JohnS' Smoking Diary 2023

[LLC]

On 6/25/2023 at 4:41 PM, JohnS said:

Punch La Isla 2018 - Edición Regional Cuba circa late-2018
The Punch La Isla is a 50 ring gauge x 124 mm (or 4⅞ inches) in length Robustos-sized 2018 Cuban Regional Edition that was released in mid-2019. It came in 10-count slide lid boxes, of which 10000 were produced. Incidentally, it is the last of six Cuban Regional Editions to be released to date.
Upon release, initial critical consensus was highly positive. In general, they were noted for having an interesting combination of peppery, bread and cream-textured flavours, even nuts. They were medium to medium-full in body with the potential for development over a number of years. Fast forward five years and I can tell you that this cigar has not diminished in its smoking ability at all. In fact, it's developed quite nicely, in my view.
I'd like to acknowledge [mention=10830]madandana[/mention] for gifting me this cigar, and even more so for the fact that this was the first cigar from Mike's previously unopened box! This cigar opened with the most pleasant feel of almond nuts one could imagine in a Punch cigar. Along the way, it was joined by a combination of wood, citrus twang, clove spice and cream to truly represent a fine, fine example of a Regional Edition cigar. I'm honoured to have sampled it!
So, in summary, as this cigar approaches five years of age, I wonder if our members have any of their initial acquisitions left in multiple quantities? After all, it's not unreasonable to assume that these were quit fine to smoke in 2019, but right now they are even better, in my opinion.

Great batch of reviews. I’ve gone through couple of boxes and they were very good. I still have a few boxes and recently they have been great with potential to last a lot longer.

Enjoy your break


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnS]

17 hours ago, LLC said:

Great batch of reviews. I’ve gone through couple of boxes and they were very good. I still have a few boxes and recently they have been great with potential to last a lot longer.

Enjoy your break

Thank you @LLC! As usual, much appreciated...both your appreciation and the feedback on the 2018 Punch La Isla Cuban Regional Edition.

[Chucko8]

What a way to bring on a break for July! Boom!!

Some amazing sticks that you reviewed there for us all to share in John. Thank you.

I was salivating at times at the thought of some of these flavours that you had penned for us to enjoy vicariously along with you.

[JohnS]

5 hours ago, Chucko8 said:

What a way to bring on a break for July! Boom!!

Some amazing sticks that you reviewed there for us all to share in John. Thank you.

I was salivating at times at the thought of some of these flavours that you had penned for us to enjoy vicariously along with you.

Thank you @Chucko8! I try to paint a picture of what these rarer cigars smoke in comparison, perhaps, to how their similar regular production counterpart cigars smoke like. As we know, aged cigars aren't a panacea to our collective vision of what represent a perfect habanos cigar. Rather, on the contrary; yes...they can let us down. However, at other times, they can also be so sublime, and especially with these special releases, that I feel I owe the review I write (on these exemplary cigars) the most vivid description I can. If I can elicit a response from our members that they almost feel that they are smoking these cigars as they read these critiques, well then, that very much pleases me!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 ESL May 2018

I mentioned in my last review on the Montecristo No.5, around three-and-a-half months ago, the idea of phases of cigar development, specifically pertaining to Montecristo cigars. Now that this box of Montecristo No.5 has reached five years of age, I cited the fact previously that my last Monte 5 had entered what I'd label as the 'second phase' of the development of a Montecristo cigar. This is the period whereby your typical Montecristo vitola loses its coffee and cocoa flavours and its baking spice, nut, leather and citrus twang flavours become more evident.

The blend description of this 'second phase' is not to everyone's preference, of course. A great many of you may opine, indeed, that you desire a distinguishable coffee and chocolate/cocoa core flavour in your Montecristo cigars. For me, this second phase of a Montecristo cigar is quite providential. In other words, I quite like my Montecristo cigars this way. Yet, I wouldn't admonish if you don't share my evaluation that my last particular Montecristo No.5 smoked wonderfully.

Today's Montecristo No.5 definitely reverted to been an example of the 'initial' or 'premier' phase of it's development; that is, that period whereby one can definitely make out the stronger elements of coffee and cocoa within the Montecristo blend. Note that I refer to cocoa deliberately because in my view, when that flavour starts to soften or mellow out, or whenever it seems sweeter on the palate, that's when I like to refer to it commonly as 'chocolate'.

As it was, although this Monte 5 was full of coffee and cocoa, and there were voluminous amounts of smoke per draw, unfortunately there were certain spots within the cigar that were slightly underfilled so it was always going to smoke a tad fuller and stronger, even dare I say bitter. Thankfully, it didn't attain this latter outcome, that is, an acrid essence within the smoke, but still this was not my greatest example of a Montecristo No.5 I have ever smoked. Nor my second, third, fourth or fifth. Yes, I've smoked a number of these little perla-sized cigars over the years and I've come to have a specific expectation of what constitutes excellence in a Montecristo No.5. Perhaps we'll get there next time!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 ROP Feb 2020

I have been commenting on how superb this 10-count box has been for me thus far and now I am down to two Partagas Serie D No.4s left. All, apart from one PSD4 that had construction issues, have been exemplary or 'nigh on' close to that point. Interestingly, they've all been simple in flavour blend; basically a combination of sourdough, coffee and quality leather with perhaps a touch of paprika spice here and there. Today's PSD4 proved to be different. The reason was due to the effects of a nicotine kick, buzz or hit. If you've smoked cigars for some time, trust me, you'll know what it is.

