JohnS' Smoking Diary 2023

[99call]

11 hours ago, JohnS said:

So there you go, this was disappointing in comparison to other Saint Luis Rey cigars I've enjoyed of late. I only have three Serie As and three Regios left in my humidor and I wonder when I will smoke them and whether I will acquire anymore. I wonder too if you can relate to this predicament?

Although the soft bready creamy apricot of an SLDC is a white whale experience, I actually find aged HU Mag50s are pretty similar with my preferred backbone of the Upmann blend obviously stepping in. 

I managed to nab two boxed of the fantastic Regio run that happened in 21 I think?.    I love them as instead of that apricot thing, they presented a clean raspberry tang combined with a rich barnyard manure, sounds terrible, but they are sublime.    As I referenced with the Serie A, that balance of light and dark, i.e. soft fruits/florals,  with  leather, dark chocolate, manure,  is such a difficult blend to master.    Often it's glorious, but sometimes it has the ability to really hit a bum note on a specific palate. 

I know some members have also said the Mag50 has the capability to present an overripe melon character, that they can find to be unpleasant and jarring. 

In conclusion fruitiness in blending is bloody difficult to get right. 

 

[JohnS]

10 hours ago, 99call said:

Although the soft bready creamy apricot of an SLDC is a white whale experience, I actually find aged HU Mag50s are pretty similar with my preferred backbone of the Upmann blend obviously stepping in.

Oh yes indeed. I would wholeheartedly agree with this assessment.

10 hours ago, 99call said:

I managed to nab two boxed of the fantastic Regio run that happened in 21 I think?.    I love them as instead of that apricot thing, they presented a clean raspberry tang combined with a rich barnyard manure, sounds terrible, but they are sublime.    As I referenced with the Serie A, that balance of light and dark, i.e. soft fruits/florals,  with  leather, dark chocolate, manure,  is such a difficult blend to master.    Often it's glorious, but sometimes it has the ability to really hit a bum note on a specific palate.

Regios being tangy...well said.

Serie A, yes well it wasn't everyone's cup of tea or else they'd still be around you would think.

10 hours ago, 99call said:

I know some members have also said the Mag50 has the capability to present an overripe melon character, that they can find to be unpleasant and jarring. 

In conclusion fruitiness in blending is bloody difficult to get right.

It is, yes. Citrus twang can overshadow other flavours present in a blend quite easily.

[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 in June 2021 and it was superb. Today's specimen was every bit its equal. This 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 last time I smoked a cigar from this box code.

This was the fifth Cohiba Robustos to receive an overall rating of five in my Cuban Cigar Inventory over the past seven years. Around three years ago I wrote in my notes that I could only see these getting better with a little more age, especially in regards to its buttered texture. Today, this again proved to be true. I finished this after 80 minutes, but I did wish it would have lasted longer!

[JohnS]

Trinidad La Trova 2017 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo RAG Ago 2017

I simply cannot believe that it's been 1 year and 8 months since I last sampled a Trinidad La Trova. I didn't realise that it was in fact that long a period of time. Coincidentally, that was after 1 year and 10 months had elapsed from the time before. How uncanny that I've smoked my last two Trinidad La Trovas around the same time apart. In August 2021, I believe my dissuasion for choosing to smoke the cigar at that time was due to its difficulty in sourcing it, and thus consequently, feeling it necessary to preserve my remaining stock. In April 2023, my dissuasion is different. Currently, it doesn't matter how well-stocked this LCDH cigar is because, at the new adjusted prices, I'm not tempted to acquire more. I'm sure you can relate to this dilemma!

In World War 1, Anzac troops (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) went to Europe to fight in the Great War supporting Britain and the Allies. Many were sent (later labelled) Anzac Biscuits by their family to sustain them in battle. This Anzac Biscuit lives on in Australian and New Zealand culture today as these rolled oat, butter, flour, sugar, golden syrup and baking soda biscuits have a long shelf-life and are popular. I mention these Anzac biscuits because they are full of flavour and I feel the La Trova is exactly the same way. To me, the La Trova is like a rich butter cookie slightly burnt.

Like all Trinidad vitolas, it comes with a pig tail which I again had no issue untwisting with my thumb nail. The resultant draw produced from preparing the cigar in this way was quite adequate.

In regards to strength, since it's been almost two years since I've had the cigar, I must say that it has certainly mellowed more to be well below medium, but not quite mild, if you get what I mean. How did it taste at five-and-a-half years of age? It was still swathed in butter, salty and had light elements of milk coffee, Earth and leather. However, this time around the dough flavour was more on the sweeter side. Oh, and it goes without saying that I also nubbed it until the very last ¼ inch, just like the last time!

If you are familiar with the discontinued (in 2012) Trinidad Robustos Extra, an attempt by Habanos S.A. to release a Cohiba Siglo VI-type vitola to a premium marca, then you'd be aware how good these were and how they have aged so well, if you are lucky to have any left. The Trinidad La Trova strongly reminds me of the discontinued Trinidad Robustos Extra, and even more so as it ages.

