JohnS' Smoking Diary 2024

[joeypots]

19 hours ago, JohnS said:

Quite simply, it was the perfect example of a Montecristo Petit Edmundo should be.

MC PE 10/18

 

19 hours ago, JohnS said:

So, if you have some Montecristo No.4 on hand, and there's no doubt that you probably do, why not leave some on the side to age long-term on the off-chance that they develop like this Montecristo No.4. I can assure you that you'll be glad you did!

’06 MC#4

 

19 hours ago, JohnS said:

In summary, I was 'stoked' (i.e. well-pleased) that this was a brilliant example of a Limited Edition cigar. 'Bloody oath' (i.e. it's true), it 'deadset' (i.e. truly) was!

’05 MC D EL 

I have heard cigar enthusiasts opine that Monte Cristo is not a marca that lends itself to long term aging. I disagree, as I think you do as well, John. I have more Monte Cristo than any other cigar in my stash and I am glad of it. I smoked an ’18 #3 this week and it was brilliant. It’s a shame that such cigars are now dear enough to be “event” cigars for many of us when we used to smoke them in our regular rotation.

[JohnS]

It is as you say, @joeypots. Firstly, the exuberance one can feel when you smoke an aged Montecristo and it's like what I've described in those reviews you've linked...well, it's just 'other-worldly'. For example, when I went on vacation to visit family in Greece in 2022, I left some cigar options for my son to enjoy while I was gone. He opted to smoke an eight year-old Montecristo Petit Edmundo with a friend a few times, mostly. Fast forward to the present day and I had the opportunity last month to share some '23 Montecristo Petit Edmundo with my son and his pal and the difference was quite stark. It was quite an education, believe me. Of course, not all your Montecristo stock is going to develop in this linear way, it all depends, but when it does it's simply fantastic.

It is also heart-breaking to come to the point of quiet resignation upon understanding that replacing your Montecristo stock is not the same thing as it used to be. Sad, sad times!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.1 ESL Dic 2017

The last few times I've written a review on the Montecristo No.1, I've mentioned that if I had to guess what sells within the Montecristo marca, in terms of annual volume, in the original Montecristo line when it was first released in 1935, I would say the No.4 followed by the No.2 sell in the greatest numbers. The Montecristo No.5 would be next followed by a distance by the No.1 and No.3. The reason the last two would be less in demand, in my view, would be due to their vitola dimensions rather than how good a cigar they are. Lonsdales and coronas respectively don't currently sell in great numbers, hence their recent mass deletions in the last 15 to 20 years. I find it a great shame how 'under-the-radar' the Montecristo No.1 (and No.3) is, but I'd say that would be less so amongst enthusiasts on our forum.

Stocks of 2019/20 Montecristo No.1, prior to the Habanos pricing re-structure of mid-2022, have been smoking very well, as their sales on 24:24 listings in that time would attest to. I was low on Montecristo No.1 stock in my humidor at that time so I acquired a GEL Nov 2020 quarter pack in the middle of 2021. For this reason, I hadn't visited this ESL Dic 2017 Montecristo No.1 since the latter half of 2020 until I smoked one just two months ago. I enjoyed that Monte 1, so I figured I'd light another one up because, for want of a better reason, why not?

My last GEL Nov 2020 Montecristo No.1 was light in milk coffee and cocoa/chocolate, it had a distinctive citrus twang, leather and some nuttiness but it was a tad lighter in any creamy texture on the palate. It was around mild-medium in strength, improved as it went along and only got a little spicy towards the very end. By comparison, this ESL Dic 2017 Montecristo No.1 was obviously again milder, had a core coffee and cocoa, with a hint of citrus twang, but it wasn't cream-textured at all. Rather, it had more of a toasted tobacco and leather combined flavour that dominated it. It also had no nuttiness to it at all. So, it was very different but no better or worse than the four GEL Nov 2020 Montecristo No.1s I've smoked in the last few years. Frankly, it was about the same as my last ESL Dic 2017 Monte 1 and I enjoyed it just the same.

I still maintain that it's a pity the Montecristo No.1 doesn't get more attention from cigar enthusiasts. After all, it's only 10 millimetres (or two-fifths of an inch) longer than a Cohiba Siglo III but a lot better value in terms of price in comparison, especially since the changes in the pricing of the luxury Cohiba and Trinidad brands by Habanos S.A. in mid-2022.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 PMS Nov 2013

The Partagas Serie D No.4 is still the leading Habanos cigar in the world currently, ahead of the Montecristo No.4 and Montecristo No.2. It is a 50 ring gauge x 124 millimetres (or 4⅞ inches) robustos-sized cigar and it was around pre-Revolution. In other words, pre-1960, when robustos-sized cigars weren't popular in comparison to thinner ring-gauged cigars.