A nicotine buzz, kick or hit does not occur when there is more ligero, strength or flavour in a cigar. In fact, nicotine is both flavourless and odourless. It comes from the veins sections of the tobacco leaves and in the greater majority of cases, is not that distinguishable or perceivable to cigar smokers. A tiny amount is actually highly desirable; it can make you feel more energetic, more relaxed and more focused. Personally, that sharpening in concentration is what appeals to me. At other times, I appreciate the relaxing qualities of a good cigar.

It's when one feels light-headed or dizzy or feelings of nausea that the real buzz, kick or hit really effects you. At this point, you will be wanting some water, wanting to slow down on your cigar, needing to take a walk or breathing more deliberately. The reason for this is simply because your body is telling you to increase the oxygen level in your bloodstream.

As it was, I can't tell you if this cigar was superb or not. I can tell you that it was fairly similar to the others from this box in its strength an flavours. At the very least, today's Partagas Serie D No.4 allowed me to reflect on what exactly a nicotine kick, buzz or hit (as they are routinely termed) is and to share that with you in this review. The positive thing, from my point of view, is this phenomenon is rare and so I don't expect it from the last PSD4 from this box, which I will no doubt smoke sooner rather than later.

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story

Ever since I added various vitolas of the Arturo Fuente Hemingway series line to my regular rotation in 2022, I marvel at how consistent they are, both in construction and delivery of flavours. The one feature of this series is their Perfecto shape, which is a 'throwback' or an homage to the popularity of this vitola amongst Habanos cigars prior to the 1930s.

The Short story was introduced a few years after the 1983 debut of the Hemingway Series and it has since become the top seller in the line. All Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigars feature West African Cameroon wrapper and Dominican filler and binder. (That is, the Natural-wrappered varieties.)

According to the Arturo Fuente company, the extra workmanship involved in producing these cigars means that they take longer to make and also utilise leaf that is aged longer than normal leaf.

Like the similarly-shaped Cuaba Perfectos, lighting the heavily tapered foot is sufficient to light the cigar. The Short Story is tapered gradually from being 42 ring gauge at the head to being 49 ring gauge at its widest near the foot. It has a short length at 4 inches or 102 mm. This doesn't necessarily mean its a quick thirty to forty minutes smoke however. On the contrary, the AF Hemingway Short Story usually takes me around an hour to smoke, as today's example did today.

This is my third Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story from this box since I smoked my first one six months ago. These cigars have come from a 15-count box (with its own humidipak contained within), with their mild and sweet, balanced flavours very much resonating with me.

This particular Short Story opened with a usual hay and cedar taste and was again light and mild. It was slightly more sweet than previous AF Short Story cigars I've sampled. The sweetness was like a light chocolate, more akin to white chocolate than darker varieties.

In the middle of the cigar the smoke developed into a leather and hay combination. This is a normal transition in line with what I've experienced with other AF Short Storys I've smoked in the last year. What can one say about this? If you get consistency in construction you're likely to be pleased, but when a cigar is consistent in its flavour transitions even, well you'd have to agree that this is quite remarkable.

Towards the end of the cigar, the hay and sweetness dropped off and it was mainly all leather, but I nubbed it nonetheless. This time, there wasn't any real discernible spice from beginning to end, like I've noticed in other AF Short Storys.

I've mentioned, as an aside, in previous reviews on the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Series, that Cameroon wrappers can impart a combination of spice and sweetness, so if this doesn't appeal to you, then I'd say that you won't enjoy any of the Hemingway line.

In summary, this third cigar from this box again confirms that this is a quality cigar. The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story easily competes in excellence with short-sized Habanos cigars and this example was again better than any Cuaba cigar I've ever had, principally in construction, flavour and the volume of smoke output per puff. If I didn't smoke a variety of Habanos and Non-Cuban cigars within this blog series I would definitely smoke the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story more often. It goes to show how highly I think of it.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Topes 2016 - Edición Limitada TOS Sep 2016

The Trinidad Topes was first released in late 2016 as a Limited Edition with a large 56 ring gauge x 125 mm (or 4⅞ inches) length. It was such a great seller and well-reputed amongst aficionados that in my view, it wasn't too much of a surprise to see it being re-released in 2019 as a regular production cigar. Incidentally, the Montecristo Dantes and Romeo y Julieta Capuletos were also released in early 2017 as 2016 Limited Editions. Do we still remember them? (Well, perhaps we remember the Montecristo Dantes still!)

