JohnS' Smoking Diary 2024

[JohnS]

Trinidad Robustos Extra Circa 2023

The Trinidad Robustos Extra. Where do we start with this cigar? It's a long story. It first appeared as a regular production cigar in 2004 before been discontinued in 2012. Habanos S.A. made it available as Travel Humidor release in 2020 in a replete 14-count lacquered box. Luxury boîte nature boxes of 3 cigars were made available for sale at the XXIV Festival del Habano in 2024 and Habanos S.A. announced that it will return to regular production in 2024 in 12-count boxes. The latest iteration has a standard Trinidad band, a 55th Anniversary Trinidad band (only for 2024) and a foot band.

Today's cigar came courtesy of the graciousness of the proprietor of Cuban Cigar Website, Alex Groom, who attended the 2024 Habanos Festival and picked up a 3-count box which he shared with me and the previous owner of Cuban Cigar Website, Trevor Leask. One thing that all versions of the Trinidad Robustos Extra share is the size. They have all been 50 ring gauge x 155 millimetres (or 6⅛ inches) in length Dobles Ts (or Robustos Extras).

I had the good fortune to enjoy a 12-count of the original Trinidad Robustos Extra release which I aged and enjoyed during 2019 and 2020. I especially enjoyed sharing them with other dear cigar enthusiasts who hadn't had the opportunity to smoke the cigar. How did I remember them? I can tell you that all of the ones that I smoked from that OUS Sep 2009 box were around the 95-point mark in their smoking. They were mainly mild barnyard hay, tea, honey and butter in their blend and glorious in their satisfaction. So why did Habanos S.A. discontinue them in 2012? Quite simply, Habanos S.A. has always viewed the Trinidad brand as a complimentary luxury brand to Cohiba and at the time the Robustos Extra and the equally popular Robustos T were not keeping up in sales with similar cigars within the Cohiba marca; namely, the Cohiba Siglo VI and Cohiba Robustos respectively so they stopped production with the intent of releasing them further down-the-track. After the 2019 50th Anniversary releases (i.e. the Esmeralda, Topes and Media Luna) and the re-branding of Trinidad post 2022, the Robustos Extra has made a comeback. We'll wait and see if the Robustos T is re-introduced.

All three of us (i.e. Alex, Trevor and myself) agreed that this cigar, which had no box code but was most probably boxed in late 2023, was a quality cigar. It was not like my aged OUS Sep 2009 box though. Rather, this was milder (believe it or not), subtle in its sweet and savoury flavours and not obviously 'Trinidad' in its smoking as compared to the many Trinidad cigars I've smoked over the years. I would praise the fine balance by which this cigar held my interest over the time I smoked it though. For me, it was like a cream-textured salted caramel delight that was not buttery, woody, coffee-flavoured or spicy in any way. I could retrohale it easily from beginning to end. As I said, I nubbed it in appreciation.

Would I seek to acquire a 12-count box now that the Trinidad Robustos Extra has been designated as a regular production release? Honestly, the memory of the original Robustos Extra still lingers in my forethoughts and I must say probably not. Don't get me wrong, this is a fine cigar. In comparison to some other recent quality releases I've sampled such as the Quai d'Orsay Imperiales Travel Humidor and the Bolivar New Gold Medal, this Trinidad Robustos Extra is not as 'wholesome' in its flavour delivery as those cigars. But, it's still a fine cigar. Take my word for it.

[JohnS]

H.Upmann No.2 LUB Oct 2014

How do you follow up smoking a Trinidad Robustos Extra? Well, since I have been enamoured with my 10 year-old LUB Oct 2014 H.Upmann No.2 box of late I figured I would share some with the two men responsible for Cuban Cigar Website, Alex Groom and Trevor Leask. It proved to be a wise choice.

It was just last week that I had smoked a brilliant stick from this box and today's H.Upmann No.2 proved to be much of the same, thankfully. It had a combination of cream, nut and cedar throughout and a touch of leather. The only notable difference from last week's cigar was a hint of white pepper in the last third. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the cigar however. I considered it equally as brilliant as the other H.Upmann No.2s I've had from the box thus far.

