JohnS' Smoking Diary 2024

[JohnS]

Punch Punch Circa 2009

I'd like to acknowledge @jay8354 for gifting me this cigar to review. You see, it's not often that I get the chance to smoke an aged Punch Punch that is around fifteen years old. They are quite different from Punch Punch that is less than five years old, in my opinion, which represents the majority of Punch Punch I've smoked. I'd mentioned in my previous review on this cigar that when the Punch Punch 50 cab packaging was discontinued in 2017 I managed to acquire a 2016 box which I hope to smoke from in the near future. We'll see as to exactly when.

The opening was a mixture of cream and sweet Cuban 'twang', perhaps some leather. This is exactly how you want your aged Punch Punch. If you happen to have an aged box of these, and they open like this, you would be 'hard-pressed' not to smoke them one after the other! The last time I smoke a cigar of this vintage, those typical Punch flavours of cedar and leather 'kicked in' at some point in the first third. This time, it was at some point in the middle third. Things remained much the same until the cigar's conclusion. There wasn't any spice to be had here either.

The flavours were not complex; rather, they were somewhat straightforward. I suppose after fifteen years the flavours have diminished in intensity and blended within each other. So therefore, this cigar has well and truly 'evened' out over time. This didn't detract whatsoever from how good a cigar this was though; again, much like the last time I smoked a Punch Punch cigar of this vintage.

If I was to consider, though, what I'd prefer in terms of aging when it comes to the Punch Punch I would have to honestly answer that I don't have a preference either way. The fact remains that I value equally the exemplary examples of Punch Punch I've had over the years, both young and old. That's only because I've had my fair share of great Punch Punch under five years old too.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro TUA Dic 2020

The introduction of the new regular production additions to the Quai d'Orsay marca in late 2017, the Nos. 50 and 54, somewhat shaded the reputation of the aptly-named Coronas-sized (i.e. 42 ring gauge x 142 mm or 5⅝ inches in length) Coronas Claro for awhile thereafter. This is my eighth one that I've smoked from this box, around twelve months after my seventh one, and again I felt that it was of the equal in smoking quality to the halcyon days of the Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 in late 2017, 2018 and early 2019.

I stated in my previous reviews on the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro that the one characteristic common to the very best Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 I've enjoyed in the past few years has been without a doubt a rich egg-and-butter brioche pastry texture. Other flavours of note include: quality hay, cedar, cream, ginger or cinnamon spice and toffee. When these Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 have not been on-point it was usually due to the cigar being unbalanced, often with flavours of oak wood and/or spice dominating and detracting from those sweeter cake-type aforementioned flavours.

This Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro was consistent with how I've found the blend in this marca in the last five years, due to its core rich egg-and-butter brioche pastry texture throughout it. It was light in strength but body-wise it was quite flavoursome because along with the egg-and-butter brioche pastry it also had a some hay and lemon citrus, along with an 'oakiness' that gradually became more intense from the end of the middle third onwards. In summary, it was every bit as wholesome in its flavours as the last QdO Coronas Claro I had twelve months ago and it smoked in much a similar way too.

Construction-wise, this thankfully was not under-filled like some of my last Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claros and so it smoked well from beginning to end. Yes, it seems to me that the days of the QdO Coronas Claro being a light, floral smoke are in the past now. Those were the times where one could get a bland smoke or two out of the box (if not more). I don't think one could say that's the case nowadays, and it certainly has not been the case of any cigars from this box so far.

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No.1 TUE May 2020

When the Partagas Maduro No.1 is 'on', the cocoa and/or coffee flavours seem to stay in perfect balance and don't overwhelm or detract from the other wonderful flavours. These other flavours include sourdough, leather, a touch of cream, hay and distinctive flavours such as anise and sour cherry. Together with the light cocoa, none of these flavours seem to dominate the other; they just work together perfectly.

I've had a few of these now; around half a box, since I acquired a box in 2020 but I haven't had one in almost two years and four months. In fact, I only had one in 2022, and before that, only two in 2021. I suppose having a myriad of other Habanos cigars, as well as having a box of Partagas Maduro No.2 and Partagas Maduro No.3 boxes no doubt influenced that outcome.

In the two reviews I wrote on this cigar in 2021, I noted that for one of them, when the Partagas Maduro No.1 was smoking well it was like a quality Partagas Serie E No.2 with a maduro wrapper. On the other hand, the other one was unbalanced and it was like a conglomeration of simple cocoa or chocolate, coffee and pepper which I admittingly don't care for that much in Partagas. I did get some other interesting flavours in the middle of that cigar such as sourdough, anise and sour cherry but overall I smoked the cigar reflecting on better days.

So honestly, as the Partagas Maduro line of cigars haven't exactly 'shone' for me overall, I was very content to find that this particular TUE May 2020 Partagas Maduro No.1 once again shone in its balance of sourdough, leather, hay, anise and sour cherry. Together with the light cocoa, none of these flavours dominated the other; they just worked together perfectly. So, in other words, it had an assortment of flavours, yet it was simply good and easy to smoke. The construction was pin-point too.

I enjoyed this cigar overall but I wonder how the Partagas Maduro No.2 and Partagas Maduro No.3 will perform by comparison as I plan on smoking them soon. I'm not expecting them to smoke as well as this Partagas Maduro No.1 today, 'truth-be-told', but you never know. We'll see!

[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 on this cigar, which makes a deeper v-cut in cigars than typical V-Cutters.

As I've mentioned previously in regards to the Partagas Maduro line, in my opinion, they differ from other standard Partagas cigars. 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.

This was the tenth 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?