I believe this is the fourteenth Partagas Serie D No.4 that I've smoked since the beginning of 2022. This compromises five in 2022, seven in 2023 and now this second one in 2024, across a few box codes; mainly a superlative 10-count box of ROP Feb 2020 PSD4s. If you aren't aware, post-2020 Partagas Serie D No.4 have been consistently very good. For a time I had 'waned' off this popular cigar. In fact, I had none in 2021 but their virtuous smoking performance lured me back. And yes, I'm glad I have smoked a number (of them) since 2022.

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

The second one, smoked two-and-a-half months after I first 'cracked' the box, was again mild-medium in strength, simple in its flavour profile, yet medium-full in its body. The flavours were a simple combination of sourdough, coffee, leather...even a touch of honey sweetness, like the first one from the box. In comparison to my more recent PSD4s, I guess I can say that those had more coffee to them. The 2013 examples certainly had more sourdough and leather. That second one was very much still flavoursome. There was no reason to suggest that the box has 'peaked' and the strength and body have now started to deteriorate. That is not the case at all!

I wrote in my last review on this cigar that I envisaged that I would smoke the third PSD4 from the box after a longer gap than the first and second cigars, perhaps somewhere in the vicinity of three to six months. I was wrong. In fact I smoked the third one today after a gap of only two months! It was practically identical in its smoking as the second one was. But I don't mind if I have to admit to you that there's nothing new to report here. These are simply smoking 'great' right now.

I am well-and-truly on track to go through one-quarter of the box, at least, by the end of 2024, the way things are going with this fantastic box of late-2013 Partagas Serie D No.4!

[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 seventh 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 was downright awful so I've waited almost a year to re-visit it today. 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 five-and-a-half months and this is my seventh cigar I'm smoking today.

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. This Partagas Maduro No.3 was quite refined, with less body or fullness of flavour than the Partagas Maduro No.1s I've smoked, let's say. The flavours were again a combination of cocoa/chocolate, sourdough, sour cherry and coffee. It started off really well, but in the back half it became spicy and struggled to stay lit. It came 'good' in the last third but by that point I 'pitched' it halfway through that last third. I couldn't nub it, but at least it showed signs of promise.

In summary, I'm relieved that this cigar smoked okay, flavour-wise despite the construction issues. Even though the outcome was much more welcome than my fifth Partagas Maduro No.3 from this box which as I've already mentioned was terrible, I'm still reluctant to guess the next time I will reach for another one from this box. Hmmm...it could be at some point 'down-the-track', let's say.

[JohnS]

Padron 1964 Principe Maduro

The Padron 1964 Principe comes in two options; Maduro and Natural. It has a 46 ring gauge and 114 mm or 4½ inches length. It comes in a ubiquitous box press. The Padron 1964 Principe Natural was one of the Non-Cuban cigars I acquired during my visit to the Nuremberg LCDH in Germany in July, 2023. I have smoked and enjoyed a number of Serie 1926 and 1964 cigars in the last few years but not the popular Principe, so I thought to myself, "why not?" I smoked this cigar three months after acquiring it.

Today, I opted to try the Padron 1964 Principe Maduro to compare it to my experience of smoking the Padron 1964 Principe Natural six months ago. I punch-cut the head knowing that Padron cigars are always plentiful in smoke delivery. This proved to be the case with this cigar too.

The cold draw had slight 'musky' note to it, which I find is common with Padron cigars. In other words, it's a distinctive feature of their cigars, in my opinion. Six months ago, upon lighting that Padron 1964 Principe Natural, it was quite self-evident that I was smoking a Padron 1964 cigar as all the usual characteristics that define this series were present. This included flavours of cocoa, cedar, earth and pepper which stayed fairly rudimentary and consistent from beginning to end. As usual too, the draw was slightly loose; there was no effort in drawing a lot of smoke per puff (and flavour, of course). I finished that cigar after 65 minutes of smoking time.

This Padron 1964 Principe Maduro was fuller-bodied. It had a blend of dark chocolate, leather, espresso coffee and cashew nut. I finished the cigar after one hour. I would opine that if you are familiar with the Padron series of cigars then you would know that the Principe is stronger than other vitolas with the 1964 line. Be mindful of that if you aren't familiar with this cigar as it is not an option for those of you who seek a mild cigar. Instead, I would recommend this cigar for those of you who are experienced cigar smokers. Having said this, it's an easy cigar to like if you enjoy Padron as a cigar within your rotation.

After having smoked both the Padron 1964 Principe Natural and Maduro versions, I prefer the Natural because it's not as full-bodied by comparison and the flavours are slightly rounder. I guess that's just my preference as truthfully, the Maduro version is a fine cigar as it is.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo II GLE Dic 2020

I did not realise that it's been two years since I last had a Cohiba Siglo II from this box code, and in fact, this is just my fourth Cohiba Siglo II in that time! (In other words, I've had three others across other box codes.) This GLE Dic 20 example has been resting in my humidor for nearly three years now and my first cigar from this box code was actually quite amazing for purely sentimental reasons in how overtly grassy, creamy and smooth...indeed quite how wondrous it was!