Upon its conclusion all three of us were in agreement. This was a fine cigar worthy of sharing with dear friends. I look forward to doing the same with others in the future.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.3 Circa 2013

The Montecristo No.3 is a 42 ring gauge x 142 mm (or 5⅝ inches in length) Coronas. These were much more prevalent in the Habanos regular production catalogue once upon a time but now there are only the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro and Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.2 available beside the Montecristo No.3. In fact, in the last twenty years (or so) seventeen Coronas have been discontinued as can be seen below:

2002 - H.Upmann Coronas, Punch Royal Coronations, Ramon Allones Coronas and Romeo y Julieta Romeo No.1 de Luxe
2006 - Bolivar Coronas, Diplomaticos No.3, El Rey del Mundo Coronas de Luxe, Hoyo de Monterrey Hoyo Corona, Juan Lopez Coronas, Partagas Coronas and Sancho Panza Coronas
2009 - Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi and Punch Coronas
2010 - Saint Luis Rey Coronas
2012 - Romeo y Julieta Coronas and Vegas Robaina Familiar
2017 - Bolivar Tubos No.1

I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 in offering me this aged Montecristo No.3 to smoke today. In regards to the Montecristo No.3, is it similar to the No.4? In generalised terms, in regards to blending, I would say yes it is related to the No.4 (and No.1) with slight differences in strength.

This is only my third Montecristo No.3 I've had in last seven or eight years, so I can't say that I've been reaching for them myself. My last Montecristo No.3 I smoked a little over three-and-a-half years ago had a discernible citrus twang, which I've noted in pretty much all the Montecristo cigars I've smoked produced since 2018 to some degree, milk coffee, nut and of course cocoa. This aged Monte 3, from circa 2013, was paradoxically devoid of cocoa. It had coffee, nut, a little citrus twang and leather but without any cocoa it was not very reminiscent of a Montecristo-branded cigar.

So, my devotion to the Montecristo marca will continue, no doubt, after I had this uncharacteristic Monte cigar but it probably won't be with a box of Montecristo No.3. I'm still inclined to go for a Montecristo No.4 or No.2 prior to reaching for this cigar. It's not the size of the cigar, however, that makes a difference to me as I'm still gratefully going through a box of Bolivar Tubos No.1. Rather, it's the fact that I haven't had a Monte 3 'blow me away' like other Montecristo cigars in recent years.

[JohnS]

Punch Punch Circa 2013

I'd like to acknowledge @Trevor2118 for gifting me this cigar to review. You see, it's not often that I get the chance to smoke an aged Punch Punch that is over ten years old. They are quite different from Punch Punch that is less than five years old, in my opinion, which represents the majority of Punch Punch I've smoked. Alas, when the Punch Punch 50 cab packaging was discontinued in 2017 I managed to acquire a 2016 box which I hope to smoke from in the near future. We'll see as to exactly when.

The opening was a mixture of sour cream and sweet Cuban 'twang'. This was simply delectable. If you happen to have a box of aged Punch Punch, and they open like this, you would be 'hard-pressed' not to smoke them one after the other! At some point in the first third those typical Punch flavours of cedar and leather 'kicked in' until the conclusion of the cigar. However, there wasn't any spice here to be had.

It wasn't complex in any way. In fact, it was somewhat rudimentary in its flavours but I suppose after ten years the flavours have diminished in intensity and blended within each other. So therefore, this cigar has well and truly 'evened' out over time. This didn't detract whatsoever from how good a cigar this was though. It was fairly typical of aged Punch Punch I've had before, and this quite pleased me!

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

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.1 ESL Ago 2017

I mentioned in my last review on the Montecristo No.1 that 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 Montecristo 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 only 'cracked' open this ESL Ago 2017 box five months ago. The first Monte 1 from the box 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, it was brilliant...simply brilliant!

In contrast, the second Monte 1 from the box was downright terrible. I suspect it was slightly under-filled, but in general it lacked any soft cream texture, milk chocolate or marshmallow-type flavours. It was all a generic cocoa mess and what didn't help was the constant re-lights after the halfway point of the cigar. The difference between the first cigar and the second one smoked from the box was like 'night and day'.

