JohnS' Smoking Diary 2024

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas EML May 2014

I know that I had a Por Larranaga Petit Coronas just a few weeks ago, but I think my curiosity got the better of me. Will I get a PLPC from this box that is laden in caramel?

This is the sixth cigar from this 50-count box. (Obviously...as Por Larranaga Petit Coronas only come in 50-count packaging, paradoxically. They were once available in a 25-count option, but this was discontinued around 2002.) Much like my fifth cigar from this box, smoked only a few weeks ago (as I mentioned), it began with gorgeous notes of caramel. In the middle third, it settled into a mix of caramel, coffee and wood. From the last third onwards it was more 'woody', like oak, much like my last three PLPCs smoked in the last six months.

This PLPC was less 'toasty' in its texture on the palate, but still easy to smoke, whereas my third PLPC was heavier on the tongue; and especially so in the back half. However, unlike my fourth PLPC, the construction here was on-point because it did not necessitate any re-lights.

In summary, I would say that this Por Larranaga Petit Coronas was every bit as exemplary as my first one from the box and better than my last cigar from this box because it had notes of caramel, which kept me interested whilst smoking it over 70 minutes. I can't say if and/or when this box will develop so that the cigars are pre-dominant in caramel, but at least the signs are there. I think I will leave things there and re-visit this box down the track to allow it to develop further.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 UTL Jul 2019

This was my tenth Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 from a 5x3 cardboard pack I acquired in late 2020. This means that I've gone through two-thirds of its contents in four years. I smoked the first four HdM Epi 2s within six months but the fifth was smoked twelve months later. The sixth one was smoked three months after the fifth one. The seventh one was smoked two months later and the eighth one six months after that. This ninth one was smoked five months after I smoked the eighth one. This tenth one today was smoked fourteen months after the last one. After smoking now through sixty-seven percent of the content of this cardboard pack, I'm confident that the question of aging in cardboard packaging will be but a moot point as eight of the ten cigars thus far smoked have been great to excellent, and the other two were serviceably fine.

Like my last HdM Epi 2, the draw here was fine. The cigar started off with a light milk cocoa, cedar and creamy texture. In the first two-thirds there was some malt and vanilla sweetness on the edges which I found quite agreeable to my palate. From the end of the second third, I did get a touch of spice and the cigar was more 'woody' in the last third, but overall this Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 smoked as well as I could hope for. It was quite satisfying. Yes, very!

All my HdM Epi 2s from this box code have been light in strength. The fifth one had quite a lot of flavour to it and the smoke per puff was quite voluminous. It took me an unbelievable two hours to smoke. By contrast, the next two HdM Epi 2s took me a more standard 70 minutes to smoke. This one took about 65 minutes. It's interesting how one can get such a variance in smoking time from the same vitola!

I now only have five sticks of these UTL Jul 2019 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 left in my humidor. As I've said, these have been quite satisfying overall, so far. It's nice when you have a box of Habanos cigars and they prove to be consistently reliable. I don't need to tell you that it's less common than what one would like!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Wide Edmundo UBL Mar 2024

The Montecristo Wide Edmundo is the fourth instalment in the Edmundo line after the Edmundo (2004), Petit Edmundo (2006) and Double Edmundo (2013). It was announced in 2021 and released in October 2022 at a premiere party at the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain. The cigar is packaged in a semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars, a semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars and a display box of 15 aluminium tubed cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 3. At the time of writing this review, those Montecristo Wide Edmundo tubos are yet to see the 'light of day'. In any case, this UBL Mar 2024 Monte Wide Edmundo is the second one I've had from this 10-count box I acquired and it was smoked about four months after I had my initial one ROTT (Right-off-the-truck).

With a 54 ring gauge and a 4⅞ inch (or 125 millimetres) length, the Montecristo Wide Edmundo has a unique vitola called a Duke No.3. (Although, I distinctly remember that the Trinidad Topes Limited Edition and regular production release are close in size to the Monte Wide Edmundo, with an identical length but with a ring gauge slightly larger - that is, 56 rg.)

