JohnS' Smoking Diary 2024

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 SPM Feb 2024

I have had a lot of Montecristo No.5s over the years within this blog series. I've had some great, average and bland ones in that time, but it's those great ones that makes me come back to this cigar time and time again. This particular Montecristo No.5 was from a new 10-count SPM Feb 2024 box acquisition and this was the first Monte 5 from that box, smoked ROTT (i.e. right-off-the-truck, so-to-speak, or in layman's terms' smoked without resting).

The Montecristo No.5 was of course one of the original five cigars of the Montecristo line first introduced in 1935 along with the No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4. It's a 40 ring gauge x 102 mm (or 4 inches) in length perla. The typical smoking time for a small cigar like this would be around 30 to 45 minutes.

The last Montecristo No.5 I smoked around just one month ago (from a RUP Sep 2020 box code) had a slightly creamy texture and was dominant in its citrus twang, which is just the way I like it. This six month-old Monte 5 did not have the same creamy texture you mind find in a five year-old specimen, but it did have a nice mix of luscious milk coffee and chocolate and citrus twang. It didn't take long to smoke either; just thirty minutes.

In summary, this was not as fulsome as my last Monte 5 but it was very, very good for a young cigar. In my mind, the way it smoked suggests that it should develop nicely as the flavours were well-balanced and fairly typical for a Montecristo No.5. Time will tell, as they say.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Wide Edmundo UBL Mar 2024

The Montecristo Wide Edmundo is the fourth instalment in the Edmundo line after the Edmundo (2004), Petit Edmundo (2006) and Double Edmundo (2013). It was announced in 2021 and released in October 2022 at a premiere party at the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain. The cigar is packaged in a semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars, a semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars and a display box of 15 aluminium tubed cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 3. At the time of writing this review, those Montecristo Wide Edmundo tubos are yet to see the 'light of day'. In any case, this UBL Mar 2024 Monte Wide Edmundo came from a new 10-count box acquisition and was smoked ROTT (or 'right-off-the-truck', without a period of rest).

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

I punch cut the large head with my Credo 3-in-1 punch cutter and was immediately impressed with the first few puffs. The cigar opened with woody and spicy flavors, along with hints of sweet molasses, vanilla and nuttiness. As the cigar progressed through the first third it developed a citrus, cedar and Earthy profile with a touch of spiciness on the edges. The draw had a slight element of resistance, which is ideal for a Habanos cigar and the cigar's complexity was evident from how it smoked in the first third.

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

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

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

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

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

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No.50 SMA Jul 2018

It's been almost eighteen months since I last had a Quai d'Orsay No.50 from this SMA Jul 2018 box, my...how time flies! This cigar represents the fifth example I've had from this mid-2018 box. I have smoked through a 10-count box of a different SMA Jul 2018 Quai d'Orsay No.50s previously (when first released around six years ago or so), and in the meantime I finished a 10-count of LMB Jun 2019 Quay d'Orsay No.50s, as well as having one or two others from a MSA May 2019 box code, but these never quite matched how good the SMA Jul 2018 Quai d'Orsay No.50s have been for me overall.

I would think that the current popularity on our forum of these Quai d'Orsay releases (i.e. the QDO Nos. 50 and 54) has somewhat diminished in comparison to the fervour these generated when they first came to market and were extremely popular in 2018 and 2019. I wonder if recent examples of these vitolas has dropped off in quality in comparison to that initial run?

What I have admired from this cigar in the past, when it is at its very best, is the luscious egg and butter texture to the smoke, together with the cedar, hazelnut and ginger spice, topped off with a refined brioche bread flavour. Sometimes you can even get sweeter toffee-like flavours. When this occurs, the QdO 50 really shines!

Today's example opened with a gorgeous sweet toffee, settled into a cedar, hazelnut and butter brioche blend and finished with some oak and ginger spice at the end. Beautifully complex, this six year-old QdO No.50 recalled the glory days of the superlative specimens I smoked in 2018 and 2019 when this cigar was well and truly 'hot' and the moniker, "poor man's Cohiba" had no relevance as it was quite simply a moot point.

Having said this though, it seemed that every time I lit up a 2019 box-coded Quai d'Orsay No.50 in late 2019 or in 2020, it was always more prevalent in wood and spice flavours and never as complex or well-balanced neither. Thankfully I have some more 2018 QDO 50s to enjoy in the meantime before I explore a late November 2019 box at some point down-the-track.