I've mentioned in previous reviews that the 2019 regular production Trinidad Topes that I've sampled since their release have tended to be a combination of spice, coffee and butter pastry, some slight gingerbread-type sweetness and even some salt. The Trinidad Topes 2016 EL had more cocoa and sweetness to it upon its release in its youth. In other words, I've found the regular production Topes more savoury in comparison to its Limited Edition 'elder brother'.

I smoked my last Trinidad Topes 2016 LE only two months ago, and since now these are three months short of seven years of age, I figured that this is the peak time to enjoy them. If you aren't aware of what the concept of a box of cigars 'peaking' is, quite simply, it's the notion that a box of cigars develops to a point whereby the cigar enthusiast decides that the cigars have reached a time where they have changed to a desired state and therefore is at its best for smoking. Any further changes with more time down may be deemed as less optimal for smoking the cigars.

So what is it about this cigar that I found optimal? As usual, there was a coffee-cream cappuccino, cocoa, dough and some oak wood quality to this Trini Topes LE, but it was the hints of caramel sweetness that I've found quite irresistible the last few times I've smoked these 2016 LEs. Today, there was plenty of that latter note and believe me, I very much appreciated it. Again, construction-wise, this cigar had a 'stacked-dime' ash and was rich on the palate from beginning to end.

My last Trinidad Topes LE took a whopping 115 minutes to finish, this one took around the same time, somewhere around 120 minutes! I only opened this box once it reached the five year mark. Incidentally, I must say it's no coincidence that I haven't had a regular production 2019 Trinidad Topes since, these 2016 Limited Editions have been that enticing. I suppose there's a reason these are still highly sought after and valued by cigar enthusiasts and it all has to do with class and quality. This cigar shines in both those characteristics.

The only factor that could encumber one's of smoking this fine Trinidad cigar today is the knowledge that these now retail for around the same price as a Major League Baseball annual television subscription. In other words, $US140 to 150 a stick. If you acquired these when they were first released, aren't you glad you purchased a whole box when its entire contents (i.e. 12 cigars) was worth the price of two cigars nowadays?

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especial LTO Mar 2021

Along with the Cohiba Lanceros and Trinidad Fundadores, the Montecristo Especial is the epitome of the 'long-and-skinny', a Laguito No.1 with a slender 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7.6 inches) in length. I had the first cigar from this LTO Mar 2021 box in mid-2021, and I've now gone through half a box. In fact, I had a Monte Especial just three weeks ago. That one wasn't too bad flavour-wise but it struggled to stay alight after the halfway point. I guess I lit another one (from the box) today as a redemptive measure. Surely lightning doesn't strike twice, right?

So what makes the Montecristo Especial stand out within the Montecristo marca? Alongside the Laguito No.2-sized Montecristo Especiales No.2 (i.e. 38 ring gauge x 152 mm or 6 inches in length), I would say it's the potentiality of aging these cigars long-term which makes it unique in comparison to other Montecristo vitolas. That being said, I did reflect after finishing this Monte Especial today that going through half a box of two year-old Montecristo Especials could be doing the cigars a disservice. Perhaps my next one will be smoked in a year or so from now? We'll see...

This cigar opened with a typical soft milk chocolate and citrus twang which dominated the first third. In the middle third, the cigar had more notes of milk coffee whereas in the final third, the body intensified somewhat, the flavours on the palate were more heavy, like a mixture of espresso coffee and bitter chocolate. It wasn't too dissimilar to the Monte Especial I had a few weeks ago, in terms of flavour, except this time the cigar had lighting issues halfway through the final third. By this point of the cigar, I didn't mind that much since I was a good 100 minutes or so into smoking the cigar and by this point there was only 10 minutes left or so.

So, in conclusion, no real ginger elements or creamy texture were to be found in this Montecristo Especial today and so I think it best that my next one is smoked down-the-track; as in twelve or eighteen months or so. After all, in my view this box is nowhere near 'peaking' and I look forward to seeing how the next few Monte Especials smoke similarly and/or differently to my last few I've had.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Medio Siglo LTO Oct 2021

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

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

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

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

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

What more could one add? Ever since the price re-structuring by Habanos S.A. in mid-2022 a number of us have supplemented our smoking regimes with the acquisition of Non-Cuban cigars. I reflected upon finishing this cigar that I've never, ever had a difficult-to-roll Arturo Fuente Hemingway series cigar or a Padron cigar or an Oliva cigar constructed and smoke as badly as this Cohiba Medio Siglo today. Quite simply, at current prices, it's an outrage. I guess I can console myself with the fact that this Cohiba Medio Siglo was purchased at pre-mid 2022 prices. Still, it feels like a 'bitter to pill to swallow'!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Panetelas LGR Dic 2017

Ever since Habanos S.A. re-adjusted their pricing sharply for their luxury brands in Cohiba and Trinidad in mid-2022, sales for cigars like the Cohiba Panetelas (and other shorter cigars) have seemingly 'fallen off a cliff'. It's all quite understandable though, currently these retail for $US20 a stick. There's plenty of other options out there, both Cuban and Non-Cuban, for less than that. Thankfully, I acquired this box prior to these announced price increases.