Last time, I punch cut the large head with my Credo 3-in-1 punch cutter, but this time I used my straight cutter. The cigar opened with soft cocoa and cream texture, along with hints of Cointreau, vanilla and nuttiness. As the cigar progressed through the first third it was joined by some citrus twang, but was not as woody and/or 'Earthy' as my first one from the box (at this point of the cigar). The draw had a slight element of resistance, which is ideal for a Habanos cigar and the cigar's complexity was evident from how it smoked in the first third.

Once again, there was plenty of smoke per puff with a solid, consistent ash, reflecting an impeccable construction. The first third had a strength at a medium-light level, without any harshness that you can be found sometimes in youthful cigars.

In the second third, the cigar evolved and settled into a combination of coffee, leather, fruit and spice, similarly to last time. This cigar is a slight departure from Montecristo cigars, in my opinion, in its complex mix of flavours. Think of the cedar of a Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill with the pepper and fruit of a Partagas Serie P No.2, and you'll get close to what I was blissfully smoking in this Montecristo Wide Edmundo today.

At the halfway point, the burn was on-point, but the strength developed more potency than your typical Montecristo cigar.

In the final third of the cigar, the strength slightly increased, naturally. Towards the end, the dominant flavours of nuts, wood and leather remained. Perhaps you could add that there was an 'Earthiness' too. As the cigar reached its nub and was burning my fingertips, it was obvious that this was an excellent smoke. The construction was flawless, with a perfect draw and burn. The cigar had a consistent flavour profile from beginning to end.

My conclusion on the Montecristo Wide Edmundo remains the same. It is a highly satisfying Habanos cigar that offers a rich flavour profile that stays faithful to the Montecristo marca, while incorporating other Cuban flavours found in other marcas. The experience is like a fat robusto with Montecristo flavors, making it a nice alternative to cigars like the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills or the H Upmann 54.

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art

The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art was ranked no.6 in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 cigars of the year in 2018. It's difficult to roll, yet Arturo Fuente still finds a way to maintain consistency in construction with these perfecto-shaped cigars. The Cameroon wrapper indeed imparts a wonderful sweetness to the blend and the shape of the cigar induces fantastic transitions on the palate.

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

I smoked quite a number of the AF Hemingway Work of Art cigars in 2022, especially during my Christmas/New Year vacation period which I didn't necessarily smoke to review. Instead, I smoked them quite simply for enjoyment. Having said this, I only smoked two in 2023 and now this is my third one in 2024.

Once again, the opening was sweet, yet less sweet than my previous forays into this cigar. This time around it was like a mixture of white chocolate, sweet shortbread and hay in the first third. (Six months ago I got some honey in the first third. Not so this time.) Thereafter, the cigar settled into its usual pattern. There was cedar, some shortbread and hay in the middle third, which saw the addition of some white pepper dominate in the last third. The journey this cigar took from the first third onwards reflected much the same course that my previous two Arturo Hemingway Works of Art took this year.

In summary, I've smoked enough Arturo Fuente Hemingway Series cigars, and more so since Habanos S.A.'s price re-structure in mid-2022, to warrant a guarantee that these cigars have become a welcome feature of my humidor. They'll continue to do so well into the future, no matter what that same future brings in store for Habanos S.A.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse ART Feb 2022

The El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse can be such a delightful little flavour bomb on the proviso that they have decent construction. By that I mean whether they are rolled correctly or not. My previous box of MLU Dic 2018 ERdM Demi Tasses had far too many samples with construction issues for my liking. I have an older SGA Sep 2016 box which has been much better; alas, I've only smoked five of them, with only two of them smoked in the last five-and-a-half years. This ART Feb 2022 ERdM Demi Tasse was the first one smoked from a recently acquired box.