In the meantime, be aware that at the time of writing this review there are 'whispers' that Habanos S.A is planning to re-brand Quai d'Orsay as a premium marca and is looking to adjust prices upwards accordingly. Yesterday may be the time to acquire some more Quai d'Orsay then!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo I EPM Dic 2017

The Cohiba Siglo I is the smallest of the Siglo range, a perlas (like the Montecristo No.5 and Rafael Gonzalez Perlas), it is slightly smaller than a minuto (like the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe or Partagas Shorts) at 40 ring gauge x 102 mm or 4 inches in length.

The Linea 1492 series was famously introduced in 1992 to replace the Davidoff Chateaux Series as a premium marca. The five Siglo cigars had correlating Davidoff Chateaux vitolas, with the Cohiba Siglo I replacing the identically-sized Davidoff Chateau Haut-Brion. It's interesting to note that reviews of this now thirty year-old Davidoff cigar on Cigar-Reviews.Org are universally exemplary whereas reviews of the Cohiba Siglo I on the same site are mixed. Perhaps the Cohiba Siglo I needs more time down than other comparative Habanos minutos/perlas? Hmmm...perhaps indeed!

This was the fourth Cohiba Siglo I smoked from a quarter box I acquired in mid-2021. It's quite telling that the third one was only smoked a month ago but was developing quite nicely, in my view. That third Cohiba Siglo I had diminished in its strength of coffee flavours and has since become sweeter, with some real nice honey and vanilla notes. This fourth one was similarly excellent, on account of its exquisite, well-balanced Cohiba flavours including honey, vanilla, hay and milk coffee.

Yes, this was another brilliant example of a Cohiba Siglo I smoked over 55 minutes. However, for its current price, I would hesitate to replace this cigar in my humidor in the future when supplies run out, which shouldn't be too long since I only have a few sticks remaining. Oh well, I guess I'm going to enjoy these sticks I have left!

[JohnS]

Fonseca No.1 OEP Nov 2014

The Fonseca Fonseca No.1 (yes, it's name includes its marca and vitola) was officially discontinued in 2012. Thankfully, its production run continued a few years after and it has been available ever since. Since the beginning of 2022, however, it's only been available sporadically, with the last box code that I've seen dating from mid-2023.

This OEP Nov 2014 came from Spanish stock held by Tabacalera, sourced by Pacific Cigar Company (or PCC) and acquired ultimately via a 24:24 listing on Friends of Habanos. Coincidentally, I noticed that Rob and Ken released a review on the Fonseca No.1 in late 2020 and Rob stated that FoH would account for quite a few sales more than the worldwide average, which is most probably on the lower side of things.

This was my fourth Fonseca No.1 from this box code; the first two were smoked around mid-2021 and the third one was smoked at the beginning of 2023. Those three were all quite decent in how flavoursome they were.

This fourth one started off with a definable cedar/sandalwood and some floral notes, together with a little vanilla sweetness on the edges but it didn't take long for the cigar to become more 'heavy' on the palate; with forest floor, toasted tobacco and spice dominating from the second third onwards. What's more, I had trouble keeping the cigar alight towards the end of the second third. I was relieved to let the cigar burn itself out after 100 minutes...something I rarely do.

After smoking three quite good Fonseca No.1s it was disappointing to encounter this lacklustre effort today. I guess that's the way it goes with the Fonseca No.1. When it's good, it can be rather delectable in its subtlety; but when it's bad, it can be downright bland and boring. It's the type of cigar that you either identify with its mellow nature and appreciate or alternatively you'd classify as 'lifeless', it's that 'leisurely' on the palate.

With the changes in pricing in Habanos cigars since mid-2022, I would think you'd have to be very, very fond of the Fonseca No.1 to continue to acquire it presently. Then again, some of you are continuing to that, and kudos to you for doing so.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Belicosos Finos TAO Nov 2020

The Bolivar Belicosos Finos remains a Friends of Habanos forum favourite, years after topping a Forum poll twice in 2019 declaring members' favourite cigar. Even with the current adjustments upwards to the pricing of Habanos cigars, you'll tend to find that demand is strong on our forum for the BBF when it is listed on 24:24 sales. In the FOH top 26 of 2021 poll as endorsed by El Pres, the Bolivar Belicosos Finos managed to come in at a very respectable eleventh.

Your average Piramide (also known colloquially as a Torpedo) is 52 ring gauge x 156 mm in length, the BBF is a Campanas and so is slightly smaller at 52 ring gauge x 140 mm in length. I continue to find them quite reliable in construction and flavour delivery over the years, on the odd occasion I have one.

In general, I've had excellent smoking experiences with BBFs in 2019/20 but of late I've only had six in a little over three-and-a-half years, I believe. I think the reason for this is because I had intended resting them, albeit not for this long though. Then again, I have been distracted by other Bolivar options in my humidor such an awesome mid-2015 box of Bolivar Tubos No.1, an early-2017 box of outstanding Bolivar Petit Coronas and an equally dependable half-box of mid-2019 Bolivar Coronas Junior!