Unlike my last few Partagas Maduro No.2s I had from this box, which I found had naturally diminished in strength a little and had evidence of melding in their flavours, this had anise and sour cherry on the edges,  chocolate aplenty, but very little in the way of charred wood and coffee. This time, I was okay with how balanced these flavours were and how this Party Maduro No.2 was developing; however, I did encounter some bunched leaves at the midway point which subsequently caused a notable uneven burn. I know what you're thinking in reading this: "annoying" and trust me, it was.

I think I'll give this another twelve months or so to see what the next stage of development here is. After all, the last time I smoked this cigar was twelve months ago and that cigar bordered on the edges of acridity on account of how how much smoke I drew per puff and how dominant it was in charred wood. This was mainly more evident in the middle third, by the final third the cigar had settled. This time, this cigar was much more settled overall, despite its construction issues.

In regards to smoking time, normally I would give myself around 60 to 65 minutes for the Partagas Maduro No.2. This one once again took me about that time to finish.

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No.3 TUE Mar 2021

The Partagas Maduro No.3 was added along with the Partagas Maduro No.2 in 2018 to form the Linea Maduro with the Partagas Maduro No.1 introduced in 2015. It is a unique Maduro No.3 size with a 50 ring gauge by 145 mm (or 5¾ inches) length. This was my eighth Partagas Maduro No.3 from the box. I smoked my first three within three months of acquiring this box, waited ten months to have my fourth and a further five months after that to have my fifth one. That particular cigar (i.e. the fifth one from the box) was downright awful so I waited almost a year before re-visiting it. I figured that I couldn't possibly encounter two in a row that would be so poorly constructed and thankfully that turned out to be prudent. Fast forward almost a year and this is my eighth cigar I'm smoking today. My seventh was smoked around six months ago. It struggled to stay alight, so I didn't rate it that highly either.

Within the Partagas Linea Maduro (as it's called) I've had Partagas Maduro No.1s the most and in my view, the Partagas Maduro No.1 has been a refined cocoa, chocolate, coffee, anise and sour cherry smoke according to my palate, in general. I wouldn't categorise it as a classic Partagas-flavoured cigar, nor a complex cigar. Perhaps this last point is pertinent as a number of our forum members haven't exactly connected with this series for these reasons. I mean, think about it, when you think of the Partagas marca do you even think about the Linea Maduro? Perhaps one could label the Linea Maduro series the 'Un-Partagas Partagas' line?

Personally speaking, I haven't exactly been overly keen to re-visit this line (either the Maduro No.1, No.2 or No.3) because my last few have been somewhat inconsistent. I effectively forced myself to do it, at the present time, for the sake of finding out if they've developed. So, I've had a Partagas Maduro No.1, Partagas Maduro No.2 and Partagas Maduro No.3 in the space of a week. Thankfully, the Partagas Maduro No.1 had no construction issues. I couldn't say the same for the Partagas Maduro No.2 and Partagas Maduro No.3.

This Partagas Maduro No.3 started off really well, with less body or fullness of flavour than the Partagas Maduro No.1s I've smoked, but those flavours were great. Again, it was a basic combination of cocoa/chocolate, sourdough, sour cherry and coffee. I especially enjoyed the sour cherry and 'bready' notes. It didn't take long for me to encounter problems, though. In the first third, one-half of the wrapper refused to burn. The culprit? You guessed it...bunched leaves! As we progressed to the middle third the cigar burnt inconsistently and bitterly on account of some under-filling. In the last third the wrapper unravelled.

In summary, this was the worst Partagas Maduro No.3 from this box I've smoked yet, and that's saying something! I've smoked through one-third of this box and 50% of those cigars were actually very good. The other 50%? Merely average to reprehensible. I can't get too upset about it as that serves no purpose. After all, I'm fortunate to have plenty of other options when it comes to cigar smoking to keep me occupied.

[JohnS]

Rafael González Coronas de Lonsdales SUL Jul 2023

The Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales was presented by Habanos S.A exclusively in Portugal in mid-February, 2023. Empor, S.A, exclusive distributor of Habanos, S.A. for Portugal, launched the new vitola Rafael González Coronas de Lonsdales (and also the new Regional Edition for its market, El Rey del Mundo Templários) at the Habanos Gala Dinner Portugal.

According to Habanos S.A.'s official press release, the guests were able to get to know and taste the new Rafael González Coronas de Lonsdales 48 ring gauge x and 127mm (or 5 inches) length at first-hand, characterized by their soft flavour, and made “Totally Handmade with long filler” after a careful selection of leaves coming from the Vuelta Abajo region, the area where the world’s best tobacco is produced, paired with an extraordinary port wine, Sandeman Tawny 30 years old, of Sogrape S.A.

They added further in the press release that 2022 was marked for being the year when the brand Rafael González stepped into the worldwide market with a new image. Its packaging complies with the requirements of the European Union and is presented with a redesigned band and has significant improvements in its printing technology, resulting in accurate colour shades allowing for a more proficient view of the graphic details.

The official tasting notes for the event are below:

Tasting notes

Brand: Rafael González

Commercial Name: Coronas de Lonsdales

Measures: 48 ring gauge x 127mm length

Strength: Light

Wrapper: oily with a delicious aroma

First third: balanced, subtle and delicate expressions, with a perfect draw and combustion

Second third: with a very uniform progress, grassy and dark chocolate notes greatly balanced with medium tobacco taste

Third third: nice draw and tight ash, and enticing aroma, chocolate was definitely in there

Pairing proposal: Sandeman Tawny 30 years old

Source: https://www.habanos.com/en/news/habanos-s-a-presented-rafael-gonzalez-coronas-de-lonsdales-exclusively-in-portugal/

It's interesting that Habanos S.A. chose to launch the Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales alongside the Portuguese Regional Edition El Rey del Mundo Templários. You see, this is an indirect reference to these two brands' shared history. Rafael Gonzalez was founded in 1928 and named after its founder, but it did cease production post-Revolution in the early-1960s. According to Alex Groom in his recently published, El Habano Moderno, in 1965, Rafael Gonzalez was re-launched alongside El Rey del Mundo and was considered a sister brand of that marca. Both were high end luxury brands. I can't help but feel that Habanos S.A. is implying that with these releases, they are intended as an homage to those halycon days of luxury.