Thankfully, much like my last ERdM Demi Tasse smoked one year ago, this entreactos cigar was rolled well; I didn't need to re-light it once, it wasn't under-filled, it didn't burn harshly and it had a good ash-length throughout. Whereas my previous aged SGA Sep 2016 ERdM Demi Tasse had a usual lemon citrus combining with a core fruit and shortbread profile, some floral and honey notes; this much younger ART Feb 2022 ERdM Demi Tasse was quite different. It was more 'fruity', with much less shortbread and honey and no floral notes that are more likely to be associated with El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse cigars that are aged.

So, considering that SGA Sep 2016 ERdM Demi Tasse is now eight years of years of age, and is coming in to its 'peak period', (if you aren't sure what that term means, simply put, it signifies that period of time whereby a box of cigars is assumed to be smoking at its best) this ART Feb 2022 ERdM Demi Tasse was no less satisfying over thirty-five minutes of smoking time.

Yes, indeed I can be well-pleased that this ErdM Demi Tasse today smoked every bit as well as my last one from my SGA Sep 2016 box. It was a nice change-of-pace from usual fare of Habanos cigars that I normally smoke within this blog series.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 PGM Ago 2022

When it comes to the Montecristo No.2, in my experience, it varies more than other Habanos cigars, in my view, in their wrapper shades, their construction quality, their dominant flavour characteristics that you want to smoke one on occasion, just in case you 'land on' a superlative example. It's worth noting that since the re-structure of Habanos S.A.'s regular production catalogue in mid-2022, both in terms of an increase in pricing and decrease in supply, cigars such as the Montecristo No.2, Partagas Serie D No.4 and to a lesser extent, the Montecristo No.4 have been readily available. It's also worth noting that since mid-2022 both the Partagas Serie D No.4 and Montecristo No.2 have maintained a solid reputation, generally-speaking, for their smoking performance.

Personally, my humidor has five different box codes of varying amounts (around three to six sticks of each now) of Montecristo No.2 so that I can take in and experience the differences one gets in Monte 2s that are dark-wrappered, light-wrappered, young, mid-aged or aged and a combination thereof. Having said this, I have in fact been enamoured with my aged PMS Abr 2015 10-count box of Montecristo No.2s of late; so much so that I have smoked six sticks from this box code since the beginning of 2022. What was the last young Montecristo No.2, therefore, that I smoked? None other than SOR Jun 2020 Montecristo No.2 at the end of 2021! Therefore, I was eager today to see how this post mid-2022 PGM Ago 2022 smoked today (the first from a recently acquired 25-count box), given their recent reputation.

So what are you looking for when you smoke a Montecristo No 2? You may be seeking a strong cocoa/coffee flavour profile, or maybe more leather, nut and /or citrus twang, for example. Perhaps a fuller-bodied cigar or a lighter one? The Montecristo No.2 is the type of cigar that can deliver this variance of outcomes.

This PGM Ago 2022 Montecristo No.2 cigar opened with a gorgeous and luscious creamy cocoa profile that quickly drew me in to its potential quality. It had a deep colorado wrapper shade with plenty of sheen and was was well-balanced in its flavours. Alongside that creamy-textured cocoa, there was also coffee, nut and a hint of citrus twang which reinforced why I keep these in my humidor and why I keep coming back to them, much like the last few times I have smoked this cigar.