This third one, smoked after a period of three months saw a return to form, so-to-speak, as this particular Montecristo No.1 had a citrus twang to it, coffee and plenty of cocoa. It didn't really have a soft, marshmallow or cream texture to it. If it did it would have been about perfect. Nevertheless, I was just happy as it was. After all, it was a lot better than the second Monte 1 from the box!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus SRO Feb 2018

The Sancho Panza Non Plus was discontinued in early 2019, with the last box codes cited from before mid-2018. I made sure to acquire some of these last boxes, despite the fact the Sancho Panza Non Plus never lived up to the same reputation as the Sancho Panza Belicosos and similarly-deleted Molinos. In early 2022, astonishingly, 2021 box coded SP Non Plus were been produced again. The same thing happened in 2021 in regards to the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, which despite never having an official verification of deletion hadn't been seen since 2018. Fast forward to the present time and the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, whilst not being in plentiful supply, has been seen with 2024 box codes. The Sancho Panza Non Plus has been more readily available, but only because it seems that they are on their last run, with the latest box codes from mid-2023. So it seems that the Sancho Panza non Plus is finally gone. Get them while you can!

In general, of the boxes I acquired, my RUM Abr 2018 box, which are of a light-wrappered colorado to colorado claro shade, have been better than the Non Plus cigars from my SRO Feb 2018 box, which are darker-wrappered and more of a mottled colorado rosado shade. Admittedly I've only had six (or so) from each box. If one had to make a judgment on these two boxes based on wrapper shade, then you'd go for the darker, mottled-wrappered SRO Feb 2018 varieties rather than the plain, lighter RUM Abr 2018 examples. The famous idiom to 'never judge a book by its cover' couldn't be more pertinent in this case.

The last SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus I smoked fifteen months ago was rather generic. Sadly, it was heavy on the palate, bland in its woodiness and quite 'closed' in its flavour delivery. It wasn't the worst cigar I've ever smoked but it didn't exactly redeem itself. Forgive me for not painting a more vivid picture for you, but, to borrow another famous idiom, it was quite simply 'nothing worthwhile to write home about!'.

So how did this SRO Feb 2018 SP Non Plus turn out? At a touch over six-and-a-half years of age it was a simple delight of floral notes and sweet tea in its opening, and a hint of wood and salt which steadily increased as I smoked down on the cigar. It smoked ideally, with no construction problems, over eighty-five minutes. It was quite possibly the best SP Non Plus I've ever smoked!

The floral notes and sweetness in the first half of the cigar suggests that it is evolving into its next stage of development for me. I quite like Sancho Panza Non Plus cigars when they smoke this way. I look forward to my next cigar from this box!

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Non Plus RUM Abr 2018

I have mentioned previously in reviews on this cigar that the Sancho Panza Non Plus was discontinued in early 2019. It was never a big seller in the Habanos catalogue. I have mentioned before that, in my view, the main reason for this is because of the generic flavours the SP Non Plus is known for in its youth. In other words, it needs time to develop its potential, unlike other premium marevas cigars.

So far, of the two Sancho Panza Non Plus boxes I've acquired prior to their denounced deletion, my RUM Abr 2018 box, which are of a light-wrappered colorado to colorado claro shade, have been better than the Non Plus cigars from my SRO Feb 2018 box, which are darker-wrappered and more of a mottled colorado rosado shade. It must be said though, I've only had six (or so) from each box.

My last RUM Abr 2018 SP Non Plus, smoked fifteen months ago, was actually quite good. It had a suitable complexity to keep me interested and was well-balanced in its flavours of wood, salt, floral notes and its underlying sweet milk tea, which I quite enjoyed. The previous one before that, smoked five months prior, was slightly generic in flavour. It had floral notes, a little salt and wood, which increased in intensity in the back half. In the first half I did get a hint of sweet tea in the first third. I would have loved to have had more of it!

By contrast, the previous RUM Abr 2018 SP Non Plus I smoked a little over a year-and-a-half prior to that, pleasantly surprised me in its hints of complexity and flavour. I got a core wood, salt and floral notes to the cigar but in-between I got splashings of sweet tea at times and alternatively, white pepper at other times. The cigar before that, smoked nine months prior, had mainly generic toasted tobacco, hints of wood and salt and only some floral notes on the edges. It was a solid cigar, nothing more.