The Cohiba Panatelas is just 115 mm long (or 4½ inches) and carries a minuscule 26 ring gauge. At such a thin ring gauge, it probably wouldn't surprise you to know that it can suffer draw issues and be prone to 'plugging' as well as having inconsistent and uneven burns. I had smoked a badly-constructed Cohiba Medio Siglo prior to this cigar so I was chancing the possibility of smoking another poor cigar today.

Anyway, I consider myself lucky to having received these with four-and-a-half years of age on them. I didn't press my luck expecting to receive them in a varnished boite nature box of 25 cigars. No, I was just happy to have them in the more usual display box of 25 cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 5 packaging.

I've had five Cohiba Panetelas so far (in six months) and overall they've been quite good. They've also all drawn well.

This sixth one, smoked a little over six months since my last one, was less dominant in Cohiba grass than my previous Cohiba Panetelas.The flavours were once again bold and the cigar was medium in body. The mocha aspects were well-balanced and there was plenty of honey sweetness to be had, which I quite enjoyed.

In comparison to my previous Cohiba cigar, the aforementioned poorly-constructed Medio Siglo, this Panetelas was great. I wouldn't acquire another box though, unless they came down sharply in price. At the time of writing this review, we're still waiting for this outcome. However, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Habanos S.A applies discounts to these shorter Cohiba and Trinidad cigars at some point in the near future as the market is indicating currently that they are greatly over-valued. If you want to acquire a box, I suggest you hold off a little longer. Who knows, you may find your patience rewards you!

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No. 2 TUE Dic 2020

The Partagas Maduro No.2 was added along with the Partagas Maduro No.3 in 2018 to form the Linea Maduro with the Partagas Maduro No.1 introduced in 2015. It is a Short Piramides with a 55 ring gauge by 120 mm (or 4¾ inches) length. If the large ring gauge concerns you, rest assured, the conical head makes it much easier to smoke after cutting than it would otherwise. In my case, I use a Colibri V-Cutter which makes a deeper v-cut in cigars than typical V-Cutters.

If you are wondering in what way the Partagas Maduro line differs from other standard Partagas cigars, rest-assured I've had quite a few of these cigars in the last few years, and in my opinion, I wouldn't necessarily classify them as a classic Partagas-flavoured cigar. For example, you're not likely to get spice or pepper out of them. They are essentially atypical within the Partagas marca

This was the eighth Partagas Maduro No.2 from the box I've had. The first six were smoked between April and November 2021 and they all shared a similar flavour profile.Those Party Maduro 2s had more strength and more body or fullness of flavour than the Partagas Maduro No.1 or Partagas Maduro No.3 I smoked during that time. Think of strong cocoa/chocolate, hints of charred wood, some anise, sour cherry and coffee. No, it doesn't sound like a classic Partagas cigar at all, does it?

I've only smoked two Party Maduro 2s in the last eighteen months. In that time, I found they've diminished in strength a little and the flavours have melded more. I guess this is to be expected. My last Party Maduro 2, smoked six months ago, was basically chocolate and wood, with the anise and sour cherry on the edges. There was very little in the way of coffee. Personally, I would have wanted the chocolate and wood to recede more and the anise and sour cherry flavours come more to the fore.

As it was, today's Partagas Maduro No.2 was frustratingly under-filled. A normal Habanos cigar smokes down with a slight cone at its foot. An under-filled cigar, on the other hand, will tend to be hollow and concave at its foot, burn quicker and hotter and potentially be bitter, with uneven burns. It wasn't until the halfway point that I had the cigar return to normal, both in its burning and taste. By then, there was no point trying to compare how this had developed in comparison to the other Party Maduro No.2s I've smoked from this box. I simply will need to chance smoking another, in the near future, and hope it has no construction issues.

[Fireball]

I really enjoy these reviews. I started scrolling through some older ones.

A question, you had a discussion about the different phases of Montes in the past, are there other cigars where you notice these distinct timelines and flavor changes? (I know all change over time, but it was a pretty detailed description of the Monte flavor changes and was very interesting)

[JohnS]

9 hours ago, Fireball Ron said:

I really enjoy these reviews. I started scrolling through some older ones.

A question, you had a discussion about the different phases of Montes in the past, are there other cigars where you notice these distinct timelines and flavor changes? (I know all change over time, but it was a pretty detailed description of the Monte flavor changes and was very interesting)

Indeed, yes. There are two specific vitolas that come to mind; the H.Upmann Petit Coronas and the Sancho Panza Non Plus. In both these cases, one needs a long time for the cigars to change. In the case of the HUPC, you may need around 8 to 10 years for them to develop a noticeable cream texture and in the case of the SPNP, maybe the same for those sticks to lose their woodiness and become more floral.