As for the name of the cigar itself; yes, I admit that it is strange. I mean, 'Coronas de Lonsdales'? Is it a Coronas or is it a Lonsdales? Is it named after the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Lowther, who gave the vitola its name? Is it a reference to the fact that the Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales is a Hermosos No.4 and its common name is a 'Coronas Extra'? No, quite simply, I believe the name of this new addition to the Rafael Gonzalez marca is a reference to the discontinued, in the 1970s, Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Lonsdales which had a similar length but was 4 ring gauge sizes smaller in girth. (I.e. 44 rg instead of 48 rg)

I acquired a 10-count box of mid-2023 Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales at the end of 2023 and the first one was under-filled down the middle, so there were times when the smoke was simply acrid on my palate and was too intense in smoke output. In brief, it was terrible!

I smoked the second one from this 10-count box three months later and it showed signs that it belonged to the Rafael Gonzalez marca, with its blend of cocoa, Earth, leather. There wasn't really that much in the way of floral notes. Again, I surmised that it was perhaps slightly bolder and less subtle than a Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas.

Fast forward to the present time, seven months down-the-track, and this third one from the box again opened with similar flavours. Along the way, I found some inconsistent burns that required some touch-ups. The cigar also became a little spicy in the back half. Overall, for me, this RG Coronas de Lonsdales was okay, perhaps inoffensive in its blend, but it was not inspiring or indispensable to my smoking regimen, In other words, this is not the type of cigar I would add to my 'rotation'.

As I said in my second review on this cigar, in my opinion, this new cigar is like what the Montecristo Petit Edmundo is in comparison to a Montecristo No.4 or in comparison to its marca, if you know what I mean (and I'm quite confident that I think you do).

Unfortunately, overall (and just like the second cigar) I didn't find this third example of a Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales all that appealing. It was relatively innocuous, but I've had too many quality RG Petit Coronas and Perlas over the years to seek out this particular vitola and smoke it when it's like this. Perhaps I will let it settle further before re-visiting it.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe LGR Jun 2018

This is my tenth SCdLH El Principe from this box since opening it two-and-a-half years 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: one each from my TOS Jun 2016, LGR Jun 2019 and BRM May 2022 boxes which were all great to excellent.

My last San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe from this LGR Jun 2018 box was outright terrible. It started off with a burn issue which I had to correct due to bunched leaves, and was bitter throughout. Somehow I persevered in to the last third but honestly, I shouldn't have bothered. Sadly, I would say that it was quite possibly the worst San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe I've ever smoked, and that's saying something, on account of how many I've smoked over the years. (Incidentally, my Cuban Cigar Website Smoking Diary puts that number at seventy since early 2017, when the site came back up on-line after its data loss in 2016.)

By contrast, this San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe started off with that beautiful pancake-texture again. This time the middle was more coffee and molasses. The last third continued to be more dominant in cocoa until the halfway point of the final third saw the cigar pick up a touch of spice. Simply put, it was a brilliant 'return to form'!

I finished this cigar quite satisfied, especially since I've had a spate of less than satisfactory cigars in the past week. This LGR Jun 2018 San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe was therefore a nice way to finish the week.

[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 around that time 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 2022, and the third one was smoked around eight months later. Unfortunately, that 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.

Fast forward six months and the fourth one proved to be reliable in its construction. It also followed the trend of the first two cigars from this box in its dark cocoa and leather dominant notes, alongside some milk coffee and strong plumes of smoke. Again, that particular Montecristo Petit Edmundo took an incredible ninety minutes to finish. It was a good smoke; however, I have smoked a heap of Montecristo Petit Edmundos over the years and I do prefer them somewhat 'softer' and 'rounder' on the palate.

The fifth one, smoked three-and-a-half months later, again smoked an incredibly long time, around seventy-five minutes. Quite simply, it was the perfect example of a Montecristo Petit Edmundo should be. It smoked well, it was burned well, the ash was ideal and the flavours were on-point. What more could one ask for? In a word...nothing.

This sixth one, smoked some seven months later, shared similarities with the third one in that it was under-filled and it ashed outwards from the foot. Again, this is somewhat peculiar but it meant that the cigar was all dark cocoa, coffee and spice. It wasn't ideal but I persevered through it.

It's a shame, really. I had a phase in the second half of last year whereby I was smoking Montecristo Petit Edmundos regularly, and so I was looking forward to today's cigar. After all, it's been over six months (between Montecristo Petit Edmundos). Oh well, I'll just have to smoke another sometime soon!

[JohnS]

Trinidad Media Luna BSM Nov 2019

The Trinidad Media Luna is a unique Marinas size with a 50 ring gauge x 115mm (or 4½ inch) length. "Media Luna" is the name of the Hostel with an important architectonic value located in the street of the same name in the city of Trinidad, Cuba.

I had five or six Trinidad Media Lunas from this box code in the second half of 2020, one in August 2021, one in October 2022 and one in September 2023. I have not re-visited them since. A number of these were outstanding 90 to 95 point cigars so I was happy to try another today to see how they were coming along.