If you have a box of Trinidad La Trova and you are keeping it aside for a special occasion, rest assured, it hasn't begun to peak in my view. These are only getting better as they age, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Espléndidos PLM Oct 2006

Of all the recent changes to pricing by Habanos S.A., especially in regard to their premium marcas Cohiba and Trinidad, I would opine that this vitola would be amongst those that Habanos enthusiasts would still perhaps buy (or want to buy) on a special occasion but would very rarely smoke. The Cohiba Siglo VI and Lanceros may be other vitolas I would categorise into this newfound classification, that is, if one can actually find them.

As it is, I find I smoke a Cohiba Esplendidos very rarely, perhaps once or twice a year. (Admittedly, I've smoked a little more of late, in the past twelve months!) At that rate, I would surmise I have enough for a lifetime. It's understandable though, isn't it? We are talking about a cigar that would auction at around $US70 a stick on Bond Roberts in 2020 if it was more than ten years old to costing around $US130 to $US140 a stick if auctioned on the same site today. (The last two auctions of partial boxes of Cohiba Esplendidos, from 2006 and 2007 respectively, went for around that mark in February/March 2023.) Heck, a brand new box of current Cohiba Esplendidos retails for just under $US80 a stick nowadays. Who can afford such a venture? Well...yes, there are people out there, probably just not you and me! Just don't hold your breath trying to acquire any recent 2022/23 stock though.

In light of all this, I would like to warmly thank you @Trevor2118 for gifting me this incredible cigar! This cigar comes from circa late 2006, and at sixteen-and-a-half years of age, it didn't lack in any way in terms of flavour.
 
It was pleasantly mild in strength and the question of flavour or 'expiry' was a moot point as I got some very typical Esplendidos flavours from this. These were consistent with the Cohiba Clasica line, such as milk coffee, butter, honey and vanilla. There was no real spice nor Cohiba grass/hay, which you can get in these Clasica line cigars at times, but which I find more consistent in the Siglo line. The flavours had also melded thoroughly so that any mocha flavour has well-dissipated by now. In other words, the coffee notes here were light, it was the honey and vanilla sweetness that shone through here. Of course, I nubbed it as far as the safety of my fingers allowed me to!

After smoking this Cohiba Esplendidos I thought to myself that the days of smoking Cohiba cigars as regularly as I once did are definitely over (ironically I have smoked 6 examples in this calendar year thus far). Nevertheless, I take comfort in the fact that we have other wonderful Cuban (and Non-Cuban) cigars to explore and appreciate into the future!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales SMA Jun 2019

The Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales is a cigar, I would have to admit, that I personally rate more highly in comparison to how its perceived by cigar enthusiasts, in general. For me, it's the type of cigar, lasting around 30 to 35 minutes, that I go to when I need something solid, reliable and most likely to give me consistency of flavours, construction and performance.

Despite my acclamation of this cigar, my last one I had from this SMA Jun 2019 box code last month was blemished by constructions issues; it just didn't burn properly throughout and it was barely salvageable. I figured the next one would have to much better. Thankfully, it was.

This particular RyJ Petit Royales had a wonderful combination of milk chocolate and sweet cherries, coupled with some typical anise and turkish delight; you know, the typical flavours you'd expect from the Romeo y Julieta marca. It was certainly a delightful return to form, so-to-speak.

I've mentioned in previous reviews on the Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales, across four different box codes in my humidor, that I can attest that no one code is better than the other. Apart from one poor, recent example that had construction issues, I now aim to test this assertion with a Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales from another one of my box codes next time.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Tubos No.1 ULA Jun 2015

If you aren't aware, the Bolivar Tubos No.1 was a medium-full Corona cigar discontinued in 2017. It was one of the last Coronas, a 42 ring gauge, 142 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length cigar that was packaged in aluminum tubes in larger-than-average 25-count dress boxes. You may be struggling to account for the Coronas that we do have left in regular production to this day. There are indeed only three; the Montecristo No.3, the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro and the Romeo y Julieta Cedros De Luxe No.2.

After having this box in storage for approximately five years, I've now gone through three-fifths of the box. In general, my other Bolivar Tubos No.1s smoked were mainly all chewy, soft caramel-marshmallow with some Bolivar Earth and leather and a touch of spiciness on the edges. One thing every cigar from this box has had has been plenty of smoke per puff!

I had a superlative Bolivar Tubos No.1 last week. It was perhaps my best example of a Bolivar cigar I have ever smoked, and I say that without exaggeration! There was a recent topic on our forum querying when was the last time members smoked two 95-point cigars in a row. The link is below if you'd like to peruse it...

https://www.fohcigars.com/forum/topic/155610-when-is-the-last-time-you-had-back-to-back-95-point-cigars/#comment-1195048

I pondered over this question myself as I confess that this is indeed a rare occurrence. I was determined to see if 'lightning does in fact strike twice' by firing up this Bolivar Tubos No.1 today.