So, whereas a number of Linea Clasica and Linea 1492 (i.e. Classic Line and Siglo Line) Cohiba 2019 and 2020 stock I've smoked has displayed a mocha coffee core and sometimes a buttered texture, my first Siglo II (from this box code - smoked a little over two-and-a-half years ago) was all lemongrass, cedar, vanilla bean and cream-textured from beginning to end over 75 minutes of smoking time.

The second one, smoked eight months later, wasn't quite as good as that because it was nowhere near as balanced. It certainly wasn't as creamy or herbal. Instead, it had quite a bit of mocha coffee dominating the blend. The other flavours were there; only, they were in the background. It did last me a good 75 minutes though!

This third one, was a 'return-to-form'. The image above may suggest that I was smoking a Cohiba Siglo I, but in fact, the ash fell just as I was going to record its image. So, yes; the ash wasn't perfect but it was a good smoke. It was well-balanced in its flavours, with the mocha and honey standing out but not over-powering or dominating the other flavours of grass, wood and vanilla bean.

If you are a Cohiba fan, you'd be content if your Siglo II smoked like this. Cohiba is marketed as a premium product in the Habanos Catalogue and evidently, it's more than reasonable to expect a decent return for one's investment in both time and money. 

[JohnS]

Cohiba Secretos MSU Nov 2017

This is the sixth (and last) Cohiba Secretos from this MSU Nov 2017 10-count box I've sampled (I gifted the others away). It was acquired from PCC and sourced from the Spanish Habanos distributor, Altidis. The Secretos is a Reyes-sized cigar with a 40 ring gauge x 110 mm (or 4⅜ inches) length. Of the three Cohiba Maduro 5 releases first introduced in 2007 (the Genios, Magicos and Secretos) I would opine that the Secretos remains the most popular amongst enthusiasts, followed closely by the Genios.

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

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

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

I don't foresee acquiring any more Cohiba Secretos in the future. This last one was quite fine but towards the end I had to re-light it twice as I forgot I was smoking it, due to some work I was doing on my laptop that was engaging me on a warmish Autumnal afternoon. If it was a outstanding cigar, I'm sure I wouldn't have done that. C'est la vie!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Coronas Especiales AUM Jul 2014

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

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

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

This almost ten-year old Cohiba Coronas Especiales had delicious, yet light and subtle flavours of milk coffee, light hay, baking spice and honey and vanilla notes and stayed that way just on seventy minutes of smoking time. In comparison to my younger LTO Sep 2020 CCE, this older CCE had very little in the way of mocha flavour, was crisp on the palate and was quite herbaceous in its hay qualities, much like the last one I smoked from the same box code six months ago. It was again quite simply brilliant, in fact, equal in quality to the very best of the CCEs from this box code by far, and even better than some LTO Sep 2020 CCEs I've had too.

It's not often that I reach for a Cohiba Coronas Especiales. This is also sadly my last one from this box code in my humidor. Thankfully, I still have four sticks of my LTO Sep 2020 CCEs left. I suppose that is due to the fact that I have so few 'on-hand' in my humidor, and the current pricing means that I will be sticking to other Cohiba options that I have on-hand and purchased before the mid-2022 Habanos S.A. price re-adjustments. Still, when they smoke like this one today, it instantly brings to mind the very best Cohiba cigars I've enjoyed in the distant past that were superlative in their cream-textured, sweet flavours.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Gigantes ABO Ene 2019

The Ramon Allones Gigantes represents a Habanos vitola of which there are only four left. At 49 ring gauge x 194 millimetres in length (or 7.6 inches), this Double Corona usually requires a minimum of 2 hours to smoke. They always seem mild in strength to me when invariably I find the time to smoke one, they definitely are never medium to medium-full. However, together with the Partagas Lusitanias, Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona and Punch Double Corona, they represent a vitola that, unlike Lonsdales and Churchills, hasn't been depleted completely in the last 20 years or so. Still, this hasn't stopped rumours circulating in 2019-20 that the Gigantes is on the way out. Maybe the Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro and Saint Luis Rey Double Corona's discontinuations has fueled such speculation? I certainly hope not.

The advent of the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, along with the subsequent rationalisation of the Habanos cigar industry in mid-2022 made fears of discontinuation amongst Double Coronas and Churchills-sized cigars a moot point. Frankly, we barely saw any available in last twenty-four months or so. Thankfully, in last six to nine months, Churchills and Double Coronas-sized cigars have started to be reproduced and made available for acquisition. For these reasons, I've only had two Ramon Allones Gigantes in the last three years! Incredible!