This Trinidad Media Luna started off with some cake and coffee core flavours which soon settled into a coffee, wood, leather, Earth and salt savoury core in the middle and stayed that way until the end. It was fairly similar to my last Trinidad Media Luna, but the one difference was that there was not a notable buttery texture to this cigar this time, which has been a consistent feature of all the Trinidad Media Lunas I've smoked from this box thus far. In terms of strength, as this box turns five years of age, its quite evident that the cigar has mellowed somewhat more in its 'bite' and is now well-and-truly in its 'settling' or 'melding' period of development.

Even though I believe that this 50th anniversary regular production petit robusto is a quality addition to the Trinidad marca, I now lament its premium price-point. It means that I will now smoke them less often from hereon in to preserve my stock. At least they continue to smoke well and improve as they age.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Esmeralda GEM Nov 2019

The Trinidad Esmeralda is a Dinoras size with a 53 ring gauge x 145mm (or 5¾ inches) length. Initially I thought that the name 'Esmeralda', meaning Emerald in Spanish, was a gemstone reference, but the origin of the name has been included in the internal advisory note which comes with the box. To quote directly, "The charming name of Esmeralda is a reference to one of the famous streets of Trinidad city."

I've written previously that the Esmeralda is one of those cigars that doesn't need any further accolades to assuage one of its virtues, in my opinion. It's simply a quality cigar that, for me, delivers satisfaction time-and-time again. The Esmeralda exemplifies the best qualities of the Trinidad marca because it is so true (to it). It's like the Cohiba Siglo VI of the Trinidad range.

I've now gone through just three-quarters this 12-count box smoked (and with one gifted). Each one I've had has been similarly exquisite in their quality of construction and more importantly, balance of flavours. It's been a little over twelve months since I've last had one, in fact, and this Trinidad Esmeralda did not disappoint any less either in how well it smoked.

Whereas my last Esmeralda had minor construction issues; this time, the construction was faultless. The ash was on-point and the burn was even throughout. After five years the flavours have melded and the strength is definitely now medium-mild, which I find quite agreeable, according to my taste. I would describe the flavours as a diminished coffee, hay, butter and salt combination and they were truly delectable. The retrohale was amongst the smoothest I've encountered in a cigar for quite some time. I nubbed the cigar to my fingers after 100 minutes of smoking pleasure and reflected how even though my last Trinidad Esmeralda was something akin to a 'gastronomical indulgence', this particular Trinidad Esmeralda was the type of cigar that should be reserved only for dignitaries. It was that exemplary.

Now that this Trinidad Esmeralda box has just hit the five-year mark, I'm finding them getting even better in how approachable they are to smoke, in my view. It's a pity, therefore, that the box is almost finished.

[JohnS]

Punch Short de Punch MGL Oct 2020

The Punch Short de Punch is a 2019 release by Habanos S.A. In my opinion, there's nothing 'short' about it. Firstly, its length is only 4 mm (or ⅙ of an inch) shorter than a robusto and secondly, it can take the same amount of time as a robusto to smoke!

This MGL Oct 2020 Punch Short de Punch was the first one from the box that I smoked. Four years may seem a long time to wait to smoke a cigar, but I have had five RAT Nov 2019 Punch Short de Punch cigars in the meantime. Having said this, it has been fourteen months since I had my last Punch Short de Punch, although truthfully it does feel like longer than that.

In regards to flavours, unlike previous Punch Short de Punch cigars I've had, which were all mainly classic Punch...sour cream, leather, cedar and Cuban twang, this cigar was mainly cedar and leather with perhaps a touch of fruit mixed in. The cigar took me only an hour to finish, which was quicker than any of my RAT Nov 2019 Punch Short de Punch I've smoked, but this may have been also been due to the fact that this Punch Short de Punch is entering its fifth year of age and was quite mild in its strength.

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

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza OMHPOΣ 2020 - Edición Regional Chipre - Grecia BRT Sep 2022

The Sancho Panza ΟΜΗΡΟΣ is a Regional Edition Cuban cigar made exclusively for Cyprus and Greece. It measures 120 millimetres in length (or 4¾ inches) by 54 ring gauge. It is a Magnum 54, so named after the H.Upmann 54 release from 2016, which was the first Habanos cigar to sport these dimensions. Together with the the Sancho Panza ΟΜΗΡΟΣ, three other Regional Editions now share this size; the 2020 Saint Luis Rey Pura Vida and La Gloria Cubana Sublimes and the 2021 El Rey del Mundo Templários.

For those of you who aren't familiar with ancient Greek, “ΟΜΗΡΟΣ” translates to Homer in English. This is obviously a reference to the famous poet who authored "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey", two canonical works of ancient Greek literature. (Indeed, one could argue that these epic poems are classics of World literature). Naming this cigar after Homer implies that it's 'legendary', and by that I don't mean the current academic conjecture of whether Homer was blind, if he did actually author both the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" or if the Trojan wars happened in the way they were written. (Incidentally, in ancient times Homer was considered the author of many other famous ancient Greek works, and up until the late 19th century scholars were debating whether the city of Troy in fact existed. Take note, it very much did.) No, before I get carried away and I veer this review 'off-track', this idea of Homer's famous works being legendary to this day insinuates that their importance and influence is far-reaching. So, having said this, is the Sancho Panza ΟΜΗΡΟΣ a potential masterpiece release in the making for its marca, perhaps much as in the same way the Diplomaticos Bushidos was for its brand?

This Sancho Panza Regional Edition was announced in 2020, but the release date was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In October 2022, it was launched by the Phoenicia Trading Company at Nammos, a seaside venue in Limassol on the coast of Cyprus. Phoenicia Trading distribute Habanos cigars in the the Middle East, parts of Europe (Greece, Malta, Cyprus and Ukraine) and most of Africa, 60 countries in all. So think of it as more than just a Greek Regional Edition.

