Cohiba Corona Especiales PLM JAN 07

[smokum]

I am afraid to find out what these will be in 5 years. Smoking thru an 05 box now and an 06 box on deck waiting. If these get much better I fear I will have to have a towel with me when I smoke one.

[shrink]

Thanks for remembering the CCE... I agree that it is easily forgotten in the powerhouse Cohiba line-up. And, like it's big brother the Lancero, this is a cigar that shows best with a few years under its belt. For me, the CCE and the Lancero satisfy the same craving, one is just a little more practical when time is a factor. My '97 CCE's are pure creme caramel!

[Wiley]

I don't know whether I should say this or not, but I want to say it, and am not having much impulse control today, so what the hell.

If most people would agree with this ho-hum review, why pay so much for these Cohibas rather than just buying Partagas, Montecristo, or La Gloria's in this size for much less moola?

[El Presidente]

» I don't know whether I should say this or not, but I want to say it, and am

» not having much impulse control today, so what the hell.

»

» If most people would agree with this ho-hum review, why pay so much for

» these Cohibas rather than just buying Partagas, Montecristo, or La

» Gloria's in this size for much less moola?

There is a uniqueness to Cohiba skinnies (Lancero/CCE). Why do we spend so much moola on these cigars when there are other greats along the same formats at 30% less? Good question.

I am a fan of the Partagas Serie De Connoisseur Line. Very different cigars. I am a sweet tooth and if you have had a great Lancero or CCE then you would have experienced the exquisite blend of honey, caramel, dry crass, coffee. No other cigar produces the exact same combination. It is the reason we keep going back ;-)

[smokum]

The blend on Linea Classica is very tasty and so diff from SD connies...I smoke more Connies but the CE's are a special treat now and again. I have never smoked a Lancero or any other skinny besides the Conie,CE and D'Or1...jeez one more edit...llooks like I may have smoked a lot of skinnies...have to add Fundadores too !!

[smokum]

Hey Rob...how about a review of a Monte Especial for comparison

[El Presidente]

Cohiba Corona Especiales PLM JAN 07

To me one of the better ageing cigars in the Cohiba lineup. Elegant Laguito No 2 38 x 152 (6.0") which I prefer over the Lancero but often overlook due to reaching for a Siglo III. I find the Siglo III more approachable younger but the Corona Especiales comes into its own with 5 years +.

Good looking cigar. Colorado coloured wrapper with minimal oil but fine construction. Feels great in the hand…proper weight, elegance personified. Aroma at cold is restrained…some light tobacco and fields of long dry grass.

Clipped the pig tailed cap and tested the draw. Perfect. Firm enough to draw out the full aspect of flavour without impeding enjoyment.

Fired up the foot to be met with medium bodied serenity. I admire cigars which can commence in stride. Many start with wild bucking and tossing but thoroughbreds tend to be a little different. Soft cocoa, long dry grass stalks and milk coffee lilt on the plate. Medium bodied at best, light medium to most. It is unmistakable that this is a Cohiba and a very fine one at that but it leaves me wanting a little more spine/backbone. I want more depth in its flavours so that they are easily defined. I can sometimes be an impatient SOB and by the end of the first third the core body of the cigar increased to pure medium. This increase of body (ligero) lifts everything around it. The coffee s deeper…the sweet spices provide a shaper contrast, the honeyed hay/grass intensifies. Now it has moved from good to very good. It is developing a personality upon which it can build.

The final third was a continuation of the second. By the last inch / two inches the Corona Especiales was full bodied. Dark coffee graphite core smoothed out but the honey/hay edge. I enjoyed this cigar but it still has a way to go to be at its peak (5 years). Put a box or some singles away and enjoy progressively through its development.

87/100 *** 92 Potential (2011)