This BBF was again very light on cocoa, yet it did have those typical BBF flavours; bitter malt, nutmeg, Earth and leather which made it a good option for a change-of-pace from my usual 'go-to' cigars. Like my last BBF, there wasn't any 'licorice' sweetness or extra spiciness in the back-half of this BBF today, like I have had with other BBF's in the past. In general, this Bolivar Belicosos Finos was quite full in body. I think it would appeal to those of us who like a stronger Habanos cigar, on occasion (or even more regularly!).

In terms of construction, I had to re-light it two or three times. It didn't detract from how well the cigar smoked overall, though because thankfully there wasn't any bitter residual on the palate.

In conclusion, I didn't mind this BBF; but I still prefer my other Bolivar cigars in my humidor for the time being (e.g. early-2017 Bolivar Petit Coronas, mid-2019 Bolivar Coronas Junior and mid-2015 Bolivar Tubos No.1) .

[TomsRibs210]

Thank you for these reviews. As a novice, I am grateful for this educational tool. 

[JohnS]

7 hours ago, TomsRibs210 said:

Thank you these reviews. As a novice, I am grateful for this educational tool. 

It's my pleasure. I'm glad they can be of assistance to you.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial TOS May 2016

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial was the first Limited Edition to be re-released as a regular production cigar. Like the 2004 Limited Edition, the regular production Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial, released in 2008, is a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm (or 5½ inches) in length Gorditos vitola. Like the HdM Epicure No.1 and No.2, it was released in a 25-count and 50-count Slide lid box, as well as a Display box of 15 aluminum tubed cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 3. The HdM Epicure No.1 and No.2 also come in a Display box of 15 cigars in 5 cardboard packs of 3 whereas the HdM Epicure Especial comes in a Slide lid box of 10 cigars. The Epicure No.2 is the only vitola of these three still released in 50 cabs. (The Epicure No.1 50 cab was discontinued in 2010 and the Epicure Especial 50 cab was discontinued in 2012.)

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial is noted for being the 'king of cream' amongst Hoyo de Monterrey vitolas. For me, when they lack that creamy texture their appeal wanes. On the contrary, when the HdM Epicure Especial is 'on', both in terms of flavour and construction, it will invariably give you a light cocoa, cedar and vanilla core flavour often mingled with some spice, with a consistent cream texture throughout. And this is what you really want from this cigar, in my opinion.

My last Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial lacked lustre, in other words, it didn't 'shine'. Sure, it had light cocoa, cedar, some spice and vanilla but the creaminess was practically non-existent. In my opinion, a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial that lacks a creamy texture can never reach great heights, And indeed, that particular HdM EE was just average overall.

This HdM EE was better today. After an interval of fifteen months I can actually say that the first third started off in a promising fashion; after all, how else could you describe a cigar that began with a combination of vanilla spice and cream from the get-go? However, it soon settled into a cedar, light cocoa and spice concoction until its end, and that didn't come until one hour and fifty minutes had passed. You'd have to agree that 110 minutes is a long time for a cigar to be mostly 'off-the-mark'!

What more could I add? I've had better Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2s. I've never had the same luck with the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial. Unfortunately, a great one keeps alluding me. Oh well, I have one more HdM EE left in my humidor, thus, I have one more chance.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Tacos 2018 - Edición Limitada UER Dic 2018

The Romeo y Julieta Tacos is a 2018 Limited Edition. At its world launch event in Madrid, Spain in September 2018 it was revealed that the Tacos' dimensions of 49 ring gauge x 168 mm (or 6⅝ inches) in length is a reference to the 1970s Tacos Imperiales. For a Limited Edition, I must admit, I did like this size, and more so in regards to its circumference or ring gauge being under 50 rg.

I have seen these RyJ Taco ELs come in Colorado shaded wrappers and Colorado-Maduro shaded wrappers. My Taco was of the Colorado-Maduro variety, and mottled to boot!

After five-and-a-half years, this cigar is now medium-bodied, which frankly comes as no surprise. Again, like my last RyJ Tacos LE I smoked at the beginning of 2023, it was not complex in its variety of flavours, rather it had a core combination of chocolate, wood, leather and some RyJ 'fruitiness' to it but it was not overly sweet.

So was this specific 2018 Romeo y Julieta Tacos better than the 2016 Romeo y Julieta Capuletos? For me, it was simply a case of the two cigars being different. The reason I say that is because I am partial to Romeo y Julieta as a marca, if you don't have a natural disposition to RyJ then I would surmise that you would either love or hate this 2018 Limited Edition release. Then again, I haven't seen much mention of this cigar since its release. It came to market 'under-the-radar' and it frankly stayed there.