I must acknowledge @loose_axle for making this review possible, as otherwise I wouldn't have had the opportunity to smoke this cigar today and disseminate my views on it. The first third started off really well. Immediately I got some smooth wood, salted caramel, chocolate malt and floral notes but this soon changed within the middle third when the cigar 'ramped up' in its flavours.

In the middle third, that chocolate malt note became more rich and started to dominate the cigar. In the final third, the cigar was all oak and rich chocolate all the way. It took me 75 minutes to smoke through the cigar. In terms of construction, it was somewhat 'flaky' in its ash until the mid-point; thereafter, it ashed well, like a conventional cigar. Like a number of special Habanos releases of late, it was full-flavoured from beginning to end. At no point did it let up in how fulsome it was.

In comparison to a regular production Sancho Panza cigar I would opine that this release was blended to be an 'amplified' representation of the Sancho Panza marca. When I think of aged Sancho Panza cigars for example, I think of how much more milder they are and simpler in their flavours. Nevertheless, I would assert that this is a fine, quality release in terms of blend, with the potential for many, many years of development based on how full-flavoured it was. Just don't expect it to be like a Sancho Panza Non Plus or Belicosos, though.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos PCC 30th 2022 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico BRM Dic 2022

The Diplomaticos PCC 30th was released in January 2023 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Asian distributor, Pacific Cigar Company founded in 1992 by the late Sir David Tang. The cigar was launched at a dinner in late 2022, alongside the 2021 Sancho Panza El Rey. It has a 56 ring gauge x 140 millimetres (or 5½ inches) length, an Aromosos-sized cigar with the same dimensions as a Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco. It has been produced in a  unique production run of 3000 cabinets of 30 cigars each.

The cigar is meant to exude class. In late 2023, Pacific Cigar Company collaborated with the French company, Elie Bleu to produce a limited run of 120 humidors each containing 31 Diplomaticos PCC 30ths, a cutter and lighter from Siglo Accessory and a matching timepiece from Cuervo y Sobrinos. The price for each humidor? A cool $US29,500 (or thereabouts).

I would like to acknowledge @loose_axle for the opportunity to smoke this cigar. I honestly never thought I would (and I was okay with that idea, after all, such is life) but nevertheless, I am grateful.

As I've mentioned in previous reviews within this series on Diplomaticos cigars, I tend to find that they can vary between having sweet blends of cinnamon, vanilla, almond and even strawberries and cream (in some special releases I've sampled) and savoury flavours of wood and capsicum (or bell pepper). This particular Diplomaticos PCC 30th was more on the savoury side in terms of its blend.

Having said this, its flavor profile was subtle yet rich. I got some initial notes of cedar which evolved into a balanced blend of cocoa, coffee, and soft spices. In the middle third, I got some more of that classic capsicum (or bell pepper) flavour to compliment the blend and this continued until the end of the cigar. There was plenty of smoke per puff and plenty of flavour on the finish, which lasted longer on the palate than your regular Habanos cigar. The complexity on show here, for me, provided ample evidence of the intention behind the production of this cigar. In a word, it was made to be exceptional.

I finished the cigar again being thankful for having sampled it and reviewed it. I don't think I have to convince anyone as to its 'class'. The Diplomaticos PCC 30th more than lives up to standard needed to honour the legacy of the Pacific Cigar Company, in my view.

[loose_axle]

Delighted you enjoyed them! Interestingly, I got a lot more sweet than savoury out of my PCC but that's what keeps it interesting 👍

[JohnS]

I would agree. Nonetheless, the Diplomaticos PCC 30th is a great cigar. Thank you again! 👍

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas EML May 2014

The Por Larranaga Petit Coronas is fabled for its potential caramel-laden qualities with age and it's known for having 'bite' (or as is known on our forum colloquially as 'mongrel') when young. But these are generalisations. Not all aged Por Larranaga Petit Coronas are full of caramel, nor are all young versions of this cigar fulsome in body. Having said this thus far, it's when you experience a simply marvellous aged, sweet caramel PLPC that you are 'hooked' with expectation, even anticipation for the next one. The trouble is, the next one may not be as abundant in caramel as you'd like.

By the way, if you ever wonder if your cigar-smoking experience can be tainted by a band that has turned 'green' over time, rest assured, it will not affect the tobacco. Por Larranaga bands can be susceptible to this phenomenon, which is caused by oxidization over time due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

This is the fifth 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.) Unlike my fourth cigar from this box, smoked some three months ago, it began with some notes of caramel alongside some coffee and wood. In the middle third, it settled into a mix of toasted tobacco, coffee and wood, with the caramel present on the edges. From the last third onwards it was quite 'woody', like oak and had periods of some spice on the edges, much like my last two PLPCs smoked in the last five months.

This PLPC was again 'toasty' in its texture on the palate, very easy to smoke and with plenty of smoke per puff, 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 because it had notes of caramel, which kept me interested whilst smoking it over 70 minutes. I can't say whether this box will develop so that the cigars are pre-dominant in caramel, but at least the signs are there.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo RGB Jul 2022

I smoked a downright terrible Montecristo Petit Edmundo from my 10-count SMA Oct 2018 box two-and-a-half weeks ago and so I was eager to re-visit this cigar from one of my other boxes. That was bad essentially because it was under-filled, it ashed all the way almost from the foot outwards, and it was a bitter concoction of dark cocoa, coffee and spice, which I had to persevere through smoking. This particular one come from a full 25-count RGB Jul 2022 box. I smoked the first two from the box, back-to-back within a week, seven months ago. The first one was under-filled (sadly), but the second one was very, very good and I was hoping that this third one today would be reminiscent of the second one in its smoking.

