodied and complex smoke, with flavors of dark chocolate, oak, earth, coffee beans, and hay, intermingled with floral notes and a bit of spice. Amongst Dominican puros, Caldwell cigars have a solid reputation in regards to their rolling.

The Caldwell 'Long Live the King' line comes in a number of vitolas (ten to be exact, currently). The My Style is Jalepeno is a Lanceros-sized 40 ring gauge x 178 millimetres or 7 inches in length cigar. It has both the smallest ring gauge and longest length amongst the 'Long Live the King' range. I would like to thank @Perla for providing this cigar for this review.

In comparison to the Caldwell Long Live The King 4-inch-in-length Manzanita I had a few months ago, the Lanceros-sized My Style is Jalapeno is every bit as full-flavoured. In regards to those flavours, I would say that they were quite vibrant overall and impressive for a cigar of this age. The main underlying flavour was a dry wood. Along the way this was joined by various degrees of cayenne pepper, Earth, coffee, dark chocolate and even cashew nut. Construction-wise, the ash was consistent and a distinctive white, just like the shorter Manzanita.

Upon finishing the cigar, the only criticism I could offer is the fact that it was a little bit of a 'chore' to smoke through in the last third, quite 'Earthy' and a challenge to keep lit. Then again, I was glad for having sampled it!

[JohnS]

Nudies N4 Mareva Fuerte "Pilot"

This was the third cigar smoked of a 25-pack of Nudies N4 Mareva Fuerte "Pilot" that was blended by Hamlet Paredes as a test blend in conjuction with El Pres. It came solely in a Colorado Maduro wrapper. After smoking this marevas-sized cigar for the first time a little over twelve months ago, and again today, I can attest to how different it was to initial run of Nudies N1 Lanceros and Nudies N3 Carlotas.

For starters, the term 'fuerte' means strong or power in Spanish and the Nudies N4 Mareva certainly was blended to be strong. There's no doubt whatsoever that this cigar was medium-full in body when I first smoked it last year. Fast forward a year and it has tapered off a little in strength. It certainly was more approachable.

It started off with a baking spice in the first third but it settled soon after. There was some spice through the nose when retrohaling but I wouldn't say the cigar was overtly full of spice though, at all. On the contrary, it was quite a pleasure to smoke. There was a simple cocoa and espresso coffee core flavour to the cigar also from beginning to end. I must add that the second half of the last third saw the strength and body increase markedly in comparison to the rest of the cigar.

In terms of construction, there remains no qualms whatsoever. Consistent ash, no re-lights and no tunneling or under-filling. Thankfully, this marevas had a cone on its end from 'go-to-whoa'!

El Pres described this cigar a cross between a Montecristo No.4 and Partagas Short. One of the last times I smoked a Nudies N4 Mareva Fuerte "Pilot" I shared it with Trevor Leask, the founder of Cuban Cigar Website, and we felt that this Nudies N4 Mareva had more of an Old School Partagas flavour to it. A little over one year later, I continue to feel the same way. Yes, this is a simple cigar, but that's the way it was blended to be.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan OLM Oct 2014

I opened this box of Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan just last week, after nine years, and I did a rare thing for this blog series in returning to the box after one week. I wanted to see if the second cigar from the box was similar in flavour delivery to the first one or not, and I figured I could gauge that question better if I had a second cigar closer in sequence of time than what is usual for me. Normally, that might have been at least four to six months before I re-visited this box again, but since this box is so close to ten years of age I don't think it would hurt to try a few cigars sooner.

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan is a large Geniales. It has a 54 ring gauge x 150 millimetres or 5⅞ inches length. It comes packed in a variety of options; a Slide Lid Box of 10 cigars, a Slide Lid Box of 25 cigars and finally a display box of 15 aluminium tubed cigars in 5 cardboard packs of three cigars each (this was released a little later in 2015).

When they first came to market in late 2014/early 2015 I enjoyed quite a few of these but this HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan is just the fifth I've enjoyed since early 2018. I have been distracted by the de Rio Seco for a little awhile, plus maybe some excellent, recent HdM Epicure No.2s and thus this explains why I've had so few HdM Le Hoyo de San Juans.

While last week's HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan had a subtle creamy texture, characteristic tea notes and a cinnamon or vanilla sweetness, this one didn't much of a creamy texture past the first third and it was more fulsome in forest floor flavours from the midway point and especially in the last third. It was much more typical of a traditional Le Hoyo cigar I would say.  