This was now my fourth 2018 RyJ Tacos smoked in the last three or four years and it continues to be somewhat muddled in its flavours, even after five years of rest. I can't tell you whether that will change anytime soon, but I would guess that it will probably not. Maybe it will, but I seriously doubt it. In comparison to the other 2018 Limited Editions; that is, the Bolivar Soberanos and H.Upmann Propios, the RyJ Tacos LE is no better or worse on account of the fact that we haven't heard much from those releases in the meantime either. By comparison, I'd happily smoke any of the 2019 Limited Editions anyday! (I.e. the Montecristo Supremos, Quai d'Orsay Senadores and Ramon Allones No.2.)

As for any post-2019 Limited Editions (i.e. the Partagas Legados, Bolivar Regentes, Cohiba 55 Aniversario, Hoyo de Monterrey Monterreyes No.4 and Trinidad Cabildos), I must admit I haven't tried any and I am unlikely to with the current pricing of these special releases. I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay Imperiales 2022 - Travel Humidor UBL Jul 2023

The Quai d'Orsay Imperiales was a regular production Churchill-sized cigar (i.e. with a 47 ring gauge x 178 millimetres or 7 inch length) that was discontinued in 2015. In 2022, Habanos S.A. announced that the cigar will return as a Duty Free and Travel Retail release, in an ornate Travel Humidor holding 20 cigars. The cigar finally hit the market in early 2024.

According to Cuban Cigar Website, the Duty Free and Travel Retail programme was introduced in 2006. Items in this series are released exclusively for sale in Duty Free and Travel Retail stores. They are generally marketed as luxury gift items. They are usually travel humidors, although there have been examples of both jars and tube sets in this category. They have contained both standard production and special cigars. Recently (as in this week at the time of writing this post), the Hoyo de Monterrey Destinos was released in Andorra. In 2021, the Trinidad Robustos Extra was released after being discontinued in 2012. (Critically-speaking, this release was very well received.)

I had the opportunity to smoke this cigar today and I can affirm that it was quite simply exemplary. In a nutshell, as a Julieta No.2-sized cigar (in other words, the factory name for a Churchill) this Quai d'Orsay Imperial Travel Humidor release more than 'held its own' in comparison to any Cohiba Esplendidos, H.Upmann Sir Winston or Romeo y Julieta Churchills I've smoked. Yes, it's quite a bold statement to make, but quite simply, apart from a touch of cloves in the initial puffs, this QdO Imperiales was all soft brioche, butter, cream, hay, orange citrus and vanilla over two hours of smoking bliss. In terms of construction; here it was impeccable. The ash-lengths were ideal, the ash rings were like stacked dimes and there wasn't even a hint of needing to re-light anything or indeed touch anything up. It was that sort of cigar.

In comparison to the Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50, 54 and Coronas Claros I've smoked which have all contained the new Quai d'Orsay blend post-2017, this QdO Imperiales had no harsh edges, no cedar, oak or woodiness and no toasted tobacco in the last third. So, imagine the perfect Quai d'Orsay cigar and this would just about describe it.

I think I would have to smoke another QdO Imperiales to compare some point soon, however; it's all interesting that there are rumours that Habanos S.A. is looking to re-brand Quai d'Orsay as a premium marca in line with Cohiba and Trinidad. If you enjoy Quai d'Orsay perhaps look to acquire some more vitolas of your choice as soon as possible.

[JohnS]

Juan López Selección Especial 2020 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo GRM Sep 2021

The Juan López Selección Especial is a La Casa del Habano Exclusivo release, first announced in 2020 and available for purchase in late 2021. The timing of the announcement was meant to capitilise on the 150th anniversary of the Juan López marca and the 30th anniversary of the La Casa del Habano program.

The cigar has a 52 ring gauge  x 170 millimetres (or 6¾ inches) length. It is a unique Fortunas size (okay...unless you are 'au fait' with obscure Regional Editions such as the 2009 Juan López Selección Suprema and 2010 Ramón Allones Gladiator, which are the only Habanos cigars that share its size), although one could just as readily say that the JL Selección Especial is a Double Robustos. In essence, any way you look at it, it's a big cigar.

I must say, the La Casa del Habano program has been replete with quality releases of late, because either side of the 2020 Juan López Selección Especial we have been fortunate to have had the 2017 Trinidad La Trova, 2018 Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos, 2021 La Gloria Cubana Glorias, 2022 El Rey del Mundo Royal Series and 2023 Bolívar New Gold Medal. So how did this mid-2021 box code Juan López Selección Especial fare today, by comparison?

