Cuban Cigar Reviews

Hello again everybody. After a short period of silence, mostly due to technical issues, here is part 3 of our small series about Cuban cigars.  This time we will go a little bit more into detail when it comes to curing and fermentation.

Air curing is usually a process where the newly harvested leaves intended for filler and binder are simply sewn into pairs and hung over poles in the curing barn for a certain period of time. During this period moisture slowly escapes the leaves, turning them gradually from green to brown. The longer the leaves spend in the barn, the higher their pole is lifted, always placing the fresher leaves closer to the bottom. When it comes to wrapper leaves however, the last few decades have seen quite a bit of technological influence. The wrappers as such are crucial for the look of the cigar and also have the highest price of all leaves (as mentioned before); thus they are cured in special barns that simulate optimum conditions 24/7. After the curing period is finished, the leaves then travel on to their next stage towards becoming a hand rolled cigar: the fermentation.

With the help of the natural moisture within the leaves, the tobacco is fermented stage by stage, firstly rolled into bunches (gavillas). These bunches have a similar effect on the leaves like the sauna has on the human body. Within them the tobacco “sweats”, slowly releasing its impurities, making it suitable for smoking. The fermentation period affects the color of the leaves and rids them of excessive acidity and nicotine. The higher a leaf was growing on the plant, the more oils it has developed and the longer it takes to ferment. After the first fermentation the leaves are classified, following strict guidelines. Filler leaves are divided into the usual three categories, Volado, Seco and Ligero. The Ligeros that fail quality control will be used for cigarettes or cigarillos. The biggest Volado leaves are then used as binders, while wrapper leaves are naturally most closely inspected. All leaves that do not pass the minimal requirements will not be accepted as wrappers. Since wrappers usually only need to undergo one fermentation stage, they are now tied into bales (tercias) and sent off to be aged. As for the fillers and binders, their path is another one…

What many people don’t seem to know, is that the most famous two types of “Tabacco Negro Cubano”, the Criollo and Corojo (intended for wrapper leaves), are actually no longer cultivated in their original forms. During the years hybrid variants have been genetically engineered to be more resistant to various diseases the tend to befall tobacco and influence its quality. Still, the cultivation process hasn’t changed much in the past centuries, and most of it is still done by hand, using old techniques and tools.

After intensely loosening the soil with animal carriages, the 9 month long process of tobacco growth begins in the month of June. From then on each leaf is controlled regularly by farmers, until it is time for the harvest, which in itself is a process that requires between 16 and 17 weeks of work, depending on the type of plant.

Leaves are picked from the bottom, progressing towards the top. The Maňanita leaves are the closest to the soil and are too small for cigars, so they are mostly used for cigarillos. The picked leaves have now to be cured for a certain amount of time, and are transported to the curing barns, where they will be air-cured for at least 20 days in the case of wrapper tobacco, and around 2 months for fillers and binders. After that the leaves are taken to the Escogidas for fermentation, which lasts for a month or more for the wrappers, binders and fillers, while the fillers and binders are then, after moistening and various classifications, submitted to another round of fermentation. Tobacco intended for Cohibas is cured for a third time, which is one of the factors that made them famous. All leaves are then aged, but depending on classification for different periods of time. While wrappers can be aged for only six months, Ligero takes at least two years of aging. The Volado and Seco are aged for around one to one and a half years. Of course all of them can be aged longer, which increases their quality. Most “Limitada” cigars are made with tobacco that has extra age on it.

Hello Everybody,

As promised, here is the first article about Cuban tobacco from our new mini-series on how cigars are actually made and where it all comes from. We hope you enjoy it!

What defines a certain tobacco is not only the seed, the fermentation process or amount of sunlight that it receives, but also the soil. A seed grown in two different regions in the same fashion will still produce different tobacco.

Anatomy:

Cuban cigars usually are composed of three components (the filler, the binder and the wrapper), and five types of tobacco leaf (there are exceptions however, such as thin cigars, which usually don’t contain any Ligero, or the Behike which contains a fourth filler leaf, the Medio Tiempo known for its rarity and potency):

- The Filler:

Volado (a leaf of light flavor and good combustion), a.k.a. Fortaleza 1
Seco (medium flavor, most defining for the aroma of the cigar), aka Fortaleza 2
Ligero (full flavor, gives the cigar its strength and slows the burn), aka Fortaleza 3

- The Binder (a.k.a. Capote) defines the shape of the cigar and keeps the filler together.

- The Wrapper (a.k.a. Capa) defines the look of the cigar and adds a certain distinctness to the aroma.