This Monte Petit Edmundo smoked well from the 'get-go'. The ash was consistent, both in length and in its dime-stacked rings and the burn was even throughout. In terms of flavour, these were essentially a simple mix of cocoa, coffee and leather with all three fairly balanced. In essence, it was much like my last one smoked from this box, which I was grateful for.

The cigar was again around medium to medium-full in strength. I was again able to retrohale this through the nose and it wasn't overly spicy there either. I finished the cigar nubbing it to its natural conclusion after sixty-five minutes or so.

I was very happy after I finished this. I again intend to re-visit this box after another six months or thereabouts.

[JohnS]

Punch Double Coronas LOM Jun 2012

I believe this is just my seventh Punch Double Coronas I've had in the last eight years! Having said this, I recently opened a LOM Jun 2012 box of Punch Double Coronas and this is my third one from that box in the last six or seven months. In the meantime, I've smoked a number of regular production Punch Punch, Punch Short de Punch and even Punch 48, but not the Double Coronas. Thankfully, this LOM Jun 2012 dress box of Punch Double Coronas was on hand, which I waited for some time to age prior to smoking one.

Of the four Double Coronas in regular production; the Partagas Lusitanias, Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas, Ramon Allones Gigantes and Punch Double Coronas, I've found that the Punch Double Coronas has been the most difficult to source. It makes me wonder how Habanos S.A. used to produce these in 50 cabs (prior to their discontinuation in this packing format in 2017)! It's not exactly a cigar that our forum members talk about smoking often, over the years, for example.

In regard to its reputation, in comparison to the other Double Coronas, the Punch Double Coronas is generally thought of as being reliable, consistent, complex, well-suited to aging and only just behind the Partagas Lusitanias in relation to its ranking, in order of preference. Some experienced cigar enthusiasts on our forum, on the other hand, in fact put it ahead of the Lusitanias. Apparently, the late former head of Pacific Cigar Company, Sir David Tang, who passed away in 2017, was said to smoke through 6 to 7 Punch Double Coronas a day during work. I'm not sure exactly of the veracity of this story. It certainly sounds apocryphal. Then again, there may be some truth to it as PCC brought out the special release Punch 'Sir David Tang' in a Pacos size (i.e. half an inch or around 13 millimetres shorter than a regular production Double Coronas, but with the same 49 ring gauge) in 50 cabs in 2018 to commemorate his legacy.

If you do happen to smoke a Punch Double Coronas young, say 12 to 36 months, you'd likely find that they will have an array of flavours such as wood or cedar, leather, earthiness, citrus and nuts but mainly they will dominate more in those woody and leather flavours. As they age well over the 10 to 15-year mark you can get them more softer in those wood flavours, more fruity and a disposition to tart flavours.

This Punch Double Coronas started off with a distinctive flavour that has been discussed before on our forum when it comes to the Punch marca: that being, Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum. If you don't know what flavour that's supposed to be, think of it as a combination of banana and pineapple, or jackfruit. Soon enough, the cigar was joined by some cedar, leather and currants, much like my last Punch DC smoked four-and-a-half months ago. In the last third, it once again became more intense in leather and Earth flavours, but not enough to overwhelm the cigar and so this time I was able to nub it to its conclusion. It took me around two-and-a-half hours to finish!

Again, I appreciated the evolution or complexity of this Punch Double Coronas today. I do wish I had another box stashed away, though!

[JohnS]

Partagás Presidentes SUL Jul 2023

I've mentioned in my last few reviews this year on the Partagas Presidentes that prior to acquiring a 10-count of RSG Mar 2023 singles and this SUL Jul 2023 25-count box, the last time I smoked a Partagas Presidentes was from the 2018 Friends of Habanos Xmas Sampler. Do you remember them? Ah yes, the good old days when our forum host could actually access a guaranteed supply of Habanos cigars and subsequently could provide Sampler packs around the end of each year to try the best cigars of that year. What memories, folks!

That particular Partagas Presidentes from the 2018 Xmas Sampler had a pleasant mix of Partagas sourdough and coffee with a Fonseca-type marshmallow sweetness. By contrast, I remember my previous forays into sampling the Partagas Presidentes revealed a more typical 'old school' blend of Partagas Earth and Forest Floor and perhaps even leather and I remember at that point of my journey within this hobby that it didn't really connect with me.

I had a RSG Mar 2023 Partagas Presidentes at the end of 2023 which reminded me of recent Partagas Serie D No.4, the one cigar that I would have to nominate as being the best in its flavour delivery and construction since the advent of the Covid era in early 2020. The varieties that I've had of the PSD4 have been simple concoctions of Partagas sourdough, coffee and leather, intertwined in a seemingly perfect balance. Unbelievably, that Partagas Presidentes was much like that. Yes, I couldn't fathom it. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement.

So how was this SUL Jul 2023 Partagas Presidentes, the fourth one smoked from the box, acquired as a box purchase in the meantime on account of good that one RSG Mar 2023 Presidentes was? Well, it smoked around eighty minutes and had a touch more strength and body in the second half, much like my last Presidentes from this SUL Jul 2023 box. There was typical coffee and sourdough to start off with that was gorgeous. Around the second half the cigar settled with some Earthy, Forest floor flavours and spice on the edges. Yes, I would maintain it was the equal of that RSG Mar 2023 Presidentes.

This time, the ash held particularly well and was not flaky, unlike some Partagas Presidentes I've had this year.