This Gigantes was much like my last one from this same box code, in its core flavours. There was a beautiful balance of cocoa, light coffee and raisin and this was the way it stayed again pretty much throughout. If you want complexity, I'd suggest looking elsewhere as I find the Gigantes has a set of typical flavours which stay consistent all the way from beginning to end. A few notes of difference though, my second-to-last one I smoked a few years ago had a hint of a marshmallow texture to the draw on the palate which became more like a quality baking spice as this cigar ages long-term. Also, those raisin notes tend to become more like dried fruits and an aged RA Gigantes is more likely to have leather flavours than a younger one. This particular RA Gigantes certainly had notes of dried fruits at times and in the back half it had notes of forest floor flavours.

Quite like my last Gigantes from this box code, the construction on this cigar was quite excellent, I did not need any touch-ups or re-lights. It again took me two-and-three-quarter hours to smoke, like the last one I smoked six months ago, which you'd surely agree, is quite a long time to smoke a cigar!

So, I no longer have any of these ABO Ene 2019 Ramon Allones Gigantes in my humidor, but I do have an unopened box of TES Dic 2015 ready to explore at some point in the future...perhaps in 2025!

[JohnS]

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

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

Incredibly, this is only the second Punch 48 that I've had in the last three years! With that passage of time, I can assuredly say that the profile upon lighting this cigar demonstrated that 'roasted nuts' was no longer an adequate adjective to use in profiling it, after five-and-a-half years that is.

Two-and-a-half years ago I noted that there was a gorgeous sour citrus twang intermingled with a similarly gorgeous light cream and cedar note. Today, I wouldn't say that the sour citrus twang was as evident, but there was certainly remnants of it. Furthermore, cedar, light cream and nuts (just not roasted) were there too. My last Punch 48 had some poor construction in the middle, which induced an uneven burn and some potential acrid or sour flavours. Thankfully, I had no such harsh luck this time around.

The draw was a little tight but I still got some good smoke per puff. This no doubt contributed to the one hour and fifty minute smoking time.

In summary, this was quite a fine cigar. At five-and-a-half years of age, these are coming along well. I expect them to continue to improve in the long-term as the blend melds even more.

[JohnS]

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

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

Everything about this smoke was subtle, pretty much like the last two RAS that I have smoked in the last two years and nine months. The cocoa was light, the typical 'stewed fruit' Ramon Allones profile was light too, and these flavours were complimented by some baking spice, wood and floral notes. In comparison to my last RAS, I wouldn't go so far as to say that there was notable walnut in the blend this time around. I finished this cigar in eighty minutes and what a glorious hour and twenty minutes it was!

For me, this was another example of a stupendous Ramon Allones cigar. I could quite easily smoke another from the box just thinking about it! Only, I can't really because this Ramon Allones Superiores was the last one from this particular box. I do intend to keep exploring this cigar past the ten year mark though, as I have another 10-count box of RAS with the same box code. I just have to get around to opening it some time!

[JohnS]

Rafael González Perlas SOP Ene 2022

I acquired this box code just last week, as my last Rafael Gonzalez Perlas I smoked two months ago was less than five years old, I had enjoyed it, and I wanted to acquire some more of these. After all, I have smoked quite a number of these RG Perlas over the years. They tend to be reliable, possibly because they don't sell in great quantities. In other words, they're a cigar for the enthusiast 'in-the-know'.

The Rafael Gonzalez Perlas is probably the mildest minuto/perlas/reyes option one could go for. Habanos cigars this size are a little more intense in flavour delivery than their larger brethren, but the Rafael Gonzalez Perlas (and Petit Coronas) tends not to be as intense, generally.

This RG Perlas was smoked 'right-off-the-truck'. If you don't know what that means, it's usually abbreviated in acronym form (ROTT) and it means to smoke a cigar as soon as you receive the box. In other words, without rest in order to gauge its body, strength and stage of development. To assess those things, you'd be more likely to have become well-familiar with cigar, smoking it over a number of years so that you're more likely to know what to expect. So what was I expecting from this SOP Ene 2022 box? Well, I certainly wasn't expecting it to be so light, nor 'grassy'!

The cocoa here was light, there was some earth, some floral notes and baking spice but as I mentioned, I didn't expect the cigar to be so herbal or 'grassy'. Of course, I must state that the floral notes and baking spice wasn't as prevalent as what I would expect in an older version of this cigar, yet they were fine nonetheless.

Overall, I quite appreciated how light and herbal this Rafael Gonzalez Perlas was. Fifty-five minutes of smoking enjoyment. I'm so glad I acquired more Rafael Gonzalez Perlas for my humidor collection.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo RGB Jul 2022

I know, I know...you've seen reviews aplenty on the Montecristo Petit Edmundo within this series and surely you must be wondering, "what's new?" Well, this particular Montecristo Petit Edmundo comes from a newly acquired 25-count box and has a mid-2022 box code. The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is a cigar that has 'grown on me' over the years. I admit that when I first tried this cigar, it didn't connect with me at all, on account of its amplified qualities when young (that is, both the strength and body are more intense than an average Montecristo cigar in its youth).