However, in terms of changes within marcas, I would state in my view that with the Montecristo marca the changes occur a little quicker on account of the chocolate/cocoa nature of that brand. In fact, any marca that has a dominant characteristic of chocolate/cocoa will generally see these changes happen quicker than other marcas. But, because Montecristo is so dominant in that chocolate/cocoa aspect these changes are perhaps more noticeable within certain timeframes in comparison to other marcas.

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos - Eye of the Shark

On account of experiencing two under-filled cigars in the last few days, I decided to turn to something I would find reliable and that I would have a reasonable expectation of appreciating its class. Of course, that would have to mean choosing the fabulous New World cigar, the 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 four 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 each time I have 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, nut and a gorgeous, yet subtle, lemon citrus. I wouldn't state that the burn was perfect, but I was relieved to find that the cigar had a slight coning (i.e it smoked down normally) and didn't need any re-lights throughout.

During the second third, I found this time that the cigar had more of a walnut texture to it but it continued to be very easy to smoke. In the final third, the flavours remained relatively the same (as usual) and it was a joy to nub it until its end, once again.

The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark continues to impress me. I've had three in the last four months and they've all easily been 93-point cigars and above. It goes without saying that I will have another one in due time, which will be sooner rather than later, of course.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No.4 ABO Ago 2018

This is just the third Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 I've smoked in the last eighteen months and the first in 2023. I guess the changes induced by Habanos S.A.'s pricing re-structure in mid-2022 has made me more wary, even more reticent, to smoke regular production cigars like this because smoking the next cigar from the box represents an opportunity cost. Whereas before I would console myself with the thought of a re-acquisition in the immediate future, the possibility of that for a vitola such as the Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 is a lot less likely than doing so for a cigar such as the San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe for me, for example. I guess you can relate to this predicament, as we are colloquially all in the same boat, so-to-speak, and purchasing Habanos cigars from hereon in will require more prudence. It is what it is, as we say.

When it comes to the Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4, what I typically look for is a tart 'fruitiness' that is a defined characteristic of this marca. The key to the 'fruity' flavours, I believe, is to ensure one gets a box of these with rosado-hued wrappers. It makes all the world of difference to the a RyJ Ex4 cigar, in my opinion.

This RyJ Ex4, at around the five-year mark, had a little cocoa, some notable anise and some oat biscuit that I've come to enjoy in this cigar as this box ages. I got an undesirable vegetal or herbal flavour that unbalanced the cigar one of the last times I smoked this cigar, but thankfully there was no evidence of that here today.

The last Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 I smoked was a bit 'heavy' to smoke in the last third. This time, the cigar picked up some spice in the final third but it was all quite mild. It did not deter me from my appreciation for the cigar at all. In fact, I still nubbed this RyJ Exhibicion No.4 down to its conclusion. With nine cigars left in this box, I think I will re-visit it some time down-the-track, even though I really enjoyed this cigar today. That's what 'cigarmageddon' does for you. Otherwise, I would smoke another RyJ Exhibicion No.4 in the next month or so. Such is life, isn't it?

[JohnS]

Bolívar Petit Coronas ETP Mar 2017

I opened this box around two-and-a-half years ago, have gone through sixty percent of the box, yet this is just the third Bolivar Petit Coronas I've had in the last eighteen months. It's not because they haven't appealed to me; rather, I think my box of mid-2015 Bolivar Tubos No.1 caught my attention in the meantime and have distracted me, especially in last two to three months or so!

This box is now six years old and they've now entered a new stage of their development, in my opinion. My last BPC, smoked six months ago, was the first from this box to start off with a caramel marshmallow texture. This BPC started off in much the same way today.

In the first third, this caramel marshmallow was supplemented by a pleasant combination of malt and dried berries. In the middle third I found more traditional Bolivar flavours of Earth and forest floor flavours. In the final third, the cigar was more 'Earthy' but nonetheless less desirable to smoke, which is what I did to the nub.

I'm really glad I smoked this Bolivar Petit Coronas today. It was a beautifully balanced, complex cigar with a variety of flavours which very much worked well as a change of pace. Having said this, as this box is now down to nine cigars left, I envisage that I won't re-visit it soon, much like the Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 I smoked before this BPC. Instead, I think I will see how my Bolivar Coronas Juniors are coming along, in the meantime.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos Diplomáticos No.2 EML Ago 2014

Despite acquiring this EML Ago 2014 box of Diplomaticos No.2 in 2016, I didn't actually 'crack it open' until it had reached the five year mark in 2019. In the time that has passed since, I've gone through nearly the whole box, having smoked fifteen of the cigars and given eight away to various cigar enthusiasts to sample at catch-ups or get-togethers over the years, mainly because I find that other cigar smokers aren't as necessarily familiar with the Diplomaticos No.2 as they are with the Montecristo No.2, for example.