In general, cigar enthusiasts have lauded this release and after smoking this JL Selección Especial it's not hard to see why. Quite simply, the cigar oozes class. If one thinks of the Juan López Selección Nos. 1 and 2, it's generally agreed that these vitolas within the Juan López marca are full-bodied. This Juan López LCDH release was still full of flavour but it was more medium to medium-full in body and strength.

The other distinctive note that impressed me about this cigar was its balance of flavours. The espresso coffee here was toned down, the Cointreau and orange chocolate was on-point and the combination of wood, Earth and bread (which I admit sounds like a strange mix, but if you smoke Juan López even semi-regularly I would hazard to guess that you would know what I mean in this description) never raised its tone at any point to resemble toasted tobacco.

I can't say that I readily identify with the Juan López marca. Even so, I've smoked enough Habanos cigars in my lifetime to easily identify a great cigar, and this Juan López Selección Especial was definitely one of those. For me, the best way to describe it is to think of what the Trinidad La Trova LCDH is to the Trinidad marca; well, in the same way, that is what the Juan López Selección Especial is within the Juan López marca.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No.50 OER Jun 2021

Okay, so I admit that I wanted to be 'ahead of game', so-to-speak, so I acquired a few more Quai d'Orsay cigars before they increase in price, as is presently rumoured at the time of writing this review. I mean, it was only two weeks ago that I smoked a Quai d'Orsay No.50, but this was the first of a quarter pack acquisition so I had to have it 'right-off-the-truck' (ROTT).

So, although I waited eighteen months to sample a Quai d'Orsay No.50 from my present stock, this newly acquired QdO No.50 was smoked within two weeks of having my last one. I had written in my last review that what I have admired from this cigar in the past, when it is at its very best, is the luscious egg and butter texture to the smoke, together with the cedar, hazelnut and ginger spice, topped off with a refined brioche bread flavour. Sometimes you can even get sweeter toffee-like flavours. When this occurs, the QdO 50 really shines!

Today's mid-2021 QdO No.50 opened with a 'ton' of smoke per puff. The cigar was certainly full of flavour, but I had to smoke it much slower than normal. Sweet toffee, hazelnut, oak and ginger spice from beginning to end, I had no issue enjoying this cigar today. It took me sixty-five minutes to smoke though.

I'm grateful that unlike every time I lit up a 2019 box-coded Quai d'Orsay No.50 in late 2019 or in 2020, it was always more prevalent in wood and spice flavours and never as complex or well-balanced neither. Thankfully this mid-2021 QdO No.50 was flavourful and well-balanced...or fairly well-balanced because after all, a cigar is balanced in its smoking or it's not, generally-speaking.

In the meantime, remember that at the time of writing this review there are 'whispers' that Habanos S.A is planning to re-brand Quai d'Orsay as a premium marca and is looking to adjust prices upwards accordingly. Yesterday may be the time to acquire some more Quai d'Orsay then!

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No.54 MSU Jul 2018

The resurgence of Quai d'Orsay as a marca in worldwide Habanos markets since its re-branding in 2017 is something quite remarkable to reflect on. In the time that the QdO Nos. 50 and 54 were released, they've been colloquially termed the 'poor man's Cohiba' by enthusiasts. The Quai d'Orsay No.54 has been the more popular of the two new releases than the No.50, both on our forum and worldwide. Personally, I've connected more with the QdO No.50 than the No.54 in the last few years, but my last few QdO No.54s in the second half of 2020 and in the third quarter of 2022 have shown a large improvement for me in quality.

Quai d'Orsay is the only marca founded outside of Cuba and by request. The story goes that French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing wanted a uniquely French luxury cigar product to compliment other synonymous French luxury items such as French champagne, perfume and foie gras so he asked the French tobacco monopoly, SEITA to come up with the product. Tobacco Executive Gilbert Belaubre, rarely credited in these Quai d'Orsay origin anecdotes, was really the man responsible for the brand being light and Habanos as he was adamant that a French luxury cigar could not be machine-made and utilise Sumatra and Cameroon leaves (as one of the other project teams planned to do). Belaubre worked with Cubatabaco to come up with the brand in 1974. At first the brand consisted of light-wrappered cigars; in fact the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro had two versions as the lightest-wrappered product was called 'Claro Claro' and was marked 'Clarismo' on its box. This lightest-wrappered product was discontinued in the early 1980s as the extra expense didn't translate into an extraordinary cigar-smoking experience in comparison to the other cigars in the marca such as the Coronas Claro, Gran Corona, Imperiales and Panatelas.