Once again, I was delighted that this Bolivar Tubos No.1 began like all the others, being soft and chewy on the palate, full of sweet caramel and floral notes with hints of underlying mushroom.This continued into the middle third whereby the strength picked up. Those standard-fare Bolivar flavours of bitter chocolate, leather, Earth and spice joined in on the mix, yet still, this was an inspiring cigar. Like my previous Bolivar Tubos No.1 a week ago, the caramel sweetness and mushroom and floral note core flavour was evident and I nubbed it down to its end.

I wrote in my last review on this cigar that if the next Bolivar Tubos No.1 I lit up was only half as good, by comparison, I would be satisfied. This Bolivar Tubos No.1 today was much more than that. It was undeniable proof that 'lightning does indeed strike twice!'

[99call]

17 hours ago, JohnS said:

sweet caramel and floral notes with hints of underlying mushroom

I'm always banging on about certain truisms I find within the gourmand and epicurean world John.    What do you think about cigars that seem to gain their power and dynamism in marrying juxtaposing flavours.    I've always been completely sold on the perfumers concept that in order for a scent to sing sweetly, it has to have a little rotten weaved into the composition.    I little bit like how some dark chocolate can seem sweeter or richer if it had sea salt/chilli within its composition, It sort of amplifies everything. 

I'd be really interested to hear you're opinion John.  do you think cigars like the Partagas Presidente and the Boli no 1,   sing a louder song, by combining something sweet with something rotten/umami?

[JohnS]

33 minutes ago, 99call said:

I'd be really interested to hear you're opinion John.  do you think cigars like the Partagas Presidente and the Boli no 1,   sing a louder song, by combining something sweet with something rotten/umami?

Stefan, that is a really good question. In fact, I think it would hold interest for a number of members who peruse this blog. It is quite easy to get it wrong when trying to come up with a recipe that marries different flavours and still maintains its balance and charm. And by this, I refer to culinary pursuits as well as blending cigars.

If I may use a food example, I think the one amalgamation of very different flavours that has proven to be a grand success in the last twenty years has been the advent of salted caramel. Just the idea of such a thing when I was a child would have been 'anathema' in the culinary arts. Nowadays, if I venture to my local supermarket one can get all kind of things in salted caramel; ice-cream, yoghurt, popcorn etc. The list goes on.

As cigar enthusiasts we regularly hear our members crave complexity in their cigars. This is more pertinent in cigars that fall outside one's regular rotation, you know...those cigars you want for a change-of-pace or on occasion. I believe that the very best cigars that hold our attention in this category have flavours that differentiate from each other. If I may suggest one example, how about the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux? Exactly how does forest floor flavours, wood and cream appeal? Somehow, it works.

As for the Partagas Presidente, I've only had a few examples so I can't comment definitively on that cigar but as for the Bolivar Tubos No.1, I distinctly remember El Pres giving me my first one a few years ago at a 'catch-up' in Sydney and I was hooked. I'd never had a Habanos cigar so savoury on the one hand, yet so floral and sweet on the other. It was a revelation. I suppose that initial foray into something new creates a powerful memory and yes, I've been looking for it ever since.

[99call]

5 hours ago, JohnS said:

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux? Exactly how does forest floor flavours, wood and cream appeal? Somehow, it works.

Really enjoyed that John,  something about what you wrote....made me realise we are never quite ready for the greatest cigars.  They are revelatory. we have our ideas of what we want them to be....but as they take their journey, we are just passengers.    When we get off that train, we can have a range of emotions, from disappointment, confusion, satisfaction, elation............ but whats really impressive is when we've really enjoyed something that make no bloody sense.    It's elemental.   like blue cheese and quince paste.   On paper it should never work, but it's utter magic.  the two things spar with each other, but also meld.  They are simultaneously at opposite ends of the spectrum, but they are also perfectly hand in glove. 

I hate terms like aficionado or connoisseur, as they are full of arrogance and self reverence, but I do like the word gourmand, It brings to mind a notion of someone who is obsessional about food and the enjoyment of it. Someone that wants to know what they enjoy and why.   I do feel like there are certain blends Partagas Presidente, Boli 1, Trini Coloniales, RGPC, Des Dieux, Du Gourmet   that go beyond enjoyment,  they ask something of the consumer 

[JohnS]

5 hours ago, 99call said:

It's elemental.   like blue cheese and quince paste.   On paper it should never work, but it's utter magic.  the two things spar with each other, but also meld.  They are simultaneously at opposite ends of the spectrum, but they are also perfectly hand in glove.

What a wonderful example that is. Yes, this is a delicacy I quite enjoy myself from time to time.

5 hours ago, 99call said:

I do feel like there are certain blends Partagas Presidente, Boli 1, Trini Coloniales, RGPC, Des Dieux, Du Gourmet   that go beyond enjoyment,  they ask something of the consumer 

I believe I know what you mean here. It's like saying that one needs a refined and informed appreciation when approaching these types of cigars.