I last smoked a SOR Jun 2020 Montecristo No.2 about six months ago and in my review on that cigar I mentioned that I was curious to learn how the Montecristo No.2 has been faring in production since those major changes I mentioned in mid-2022. Now that I have acquired a box to compare, even despite the large price increase since the last time I purchased some, I now lament that nowadays the Montecristo No.2 has become a status symbol amongst Habanos cigars which represents something that the average cigar enthusiast would smoke much less often than prior to mid-2022. What a shame, especially given how superbly this particular specimen smoked today.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.2 TOS Dic 2015

Within this blog series I have smoked through and finished an impressive EML Ago 2014 Diplomaticos No.2 box. This TOS Dic 2015 Diplomaticos No.2, therefore, has waited patiently for nearly eight years to be 'cracked open'. The TOS series of Diplomaticos No.2 in the second half of 2015 and 2016 were well-noted and highly popular with our forum members when they were been produced and available. Within the first twelve to twenty-four months they were known for their simple combinations of flavours; yet, there was a general consensus pertaining to their higher quality. A little over a year ago, I was eager to discover for myself exactly how complex (or simple) and flavoursome they were by smoking the first one from this TOS Dic 2015 box. This, therefore, is the fourth one from the box after the first (and both the second and third) one was so rousing in the positive memories it evoked in me. In other words, it was great cigar that brought back great memories. And I'm sure we all know how that feels.

I find that, in general, Diplomaticos cigars can vary markedly between flavours that are savoury (such as capsicum or bell pepper, paprika spice) and flavours that are sweet (cinnamon, nutmeg). My Dip 2s from my EML Ago 2014 box were more on the savoury side. How was this fourth cigar from this TOS Dic 2015 box, especially since the first was on the savoury side? (However, the second one and the third one were not, exclusively!)

So, yes, this Dip 2 was not as savoury as my initial Dip 2, but it wasn't quite like my last two cigars smoked from this box, either. The cigar opened with sourdough core flavour mixed with some sweet cinnamon and nutmeg. As the cigar progressed into the middle third, that initial sweetness gave way to a dried fruit flavour (i.e. something akin to currants). In the last third, there was a touch of wood and spice evident but honestly, not too much. I wouldn't say that this example of a nine year-old TOS Dic 2015 Diplomaticos No.2 was in anyway comparable to a number of the EML Ago 2014 cigars I smoked immediately prior to opening this box. Those were much more traditional in their capsicum (or bell pepper), toast, paprika spice and wood. Nonetheless, this Diplomaticos No.2 was sensational. It was the type of cigar whereby you lament that you can't smoke anymore of it because you'll burn your fingers.

Like each of the last three times I've smoked this cigar, there was a fair amount of smoke per puff and the cigar packed a heap of flavour. This is important to highlight; after nine years, this cigar has not lost its efficacy in how flavoursome it was. The ash was ideal, as were both the burn and draw.

So, all-in-all, this Diplomaticos No.2 continues to support the adage that a quality cigar has the potential to develop and age well, given that it has been reputable within its early stages of that development. In addition, there is a common predisposition to compare the Diplomaticos No.2 to the Montecristo No.2 among cigar enthusiasts. With these TOS Dic 2015 Diplomaticos No.2 I've smoked since late-2023, that point is definitely 'moot' and does not bear expanding upon at all. They've been quite simply great examples of Diplomaticos No.2s. But if you want to smoke them like this, bear in mind how long it's taken to reach this point, thus far. Nine years rest is a long time, but in my opinion, well worth it.

[JohnS]

Bolívar New Gold Medal 2023 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo ESU May 2023

The Bolivar New Gold Medal is the latest La Casa Del Habano release, coming to market in 2023. It's a Grand Corona with a 48 ring gauge by 6½ inches (or 165 millimetres) length. It is packaged in a peculiar 10-count box complete with a spacer. Why is anyone's guess but at least one can re-use the box for storing any spare Double Coronas they would have in their humidor.

The original Bolivar Gold Medal was an iconic Lonsdale size, the same vitola as the Montecristo No.1 (and with a 42 ring gauge). It was discontinued in 1992. Curiously, it came back as an exclusive release in 2004 for La Casa Del Habano Germany, produced in a run of 1000 boxes. In 2007, it was given a general La Casa Del Habano exclusive release but was later discontinued in 2011. In 2023, a new version was introduced, the New Gold Medal. While it has the same length as its predecessor, it now comes in a larger ring gauge, utilising a Partagas 15 vitola, previously used only for the 2012 special releases Ramon Allones Imperiales.