My last Diplomaticos No.2 smoked from this box was around eight months ago, yet at nine years of age, this Diplomaticos No.2 continues to show no sign of diminishing in the flavour department whatsoever, which you'd have to agree is quite impressive. 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). These Dip 2s from this box have definitely been on the savoury side.

This cigar was even more savoury that my last Dip 2 from this box, with notes of wood, capsicum or bell pepper and paprika spice, and in particular the paprika spice. The cigar had a fair amount of smoke per puff and packed a heap of flavour. The ash was consistent and the burn and draw were both fine.

This Dip 2 did not have any notes of 'toastiness' or possess a core sourdough like my last few Dip 2s. Instead, as mentioned briefly above, it had a dominant paprika spiciness from beginning to end. When it comes to the Diplomaticos No.2, I wouldn't say that this was to my preference, but I can't fault the cigar for flavour as, even though it was atypical, it wasn't unpleasant.

So, all-in-all, I'm down to one Diplomaticos No.2 from this box and I've got to be honest, I hope it's less spicy than this Dip 2 today. But don't mind me, I'm not complaining. A Diplomaticos No.2 that is 'not-to-taste' is still better than a whole number of other cigars out there and more readily acquirable in 2023, both Cuban and Non-Cuban.

[JohnS]

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

Did you know, apparently, that the La Gloria Cubana marca now has not one, not two but three vitolas, the Medaille d'Or No.4, the La Casa del Habano Exclusivo Glorias and the Turquinos? The LCDH Glorias, a 49 ring gauge x 156 mm (or 6⅛ inches) in length Flechas was released in October 2022. The third regular production cigar, the La Gloria Cubana Turquinos, a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm (or 5½ inches) in length Gordito was released in early 2023.

From 2014, when the La Gloria Medaille d'Or No.2 was discontinued and the LCDH Immensos stopped been made, there was only one regular production vitola in the La Gloria Cubana marca. Now, in the last two years we have three. Wouldn't it be nice if the Diplomaticos marca had some additions to its marca? Mind you, the La Gloria Cubana marca has enjoyed a steady stream of special releases since 2008, and notably so since 2017.

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

For me personally, the prolonged hiatus of this cigar has had an affect on my smoking habits as I smoked six La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4s in 2021 but only one in 2022 and this is now my second one smoked in 2023. This is also inclusive of the fact that I've only had four in total since September 2021. Furthermore, I guess it makes it hard to smoke a LGC No.4 when I reflect on their current pricing on Bond Roberts for stock produced prior to their 2018 hiatus, which I think is in the region of $US35 to $US40 a stick.

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

In terms of this array of contrasting flavours, these can range from savoury to sweet to spicy. This LGC No.4 had a core wood, herbal, fruit and spice combination which remained throughout the cigar. There was a hint of cream texture interspersed throughout the cigar. As this particular cigar has now approached seven-and-a-half years of age, the cigar was mild-medium in strength but slightly tight in the draw, which I frankly found a tad frustrating as otherwise this would have been a much better smoking experience.

I finished this LGC No.4 after ninety minutes and reflected on what could have been. Sure, the flavours were appealing, even if they were very different to my last LGC No.4 smoked six months ago, but the construction affecting the draw was a disappointment.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.6 UTL Abr 2019

The Partagas Serie D No.6 was released in 2014. It's a mercurial addition to the Partagas marca, firstly due to its size (50 ring gauge x 90 mm or 3½ inch length) and secondly (and I believe foremost) due to its packaging. The square wooden single-tiered box made this awkward for Habanos S.A to price competitively in comparison to other similar cigars of the same size and as a result these have been a slow seller. Prior to the pricing re-structure announced by Habanos S.A. in April 2022, and put into effect a few months later, the Partagas Serie D No.6 had only just come into some discounting in the last few years and honestly it was overdue.

Perhaps the price re-structure has made the Partagas Serie D No.6 more appealing too, at the present time, as these come in a secondary packaging option: a five-count aluminium tin pack. This is how I picked up my present acquisition of Partagas Serie D No.6, for example.

In the meantime, if you've sampled these then you'd know that they pack a ton of flavour in an oft medium-strengthed small cigar. Sourdough, coffee and leather, variously with pepper or spice; in other words, standard core Partagas DNA flavours. Like my last Partagas Serie D No.6 smoked three months ago, this Partagas Serie D No.6 was full of flavour, had no spice or pepper to it and was milder than usual...around the medium mark. It had sourdough and leather aplenty. The coffee was more cream-like than espresso-like. It was a tale of two halves, the first half was replete in sourdough; the second, full of leather. It was truly a gorgeous smoke.

I notice that as a result of the downturn in Habanos cigar production since mid-2022, many marcas and vitolas have gone into hiatus but the Partagas Serie D No.4, Partagas Serie D No.5 and Partagas Serie D No.6 continue to be readily available. I'm grateful for that as I would vouchsafe that these would possibly contend as the most consistent Habanos cigars currently, in my view.