In summary, this Partagas Presidentes was again more typical of the type I had in the distant past that were much stronger in body and strength, with old school flavours of Earth, Forest floor and leather. Still, despite stating this reminiscent connection to the distant past, this cigar won't seem as strong in flavour and body if you are an experienced cigar smoker. One can adjust and enjoy it all the same, just like I did today!

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan OLM Oct 2014

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

When they first came to market in late 2014/early 2015 I enjoyed quite a few of these but I only had three HdM Le Hoyo de San Juans prior to opening this box in late 2023. I had been distracted by the de Rio Seco for a little awhile, plus maybe some excellent, recent HdM Epicure No.2s and thus this explains why I had so few HdM Le Hoyo de San Juans.

As mentioned, I opened this box of Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan at the end of October 2023, after nine years, and I did a rare thing for this blog series in returning to the box after one week. I wanted to see if the second cigar from the box was similar in flavour delivery to the first one or not, and I figured I could gauge that question better if I had a second cigar closer in sequence of time than what is usual for me. Normally, that might have been at least four to six months before I re-visited this box again, but since this box is so close to ten years of age I don't think it would hurt to try a few cigars sooner.

While that first HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan had a subtle creamy texture, characteristic tea notes and a cinnamon or vanilla sweetness, the second one didn't have much of a creamy texture past the first third and it was more fulsome in forest floor flavours from the midway point and especially in the last third. It was much more typical of a traditional Le Hoyo cigar I would say. The third one, smoked two months after my last HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan, was much more like my first one from the box in how cream-textured it was. In general, yes; it did have forest floor characteristics and notable cedar/wood, but from the second third on it settled nicely and that cream texture we all know and love made me appreciate the prolonged rest that I gave this box.

So what about the fourth one, smoked three months after the third? In a word, I envisaged at the time that these were indeed coming along nicely. A little bit of cream to open, a core cedar thereafter interspersed with sweet tea. Yes, it was a real nice smoke over 100 minutes.

Fast forward five months to the fifth one from the box. Initially, I intended to wait until the box had reached ten years of age to have that cigar but I smoked it two months early. Thankfully, it was brilliant so waiting a few extra months would have been superfluous. The reason I rated that HdM Le Hoyo de San Juan so highly was due to its mild, cream texture, coupled with a minimum of forest floor flavours and a mix of sweet tea and honestly one can't go wrong. This was simply put two hours of smoking bliss.

Finally, this sixth one smoked three months later. What can I say or add? It was very much like my fifth one in its balance of sweet tea, cedar and refined cream texture. There were even hints of vanilla. It was every bit as outstanding as the box has been thus far.

In general, if I could further describe what this box has been like so far, I would say that it's the type of cigar you'd take on a luxury holiday and smoke daily at a resort in quiet reflection and gratitude. And you can't ask for more than that, can you?

I concluded my last review on this cigar by stating, "I think I'm going to enjoy smoking through the rest of the box." After going through a quarter of the box, now I know I'm going to!

[JohnS]

Rafael González 88 2016 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico Circa 2016

The Rafael Gonzalez 88 is a 2016 Asia-Pacific Regional Edition release. It stood out at at the time for its vitola dimensions, a Británicas Extra at under 50/64ths of an inch ring gauge and was in fact only the second Rafael Gonzalez Regional Edition release other than the 2013 German Petit Piramides at the time. The hype generated by its predecessors, the 2014 Asia-Pacific Diplomaticos Bushidos (and less so the 2015 La Gloria Cubana Revolution) caused a lot of demand from our forum members for the RG88 when it came out eventually in 2017, so much so that supplies for the new release couldn't keep up with demand initially. But then things quickly changed!

You see, much like the 2010 discontinued Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra, this cigar was 'closed' in its flavours in its youthful stages upon release and the consensus amongst our forum members at the time was that it need a good five years for it to blossom or 'open up'. Well, it's been almost eight years since the release of the cigar and I am grateful to @Luca for gifting me this cigar to try today. It was certainly worth doing so, just to gauge the large difference in how the RG88 smoked in 2017/18.

The number 8 is a number considered lucky in the Chinese Culture, hence the name of this Asia-Pacific release. The cigar is perfecto-shaped, tapered at the head and foot and has a 48 ring gauge x 137 mm or 5⅜ inches length. I smoked a few upon their release in mid-2017 and yes, I felt that they were okay but I concurred that they needed more time. The critical consensus was generally negative but to be fair I felt this occurred because other releases such as the 2014 Diplomaticos Bushidos was so good and the RG88, in comparison, had a lot to live up to in terms of consumer expectation.

Fast forward to today, late-2024, and the wise adage that one should give an Asia-Pacific Regional Edition a good five years to develop came to fruition, in my mind, upon the first few puffs of smoking after lighting up. Yes indeed, it was that clearly obvious that this was a different cigar to 2017, but I'll get to that soon. In the meantime, this RG88 had a colorado 'neutral' shade as opposed to some others I've had in the past that have had a darker colorado maduro shade. I also have an unopened 10-count box with a late-2016 box code to visit at a sooner (rather than later) date, now that I've sampled this cigar at this stage of its development.

In mid-2017, I found my RG88s to be very light in flavour and body paradoxically. They tended to be a flavour combination of cocoa, floral notes, honey and nuts but those flavours were indistinctive in the blends of the cigars I sampled at the time. In other words, slightly muddled. This RG88 after eight years of course was light in strength (as all Rafael Gonzalez cigars tend to be) but the body was thankfully light to light-medium and the flavours were simple yet quite enunciated and expressive. I basically got a combination of cocoa, some earthiness and a floral bouquet that ran through the core of the cigar from beginning to end. There was even a semblance of baking spice indicating its next stage of development, in my view. Make no mistake, this RG88 smoked like a quality cigar from beginning to end.