According to Habanos S.A.'s media release, the Bolívar New Gold Medal is hailed as one of the finest Habanos in the current selection, renowned for its full flavour, strength, and body. Its distinctive Earthy essence is a defining feature, complemented by spicy, fruity, and roasted tobacco notes. The amalgamation of these nuanced flavours has elevated it to the status of a new cult favourite among Habanos enthusiasts. Observations while smoking: Starts off light initially but gradually intensifies. Exhibits the robust strength characteristic of Bolivar cigars. Displays promising potential for aging.

The Bolivar New Gold Medal, with a 48 ring gauge, is distinct from the former Bolivar Gold Medal, having the same length but possessing a thinner 42 ring gauge. As mentioned, the original Bolivar Gold Medal was discontinued in 2011.

This release has quickly become renowned for its elaborate presentation. Apart from the ornate box design, each cigar is housed in a golden foil paper, the well-known Bolivar band and a La Casa del Habano band. In fact, most of the cigar is encased in this covering, necessitating either a full removal of the golden foil paper prior to smoking or carefully tearing around the head to cut the cap. I once again opted to remove the golden foil paper with this cigar today, prior to lighting, as this is the second Bolivar New Gold Medal I'm smoking, three months after the last one.

The first few puffs of this Bolivar New Gold Medal once again affirmed what a truly quality release this is. Full of flavour and yet mild, the opening featured notes of fruitiness, licorice, cappuccino coffee, and leather. There was no spice or pepper; no harshness on the edges at all. The smoke was quite 'rounded' on the palate. It was very similar to my last Bolivar New Gold Medal I smoked in its opening, except that this cigar wasn't as 'Earthy' as that first one in its first third.

In the middle third, the strength increased a touch in intensity, now revealing some Earth, with the leather also becoming more dominant, as is quite typical for a Bolivar cigar. The cappuccino coffee and licorice sweetness continued along nicely too, but towards the end of the second third there was a notable change in how much more 'Earthy' the cigar became.

In the final third, the Earthiness combined with some roasted steak, forest floor, espresso coffee and leather to reveal its classic Bolivar marca roots. These were quite potent and at this point of the cigar I slowed down to properly savour its flavours.

These changes through the thirds suggested that this cigar was quite complex for its youth. For me, it most resembles the blend found in a Bolivar Libertador LCDH, only more refined and more classier. I continue to assert that this is a phenomenal Bolivar release, one that you'll be glad to have in your humidor if you happen to acquire it.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Coronas Junior MSU Jul 2019

The Bolivar Coronas Junior is another minutos (42 ring gauge x 110 mm or 4⅜ inches in length) which, like the Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas, I have found to be very dependable; even more so than the Montecristo No.5 and San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe. In relative comparison within the Bolivar marca, of the four Bolivar vitolas I have sampled in the last four years or so including the Bolivar Tubos No.1, Bolivar Belicosos Finos, Bolivar Petit Corona, I would rate the Bolivar Coronas Junior as perhaps the best (but maybe only just a little better than the others) for how consistent they've been for me.

I've not found my recent BCJs smoked as particularly 'Earthy'. The Earthiness is in this Bolivar Coronas Junior was on the lighter side of things. Along with that were those other core Bolivar flavours that I've consistently found in these: light cocoa, leather, espresso coffee and cedar; however, this time there was a strong note of currants down the centre for at least the first two-thirds. The last third was more typical in its leather, Earth and coffee. This cigar was around medium in body (which was a change from my last BCJ smoked nine months ago which was definitely medium-full in strength) which once again, had plenty of flavour. This particular Bolivar Coronas Junior took me at least sixty-five minutes to smoke.