[KCCubano]

On 5/13/2023 at 1:23 PM, JohnS said:

Cohiba Espléndidos PLM Oct 2006

Of all the recent changes to pricing by Habanos S.A., especially in regard to their premium marcas Cohiba and Trinidad, I would opine that this vitola would be amongst those that Habanos enthusiasts would still perhaps buy (or want to buy) on a special occasion but would very rarely smoke. The Cohiba Siglo VI and Lanceros may be other vitolas I would categorise into this newfound classification, that is, if one can actually find them.

As it is, I find I smoke a Cohiba Esplendidos very rarely, perhaps once or twice a year. (Admittedly, I've smoked a little more of late, in the past twelve months!) At that rate, I would surmise I have enough for a lifetime. It's understandable though, isn't it? We are talking about a cigar that would auction at around $US70 a stick on Bond Roberts in 2020 if it was more than ten years old to costing around $US130 to $US140 a stick if auctioned on the same site today. (The last two auctions of partial boxes of Cohiba Esplendidos, from 2006 and 2007 respectively, went for around that mark in February/March 2023.) Heck, a brand new box of current Cohiba Esplendidos retails for just under $US80 a stick nowadays. Who can afford such a venture? Well...yes, there are people out there, probably just not you and me! Just don't hold your breath trying to acquire any recent 2022/23 stock though.

In light of all this, I would like to warmly thank you @Trevor2118 for gifting me this incredible cigar! This cigar comes from circa late 2006, and at sixteen-and-a-half years of age, it didn't lack in any way in terms of flavour.
 
It was pleasantly mild in strength and the question of flavour or 'expiry' was a moot point as I got some very typical Esplendidos flavours from this. These were consistent with the Cohiba Clasica line, such as milk coffee, butter, honey and vanilla. There was no real spice nor Cohiba grass/hay, which you can get in these Clasica line cigars at times, but which I find more consistent in the Siglo line. The flavours had also melded thoroughly so that any mocha flavour has well-dissipated by now. In other words, the coffee notes here were light, it was the honey and vanilla sweetness that shone through here. Of course, I nubbed it as far as the safety of my fingers allowed me to!

After smoking this Cohiba Esplendidos I thought to myself that the days of smoking Cohiba cigars as regularly as I once did are definitely over (ironically I have smoked 6 examples in this calendar year thus far). Nevertheless, I take comfort in the fact that we have other wonderful Cuban (and Non-Cuban) cigars to explore and appreciate into the 

I had a excellent box of PLM 06 El Laguito Espies...glad u were able to sample one! 

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Churchills 2019 - Habanos Añejados ALP Mar 2007

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

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

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

Perhaps the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has restored 'faith' in this program, because despite the elevated price-point of these releases, in 2021 Habanos S.A announced a further two releases of cigars already in regular production; the Montecristo Tubos and Trinidad Fundadores. I'm waiting in anticipation just to view the old-style bands that these latter releases would carry. No surprises that as of early-2023 these announced releases are not yet in circulation.

This Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has the typical 47 ring gauge x 178 mm or 7 inches length and came with a wrapper that had a beautiful dark brown color, just under colorado maduro shade, just like my last one smoked six months ago. This Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados was acquired as a six-pack purchase from a late-2022 24:24 listing, based on how superb my last two RyJ Churchill Anejados were. All six of these newly-acquired RyJ Churchill Anejados also have a similar dark brown wrapper shade. The cigar comes with the old Romeo y Julieta band, with a second Aged (Anejados) band on the wrapper.

Due to the fact that my previous Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados cigars had plenty of smoke per puff, I decided, as a change-of-pace, that I would punch-cut the head of this cigar rather than straight-cutting it, as I normally do. The draw was good and again, there was plenty of smoke off the draw. My last RyJ Churchills Anejados had a strong nutty/creamy texture to it, like walnut and coconut and some hints of vanilla. This one started off with more RyJ fruitiness to it, somewhat like cherries but I must say that there was a presence of walnut and vanilla undertones to the cigar throughout the duration of the smoke. In the middle third, the cigar became slightly more woody. In the final third, there was an addition of Earth and forest floor-type flavours. Again, the strength increased to around medium-full, like the last two RyJ Churchills Anejados I smoked within the last twelve months.

I smoked this in around two hours and fifteen minutes and concluded that it was another outstanding cigar but was it typical of an aged Romeo y Julieta cigar? For a cigar purportedly fifteen years old, the strength and flavours were atypical, in my opinion. Nevertheless, there's no doubt that the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has been good to me. It continues to smoke superbly.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco TEO Sep 2019

Within a year of its release in 2018, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco had become one of the hottest sellers within the regular production Habanos catalogue and this despite its large 56 ring gauge girth. This is is just the third one I've had from a three year-old 10-count box and the first one in 2023. I had the first one from this box code sixteen months and second one eight months ago, respectively.