This particular RUM Abr 2018, at six-and-a-half years of age, started off very well. Like my SRO Feb 2018 Sancho Panza Non Plus, smoked prior to this cigar, it had an enticing combination of floral notes and sweet milk tea, which I consider an ideal flavour blend for a Sancho Panza cigar. Around the end of the first third the cigar develop some minor construction issues which affected the burn and subsequently it was a little more intense in woodiness than what I would have liked. Nonetheless, flavourwise it wasn't too bad. It certainly started with a lot of potential!

I smoked this cigar over seventy minutes and was at least pleased at how it opened in its first third. I'm quite happy how this cigar has developed and I'm now intrigued about the next one I smoke from the box.

[JohnS]

Rafael González Perlas SOP Ene 2022

I acquired this box code six months ago, and smoked the first RG Perlas '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, initially? Well, I certainly wasn't expecting it to be so light, nor 'grassy'! The second one, smoked two months later, was not really herbal or 'grassy' at all. With this knowledge on-hand, I was looking forward to smoking this third cigar from the box today.

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. 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 cocoa here was light, there was some earth, some floral notes and baking spice but like the first cigar smoked from this box ROTT, it was a little herbal or 'grassy' in parts. 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 to smoke over thirty-five minutes. And so, I continue to be glad that I acquired more Rafael Gonzalez Perlas for my humidor collection.

[Chucko8]

Some insightful reviews as per usual. Particularly NoN Plus code comparative. Cheers

[JohnS]

Thank you, Kurt. Much appreciated! 👍

[JohnS]

Partagás Lusitanias UEB Abr 2019

The Double Coronas is a vitola with a 49 ring gauge and 194 mm or 7⅝ inches length. It typically takes a long time to smoke, somewhere in the vicinity of two-and-a-half hours or more. Of the Double Coronas in regular production in the current Habanos catalogue, I would believe that the Partagas Lusitanias is rated the highest among our members. Of the remaining three, the question of what would be second is a subjective one. Perhaps I would guess it would be the Ramon Allones Gigantes (a cigar that of recent times has been speculated as a candidate for possible discontinuation). I would surmise further that the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas and Punch Double Coronas may not receive as much acclamation because they've been more scarce in availability in comparison to the Partagas Lusitanias and Ramon Allones Gigantes in the last five years or more. (Although I have noticed the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas more readily available in 2024.)

At the present time, this may all represent a discussion that is quite hypothetical due to the downturn in current production of Habanos cigars in 2022. You see, since Habanos S.A announced their new pricing re-structure and diminished output in mid-2022, any four of these Double Coronas have been, at different times, nigh on impossible to acquire. And in my opinion, this has had a direct affect on the consumption habits of cigar enthusiasts currently as even prior to 2022 there was a reticence to smoke a Double Corona cigar owing to the commitment of time required to do so. Now, it represents a significant opportunity cost. Exactly how do I replace my stock if I smoke one?

Perhaps this is why I last smoked a 'Lusi' from this UEB Jun 2018 box code eighteen months ago. The flavours in that cigar were remarkably consistent. Partagas sourdough, milk coffee and leather. The only difference I would note would be the fact that any paprika spice in that cigar was after the first third, and it was much less than the two previous UEB Jun 2018 Lusis I had prior to that one and the one previous. Also, it was quite light on any caramel-like sweetness (what El Pres lists as nougat).

Construction-wise, all my UEB Jun 2018 Partagas Lusitanias have struggled to maintain a one-inch ash, but at least the last two weren't 'flaky' from beginning to end. This Partagas Lusitanias today had a few tears in the wrapper, which was quite thin and delicate, but at least it held its ash well on a slightly windy day. It didn't have a caramel-like, nougat sweetness but it was definitely 'Lusitanias' in every other aspect. Coffee, sourdough, leather, some honey even...but no paprika spice. Maybe its age had something to do with that.

So, when was the last time you smoked a Double Coronas and if you have some in your humidor, are you hesitant to smoke your stock given the current production hiatus of this vitola? I do hope you enjoyed reading this review as I wonder when will be the next time that I reach for a Double Coronas myself. Who knows? Maybe I might just smoke one tomorrow!