It goes without saying that I'm overjoyed with how this cigar smoked after eight years of aging. I now hope to open my aforementioned 10-count Rafael Gonzalez 88 box sometime in the next year or two.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Coloniales APU Jul 2015

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

This is my fifth Trinidad Coloniales from this box. The first three were smoked in the first three months, whereas the fourth one was smoked after a wait of six months. This fifth one was smoked five months after the fourth one. The first three cigars all shared a complex, savoury blend. The fourth one was a little different. Sure it had some complexity, although you couldn't just label it as simply savoury. It had its sweet moments too.

The first third (of this fifth one) opened up with some familiar oak notes and coffee. The cigar was stronger than my last one, yet still rich in flavours, as has the cigars from this box have been thus far.

The middle third did not settle into a quality hay and leather combination this time, like my last cigar smoked five months ago. This time that oak wood and coffee blend dominated the cigar and any hay or leather notes were muted by comparison. The burn and ash were once again consistent though.

In the final third, the cigar continued on in much the same way as it had from the middle third. This time, there was no vanilla spice, no almond nut present (which I would have very much preferred that it did!).

Overall, this Trinidad Coloniales was quite closed and one-dimensional in comparison to the other, more complex cigars I've had from this box. The ash was again firm throughout. In summary, the performance of this Trinidad Coloniales was an outlier and I expect the next one will be more complex, flavoursome and interesting. We shall see if it turns out that way!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo II LTB Feb 2013

This is my fourth Cohiba Siglo II from this LTB Feb 2013 box. So that's now four in a little over six months since 'cracking open' this box. I guess I'm a sentimentalist who can't get enough of those 'old school' Cohiba flavours!

What I am referring to of course is the balance between the grassiness and the cream texture that has been evident in the cigars I've smoked up to now. This time there was some hints of vanilla bean and honey, but very little spice. As I mentioned in my last review on this cigar a few months ago, this core 'herbaceousness' was a common element of Linea 1492 cigars in the 1990s and 2000s. Currently, I would advocate that Linea 1492 cigars (i.e. Cohiba Siglo I, II, III, IV and V specifically) have more of a mocha coffee element to their blend.

I consider myself fortunate to have savoured opportune moments in the past, smoking Cohiba cigars that dated from the mid-2000s until the mid-2010s, that had distinctive Cohiba profiles intermixed with the benefit of long-term aging. When that happens, well...they become something else, so-to-speak. This Cohiba Siglo II again reminded me of previous cigars I've enjoyed that have evoked fond memories.

On account of the age of this Cohiba Siglo II, I knew that the cigar would smoke down quite quickly, like the last one or two I smoked from this box. The mouthfeel was once again very, very smooth on the palate. Yes indeed, the Linea 1492 line of the present day has changed and remains popular, despite recent price changes, but still, I'd take a eleven year-old Cohiba Siglo II like this one any day. Yes, any day!

[JohnS]

Padron 1964 Diplomatico Natural

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 Natural 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 Natural cigar (the 46 ring gauge x 114 mm or 4½ inches in length Principe - a popular cigar amongst Padron enthusiasts) three 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 14 mm punch for cigars up to 60 ring gauge. I was proven correct upon smoking.

The Padron 1964 Diplomatico Natural 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 Natural 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. 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 less full-bodied than the greater majority of Padron 1964 cigar I've smoked, probably on account of its seven inch length. For me, it made the cigar even easier to draw from and smoke than usual.

Into the second third the blend was more like muted cocoa. 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 105 minute mark. This is only 5 to 10 minutes longer than I would take with a Padron 1964 Exclusivo Natural (or Maduro), but this Diplomatico was so mild that it was that effortless to smoke.

In conclusion, again, I wouldn't rate the blend as overly complex but this Padron 1964 Diplomatico Natural turned out to be a great choice for a change-of-pace from my standard fare of Habanos cigars. It was simple, but it met my expectations quite nicely.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 GEL Feb 2022

So consider this, of the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Montecristo No.4, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas what would you smoke the most of? One thing I know, and that is, there's one cigar in that list that may possibly out-sell the others combined on an annual basis, worldwide. However, do you reach for a Montecristo No.4 as often as the rest of the world does and why does it sell so well?

I would make a case that, whilst they vary in quality, and more so than other Habanos cigars, they offer a generic cocoa, milk coffee, perhaps nut, leather and/or citrus twang flavour profile which is very approachable. Perhaps, this is why they sell so well; Monte 4 are more approachable than other cigars in its vitola group.

This Monte 4 was the third cigar from a quarter pack acquisition (i.e. six cigars) of a GEL Feb 2022 box code. The first one was smoked two years ago and honestly it was generic, but still...it satisfied me over 70 minutes. I wouldn't say that the second one was 'other-worldly', but it was quite okay. It did smoke for a long time (80 minutes), but I think the intense cocoa and leather flavours in the last third necessitated a slowdown. I believe that if that Monte 4 was less intensive in cocoa and leather flavours and more replete in any nut and/or citrus twang flavours, I would have rated it higher. This third one, smoked some five months later, was much less intense in cocoa and leather. It ended up been a nice, well-balanced blend of cocoa, milk coffee, leather and citrus twang over 65 minutes of smoking time. It highlighted why I keep coming back to this cigar; in the hope that they smoke satisfying well like this. Of course, they don't always but don't you wish they did?

It just goes to show why, even though I enjoy and smoke the Bolivar Petit Coronas, Cohiba Siglo II, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas semi-regularly, the Montecristo No.4 is always in my humidor. And I mean...always!