In general, when categorising cigars within the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo line, one could describe them as being woody, spicy and containing forest floor flavours in their youth and requiring long-term rest to build in cream. The HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco, on the other hand, has been much sweeter and creamier at an early age. Having said this, in general, I haven't had one that 'blew me away' until I smoked that second example eight months ago. It was interesting to note that this improvement in quality came after the box had been rested two years.

Owing to the 56 ring gauge, I punch cut the cigar with my 3-in-1 Credo Punch Cutter, which includes a large punch for cigars over 48 ring gauge. As a result of the advent of larger-ring gauged Habanos cigars of recent times, this has certainly come in 'handy'. This HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco today had a creamy texture and was not anywhere near as 'toasty' or prominent in ginger spice I've become accustomed to when smoking these on previous occasions. Instead, there was a combination of cedar, vanilla and cinnamon spice which varied in intensity throughout the thirds. In the last third however, I did get some forest floor flavours that are more typical of youthful Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo cigars.

The first cigar from this box code had a light and 'toasty' texture which made it 'inoffensive' to the senses over 95 minutes. Maybe it was a tad too inoffensive, if you get my drift! The second cigar, however, was pretty much how I'd like any of my Le Hoyo series cigars to smoke, it's just that I had to wait three years from the date of boxing to reach that point. The creamy texture and soft and sweet flavours stretched out this cigar to two hours of smoking time (which is twenty to thirty minutes longer than usual). At the time, I considered it a surefire contender for 'cigar of the month'! This third one was also outstanding, enjoyed over two hours and fifteen minutes of smoking.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire TEO May 2018

I have not exactly been enamoured with this Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire box. There have simply been too many examples of poorly constructed cigars within this box that have resulted in unsatisfactory outcomes such as uneven burns, bitter flavours etc. I had a similar experience with my previous El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse and I was glad when I finished that a box last year.

Initially, I thought I had finished this particular box of HdM Le Hoyo du Maires but it turns out that my Cuban Cigar Website Collection Inventory states that I have four left, so I decided today would be a nice day to smoke one more so I could put this box behind me. In case you weren't in the know, yes; Cuban Cigar Website does have an inventory system whereby you can list your stock and track what you've been smoking via the Smoking Diary. I've used both these features for years, they have greatly assisted me in this blog series.

What Cuban Cigar Website can't do is tell you exactly where the stock is physically located. I don't think there's been something invented that helps you track which specific humidor you've put a cigar in. If you are like me, you probably have your stock in a number of different storage solutions. I am mostly aware where my cigars are, but every now and then you surprise yourself with what you've forgotten was laying at the bottom of a humidor (or a tupperdor). Anyway, I did eventually track down where I had placed these four remain HdM Le Hoyo du Maire sticks.

When it comes to the Le Hoyo series I sometimes wonder why the du Gourmet, du Roi, du Prince and des Dieux were discontinued but the du Maire remains. I guess that the cold hard facts is that the du Maire continues to sell, while the other aforementioned cigars of the Le Hoyo series did not, but I still reminisce and pine for a des Dieux or du Prince at times; whereas I never pine for a du Maire other than when I need a cigar to smoke for a 20 to 25-minute duration.

I've only smoked two HdM Le Hoyo du Maires in the last two years, and the last one was downright abysmal, so I didn't have high hopes for this cigar when I cut it. The draw on this was ideal, not tight in any way, and smoke output was very, very good. Flavours were typical for the Le Hoyo line - wood, milk cocoa, tobacco with some vanilla and cinnamon spice. The milk cocoa was the main flavour evident though, over the duration of 40 minutes.

Even though I achieved a satisfactory outcome today, I don't envisage that I will re-visit this cigar anytime soon. At least I now know where the three remaining sticks are!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Secretos MSU Nov 2017

This is the fifth Cohiba Secretos from this MSU Nov 2017 box I've sampled. It was acquired from PCC and sourced from the Spanish Habanos distributor, Altidis. The Secretos is a Reyes-sized cigar with a 40 ring gauge x 110 mm (or 4⅜ inches) length. Of the three Cohiba Maduro 5 releases first introduced in 2007 (the Genios, Magicos and Secretos) I would opine that the Secretos remains the most popular amongst enthusiasts, followed closely by the Genios.

In my experience, the Cohiba Maduro series takes a very long time to peak, somewhere in the vicinity of 7 to 10 years. In contrast, I've found the Partagas Maduro series much more approachable much sooner. The reason I say this is because the Cohiba Maduro 5 series tends to be more full-bodied when young, packing strong flavours which very much benefit from melding with time down.

This Cohiba Secretos was medium-mild in strength and medium-bodied. It started off well, with some nice notes of baking spice complimenting the luscious milk chocolate. Unlike my last one smoked eight months ago, which descended into a somewhat generic and muddled, undefinable mess of chocolate, coffee and Cohiba grass/hay from the ten-minute mark onwards, this stayed true to those rudimentary flavours until the end.