Again, I wanted to smoke this cigar 'right-off-the-truck' (ROTT) to gauge its development at almost two years but unfortunately I knew something was 'up' from the first few puffs. It didn't take long to see what the culprit was: under-filling down the middle! Most commonly, there is no redemption in the cigar when this occurs. It will not turn out satisfactorily and furthermore, you'd be fortunate if you can avoid the cigar becoming an acrid or bitter mess.

There was some citrus twang, cocoa and coffee in there as I smoked through the cigar, But no, it was far from ideal. Despite that, I still smoked this down over seventy minutes. How did I do that? Possibly because I've smoked so many cigars over the years, I can just put up with things when a cigar is less than stellar. Like the famous line from the film, 'Lawrence of Arabia', the trick is not to mind that it hurts!

Okay, going back to my last mid-2023 Montecristo Petit Edmundo that smoked well (in December 2023), it had a strong element of espresso coffee, some leather and cocoa and stayed that way for sixty-five minutes. That coffee flavour dominated the flavour blend, so much so that I knew that there was some typical Montecristo cocoa/chocolate in the cigar, it's just that the strength of the coffee overrode the other flavours at that stage of its cigar journey. Having said that, I had no issue really with its medium to medium-full strength and full-bodied mid-2023 Montecristo Petit Edmundo.

I'd be happy if my next cigar from this mid-2022 box code smoked like that mid-2023 one. I think I will be smoking the next one soon as I know from experience that two poorly-constructed cigars from the same box in a row is not likely to occur. Although...you never know. Let's see!

[cgoodrich]

19 hours ago, JohnS said:

Montecristo Petit Edmundo RGB Jul 2022

I know, I know...you've seen reviews aplenty on the Montecristo Petit Edmundo within this series and surely you must be wondering, "what's new?" Well, this particular Montecristo Petit Edmundo comes from a newly acquired 25-count box and has a mid-2022 box code. The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is a cigar that has 'grown on me' over the years. I admit that when I first tried this cigar, it didn't connect with me at all, on account of its amplified qualities when young (that is, both the strength and body are more intense than an average Montecristo cigar in its youth).

Again, I wanted to smoke this cigar 'right-off-the-truck' (ROTT) to gauge its development at almost two years but unfortunately I knew something was 'up' from the first few puffs. It didn't take long to see what the culprit was: under-filling down the middle! Most commonly, there is no redemption in the cigar when this occurs. It will not turn out satisfactorily and furthermore, you'd be fortunate if you can avoid the cigar becoming an acrid or bitter mess.

There was some citrus twang, cocoa and coffee in there as I smoked through the cigar, But no, it was far from ideal. Despite that, I still smoked this down over seventy minutes. How did I do that? Possibly because I've smoked so many cigars over the years, I can just put up with things when a cigar is less than stellar. Like the famous line from the film, 'Lawrence of Arabia', the trick is not to mind that it hurts!

Okay, going back to my last mid-2023 Montecristo Petit Edmundo that smoked well (in December 2023), it had a strong element of espresso coffee, some leather and cocoa and stayed that way for sixty-five minutes. That coffee flavour dominated the flavour blend, so much so that I knew that there was some typical Montecristo cocoa/chocolate in the cigar, it's just that the strength of the coffee overrode the other flavours at that stage of its cigar journey. Having said that, I had no issue really with its medium to medium-full strength and full-bodied mid-2023 Montecristo Petit Edmundo.

I'd be happy if my next cigar from this mid-2022 box code smoked like that mid-2023 one. I think I will be smoking the next one soon as I know from experience that two poorly-constructed cigars from the same box in a row is not likely to occur. Although...you never know. Let's see!

@JohnS, I absolutely love how you related to that quote. That is one of my all time favorite movies. 👍👍👍

[JohnS]

1 hour ago, cgoodrich said:

@JohnS, I absolutely love how you related to that quote. That is one of my all time favorite movies. 👍👍👍

Thank you @cgoodrich. The reason I used that quote from 'Lawrence of Arabia' is because I had watched the film with my young adult daughter, in its original 70 mm analogue format, in a cinema the same weekend I wrote that review, and the quote came immediately to mind when I smoked that Monte PE!

That scene whereby Lawrence holds his finger to the flame of a matchstick and states, "the trick is to not mind that it hurts" sets up the rest of the film wonderfully because straight after that, as Steven Spielberg has mentioned, we go to a brilliant cut of the harsh Middle Eastern desert. Director David Lean then proceeds to show the audience how Lawrence goes through a number of challenges throughout the rest of the movie, where he stands out among his peers because he actively shows that he doesn't mind that the setbacks he encounters hurt.

[cgoodrich]

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

Thank you @cgoodrich. The reason I used that quote from 'Lawrence of Arabia' is because I had watched the film with my young adult daughter, in its original 70 mm analogue format, in a cinema the same weekend I wrote that review, and the quote came immediately to mind when I smoked that Monte PE!