In general, this was still amply flavoursome, yet suitably mild in comparison to younger HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan I've enjoyed. Although I can't see myself smoking a third specimen from the box in the next week or two, I envisage that the next HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan won't be too far away.

[JohnS]

Punch 48 2016 - Especialista en Habanos y La Casa del Habano Exclusivo LGR Oct 2018

When I first tried the LCdH Punch 48 (when it was first released) I noted the roasted nut profile in it was so dominant. At around the 18 months mark the peanut profile was still there; albeit, not as roasted. A Hermosos No.3, at 48 ring gauge x 140 mm (or 5½ inches), the size now seems more akin to a coronas, especially since the Robustos (50 ring gauge) and Petit Robustos is now the average-sized Habanos vitola these days.

It's been an incredible two-and-a-half years almost since I've had this cigar. I actually can't believe it. I asked myself, prior to lighting, "where did the time go?" I'm not sure, but trust me, the profile upon lighting demonstrated that 'roasted nuts' was no longer an adequate adjective to use in profiling this cigar, after five years that is.

Two-and-a-half years ago I noted that there was a gorgeous sour citrus twang intermingled with a similarly gorgeous light cream and cedar note. Today, those flavours were even more evident. Unfortunately, to get to those flavours I had to traverse some poor construction in the middle of the cigar. This involved some bunched leaves, which in turn induced an uneven burn and some potential acrid or sour flavours. Once I got through that uneven burn the cigar returned 'to form' and smoked ideally, believe it or not.

In the final third, I can unequivocally say that this Punch 48 was brilliant. Normally, the best part of a cigar happens for me in the first or middle third, not the last! I guess there's a first time for everything!

In summary, that final third suggest to me that I need to look past the poor performance of the cigar in the middle third and consider re-visiting this cigar. I would envisage that the next Punch 48 from this box will be better rolled, surely! Well...'Cuba being Cuba', as they say, you never know. But one thing I do know, I look forward to bringing you the next review on this cigar, whether it happens next week or next year, Just hang in there!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo II MUO May 2014

After what happened in mid-2022, with the re-structure of pricing of Habanos cigars by Habanos S.A., I didn't want to like this cigar today, believe me. I figured it would be easier to hope for that, since feeling that way would justify never wanting to re-acquire new stock again. I'm sorry to advise that this particular Cohiba Siglo II emphatically did not make feel like never smoking it again. In fact, I felt quite the opposite. Why is life so ironic sometimes? On the one hand, this Cohiba Siglo II, approaching its tenth year, was 'coming into its own', as we say, (i.e. it was entering its peak period, in my view) yet I can never purchase them again for the same price that I did in mid-2015. Call it ironic, perhaps even cruel...take your pick!

I thought I last smoked a Cohiba Siglo II a few months ago, but I was mistaken as it was a Siglo I that I had smoked instead. The last time I smoked a Siglo II from this box code was in fact eleven months ago. That MUO May 2014 Cohiba Siglo II was interesting in its lemongrass and citrus combined with a hint of honey on the edges. There was a core mocha coffee along that cigar's spine and some cedar. It didn't really have a notable creamy texture. The construction was spot-on. There was a solid grey ash, consistent cigar rings and even burn line.

This MUO May 2014 Cohiba Siglo II was slightly tight in the draw in the first few puffs but it soon settled. The flavours took over and honestly I stopped noticing. I guess that's what happens when you smoke a delicious, stand-out cigar. As for those flavours, in pertaining to a Cohiba theme, it was easily evident that lemongrass, citrus and mocha coffee combined beautifully to compliment a wonderfully creamy texture, this time.

I didn't want it to end, but let's face it, everything does. At the very least, if you have a box of Cohiba Siglo II around this box code, I'm sure you'd be feeling assured as to how this cigar has developed currently.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Superiores 2010 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo ULA Sep 2014

If I had to put the Ramon Allones on a spectrum according to strength and body, I would put the Ramon Allones Superiores on the other side of the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. That is, the Superiores (commonly abbreviated to RAS) would be on the lighter or milder side and the Specially Selected (commonly abbreviated to RASS) would be on the stronger or fuller side. This ULA Sep 14 RAS, at nine years of age, therefore was atypical for a Ramon Allones cigar in how light, smooth and soft on the palate this was to smoke.