[JohnS]

Trinidad Fundadores RAG Abr 2019

When it comes to the Trinidad Fundadores, in general, this cigar is considered the flagship of the brand. Prior to 2003 these were produced solely in the El Laguito factory. From 2004 onwards, production was also diverted to the Francisco Donatien factory, due to greater demand. Trinidad Fundadores from 1998 to 2003 is generally considered the best of its kind, especially the original run of 1997-98.

Prior to the advent of the 2019 50th anniversary regular production additions to the Trinidad marca (i.e. the Media Luna, Esmeralda and Topes), the Trinidad Fundadores was considered the 'hot' cigar of the brand, in terms of smoking, of course. I myself have enjoyed around a combined thirteen ARS and RAG '17/'18 and '19 box code cigars in the last six years.

I've found that these ARS and RAG box code Fundadores to have more of a milk coffee and dough combination, unlike the more savoury and complex wood, grass, honey, coffee flavours I've picked up in Trinidad cigars that I've smoked in the past.

I unwound the pig-tail on this Trinidad Fundadores and once again I found the draw slightly tight, just like the last time I lit up this cigar ten months ago. Unlike that last Trinidad Fundadores smoked from this box, this cigar opened with a quintessential milk coffee, dough, cake and almond nut flavour combination to it in the first third, which I found immensely appealing. The cigar became more savoury in the middle third with a combination of coffee, Earth, wood and hay. In the final third the cigar picked up in its 'woodiness', which I'd describe as more 'oak-like', so-to-speak, and the cigar was not as easy to smoke as it was in the first two-thirds. Incidentally, this was an identical outcome to what occurred the last time I lit up a 'Trini Fundy' from this box!

Unlike the last time I lit up this cigar, I had no construction issues and no problem with keeping it alight. I took two-and-a-quarter hours to finish this today, which is about normal for me for a cigar of this size. So overall, I quite enjoyed this cigar; it smoked well. However, I'd still be reticent to acquire another box of Trinidad Fundadores at the current pricing. I wonder if you are too?

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Churchills ASO Nov 2016

The Romeo y Julieta Churchill has been a standout cigar for me, in general, in the last few years. For a few years before 2015/16, I would say that this definitely wasn't the case; after all, I can recall my fair share of tasteless, bland toasted tobacco RyJ Churchills. Afterwards, the opposite may be true; I have had a great number of excellent RyJ Churchills, mostly replete with delicious fruity flavours.

I enjoyed four Romeo y Julieta Churchills in a two-month period in mid-2021 but I've only had five since then. (Technically speaking, it may be seven or eight as I'm not including the 2007 Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados I've had in the meantime - and they have been fantastic, especially for an Anejados release!) I think the unavailability of this cigar in 2022/23, amidst the supply issues and prices changes for Habanos S.A., may have some bearing on my current reticence to light up a RyJ Churchills as often as I did in the past. That, and the current pricing when I want to re-stock!

This RyJ Churchill had a nice rosado-shade wrapper and a sightly tight draw. The construction was consistent in ash-lengths and burn.

In terms of taste, I've found my ASO Nov 2016 Romeo y Julieta Churchills have not performed as highly as my other post-2018 RyJ Churchills I've had in the last few years across a number of box codes. That being said, this particular example was brilliant and it served as a timely reminder that I need to do something about my current stock levels of this cigar, as I confess that they are a favourite of mine.

It's been two years since I last touched this particular box code, but that ever-reliable cherry, anise or licorice sweetness, rosewater essence and dried cocoa were very much all there, much like the last time I lit up a cigar from this box. The only difference I noted from that last RyJ Churchills was that the notable tobacco flavours in the back half weren't as strong this time, which makes sense as this cigar is now approaching its eighth year of age.

The flavour combination was consistent over 2 hours and 15 minutes of smoking time, and I had no hesitation in nubbing this as far as I could go.

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro OMR Oct 2015

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

The Don Alejandro is the most recent deletion, although still available until 2017, it was a very slow seller (as is the Vegas Robaina marca overall). I have three late '15 VR Don Alejandros left. I've been smoking two of these a year, in the last few years, and although I had mentioned in a review on the Partagas Lusitanias recently that I was reticent to smoke a Double Coronas due to their current unavailability/pricing, I wanted to re-visit this cigar today as Vegas Robaina is known for its distinct chocolate profile and the Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro is known for its unique flavour profile amongst Double Coronas.