In summary, this Bolivar Coronas Junior smoked even better than the last few from this box. It seems to me that at this five-and-a-half year mark this box has 'turned a corner'. It was, without doubt, the best Bolivar Coronas Junior cigar I've had thus far. Easily a 94 to 95-point cigar. Yes indeed, it was that brilliant.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Small Club Coronas ETP Mar 2017

The Ramon Allones Small Club Corona is a reputable (42 ring gauge x 110 mm or 4⅜ inches in length) minutos. I think I had around six or seven RASCCs mainly in the second half of 2022, and overall I rated them quite well for their flavours and smoking time. In fact, although I would opine that cigar enthusiasts favour the Montecristo No.5 or San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe more, I find the Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas is quite dependable and varies less in its quality, both construction-wise and flavour-wise. Despite the fact that I had a number of RASCCs in that aforementioned timeframe two years ago, this is only my third one since, for no peculiar reason other than I've had a whole lot of other cigars to peruse in the meantime.

When it comes to the RASCC you are really looking for its typical and distinctive dried fruit flavour, something akin to raisins. When that is present they're ideal. When they are not, I tend to still find them a decent option to smoke when I need a shorter smoke due to time.

This RASCC started off with less woodiness than is typical for its age, yet with some characteristic light cocoa flavour. About one-third of the way into the smoke, the cigar settled down and exhibited leather and that 'raisin-type' sweetness we all know and love. It was truly superb, trust me!

Again, the construction was spot-on here; both the burn and draw. Despite this Ramon Allones Small Club Corona having a touch less strength in comparison to my last few, I still found it flavoursome and fine to smoke. I do wish that there was a Ramon Allones vitola with this blend in a Marevas size, but that's a story for another day.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie P No.2 GEM Ene 2020

I acquired a quarter pack of GEM Ene 2020 Partagas Serie P No.2 in mid 2021 and proceed to smoke half of that acquisition within two months! If you know how to do math, that's three cigars. They were all quite solid in their construction and flavours, consistent in ash, drew and burnt well. At the time I remember having a nice interplay in balance between a mix of savoury and sweet flavours in those particular Partagas Serie P No.2s.

So, why have I only smoked two of Partagas Serie P No.2 from this box code in almost three-and-a-half years? Well, one could say that there's a plethora of reasons. Firstly, I acquired a 10-count of TLE Feb 2022 Partagas Serie P. No.2s in August 2022 and smoked three of them. Secondly, if you've casually perused this blog, I have smoked a wide array of other cigars in the meantime.

Amongst Piramide cigars, you would have to say that the Montecristo No.2 and Diplomaticos No.2 have the most following, with the latter of these two more so amongst cigar aficionados. The Partagas Serie P No.2 and H.Upmann No.2 would be in the next tier of following, if we were to categorise in terms of sales, in my view, with the Cohiba Piramides Extra and Vegas Robaina Unicos enjoying the least appeal. So, in terms of Piramides, the Montecristo No.2 would stand out by far, one would think, whilst the Cohiba Piramides Extra negates more of a following on account of its cost and competition from alternative choices within the Cohiba marca. The Vegas Robaina Unicos might not garner more publicity due to Vegas Robaina being a minor brand within the Habanos catalogue. I wonder why, therefore, does the Partagas Serie P No.2 and H.Upmann No.2 not have more of a following, in general? Maybe it's simply a case of the fact that there are other more high profile cigars within the Partagas and H.Upmann marcas.

Amongst enthusiasts, the H.Upmann No.2 and the Partagas P2 do receive positive appraisal. The Partagas Serie P No.2 does stand out in within its marca due to its flavour profile. For me, the P2 emphasises a strong milky coffee base more and the sourdough is not its core feature. El Presidente has described them as having a milk coffee, raisins and salted nuts profile. I would concur that this description is a wonderful parameter or guide to help us understand as to what tasting notes an average Partagas P2 has to offer.