That scene whereby Lawrence holds his finger to the flame of a matchstick and states, "the trick is to not mind that it hurts" sets up the rest of the film wonderfully because straight after that, as Steven Spielberg has mentioned, we go to a brilliant cut of the harsh Middle Eastern desert. Director David Lean then proceeds to show the audience how Lawrence goes through a number of challenges throughout the rest of the movie, where he stands out among his peers because he actively shows that he doesn't mind that the setbacks he encounters hurt.

Lucky you are to see it in the theater.

David Lean was a brilliant director. Dr. Zhivago and Bridge on the River Kwai are absolute favorites of mine as well, along with Lawerence. All 3 are in my top 10 films. He was a master at story telling, visually stunning scenes. You felt the searing heat of the Arabian desert, the destitute bone freezing cold of Siberia, the oppressive tropical humidity that left you gasping for air. I always feel transported when I watch these films.

And to draw a small comparison, the way you write conveys your experience so very well. I can sense that experience, not just read words about it. I’m sure I speak for a great many on FOH, thank you and never stop. 👏👏👏

[JohnS]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo RGB Jul 2022

Welcome back. No, you aren't imagining things. I haven't taken another photo of the same Montecristo Petit Edmundo from a different location. Rather, I've gone ahead and smoked the second cigar from this RGB Jul 2022 box. As I predicted, getting another under-filled cigar, two times in a row, was unlikely. That turned out to be the case.

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.

The cigar was not as strong as I thought it would be, perhaps it was somewhere between medium to medium-full. I was 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.

I was very happy after I finished this. I don't feel the need to bring you a third review from another Monte Petit Edmundo from this box anytime soon. Look out for it though, down-the-track.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas EML May 2014

I haven't had a Por Larranaga Petit Coronas for nine months, but more importantly, the last time I had an aged PLPC was at the end of 2020. That particular PLPC had an EML Abr 14 box code and was six-and-a-half years old. At the time, I didn't find it any better or worse than younger PLPCs I was smoking. It certainly had more caramel, but with it there was some honey, some muted toasted tobacco and the hint of baking spice on the edges.

I noted in my review on that cigar that I appreciated where that cigar was in its journey to that point in time, but I knew that it would build in caramel and baking spice notes even more with further time down. How long? I had stated, at the time, another two years at least.

Fast forward to the present time and this EML May 2014 Por Larranaga Petit Coronas has now reached ten years of age. This was the first cigar I had from this box code (yes, I waited that long to open it!) and I can unequivocally say that it has certainly come along in its development. Yes indeed...well and truly!

This cigar was replete in caramel from the very first puff until the last. There was some baking spice to compliment it too. Unlike younger PLPC that are known to have notes of coffee and wood, this aged PLPC had none of that at all. Maybe you could say that there was some honey sweetness but honestly, that core caramel flavour dominated this smoke. In the last third there was some more semblance of light toasted tobacco, though not enough to alter the core flavours I've noted.

In summary, I would say that this Por Larranaga Petit Coronas was exemplary, easily amongst the best two or three PLPCs I have ever smoked. No surprise, then, that I nubbed it to its conclusion. Trust me, you would have too!

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Choix Suprême MOE Oct 2014

El Rey del Mundo, which means 'The King of the World' in Spanish, was once considered the premium marca of Habanos cigars in the mid-20th century, much like Cohiba is considered the premium Habanos marca today. Indeed, in the 1940's and 1950's, El Rey del Mundo had gained a reputation for prestige, excellence and a higher price tag. After the Revolution, the brand was still considered 'high-end', even into the 1970's. In the 1980's and 1990's trends changed, favouring stronger cigars and sadly lowering the opinion of El Rey del Mundo cigars as being 'too mild', even (incorrectly, in my opinion) more suitable for beginners.

This El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme (and please do kindly pronounce choix like the French - shwa and not choy!) was acquired in 2015 and I have patiently waited until the box had aged into its tenth year before having my first cigar from the box.

Amongst cigar enthusiasts, the ERdM Choix Supreme is in fact, polarising. Some laud its subtlety and complexity, whereas others lament its fine balance which can lead to the cigar being bland, or its blend considered 'muddy'. One thing I can assert about this cigar; you want these with thinner, supple and lighter-shaded wrappers. I can't say I've had luck with ERdM Choix Supremes that had darker, thick wrappers. They invariably were either muddled in their flavour delivery, or had difficulty staying lit.

This El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme thankfully had a wonderful thin, colorado-shaded wrapper. Simply put, this Hermosos No.4-sized cigar (48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches in length) had a wonderful aroma, was full of mild, sweet and savoury flavours that made me pine for a time when the El Rey del Mundo marca was more extensive and well-known. This was definitely subtle all the way. There was a fine balance of almond nut and shortbread in the first third, which gave way to more herbal, floral notes in the middle and leather and lemon citrus and tea in the back-half of the cigar.