For many years the marca utilised light wrappers in keeping with its light and mild strength and herbal, shortbread and citrus flavour profile. Quai d'Orsay became the second largest Habanos marca behind Montecristo in France but it didn't really dominate other non-French speaking markets. Fast forward a number of years, and with the brand down to one cigar in regular production; the QdO Coronas Claro, a change in using light wrappers and an upgrading of blend has meant that the Quai d'Orsay would have to be one of the hottest marcas outside the current Global (Cohiba, H.Upmann, Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta) and Value brands (Bolivar, Punch, Ramon Allones and Trinidad) in the world today. Currently, the marca has been expanded to five vitolas; the Coronas Claro, No.50, No.52, No.54 and the upcoming Especial d'Orsay to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Quai d'Orsay brand.

As I mentioned already, I've preferred the Quai d'Orsay No.50 (of the two new Quai d'Orsay releases) and as a result, this is actually my first Quai d'Orsay No.54 I've smoked in almost two years. My last Quai d'Orsay No.54 had a quality hay, light cedar and cream blend together with an egg and brioche texture which made it smoke superbly. Fast forward to the present time and at over six years of age, this QdO No.54 had a notable egg and brioche blend with minimal wood as I progressed through the cigar. It also had no spice. It was quite easy to smoke; in fact, it didn't seem that 100 minutes had passed when I finished the smoke.

I have no doubt that the upcoming Quai d'Orsay Especial d'Orsay (a 53 ring gauge x 153 mm or 6 inch in length Sobresalientes with a 1974-2024 commemorative foot band) will generate great interest whenever it arrives. In the meantime, the resurgence of Quai d'Orsay has been quite something to marvel at. There were only five special releases in this brand prior to 2018, since then they've been eight.

For me personally, the old adage that Quai d'Orsay cigars require time (in the vicinity of somewhere like three to five years) to appreciate more fully is certainly true when it comes to the Quai d'Orsay No.54. It seems that every time I reach for a Quai d'Orsay no.54 from my humidor they keep getting better. I would venture to say that perhaps today's QdO 54 was the very best one that I have smoked to date, and believe me, that's no exaggeration!

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story

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

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

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

This is just the eighth Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story I've had since mid-2022; however, this box has seen an ever-reliable outcome of mild and sweet, balanced flavours that has very much resonated with me and I again I was curious if this would continue with this particular Arturo Fuente Short Story today, considering it has been just over two months since I've had one.

This AF Short Story again opened with a beautiful sweet hit akin to white chocolate, mixed with cedar and hay. In fact, I am no longer surprised by how consistent this outcome is. In the middle of the cigar the smoke settled into its usual leather and hay combination. This is a normal transition in line with what I've experienced with other AF Short Storys I've smoked in the last year-and-a-half to two years.

Towards the end of the cigar, there was a touch of spice which necessitated that I slow down my smoking. Once I did that, the final third was mainly all leather. Once again, I was happy to nub this cigar to its conclusion.

Again, I've said it before in previous reviews, but in my opinion, it's worth repeating again. The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story easily competes in excellence with short-sized Habanos cigars. If I didn't smoke a variety of Habanos and Non-Cuban cigars within this blog series I would definitely smoke the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story more often. It goes to show how highly I think of it. It's quite simply an awesome, versatile cigar!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.6 UTL Abr 2019

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

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

In the meantime, if you've sampled these then you'd know that they pack a ton of flavour in an oft medium-strength small cigar. Sourdough, coffee and leather, variously with pepper or spice; in other words, standard core Partagas DNA flavours.

Now, this is my first Partagas Serie D No.6 that I have smoked in fifteen months, and since this cigar has reached five years of age it has developed a little since the last time I smoked it. It wasn't as fulsome in flavour, it had a touch of spice or pepper to it and was milder than usual...around the mild-medium mark. It was more dominant in leather notes than sourdough ones. The coffee was more cream-like than espresso-like.

I notice that as a result of the downturn in Habanos cigar production since mid-2022, many marcas and vitolas had gone into hiatus but the Partagas Serie D No.4, Partagas Serie D No.5 and Partagas Serie D No.6 continued to be readily available. I'm grateful for that as I would vouchsafe that these vitolas were the most consistent Habanos cigars produced at that time, in my view. (I.e. From mid-2022 until mid-2023.)

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

[99call]

22 minutes ago, JohnS said:

It was quite easy to smoke; in fact, it didn't seem that 100 minutes had passed when I finished the smoke.

Frustratingly I found a lot of underfilling with the 54's  

Really looking forward to your thoughts on the 52 John, I have a feeling it's going to be the black sheep of the QDO family. 

[JohnS]

21 minutes ago, 99call said:

Frustratingly I found a lot of underfilling with the 54's  

Really looking forward to your thoughts on the 52 John, I have a feeling it's going to be the black sheep of the QDO family. 