My last lot of Partagas Serie D No.6s would take me about 50 minutes to smoke but this one once again took me longer than that; a whole 65 minutes in fact! That's quite something considering that a Partagas Serie D No.4 usually takes me in the vicinity of 70 to 75 minutes to smoke.

[JohnS]

Nudies N4 Mareva Fuerte "Pilot"

This was the second 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 eight 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. It started off with a little spice in the first third but it settled soon after. That spice remained throughout through the nose when retrohaling. I wouldn't say the cigar was overtly full of spice though. On the contrary, it was quite approachable. There was a simple cocoa and espresso coffee core flavour to the cigar also from beginning to end.

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. The last time 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. Eight months 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]

H. Upmann Half Corona OPG Feb 2015

The H.Upmann Half Corona was released in 2011, has a 44 ring gauge and is 90 mm or 3½ inches in length. It typically smokes around 25 to 35 minutes. It comes packaged in a 5-pack metal tin or 25-count dress box. This OPG Feb 2015 H.Upmann Half Corona I smoked today came from a dress box.

I've mentioned in previous reviews on the HU Half Corona that when young, the it can noted for its espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and white pepper/spice flavours. I opened up this box after five years and I've steadily noticed a change in how the cigars have smoked from late 2020 to the present day. The first lot, up to around mid-2021 were average to just above that mark, in general, mainly because they were quite potent in their toasted tobacco and/or white pepper flavours. From mid-2021 until mid-2022 they developed still to be less dominant in coffee and toasted tobacco, and thus, I graded them higher, around above average. The last four I've enjoyed since August 2022 have been all outstanding, including this one today.

This HU Half Corona is nearing its eight-and-a-half-year mark and again it was generous to me in its sweet licorice. Of course, it was balanced by a mix of espresso coffee, some burgeoning shortbread, a small dollop of leather but overall, it was quite excellent, according to my tastes.

Judging by how the last four H.Upmann Half Coronas have smoked from this box, I would say that this box most definitely now 'turned a corner'. I suppose that eight years or so is a long time to wait for a cigar to begin to show signs that it's smoking to one's preference, but it does highlight the old proverb that 'patience is a virtue'. I now have eight cigars left from this box. I don't think there's any need to let them age further as this box of H.Upmann Half Corona is within its 'peak period'. I look forward to enjoying the rest. Expect another review on this cigar soon!

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana La Fuerza LGR Jun 2018

Fuerza means power, force or strength in Spanish. It doesn't necessarily correlate that a San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza is fuller in body or strength in comparison to other Habanos cigars. Unlike the SCdLH La Punta, which means point in Spanish, the name of that campanas cigar with a point at its head is much more logical.

I've noted in previous reviews on the La Fuerza that it is similar to the El Principe in blend, only more muted. I find the El Principe is more rich and intense, a 'no-brainer go-to' cigar, for me. My last two or three SCdLH La Fuerza I've had from this box code have been generally molasses sweet, consistent in light coffee tones, minimal in cocoa and most importantly, profuse in an 'airy cake' or pancake texture throughout which exemplifies why the SCdLH La Fuerza have been so good for awhile it seems.

Of course, I've had many more El Principes in the past few years than La Fuerzas. In fact, this is the first SCdLH La Fuerza I've had from this box code since late-2020. Of the La Fuerzas I've had the TOS Jun 2016 were nowhere near the quality of these LGR Jun 2018 examples, which have been simply outstanding in general. I only have one San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza left in my humidor. It's lamentable that's this is the case but at least I'm confident that the next one I reach for has had admirable form to commend it.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 PMS Abr 2015

Around seven years ago I purchased two 10-count PSP standard PMS Abr 2015 Montecristo No.2s from a 24:24 listing. I smoked through the first box between 2018 and late 2020. The wrappers on these cigars were a colorado/colorado rosado shade (i.e. one step short of colorado maduro) so I was expecting a strong cocoa and coffee hit when I 'cracked open' the first box in 2018, which was the case. There was some nut and leather, but no cream texture to those first few cigars smoked, unlike some lighter-wrappered Montecristo No. 2's I've had this past few years.

The best Montecristo No.2 from that first box was the last one smoked. The reason it was so good was because it was well-balanced, there was ample amounts of nut, coffee, cream and even citrus twang on the edges but it was the generous serving of quality cocoa which made it stand out for me.

Fast forward twelve months and the first cigar from this second box was very different to all ten cigars smoked from the first box. After six years the cocoa and coffee had receded and what we have now is the next stage of development in a cigar of this age. A mild-bodied cigar with some nut, leather and citrus twang which I feel may not be everyone's 'cup-of-tea' when it comes to smoking a Montecristo No.2 but I don't mind it like this.