At nine-and-a-half years of age, I was not in the least surprised as to how approachable this was for an ERdM cigar. However, having said this, the flavours here were well-balanced and this is the type of cigar that requires that to 'shine'. Otherwise, it's not hard for things to go 'awry'. I would opine that this is one of the major reasons why the brand is reputed for benefiting from long-term aging and perhaps this was a major factor in its decline in popularity. However, after smoking this Choix Supreme today, I have to ask why I don't smoke El Rey del Mundo cigars more often? The answer may lie in the fact that there are only two regular production offerings left, the Choix Supreme and the diminutive Demi Tasse.

In late-2023, the La Casa del Habanos Royal Series, a Robusto Extra-sized cigar, was added to the El Rey del Mundo line but it hasn't been made widely available. Then again, I don't think it would affect the habits of experienced cigar enthusiasts when it comes to the El Rey del Mundo marca in general. Either you'll occasionally acquire and reach for an ERdM Choix Supreme and/or ERdM Demi Tasse or you won't.

[JohnS]

H.Upmann No.2 LUB Oct 2014

If you've ever wondered if the H.Upmann No.2 is related to the Montecristo No.2 (and also the Diplomaticos No.2), the simple answer is yes. They don't just share the same vitola dimensions. When Alonso Menendez bought the Particulares cigar factory in 1935, he was mainly interested in developing the Particulares and lesser known Byron brands. He brought out the Montecristo brand in that year in the now famous Montecristo No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4 and No.5 range. After partnering with Pepe Garcia in 1936, these two gentlemen made another fateful decision in purchasing the ailing H.Upmann factory (and brand) from J.Frankau SA in 1937. The Montecristo range was soon copied for the H.Upmann marca and hence the H.Upmann No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4 and No.5 were born. The H.Upmann No.3 and No.5 were the first to be discontinued in the early 1980s, the H.Upmann No.1 and No.4 were discontinued in 2002.

When Cubatabaco introduced the post-Revolution Diplomaticos brand in 1966, they similarly copied the Montecristo and H.Upmann Nos 1 to 5 range. Another thing that these Piramides cigars share is the doubling of their brand and individual name, hence why these cigars are called the Montecristo Montecristo No.2, H.Upmann Upmann No.2 and Diplomaticos Diplomaticos No.2

The H.Upmann No.2, like its Montecristo No.4-sized sadly discontinued brother, the H.Upmann Petit Corona, can be fuller-bodied when youthful. For that reason, I like to age these cigars to bring out their shortbread cream flavour, but it takes time...typically 5 to 8 years, maybe more.

I waited until this LUB Oct 2014 approached its tenth year before opening it. That may sound bizarre, especially as the LUB box code from 2014/15 is known amongst cigar enthusiasts as producing a higher quality run in H.Upmann vitolas around that period. Still, for me, I love H. Upmann cigars that have melded in their flavours and have become more refined, hence therefore why I took so long before 'cracking' open this box.

At nine-and-a-half years of age, this differed to the last LUB May 2014 H.Upmann No.2 I had four years ago. For starters, there was no white pepper at all in this cigar today. Rather, it opened with some soft, quality cedar, nut and some cream, was joined by some leather in the middle and finally some coffee in the end. This piramides-shaped cigar took me a whopping two hours and ten minutes to smoke! Frankly, it was every bit like I wanted it to be because I envisage these H. Upmann No.2s will only get better, according to my tastes. I can certainly see myself returning to this box sometime very soon!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo II LTB Feb 2013

This is my first Cohiba Siglo II from this LTB Feb 2013 box. Waiting over eleven years to 'crack' open a box may seem paradoxical, but when it comes to a Cohiba cigar like this one from the first half of the 2010s, believe me, it's well worth that investment in time.

What stood out in this Cohiba Siglo II was its balance of its grassy, yet creamy texture. It also had hints of vanilla bean and spice, especially in the back half of the cigar. 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 spoke to El Pres on a FoH ZOOM chat a little over a year ago, and he asked me what type of blend I prefer (in other words, grassy and cream-textured or mocha coffee) and which one I think is more popular these days and sells. This wasn't hard to respond to. In the first instance, the grassy and cream-textured blend of Siglo cigars of yesteryear appealed to me more because of their sentimentality, However, there was no doubt whatsoever that nowadays Siglo cigars with mocha coffee in their blends is more desired and sells more among consumers.

Despite this, the memory of how smooth this Cohiba Siglo II was to smoke remains quite distinct. The mouthfeel was very, very easy on the palate. The Linea 1492 line of the present day has changed and remains quite popular, despite recent price changes. It's amazing though how much the past brings out our old feelings to things. I don't mind recent Siglo cigars but I'd take a eleven year-old Cohiba Siglo II like this one any day. This was quite simply a marvellous cigar to smoke, from beginning to end!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.1 ESL Ago 2017

Once upon a time, in the Habanos regular production catalogue, there used to be a plethora of Lonsdale-sized cigars. This included the Bolivar Lonsdale, Diplomaticos No.1, El Rey del Mundo Lonsdale, H.Upmann Lonsdale and H.Upmann No.1, Montecristo No.1, Partagas Lonsdale, Por Larranaga Lonsdale, Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdale, Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.1, Saint Luis Rey Lonsdales, Sancho Panza Molinos and Vegas Robaina Clasicos. Amongst all these cigars, today only the Montecristo No.1 remains.