Thanks, Stefan. I will seek out the Quai d'Orsay No.52 when I get a chance.

[joeypots]

Well done again, John. Thanks

[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 sixteenth 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 fourth 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 fourth PSD4 from the box fare? In summary, quite well! I wasn't expecting it to be as mild in strength and body as 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 make a huge difference.

This fourth one, smoked eight 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 this particular PSD4 had more leather to it.

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]

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. That was about five months ago and so this is now my third one smoked from this 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 now ten year-old box El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme thankfully mostly has wonderful thin, colorado-shaded wrappers. Simply put, this Hermosos No.4-sized cigar (48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches in length) once again had a wonderful aroma and was full of mild, sweet and savoury flavours that made me reminisce for a time when the El Rey del Mundo marca was more extensive and well-known. This was a definite subtlety from beginning to end. In terms of the flavours, I have to admit that due to melding over ten years, the flavours were not as delineated in comparison to what you may come to expect from a younger cigar within this marca. However, I can state that there was a wonderful 'interplay' between some almond nut, shortbread, honey, lemon citrus, floral notes and tea, with those latter notes more evident in the second half of the cigar.

At ten years of age, it wasn't a huge surprise as to how approachable this was for an ERdM cigar. In fact, it was quite easy to retrohale throughout and to smoke well into the last third. However, as I've mentioned in previous and recent reviews on this cigar, 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, nor are there many reviews published on-line at the present time of writing (this). 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

I waited until this LUB Oct 2014 H.Upmann No.2 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.

In relation to box codes, the question of their consistency, quality and thus their desirability, the issue was brought up recently in a FoH ZOOM meeting earlier this year. The consensus amongst the more experienced cigar enthusiasts in that meeting was that 'runs' of 'hot' box codes were a feature of Habanos cigars up until the advent of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. Thereafter, with supplies in decline, the question of box (or factory) codes is not quite the same as it was before.

As I mentioned, I only opened this box around five months ago and smoked my first two cigars in the space of a week. Within this blog series, I normally don't that because I'm looking to report on the development of various cigars as they rest and age over time; however, the first two H.Upmann No.2s were that enticing, that irresistible! I rated both those HU2s as 5-star cigars. This third one? Well...it was on 'another level', so-to-speak! I mean, can you rate cigars as being '6-star'? Perhaps not, and musicians can't really turn up the volume on their amplifiers to '11' but isn't it wonderful that the power of communication allows for hyperbole?

Once again, there was no white pepper at all in this cigar today, unlike younger examples of H.Upmann No.2s I've enjoyed in the past. It had a combination of cedar, nut and cream throughout. The leather here was not as evident in the blend as my first two H.Upmann No.2s smoked from the box and this time there wasn't any coffee and wood flavours in the last third. This was just 'smoking heaven' all the way from start to finish!

What more could one ask for? Frankly, not much other than to hope the next cigar from this box smokes in an identical fashion. I'll keep you informed, trust me!

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Jul 2017

The Por Larranaga Montecarlos is a 33 ring gauge x 159 mm (or 6¼ inches) in length cigar commonly considered a 'forum favourite' on our forum...you know, a cigar that has many admirers for providing value for money when it comes to its smoking performance.

I'd like to thank @Luca for gifting me this LGR Jul 17 PL Montecarlos to smoke today. It very much reminded me of my LGR Oct 17 box which was mostly light-wrappered and consistently caramel in its profile. This box, purchased for $US72 (don't we wish we could see those prices again?), is probably one of my most significant acquisitions I've ever made in terms of Habanos cigars. The return in value far exceeded what I paid for it. I smoked through the box between January 2019 and January 2023.  

Like the greater majority of LGR Oct 17 PL Montecarlos I smoked, this cigar today was characterised by its beautiful hit of sweet, refined caramel. It is always the one characteristic that I look for whenever I smoke this cigar. Together with the milk coffee, the honey and the woodiness you can get from a PL Montecarlos (again in the last third today) it simply makes for a great smoke, flavour-wise. Sometimes, you can get a sweet toffee flavour from these cigars too, and I did get some of that in the first third.

In regards to construction, this PL Montecarlos burned consistently well and didn't need re-lights.

The adage when it comes to Por Larranaga cigars that they need five to eight years to mature is certainly a generalisation. Well, I can state that this may be more true of the PL Petit Coronas than the PL Montecarlos in that the PL Petit Coronas does need more time. Yet this PL Montecarlos stick, aged just over seven years, was within this 'window' and it proved this stereotypical saying true. Not bad for a cigar acquired for $US3 a stick!