That's how it's been with this box though. When I've had one with a little baking spice and perhaps floral notes on the edges it was incredible, otherwise they've been nondescript and very ordinary. This outcome is rare though, I can't recall so much of variance within the same box in terms of flavour often at all. Construction...yes, but flavour, no.

I've gifted a few from this 10-count box and I only have one left now. I will probably smoke it sooner rather than later as I don't foresee any improvement from this box.

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos - Eye of the Shark

The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark was released in 2015 to commemorate the 80th birthday of family patriarch Carlos Fuente Sr. I first sampled an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark two months ago. I enjoyed it so much, I acquired some more sticks to compare that initial smoking experience. Of course, after receiving the Cigar of the Year prize from Cigar Aficionado magazine in late December 2017, it's not that easy to acquire either as demand for it is quite high.

The Shark is unique because it's box-pressed, yet at the same time, its head carries a sharp apex around its belicosos tip. As a result of how intricate it is to roll this vitolas, the AF Don Carlos Eye of the Shark is produced in limited qualities. I believe the same applies for the two other current Arturo Fuente Shark releases, the Anejo No.77 Shark and the Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfecxion No. 77 Shark.

The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark has a Cameroon wrapper with Dominican binder and filler. Cameroon wrappers are known to impart a sweeter flavour on the cigars they are used on. It is 52 ring gauge x 5¼ inches (or 133 mm) in length according to Arturo Fuente's website. Please note, that this cigar was quoted as being half an inch longer in many on-line articles after it's Cigar Aficionado No.1 cigar of the year award, but currently it is in fact slightly shorter than a Bolivar Belicosos Finos or Romeo y Julieta Belicosos, both of which measure 5½ inches in length. (The Anejo No. 77 Shark, by comparison, is longer 5⅞ inches). It comes packaged in 20-count ornate boxes.

Like the last time I smoked this cigar, I used my Colibri V-Cutter to make a satisfactory deep cut into the head. The draw was again ideal. This AF Don Carlos Eye of the Shark began with notes of cedar, walnut, shortbread and lemon citrus. The ash held together really well and the texture of the smoke on the palate was again rich, yet smooth. In other words, the cigar produced quality flavours on the palate but it was 'light and airy' in feel.

During the second third, I would add that the cigar had some more leather to it but it continued to be very easy to smoke. In the final third, the flavours remained relatively the same and it was a joy to nub it until its end.

Coincidentally, just like last time, I smoked this cigar over one hour and fifty minutes and immediately thought to myself that I could easily smoke another one straight after. What can I say? The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark continues to impress me. I can foresee myself smoking another one soon!

[JohnS]

Padron 1964 Diplomatico Maduro

Since the pricing re-structure of Habanos cigars was announced in April 2022, I've become grateful for the opportunity to explore Non-Cuban options to supplement my cigar smoking. Padron is one of those brands I've enjoyed sampling. Padron is considered amongst enthusiasts as one of the most consistent Non-Cuban brands in both construction and blend. Every Padron I've had seems to effortlessly evoke a smooth flavour delivery on the palate. This Padron 1964 Diplomatico Maduro was no different when I smoked it today.

According to Padron, the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series line was introduced in 1994 to commemorate Padron's 30th anniversary. This line consists of ten sizes that are all available in sun-grown natural and maduro wrappers. All tobacco used in this limited production series is aged for four years, creating a smooth and complex flavor. In honor of the age-old Cuban tradition of box-pressing cigars, the 1964 Anniversary line was introduced as a box-pressed series.

I last smoked a Padron 1964 Maduro cigar (the 50 ring gauge x 141 mm or 5½ inches in length Gordito-sized Exclusivo) two months ago, and based on my experience with Padron cigars in general, I decided to punch-cut the head of this cigar today rather than straight-cut it. The reason? Simply put, for me, Padron 1964 cigars tend to be full-bodied (or flavoured), produce plenty of smoke per draw, are medium to medium-mild in strength due to their aged leaf and a rolled with a slightly loose draw. Hence, I figured I would be able to smoke this cigar comfortably with the middle option of my 3-in-1 Credo Punch Cutter. This cut makes a 10 mm punch for cigars up to 48 ring gauge. I was proven correct upon smoking.

The Padron 1964 Diplomatico Maduro is a 50 ring gauge x 178 mm (or 7 inches) in length cigar that is almost the same size as Churchill cigar. The traditional Churchill-sized Habanos cigar, such as the Romeo y Julieta Churchills, Cohiba Esplendidos or H.Upmann Sir Winston has a 47 ring gauge, but with the distinguishable box-press shape of this Padron 1964 Diplomatico Maduro the difference in size is negligible, trust me.
    