My last few Vegas Robaina Don Alejandros have all been excellent and this VR Alejandro today was similar; again lasting two-and-a-half hours. The luscious chocolate was much lighter than before upon opening, but raisin sweetness and sour dark cherries was still there. This time, moreover I appreciated the 'pure tobacco' or grassy core flavour/s in the opening third and throughout the cigar. This was not like a Cohiba-type grass, rather it was something that I've found in my aged Vegas Robaina Famosos of late and which I believe is characteristic to this marca.

In unison with the last few VR Don Alejandros I've smoked, the baking spice in this was much less prominent in its overall flavour profile; in fact, it was almost non-existent. In the middle of the cigar the strength picked up a bit, but whereas the last time I smoked a VR Don Alejandro I picked up some nuttiness and marzipan texture to this point, this time it was that aforementioned Vegas Robaina aged 'grassiness' that was more dominant. It was all very light and pleasant until the last third when the cigar got a touch heavier in body and there were some forest floor flavours coming into the mix; again, much like the last time I smoked this cigar just under two years ago.

Construction-wise, the cigar was very good. I re-lit only once, and that only towards the end in the last third. This was after I had smoked the cigar for two hours and fifteen minutes already anyway, so it didn't deter or bother me that much. The ash was consistent and the burn-line was even throughout.

I now have two Vegas Robaina Don Alejandros left in my humidor and judging by how this one had diminished somewhat in its potency in terms of flavours, I highly doubt I would need to aged the last ones left much past the ten-year mark.  

It's a shame this Double Corona has been deleted from the Habanos S.A regular production catalogue although I could understand why the VR Don Alejandro was a slow-seller. Simply speaking, judging by my personal ratings of the cigar within my Smoking Diary on Cuban Cigar Website, none of the VR Don Alejandros I've smoked with less than three years on them ever got more than a three-star rating. In contrast, the last few around the five-year mark and over have been much higher.

[JohnS]

Bond Roberts Petit 109 Linea D No.06

The Bond Roberts Petit No.9 Linea D No.06, a 50 ring gauge x 5 ⅞ inches (or 150 millimetres) cigar, launched in Miami, U.S.A at the end of April 2024. That launch party was a memorable event which garnered widespread media releases within our common cigar circle on-line publications (such as Cigar Aficionado, Cigar Journal and Halfwheel, for example). The initial launch in the U.S.A was followed by one in Hong Kong, China and then Perth, Australia soon after.

In Rob Ayala's own words, "The Bond Roberts cigar story is one of an ongoing striving for perfection in the cigar world combining the finest leaf and artisans of their craft. Bond Roberts is the culmination of a lifetime of experience by cigar alumni Hamlet Paredes, Rob Fox, and Rob Ayala. Excellence is the only measure. The Bond Roberts Petit 109 emanates from the high performance Fabrica 5 unit under the control of world famed blender Hamlet Paredes who brings his immense passion and experience in the finest Cuban traditions. Utilising uniquely aged and curated Honduran and Nicaraguan leaf, the Petit 109 delivers smooth and rich notes of raisin milk chocolate, sourdough and light coffee spice in a journey that explores the medium bodied realm."

Even though this is only my second Bond Roberts Petit No.9 Linea D No.06, it's still hard to believe that aged and curated Honduran and Nicaraguan leaf can produce a cigar like this. By that I mean, what exactly accounts for the smooth, refined sourdough bread, leather and cream texture that one gets in the first third in these? In the middle third, that core flavour combination was joined by yes, some light coffee spice you could say. In the last third, the cigar was very much approachable, which I must state as sometimes a really good cigar can 'ramp up' in its intensity in the last third. Frankly, this BR Petit 109 did not, and it was a most welcome occurrence. Any light coffee spice to be had here, by the end of the cigar, was minimal.

I wrote in my last review on this cigar three months ago that this is quite simply a quality cigar that belies the notion of what a quality Non-Cuban cigar can be. In other words, you will smoke this and find it hard to believe it's not a Habanos cigar. Upon smoking it, for me, the BR Petit 109 most resembles a Partagas Serie E No.2, which is high praise indeed as Habanos S.A. has traditionally reserved Duke-Sized cigars as quality releases. Furthermore, the tapered head on this cigar is a homage to Nro.109 releases which also merit releases within the Habanos catalogue that signify quality. After smoking this second one today, I still stand by these comments.