[JohnS]

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

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

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

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

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

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

The first few puffs of this Bolivar New Gold Medal immediately revealed that this was to be a quality smoke. Folks, it was that obvious. Full-flavoured yet mild, the opening was brilliant featuring notes of Earthiness, fruitiness, licorice, cappuccino coffee, and leather. There was no spice or pepper; no harshness on the edges at all. The smoke was quite 'rounded' on the palate.

In the middle third, that initial mild strength which produced such wonderful flavours increased a touch in intensity, revealing some more Earth or leather, as is quite typical for a Bolivar cigar. Underpinning the blend at this point was the enticing interplay between the cappuccino coffee and licorice sweetness which had me 'hooked' from the very first puff and was now continuing to do so as I approached the final third.

In the final third, the sweetness diminished a touch, revealing a subtle Earthiness. However, that sweetness still had me nubbing this cigar to the very edges of my fingertips. The finish throughout was full and long, which no doubt contributed to the two hour and twenty minute smoking time.

In summary, this cigar is truly phenomenal, and smoking it was thoroughly enjoyable. For me, it most resembles the blend found in a Bolivar Libertador LCDH, only more refined and more classier. The increase in girth to 48 rg had me thinking at first of the mid-90s Chris Isaak song, "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing." Specifically, the refrain in the song that is quoted: "I feel like crying!" However, as I smoked through this Bolivar New Gold Medal today I couldn't but help thinking of another song; this one being the Small Faces "Itchycoo Park" and its famous lyrical refrain, "It's all too beautiful." And indeed it was!

What more can I say? If the price point of this cigar wasn't so restrictively high I would counsel you to acquire a box as a minimum. However, that's difficult to do when one stick is around $US60 to $US70 or around the £GBP100 for our UK members. Even for me, after conversion this equates to around $US100 a stick. Alas, I have acquired a few singles and may do so again in the future. So come to think of it now, I would say that after smoking the Bolivar New Gold Medal that "it's almost all too beautiful!"

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay Imperiales 2022 - Travel Humidor UBL Jul 2023

The Quai d'Orsay Imperiales was a regular production Churchill-sized cigar (i.e. with a 47 ring gauge x 178 millimetres or 7 inch length) that was discontinued in 2015. In 2022, Habanos S.A. announced that the cigar will return as a Duty Free and Travel Retail release, in an ornate Travel Humidor holding 20 cigars. The cigar finally hit the market in early 2024.

According to Cuban Cigar Website, the Duty Free and Travel Retail programme was introduced in 2006. Items in this series are released exclusively for sale in Duty Free and Travel Retail stores. They are generally marketed as luxury gift items. They are usually travel humidors, although there have been examples of both jars and tube sets in this category. They have contained both standard production and special cigars. Recently (as in this week at the time of writing this post), the Hoyo de Monterrey Destinos was released in Andorra. In 2021, the Trinidad Robustos Extra was released after being discontinued in 2012. (Critically-speaking, this release was very well received.)

I had the opportunity to first smoke this cigar two weeks ago and I affirmed at the time that it was quite simply exemplary. For that reason, I simply had to have another within a shorter than usual timespan (for me). To say that I was looking forward to smoking this Quai d'Orsay Imperiales today would be an understatement.

This Quai d'Orsay Imperial Travel Humidor release did not smoke as brilliantly as my initial one two weeks ago, but it still compared well to any Cohiba Esplendidos, H.Upmann Sir Winston or Romeo y Julieta Churchills I've smoked on account of its quality flavours. Like my last QdO Imperiales, there was a combination of brioche, butter, hay and orange citrus over an hour-and-a-half of smoking. This time, this second QdO Imperiales was less cream-textured and there was minimal vanilla sweetness. In terms of construction; the ash was a touch flaky and so ash-lengths were no longer than a half-inch at most, yet still the ash rings were like stacked dimes.

In comparison to the Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50, 54 and Coronas Claros I've smoked which have all contained the new Quai d'Orsay blend post-2017, this QdO Imperiales again had no harsh edges, no cedar, oak or woodiness and no toasted tobacco in the last third.

I continue to be enamoured with this release. It has reinforced in my mind the notion that since mid-2022 Habanos S.A. has tiered these special releases with a higher price point to be of a smoking quality that is greater than the standard regular production offerings. And in a way, that's a shame as part of the appeal of our hobby is the value of resting and aging one's own regular production cigars and judging that value by their improvement over time against an initial outlay. The bigger the difference between those two parameters; the greater the satisfaction.

I guess we've entered a new phase in Habanos cigars whereby quality cigars requires a much bigger initial monetary outlay. It just means that we will need to enjoy cigars like the Quai d'Orsay Imperiales Travel Humidor less often than we would have in the past. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it currently is.