The first few puffs of this cigar greeted me with typical Padron flavours of coffee, earth, and leather, perhaps even some minimal cocoa. The flavours were refined and smooth. The draw was a tad loose (as is normal for Padron cigars) and notable plumes of smoke were evident with each puff. This was about as full-bodied as my last Padron 1964 Exclusivo Maduro I smoked two months ago, as aforementioned, nevertheless the strength was much less; somewhere akin to mild in strength rather than medium-mild to medium for the Exclusivo Maduro.

Into the second third the blend was more nutty, like cashews. The burn and draw continued to be as reliable as ever. The blend remained much the same into the last third. I finished the cigar around the 110 minute mark. This was only 10 minutes longer than the Exclusivo Maduro, but this Diplomatico was so mild that it was very easy to smoke.

In conclusion, again, I wouldn't rate the blend as overly complex but this Padron 1964 Diplomatico Maduro turned out to be a great smoke. It was simple, but it met my expectations quite nicely.

[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, 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 two in the last twelves 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 seventh cigar from the box again attested to the notion that this regular production Por Larranaga release is currently quite brilliant. The flavours I got were a typical combination of milk coffee, brioche bread and a butterscotch sweetness with hints of dull oak wood flavour in the last third of the cigar.

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! The last two PL Galanes I've had were pretty much like this. So, 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.

I am disappointed that the Por Larranaga Galanes has not been easy to source for some time now, but if you have a box or two, then I'm confident that you can relate to my acclamation of this outstanding cigar.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones No.2 2019 - Edición Limitada GEM Jul 2020

The Ramon Allones Allones No.2 (yes, that is its full name but it is commonly referred to as the Ramon Allones No.2 amongst aficionados) is a 2019 Limited Edition that is packaged in a 10-count ornate, green box and was launched with much fanfare by Habanos S.A in conjunction with Hunters & Frankau in London in August 2020. Habanos S.A invested heavily in its marketing campaign by releasing a technically slick video advertisement and 600 guests at the launch party were gifted packs including the new cigar; a small bottle of Hine Cigar Reserve Cognac and a glass; chocolates especially designed for the event by London club, 5 Hertford Street, a cutter, matches and a detailed informational booklet.

The Ramon Allones No.2 is a campanas; a torpedo-shaped cigar with a 52 ring x 140 mm or 5½ inches length which has the identical dimensions of a Bolivar Belicosos Finos. This is the sixth Ramon Allones No.2 I've had, but only the second one I've smoked since December 2021. All of my previous Ramon Allones No.2s were easily discernible as being quality, refined cigars and this again proved to be true today. The flavours were again typical for Ramon Allones such as cocoa and cherry fruit. The Ramon Allones No.2 I had in December 2021 contained hazelnut and soft baking spices on the edges, was full-bodied and medium-mild in strength, yet differed in comparison to previous Ramon Allones No.2s I'd smoked because it finally begun to 'open up' and smoke like the quality cigar it has promised to be the previous three times I had smoked it in late 2020 to mid 2021.

This Ramon Allones No.2 smoked today had flavours that were quite delineated, like the last one I smoked in October 2022. They were not melded or 'muddled'. The cherry fruit and hazelnut flavours along with the baking spice were easy to pick out from the very beginning and the cocoa aspect to the cigar was now much more in the background. It was only in the second half of the last third that this cigar became more heavy in cocoa and oak, but it was nonetheless fine. In other words, it did not become 'bitter'. In my view, as we near the three year mark this cigar has become much more approachable.

The cigar took me around 115 minutes to finish, and like my last one smoked late in 2022, I can emphatically reiterate that this Ramon Allones No.2 LE is smoking like the great cigar that it was specifically blended to be. If you have this cigar in your inventory, why not seek it out and see how they are coming along? Personally, I have three left in my inventory and I don't intend to age them long-term. They are quite fine to smoke now.

[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! This is the second one I've smoked from this box, two months after the first 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 was overwhelming. The hit of cedar was all-encompassing, it was in fact quite something to experience.

I first smoked this cigar nine 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.

The third AF Hemingway Classic started off beautifully sweet, like vanilla with hay, cedar and a touch of spice on the edges. In the middle third it was mainly cedar, hay and spice whereas the last third had the spice ramp up a touch. This fourth one started off much the same. It was sweet with a touch of spice on the edges. In the middle third it settled into its typical cedar, hay and spice blend. In the last third, that spice was like white pepper but it was all quite mild and easy to smoke through. In summary, I was amazed just how much this cigar turned out to be in comparison to the last one. 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 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 finished the cigar after 1 hour and thirty minutes, which is about 'par for the course', so-to-speak. I said two months ago that this line from Arturo Fuente reminds me of the H.Upmann Connossieur series and I continue to hold that view.

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!

[JohnS]

Cuaba Salomón RAT May 2020

The Cuaba Salomon was added to the Cuaba marca (introduced in 1996) as a regular production cigar in 2003, after a number of special releases included the vitola from 1999 to 2002. How often would one smoke it or the similarly-sized LCDH Partagas Salomones? It's a behemoth-sized cigar that requires a good 120 to 150 minutes smoking time but when they smoke well I'd say it's well worth it.