So how do we conclude this review? How about by citing the price point and the intention behind it? As multiple press releases have stated, unlike the high prices found on the vintage Cuban cigars that Bond Roberts usually auctions, these prices range between $16 and $25. "With recent Habanos S.A. price rises across the globe, the concept of Bond Roberts Cigars is to deliver a first-rate product at approachable price points, ensuring that purchasing a box of premium cigars is not beyond anyone’s means,” Rob Ayala said at the Miami Launch event. What more can one say? Enjoy your Bond Roberts Petit No.9 Linea D No.06s.

[JohnS]

Nudies N3 Carlota

I'd like to thank @Trevor2118 for gifting me this Nudies N3 Carlotas from the initial 2019 run. Frankly, they keep getting better with age.

The original intention was to make a cigar utilising Non-Cuban leaf to mimic, as closely as possible, the now long-discontinued Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3. And 'by God' have El Pres and Hamlet succeeded! After almost five years down this cigar veritably just keeps developing!

It is by no means a complex cigar but it wasn't blended that way. For me, it continues to deliver a simple easy-smoking experience over 75 to 90 minutes. Sometimes I get a nice lemon citrus twang to compliment the Partagas sourdough and leather flavours and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I've found them a touch 'grassy' (like I did today). I don't even think it matters as they are great either way.

It's nice to know that the initial 2019 Nudies N3 Carlotas (and by implication therefore, the Nudies N1 Lanceros) is progressing nicely in its smoking, even though I now have none of them left. By further implication, I wonder if you have any left either? No matter, I have a number of second release DesNudos cigars, Puro Desnudo, MOFOH and Bond Roberts cigars to keep me occupied for some time yet!

[JohnS]

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic

The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic is a Perfecto measuring ¾ of an inch in diameter (i.e. 48 ring gauge) and 7 inches (or 178 mm) in length. It's shaped more like a Habanos Perfecto such as a Salomones than a Taco-type cigar and thus, the AF Hemingway Classic is only slightly tapered at the head but it is predominantly tapered at the foot. There is a common urban-like adage that some have advised to snip the foot to open up the cigar and make it easier to light. Trust me, this is unnecessary. All one needs to do is light the foot with a single-flame lighter, draw and the cigar will take care of itself.

The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic has most probably become one of my very favourite Non-Cuban cigars, and seemingly in a short time. After enjoying two of them in late 2022 I acquired a 10-count box in late October of that year. I waited four months to have the first AF Hemingway Classic from this box. Why I waited so long is a mystery as honestly I should have helped myself sooner! I smoked the second one from the box two months after the first one, the third one around four-and-a-half months since the second one and this fourth one has been lit up today after a period of twelve months further rest.

According to Arturo Fuente, the Hemingway natural line employs a combination of patiently aged Dominican filler and binder encased in a select African Cameroon wrapper. The line is said to be medium-mild to medium in body.

The aroma from this cigar box upon opening in late-October 2022 was quite overwhelming. The hit of cedar was all-encompassing, it was in fact quite something to experience. Fast forward two years and the box still gives off a pleasant scent.

This AF Hemingway Classic again started off beautifully sweet, like vanilla and white chocolate with hay and cedar. In the middle third it was mainly cedar and hay, whereas the last third had had the cedar become more dominant. On occasion one might get spice on the edges with this line but there wasn't any today. In summary, I was amazed just how much this cigar turned out to be in comparison to the last three I had. They continue to be very, very similar in their smoking performance, draw and construction. It was quite something to marvel and behold.

Construction-wise, Arturo Fuente cigars are well-known for their consistency and this was much the same. Even burn, consistent ash and decent flavour per draw. What more could you want?

I apologise in advance if you don't subscribe to the same adulation I have for the Arturo Fuente Hemingway series. I simply love, love, love this line and continue to do so!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especial LTO Mar 2021

Along with the Cohiba Lanceros and Trinidad Fundadores, the Montecristo Especial is the epitome of the 'long-and-skinny', a Laguito No.1 with a slender 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7.6 inches) in length. I had the first cigar from this LTO Mar 2021 box in mid-2021, and I've now gone through three-quarters of the box.