Everything about this smoke was subtle, pretty much like the last RAS I smoked two years and three months ago. The cocoa was like a fine dusting, the typical 'stewed fruit' Ramon Allones profile was light, the evidence for an aged cigar was there in the hints of baking spice, wood and floral notes on the edges. In comparison to my last RAS, I would even add that I could appreciate some walnut too throughout the cigar. Like the Small Faces stated in their famous song, 'Itchycoo Park', "it (was) all too beautiful!"

For me, this was another example of a stupendous Ramon Allones cigar. I could quite easily smoke another from the box just thinking about it!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Coronas Especiales AUM Jul 2014

The Cohiba Coronas Especiales is a Laguito No.2-sized 38 ring gauge x 152 mm (or 6 inches) in length cigar. It is known for its pig-tail, like its Laguito No.1-sized brother, the Lanceros. Its origins go back to 1967, three years after the Lanceros was born. Initially, the Lanceros was only made available outside of Cuba as diplomatic and VIP gifts, it wasn't until the 1980s that the Cohiba Coronas Especiales, Lanceros and Panatelas were released to the public, being the first three cigars of the Classic Line. (The Esplendidos, Robustos and Exquisitos were added to the line in 1989.)

Prior to being released to public, the Cohiba Coronas Especiales was packaged in dress boxes of 25 and 50 cigars respectively; thereafter it was packaged in cardboard packs of 3 cigars and varnished boîte nature boxes of 25 cigars and 50 cigars with and without cellophane until some time in early to late 1990s. With the discontinuation of display box packaging (i.e cardboard boxes containing five cardboard boxes of five cigars) in 2017, the only packaging the CCE comes in today is a varnished boîte nature box of 25 cigars.

For some time, I never seemed to find the same amount of satisfaction in my AUM Jul 2014 CCEs as I've encountered from some late-2005 examples I've enjoyed in the past, or indeed some outstanding LTO Sep 2020 CCEs I've had in the last two years. That is until my AUM Jul 2014 CCEs went past their seventh year of rest. Since then, I must say they've 'turned a corner'!

This nine-year old Cohiba Coronas Especiales had delicious, yet light and subtle flavours of milk coffee, light hay, baking spice and honey and vanilla notes and stayed that way over 80 minutes of smoking time. In comparison to my younger LTO Sep 2020 CCE, this older CCE had very little in the way of mocha flavour, was crisp on the palate and was quite herbaceous in its hay qualities. It was quite simply brilliant, in fact, better than the very best of the CCEs from this box code by far, and even better than some LTO Sep 2020 CCEs I've had too.

It's not often that I reach for a Cohiba Coronas Especiales. I suppose that is due to the fact that I have so few 'on-hand' in my humidor. Yet, when they smoke like this one today, it instantly brings to mind the very best Cohiba cigars I've enjoyed in the distant past that were superlative in their cream-textured, sweet flavours.

[JohnS]

Partagás Selección Privada 2014 - Edición Limitada OPG Dic 2014

The Partagas Seleccion Privada Limited Edition was released in 2014, along with the Bolivar Super Corona and Cohiba Robustos Supremos. Initial reviews suggested that it was like a Partagas Serie D No.4, only richer. The consensus, at the time, was that this cigar was ripe for aging, with a 3 to 5 year window.

A double robusto with a 50 ring gauge by 160 mm (or 6¼ inches) length, my last Partagas Seleccion Privada Limited Edition, smoked eighteen months ago, had a core of simple flavours which included coffee, sourdough, wood, leather and toasted tobacco throughout.

This cigar also had core flavours of coffee, sourdough, wood and leather, only this time the toasted tobacco was minimal. It was not as full-flavoured as my recent Partagas Seleccion Privada cigars and it had practically no cream-texture to it, unlike some cigars from this box. However, in stating that it was not as full in flavour, I must add that it was not exactly medium-bodied either. There was plenty of flavour to be 'had' here. Again, the woody aspects of the blend really stood out also in this cigar today. In the second half of this cigar I very much appreciated a slight sour taste to the woodiness on offer here that was akin to lemon citrus (or similar). It gave the cigar a nice 'tang', especially in the last third.

I still feel that the remaining two cigars from this box have 'peak' flavours for some time yet. I aim to rest them for a while further to see how they develop. Maybe I'll come back to the box in another eighteen months!