I acquired this 10-count box in late 2020 and I had the first three cigars from it within nine months. This fourth example was smoked eighteen months later, around the three year-mark of its boxing age. Again, it definitely wasn't a complex cigar and it was quite mild. Flavours included shortbread, lemon citrus, walnut, some leather and also some cream texture. Despite being what we cigar enthusiasts term as 'one-dimensional', I very much enjoyed it from 'go-to-whoa!'

This three year-old Cuaba Salomon did not have notable spice here and there in its last third, unlike my last one smoked in September 2021, and those shortbread/leather/cream textures have now started to 'soften' or diminish. It doesn't necessarily mean that this cigar has 'peaked'...far from it, I would say there is a lot of development left in this box yet!

This time I took around two hours to smoke it, which was quicker than my first three cigars. I would surmise there were two reasons for this...one, this Cuaba Salomon was milder and easier to savour on the palate and two, I smoked this cigar at the end of the day and I wanted to finish it before the oncoming sunset! I V-cut the head and I found the draw was 'spot-on', the smoke per draw was fine and I had no qualms nubbing it right to the end.

If you're looking for a long smoke and would like to try something other than a Double Corona or Churchill why not give the Cuaba Salomon or Partagas Salomones a try, if you have them in your inventory? Prior to the changes to general production and pricing of Habanos cigars in April 2022, these sold quite well on 24:24 listings when they invariably come up. They tend to be a good option for a cigar to smoke on a pleasant afternoon.

[JohnS]

Rafael González Petit Coronas SOM Ene 2017

A recent Deep Dive topic on the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas, at the beginning of 2023, revealed two schools of thought on this cigar. One; it's a complex and subtle melange of sweet and savoury flavours which surpasses the Montecristo No.4 in class as a petit coronas or two; it's bland and undistinguished, unworthy of comparing to the Sancho Panza Non Plus even in how basic it aspires to be. The link to the topic can be accessed below:

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

This particular Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas was again excellent but it was different. It had a mild, soft cocoa and baking spice core flavour with a distinct earthiness after the first third, like all my recent Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas, but it didn't have notes of dried fruit and honey. In fact, I wouldn't categorise it as been sweet at all. Rather, it continued on after the first third with a notable floral presence which was magnificent, together with a walnut-inspired feel on the palate.

This time the draw was a tad loose which resulted in me smoking this down a little quicker than normal, I think it took around fifty minutes to finish. The smoke volume was sufficient and I now look forward to my next Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas from this box code, going by how well its recent examples have been performing for me.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe LGR Jun 2018

This is my sixth SCdLH El Principe from this box since opening it twenty months ago, but I've had other San Cristobal de la Habana El Principes in the meantime from other box codes. In fact, I've had three: the first was from a newly acquired LGR Jun 2019 box code which was too strong and spicy for my liking, and two others from my TOS Jun 2016 which were much more in-line with my expectations.

My last San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe from this box, smoked two months ago, was somewhat mercurial in its staid cocoa/coffee and unique herbal qualities. It wasn't overly sweet, nor savoury but at least its spiciness was minimal and confined to its edges. I guess you can say that it wasn't the best San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe I have ever smoked, but then again, it wasn't the worst either.

This one was much, much better in that it smoked very well and the flavours were well-balanced and nuanced. They were fairly typical for what you'd expect from this vitola; cocoa, coffee, some molasses sweetness and a semblance of pancake-texture throughout.

So, as this box approaches five years of age I'm quite content. In fact, much more content than if I had to buy the same box at current prices!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 ROP Feb 2020

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

In light of the reappraisal of Habanos cigar production in mid-2022, whereby Habanos S.A. radically increased prices and reduced production, I'd argue that the Partagas Serie D No.4 (along with the Montecristo No.2 and No.4) is more important than ever in keeping the Habanos cigar industry 'afloat', at the present time. Indeed, a recent 24:24 affirmed that those three cigars and the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 and Ramon Allones Specially Selected were the most popular cigars on our daily forum listings at the moment.

This seventh Partagas Serie D No.4 was every bit as brilliant as the majority of PSD4s I've smoked from this 10-count box thus far. I suppose that was due to the fact that again it was a simple cigar that delivered and satisfied after I had construction issues with my fourth cigar smoked.

In summary, with this Partagas Serie D No.4 today, it was a pleasant concoction of sourdough, coffee and leather from beginning to end. Perhaps there was a touch of paprika spice on the edges that lingered for some time afterward on the palate, but overall, it was quite simply sensational. I could easily smoke another one as I type out these words just thinking about it!

I'd still contend that this box of Partagas Serie D No.4 represents some of the best product that is available from Habanos S.A in regular production right now, especially after six of the seven cigars I've smoked from this 10-count box have been so uniformally brilliant!