So what makes the Montecristo Especial stand out within the Montecristo marca? Alongside the Laguito No.2-sized Montecristo Especiales No.2 (i.e. 38 ring gauge x 152 mm or 6 inches in length), I would say it's the potentiality of aging these cigars long-term which makes it unique in comparison to other Montecristo vitolas. Yes I know what you're thinking, perhaps I can ease up on smoking these and let them age a little? Fear not, I'm thinking the same thing too! I can add that it's been twelve months since I've had my last one from this box, so we are now gone past three-and-a-half years from the box date.

This cigar opened with a typical chocolate and citrus twang in the first third, which wasn't bad, it was just a tad more intensive than what I would have come to expect in a Montecristo Especial of this age. At least I didn't get any burn issues from the 'get-go' like the last one I smoked from this box.

In the middle third, the cigar had notes of coffee, bitter chocolate and a Cointreau-like sweetness which I consider quite desirable and commendable in a Montecristo cigar. It continued in much the same way into the last third, with the bitter chocolate becoming more dominant towards the end.

So, in conclusion, again there was no real ginger elements or creamy texture were to be found in this Montecristo Especial today (perhaps that aforementioned Cointreau-like sweetness resembles a possible ginger quality for the future) and so I think it best that my next one is smoked down-the-track; as in another eighteen to twenty-four months or so. After all, in my view this box is nowhere near 'peaking' and I look forward to seeing how the next few Monte Especials smoke similarly and/or differently to my last few I've had.

[99call]

22 hours ago, JohnS said:

I apologise in advance if you don't subscribe to the same adulation I have for the Arturo Fuente Hemingway series. I simply love, love, love this line and continue to do so!

How could anyone not like the Hemingway blend?  Someone would surely have to have either a heart of ice, or a palate of a Komodo Dragon. 

The only thing that concerns me, is that white chocolate note that you've expertly detected, is so sweet and distinct. Because I know very little about NC cigars, I always worry that they are smothered in bethune. 

Thank you for switching me on to these cigars John........but if they turn out to be full of toxic Willy Wonka wrapper lacquer......I'll be coming to hunt you down!.

 

[JohnS]

7 hours ago, 99call said:

How could anyone not like the Hemingway blend?  Someone would surely have to have either a heart of ice, or a palate of a Komodo Dragon. 

The only thing that concerns me, is that white chocolate note that you've expertly detected, is so sweet and distinct. Because I know very little about NC cigars, I always worry that they are smothered in bethune. 

Thank you for switching me on to these cigars John........but if they turn out to be full of toxic Willy Wonka wrapper lacquer......I'll be coming to hunt you down!.

Haha...here's hoping there's no artificial additives, Stefan! 🤣

[José Martini]

On 11/12/2024 at 7:12 PM, JohnS said:

 The Sancho Panza Non Plus has been more readily available, but only because it seems that they are on their last run, with the latest box codes from mid-2023. So it seems that the Sancho Panza non Plus is finally gone. Get them while you can!

It seems these are still being produced into 2024 as well as I recently received three boxes from a trusted vendor - all GRB MAR 24. 

[Goldeneye]

My highlight for the 2024 smoking season was personally discovering the Hemingway blend. Being priced out of Cubans, this has become a great option for daily cigars.

[JohnS]

On 11/26/2024 at 12:51 AM, José Martini said:

It seems these are still being produced into 2024 as well as I recently received three boxes from a trusted vendor - all GRB MAR 24. 

Thank you. This is great to know. Hopefully they continue to show up on 24:24. Who knows? Maybe the Sancho Panza Non Plus will become the new Fonseca No.1...you know, the cigar that never quite becomes discontinued! 😁

[JohnS]

9 hours ago, Goldeneye said:

My highlight for the 2024 smoking season was personally discovering the Hemingway blend. Being priced out of Cubans, this has become a great option for daily cigars.

Thank you for sharing this. Of course, I can completely relate to what you are saying here. Likewise, I'm grateful for having discovered the Arturo Fuente Hemingway line too.

[JohnS]

As 2024 comes to a close, I wanted to let you that I will update this blog each weekend until the end of December, beginning this weekend.