Cuban Cigar Reviews

Country of origin: Cuba

Dimensions:  4 3/8 inches by 42 – ring gauge

Date smoked: Saturday 09/06/08

Time:  5:45 PM – 6:18PM

Location:  Afternoon at my smoking patio.

Accompanying drinks:  Filtered water, carbonated water, Cappuccino

Color of wrapper:  Light coco brown wrapper.  The seams held an earthen contrast as if dipped and the excess shaken.

Construction:  Very firm with one vexing knot toward the cap.  The cap was marked with beautiful contracting lines of thinning dark earth reminiscent of an artist’s dry brushing technique.  Thin veins in the dainty wrapper brought definition and added texture that was tactually pleasing.  A gem for the hand and eye.

Pre-light Aroma:  Floral with overtones of hibiscus

Cut:  Guillotine

Pre-Light Draw:  very slightly restricted airflow with Honey and wood.

Combustion:  Torch lighter.

Post Light Aroma:  Wisps of smoke arose, entreating me to a floral bouquet intertwined with nuts and clover honey.

Initial Draw:  I was pleasantly surprised to find my concern unwarranted stemming from the knot found close to the cap.  This cigar produced an even draw, albeit only a moderate volume of smoke.  Lightly toasted tobacco with honey sweetness lingered on the palate.   Buried in the background were ripe comice pears, toasted pine nuts, and clover honey.  Playing in the breezeless sky the smoke invited me to take in its pleasing bouquet.

First third:  The polite introduction of toasted tobacco gently expanded to heartier tobacco while never loosing its balance of floral nuttiness.    Moderate amounts of smoke were produced with the bouquet moving toward woodiness and ripe fruit.  The burn was acceptable, but not completely straight.  No attempts were made to correct the minor imperfections of the burn as the ash held perfectly tight.

Second third:  The second third opened with further expansion of toasted tobacco and burning apple wood.  Still maintaining balance, the fruit and nuts evolved to Christmas spice with roasted pine nuts dominating the ultra clean finish.  Tight white ash scored with black tiger stripes held firm.  The second third continued a stealthy increase of strength toward the finally.

Final third:  At no time overwhelming, this medium bodied smoke continued to escalate in strength.  Toasted tobacco, sweet clover honey, and veiled in an ultra clean finish was Christmas spice.  The end the smoke became increasingly hot and dry.  The last ¼ inch became slightly tannic.      

Synopsis:  Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas are balanced in flavor and strength from start to finish.  Medium bodied and perfect for an afternoon smoke this polite cigar boasts toasted tobacco, sweet honey, and woody spiciness.  In this reviewer’s opinion, the consummate companion for this little gem is coffee cut with milk and plenty of sugar.

Country of origin: Cuba

Dimensions:  5 ½ inches by 52 – ring gauge

Date smoked: Saturday 08/23/08

Time:  6:30 PM – 7:38PM

Location:  Afternoon at my smoking patio.    

Accompanying drinks:  Filtered water, carbonated water, Zaya Rum

Color of wrapper:  Darker than most Bolivars that I have smoked. Deep chestnut with hues of umber and abundant glistening oils which reflected glittering specks of bronze in the late afternoon sun. 

Construction:  Firm, yet not overly firm. The triple cap was neatly brought to a fine point.  Several petite veins ran the length adding texture and contrast to the swarthy wrapper.  Steeped in oil this well aged cigar was ripe.             

Pre-light Aroma:  Floral with hints of leather

Cut:  Using a Xikar X3 a precision cut was made

Pre-Light Draw:  Earth and spice were predominant with a bittersweet taste left lingering.

Combustion:  Torch lighter.

Post Light Aroma:  Floral and hints of earth. 

Initial Draw:  Just slightly resistive with enough pressure to produce a fine draw.  The initial draw was that of jasmine combined with peat with a lingering and unpleasant bitter finish.  My censorious nature was peaked finding fault with the initial unpleasantness of the finish. Still a first impression, however first impressions are difficult be undone. 

First third:  Typical of Bolivar profile heavy earth, piquant spiciness, and rich tobacco married with jasmine lingered on the palate. Voluminous plumes of smoke poured forth filling the cloudless, breezeless sky.  The bouquet was delightfully floral and nimbly contrasted the deluge of earth and spice.  The burn was crooked rejecting all attempts to be corrected and the bitterness experienced from the initial draw refused subside the entire first third.

Second third:  Coming into the second third the unpleasant bitterness completely disappeared.  The opening intensity mellowed gracefully to a mild leathery earth with overtones of coffee and a pinch of cayenne.  In the twilight of the second third and approaching the final third the intensity of the opening returned.  The volume of smoke remained unchanged, as well as the stubborn burn.

Final third:  The final third married the intensity of the opening with the gracefulness of the second.  Rich and heavy toasted tobacco and coffee stained leather dominated the palate while a welcome return of jasmine and lighter floral notes tickled the nose.  The smoke did become noticeably thinner but the burn eventually submitted.  There was light grey ash with cavernous black gorges.

Synopsis:  Bolivars are a cigar unto themselves.  Perfect when earth, leather, and rich tobacco married with mild floral tones are on your menu.  Overlooking the uncharacteristic bitterness presented in the first third of this smoke the profile fit the Bolivar template splendidly.  The molasses sweetness of the Zaya 12 year old Guatemalan rum brought balance to the spiciness of the smoke.  Bolivars are splendid when fresh and divine with 5 years or longer of age.  Approachable to the trained and untrained palate alike.      

This being my first official review for Cuban Lou’s, I would like to summarize the approach that I will take. However, let me first briefly introduce myself.  Having spent my formative years in the Southern United States I was raised with reverence toward tobacco.  Being immersed in tobacco cultivation and witnessing the skill required for an artisan to create a hand made cigar gave me this appreciation from a very young age.  I have had the privilege of smoking hand made cigars for more than half my lifetime.  My only regret is that I did not start earlier.  I now reside on the west coast and my desire for collecting and smoking the world’s finest cigars can only be matched in the pursuit of all things spirits and coffee.  A student of history I enjoy gardening, preparing southern cuisine and sharing my passions with friends and family.

With introductions taken care of I would like to elaborate on my review process.  Much is subjective and your experience may differ.  The intent of the review is to provide perspective from a seasoned palate, thus encouraging you to smoke the same cigar and form your own opinion.  I believe when reviewing a cigar that it should be smoked to completion, noting the evolving nuances as the smoke progresses. When reviewing, I attempt to smoke in the same location and time of day in order to reduce variables. A glass of filtered water and carbonated water are always nearby for refreshment of the palate. Regularly there will be a libation handy that compliments the cigar being reviewed. Disagreeing with a numerical value by which to rate cigars, a quantitative value will not be associated with these reviews.  Instead, the cigar will be evaluated and notes taken on the merits of presentation, construction, draw, and overall smoking experience.  Ever mindful of the knowledge and care that are taken to produce the world’s finest cigars, I humbly bring my perspective.  I welcome and encourage all comments in comparing your experience to the review. 

Sincerely,

Mark D.