The second Monte 2 from this second box was smoked eight months later and I believe at this time the cigar has reached a turning point, what many enthusiasts consider a cigar's 'peak'. By that we mean a cigar has reached a certain point in its rest or aging whereby the flavours have melded, some flavours have receded whilst others have come to the fore and the body of the cigar is still preferable. In other words, the cigar is finely balanced. Simply put, that was the best way to describe how superlative the second Monte 2 from the box smoked.

The third cigar, smoked four months later, started off with a beautifully sweet milk chocolate, milk coffee and cream in the first half which evolved into a nutty, soft leather and floral notes combination in the second half, which I believe is indicative of the next stage of this cigar's journey.

The fourth cigar, smoked five months later after the third encountered what one may colloquially term as a 'throwback', a cigar that is more indicative of a stage of development from an earlier period in comparison to the rest of the box. You see, whereas the first three cigars from this second box were all nutty and soft leather, with the cocoa, coffee and chocolate all having receded, the fourth cigar was, by comparison, quite robust in its coffee, cocoa and spice. Yes, you heard me correctly...not every Montecristo cigar aged over seven years diminishes in strength. This cigar smoked more like the cigars from the first box that were smoked within five years of its boxing date.

This fifth Montecristo No.2, smoked three months after the fourth, more in line with the other Monte 2s smoked from the box in that it was milder, more replete in softer and sweeter cocoa and chocolate, less robust in coffee terms, had semblances of baking spice in its opening, was 'nutty' in its middle and 'leathery' towards its finale. In-between there was some spice here and there, but overall this eight year-old Montecristo No.2 proved that class within a Habanos cigar doesn't necessarily expire before its 10th year anniversary (or even later). In fact, I have Montecristo No.2s from five different box codes within my humidor/s but I've only reached for Monte 2s from this box since the beginning of 2022 because frankly, they've been smoking so well. The rest are three years of age or less and in my opinion, they can wait.

I mentioned the following in my last review on a Montecristo No.2 from this box, but it's worth referencing again in my view, that it's all very interesting to reflect upon because there are generalisations made concerning the Montecristo marca, whilst, yes; they have validity when it comes to strength, yet when it comes to variance in flavours...well, that's a whole other story. One thing I know, if you have a predilection for Montecristo as a marca, then you most likely have a wide range of tastes when it comes to smoking the different vitolas within this marca. Yet, when they 'hit the mark', so-to-speak, there can almost be no finer example of what can potentially represent the very finest of what Habanos cigars have to offer. I guess that is what makes us all come back to the Montecristo marca time and time again!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo SMA Oct 2018

I had the first Montecristo Petit Edmundo of this SMA Oct 2018 10-count box in October 2022. I had been going through an eight year-old 25-count ESO Sep 2014 box of MPEs of recent times and I must admit that younger MPE was quite brilliant to smoke. That cigar was perhaps a touch under medium, with dark cocoa, milk coffee, leather and vanilla bean notes. It took me a whopping eighty minutes to finish it due to the large volumes of smoke per draw.

The second cigar started off quite mellow in its milk coffee, cocoa and cream texture and I initially thought that it would remain that way throughout the smoke. However, halfway through the first third the cigar 'ramped up' in strength, with subsequent dominant notes of dark cocoa and leather. Again, there was a tremendous volume of smoke per draw so there was plenty of flavour on my palate after every puff and I didn't have to draw as often to savour the cigar.

I finished that cigar after a barely believable ninety minutes, which is a long time for a cigar of this size. I did enjoy that MPE, but it was very different to the ESO Sep 2014 box I've been smoking in the recent past. The difference is quite stark and quite remarkable, yet I'm glad I have both varieties of Montecristo Petit Edmundos in my humidor.

That second Montecristo Petit Edmundo was smoked in November last year, so this third one was smoked around eight months later. Unfortunately, this MPE opened with burn issues and subsequently it started to wilt outwards in its ashing. I must admit, it's not something one sees often, but it did mean that it was caused by some under-filling in the foot. This in itself is less common than the under-filling occurring more towards the centre of the cigar, whereas an over-filled cigar which results in a tight draw will usually have that particular construction problem around the band. Surprisingly, yet thankfully, the problem corrected itself somewhere toward the end of the first third. The flavours were a little harsher; more rustic in that first third but afterwards I did enjoy a cigar that was rich in cocoa, milk coffee and leather notes. Indeed it was quite scrumptious towards the middle-to-end; it's just a pity about the beginning!

After finishing this cigar, I reflected upon the current predicament of Habanos S.A. in regard to production and quality in light of the impact of a decrease in labour and material resources in the last year or so. I pondered why Habanos cigars have construction issues like this but why Non-Cuban cigars rarely do. I figured that being a monopoly doesn't aid the situation; rather, the competition evident in Non-Cuban Cigar companies affords an accountability to produce quality product to stay in business or otherwise perish, financially-speaking. I can imagine the same scenario existed pre-Revolution in Cuba in the period prior to the 1950s. Oh...how I would love a semblance of competition to enter the Habanos cigar industry again. I hope we are closer to such a hypothetical outcome than we are further away!