As for this Partagas P2 I smoked today, I can attest that whereas the last one was a solid 88 to 89-point cigar, this one I would have to mark higher, easily 92 to 93 points. This time around the savoury flavours of salted peanuts were not as dominant as the sweet flavours of chocolate hazelnut (think Nutella), salted caramel and dried fruits. There was still some milk coffee in the blend, but not really any sourdough bread.

Thus, in conclusion, at just short of five years of age this Partagas Serie P No.2 was better balanced, and indeed overall, than my last one I smoked at the beginning of 2024. It was also the last one from this quarter pack acquisition (as I gifted one, hence explaining why this was the fourth one smoked). At least I have a box of TLE Feb 2022 to keep me occupied in the meantime.

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Unicos EPO Mar 2022

Vegas Robaina is a marca that admittedly doesn't enjoy a notable profile, is unlikely to be in your 'go-to' rotation and like the other brands ironically re-classified in the last few years by Habanos S.A. as "other brands", and has had a few regular production vitolas deleted since its inception as a brand in 1997. It was named after the famous Cuban tobacco grower, Alejandro Robaina, whom the Cuban Government decided to honour as the pre-eminent tobacco grower in Cuba in the 90's by naming a marca after him. A little over 25 years later there is only the Piramides-shaped vitola, the Unicos (52 ring gauge x 156 mm or 6.1 inches) and the Hermosos No.4, the Famosos (48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches) left. Like many other Lonsdales, Coronas and Double Coronas in the last 15 to 20 years, the Clásicos, the Familiar and the Don Alejandro have since been discontinued.

In terms of special releases, Vegas Robaina hasn't had one since 2014, but in the seven years prior it did see eight Regional Editions released. There were also five unique special releases in the ensuing years since the advent of the marca, including a Cuba-only 83rd Anniversary Humidor to commemorate Alejandro Robaina's birthday and an ornate 5th Anniversary Humidor of 100 cigars consisting of 20 x Clasicos (42 rg x 165 mm or 6½ inches in length Lonsdales), 20 x Don Alejandro (49 rg x 194 mm or 7⅝ inches in length Double Coronas), 20 x Famosos (48 rg x 127 mm or 5 inches in length Hermosos No.4s), 20 x Maestros (50 rg x 141 mm or 5½ inches in length Gorditos) and 20 x Unicos (52 rg x 156 mm or 6⅛ inches in length Piramides). This Vegas Robaina 5th Anniversary Humidor was universally lauded upon release in 2003 as containing the very best Vegas Robaina cigars ever produced. After smoking a 20 year-old example of the Vegas Robaina Unicos from this special release humidor around eighteen months ago, I can attest that this is not an understatement.

Today's Vegas Robaina Unicos was the second one I had from a EPO Mar 2022 10-count singles acquisition I made due to the fact that my Vegas Robaina stock was starting to get a little low in my humidor. Then again, with only two regular production cigars left; the VR Famosos and VR Unicos, and given that I haven't had any Unicos stock in my humidor before, that's no surprise really. In fact, I can't recall the last time I had a Vegas Robaina Unicos prior to the first one I had from this box about six months ago. It would have certainly been before Cuban Cigar Website had an inventory system in the mid-2010s.

The cold draw again revealed a deep-scented barnyard aroma which serenaded the senses, like the first one I smoked from this box. Put simply, it made you want to light up the cigar and smoke it, which I preceded to do, of course. The first third revealed a very light chocolate and coffee core flavour, in fact, much lighter than last time. Again, I wouldn't say that the chocolate was luscious or sweet, nor would I say that the coffee was bitter and bold. Rather, they were more in the background, as there was herbal component to this cigar which started to come to the fore by the end of the first third and the beginning of the middle third.

By the middle third, this herbal quality was easily evident; but whereas last time the other flavours ceded to this core 'grassy' or herbal flavour, this time alongside the aforementioned chocolate and coffee I did get some wonderful notes of oak and dates or prunes. I know, it doesn't sound like a combination of flavours one expects in a Habanos cigar or even amongst the other Habanos piramides releases such as the Diplomaticos No.2, the H.Upmann No.2 and the Montecristo No.2, but these flavours are very much characteristic of the Vegas Robaina marca, trust me.