More accurately, I should refer to Montecriso No.1's factory name of "Cervantes", which is a 42 ring gauge x 165 millimetres (or 6½ inches) in length cigar, whereas the common name "Lonsdale" covers cigars that a closely-related in size. For example, a Dalias, Cazadores and Laguito Especial are all considered to be Lonsdale cigars.

I've mentioned in previous reviews on this cigar that stocks of 2019/20 Montecristo No.1, prior to the Habanos pricing re-structure of mid-2022, have been smoking very well, as their sales on 24:24 listings in that time would attest to. I was low on Montecristo No.1 stock in my humidor at that time so I acquired a GEL Nov 2020 quarter pack in the middle of 2021. I had also acquired a quarter pack of ESL Dic 2017 Monte 1s previous to this and was alternating between the two box codes, of recent times.

My last GEL Nov 2020 Montecristo No.1 I had was light in milk coffee and cocoa/chocolate, it had a distinctive citrus twang, leather and some nuttiness but it was a tad lighter in any creamy texture on the palate. It was around mild-medium in strength, improved as it went along and only got a little spicy towards the very end. By comparison, my last ESL Dic 2017 Montecristo No.1 I had was obviously again milder, had a core coffee and cocoa, with a hint of citrus twang, but it wasn't cream-textured at all. Rather, it had more of a toasted tobacco and leather combined flavour that dominated it. It also had no nuttiness to it at all. So, it was very different but no better or worse than the four GEL Nov 2020 Montecristo No.1s I've smoked in the last few years. Frankly, it was about the same as my last ESL Dic 2017 Monte 1 and I enjoyed it just the same.

Incidentally, I had only smoked that ESL Dic 2017 Montecristo No.1 a few weeks ago, and had finished my allocation of it in my humidor so I decided it was time to 'crack' open my ESL Ago 2017 box today. This Monte 1 had a beautiful cream texture from the 'get-go' and didn't let up. It had a marshmallow-like soft milk chocolate flavour too and a some nuttiness that was akin to hazelnut. It was quite simply superb. It easily reminded me of the very best examples I've had of this cigar. Frankly, this is how you want your Montecristo No.1s to smoke. In other words, this was brilliant...simply brilliant!

I will still maintain that it's a pity the Montecristo No.1 doesn't get more attention from cigar enthusiasts. After all, it's only 10 millimetres (or two-fifths of an inch) longer than a Cohiba Siglo III but a lot better value in terms of price in comparison, especially since the changes in the pricing of the luxury Cohiba and Trinidad brands by Habanos S.A. in mid-2022.

[JohnS]

Punch Double Coronas LOM Jun 2012

I believe this is just my fifth Punch Double Coronas I've had in the last seven or eight years! 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 I have this LOM Jun 2012 dress box of Punch Double Coronas 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 nice cream texture. The cedar wood complimented it nicely, alongside some leather, fruitiness like currants and a distinctive citrus tart flavour which I find generally characteristic of the Punch marca in general. As the cigar progressed it naturally became more intense in leather and Earth flavours, until these two flavours dominated the last half of the final third. By then, I had enjoyed the best aspects of this cigar, which took me an incredible two-and-three-quarter hours to finish!

This time, this cigar had more evolution or complexity than previous Punch Double Coronas I've smoked in the past. I can see myself smoking another one quite soon!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Churchills 2019 - Habanos Añejados ALP Mar 2007

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

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

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

Perhaps the Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados has restored 'faith' in this program, because despite the elevated price-point of these releases, in 2021 Habanos S.A announced a further two releases of cigars already in regular production; the Montecristo Tubos and Trinidad Fundadores. I'm waiting in anticipation just to view the old-style bands that these latter releases would carry. No surprises that as of early-2024 the Montecristo Tubos was not yet in circulation. However, the Trinidad Fundadores was released in 2024, albeit under a rebranded or rebooted program named 'the Vintage Series'.

According to Cuban Cigar Website, this Vintage Series consists of regular production cigars that are stored in Cuba under perfect conditions for five years or longer, before being inspected, repackaged into special boxes, and released to the market.

In addition to their regular bands, the cigars have a special band indicating the period for which they were stored.

• Vintage 5 (silver) are aged five to nine years
• Vintage 10 (gold bronze) are aged ten to fourteen years
• Vintage 15 (gold) are aged fifteen to nineteen years
• Gran Vintage 20 (large gold glitter band) are aged for twenty years and longer

So this Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados represents the last release of the Anejados program, unless the Montecristo Tubos is released at some point in 2024. Maybe it will be released within the Vintage Series? Who knows?

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

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

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