In the final third, the 'oakiness' and herbal qualities of the cigar did not overconsume the overall blend. Instead, those luscious, deep and resonant flavours continued and made this Vegas Robaina Unicos a superlative cigar-smoking experience.

So what can we conclude, then? In essence, Vegas Robaina is a marca that can shine brightly, whilst also having its dimmer moments. Then again, could we say the same about a greater number of Montecristo vitolas? Perhaps we can, and furthermore, maybe we can surmise that these Habanos marcas that have core cocoa, coffee and/or chocolate flavours really need to be balanced to be at their best like it thankfully was today.

[JohnS]

These are my final entries for this blog this year. Again, I would like to extend my gratitude to all our members who peruse this blog series. I hope it has served you well.

The next year's Smoking Blog Series will be my last. I have enjoyed providing information on my cigar inventory over the last six years, however; of late I feel that the need to provide an update on a cigar that I smoke 4 to 6 times a year (such as the San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe) with minimal development throughout at that time is not as valuable or pertinent in comparison to writing about a cigar that has developed more significantly and changed in relation to what I've smoked before in the series. For that reason, there will be much less content in next year's series.

Furthermore, the time and effort required to maintain a quality standard has become harder for me as I age, as has trying not to repeat myself or safeguard my objectivity. (In other words, ward off any bias in my writing to preserve a decorum of critical expression.)

So, onward to 2025 and the seventh and final year of this blog!

Until we meet again, I wish you all a Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you again after taking a customary break for my summer holidays. In the meantime...happy smoking!

[99call]

On 12/29/2024 at 9:36 AM, JohnS said:

These are my final entries for this blog this year. Again, I would like to extend my gratitude to all our members who peruse this blog series. I hope it has served you well.

Massive congrats and thank you John. Always and invaluable guiding light. 

We will be lucky to have this for one more year, and it will be sorely missed when gone.

It will be incredibly valuable in giving a highly accurate and thorough reflection of what has been an incredibly revolutionary period for Cuban Cigars. Strangely, since 1999-2002, you couldn't have picked a more interesting period to cover if you tried.     

I take my hat off to you!  

[joeypots]

Many thanks, John. The reviews are a favorite part of the forum and yours are terrific.

HNY.

 

[JohnS]

Thank you kindly, @99call and @joeypots!

[Odessa]

Thank you so much John for your reviews! Happy New Year!

[Glass Half Full]

“Here! Here!” to all expressions of gratitude for your incredible reviews John! 
You add to our knowledge and appreciation with every entry. 
Thank you!

[JohnS]

Thank you @Odessa and @Glass Half Full!

[KCCubano]

I dont buy it @JohnS. Just like a coach needs to coach I think you will be unhappy when its over! You will be back at it! 

[JohnS]

Haha...thank you @KCCubano! 😂

[eaglebear29]

This is amazing, I wish I found this sooner when I started here on FOH. I stumbled upon them with @TacoSauce ‘s mention of you at the beginning of his review journey after reading through all his backwards😆. You both have a unique style. Great insight, I love the reviews. Going to be a lot of reading for me, I’m excited! Thank you for these!  

[JohnS]

Thank you @eaglebear29, you're too kind! 

[Chas.Alpha]

20 hours ago, eaglebear29 said:

This is amazing, I wish I found this sooner when I started here on FOH. I stumbled upon them with @TacoSauce ‘s mention of you at the beginning of his review journey after reading through all his backwards😆. You both have a unique style. Great insight, I love the reviews. Going to be a lot of reading for me, I’m excited! Thank you for these!  

I usually give John’s smoking diary about six months, then I go on a binge-reading!

[Chibearsv]

Thank you John for another great year of reviews. Terrific as always.