A cigar consists of three sections:

- The Head or Cap (La Perilla), which is cut before smoking,
- The Body (the mid part of the cigar),
- The Foot (La Boquilla), the part which is lit.

The types of leaves:

Wrapper leaves are grown in fields (tapado), covered from side to side with muslin cloth, intended to filter the sunlight. At about a half month after the start of the growing phase, the tobacco fields are completely covered with the muslin and each plant is then tied to the cover. Only the largest and finest leaves are destined to become wrappers, which is why the “hunt” for good wrappers is a constant one. The wrapper leaf is the most expensive one to produce and by some calculations often makes up to 80% of a cigar’s price. The upper leaves produce the darker colored wrappers, while the lower ones become lighter in color. The leaves have different characteristics at each level of the plant. The shade-grown leaves are classified as follows (top to bottom):

Corona
Centro Gordo
Segundo Centro Fino
Primer Centro Fino
Segundo Centro Ligero
Primer Centro Ligero
Uno y Medio
Libre de Pie
Maňanita

Filler and binder leaves are grown in the sun. The Ligero leaves grow at the top, closest to the sun, which gives them their strength. The Seco leaves come from the middle, while the Volado leaves grow nearest to the bottom of the plant. They are classified as follows (top to bottom):

Corona
Centro Gordo
Centro Fino
Uno y Medio
Libre de Pie
Maňanita

Hello Everybody,

It’s been a long time since our last post, too long in fact, but we are now active again and ready for some improvements too! From now on we will be providing you not only with the usual reviews, presented in a somewhat different style, but also with some basics about the world’s finest cigars, such as brief brand histories, details about tobacco growth, etc. We hope that you will enjoy reading the new blog as much as we enjoy making it.

Until next time,

The Cuban Lou’s Team

Habanos has introduced a product exclusively for the travel retail channel based on a selection of what it calls “trendy” sizes from three different cigar brands.

The Travel Retail Selection Pack contains three of the company’s most successful cigar launches within the past four years.

The core of the selection is the Robusto (50 ring gauge and 124mm long) which offers a short smoke, in keeping with the current trends of the global cigar market, Habanos said.

Petit Edmundo from Montecristo (girth of 52 x 110mm in the length) provides the flavour and blend of a renowned premium brand in a short cigar with a medium to full flavour.

Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills is a classic Robusto (girth 50 and 124mm long) made from a balanced and aromatic blend of selected leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, making it a medium-bodied Habano.

Petit Robusto from Hoyo de Monterrey is aimed at consumers who want a delicate, aromatic Habano that is lighter to the taste but with elegance and complexity. It is made from a selection of leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region.

With preservation as the key factor, the pack was specially made with the latest “Double Chamber” humidifier tube, so that the cigars are evenly humidified from the bottom to the top. Furthermore, dry Habanos can be “recovered” in only one week, according to the company.

For the pack design, each tube carries its brand logo on the side printed on a sleek surface for optimum presentation.

Produced in limited quantities, the product was launched in October 2008 at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes and is now available to the duty free market.

Rumors that the founder of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro is dead or that he is in dire health conditions have been dismissed.

Rumors began surrounding the former Cuban leader last week after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced that the aged leader was unlikely to be seen in public again.

Uncertainty about Fidel’s health further grew following the fiftieth anniversary of Cuban revolution which saw only a terse one-line message to the Cuban people from Castro.

Chavez, however, dismissed the rumors during his weekly address on Saturday, saying that the ex-Cuban leader is alive and active.

The Venezuelan president told supporters that Castro had written to him “just a little while ago.” “Sure, there are once again some rumors that Fidel died,” Chavez said, but he described Castro’s state with a slang term that translates roughly as “alive and kicking,” the Associated Press reported.

Fidel Castro has so far outlived ten US presidents — who never neglected imposing harsh economic embargos on the Island.

The 82-year-old Castro has not appeared in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July 2006. He ceded power to his younger brother, Raul, shortly after.

Country of origin: Cuba
Dimensions:  4 3/8 inches by 42 – ring gauge

Date smoked: Saturday 09/19/08
Time:  6:18 PM – 7:01PM
Location:  Evening at my smoking patio.
Accompanying drinks:  Filtered water, carbonated water.

Color of wrapper:   Creamy brown wrapper.  Construction:  Appeared to be well constructed and firm but overly.  It gave slightly to the touch and had faint traces of oil.

Pre-light Aroma:  Coco, with a hazelnut and coffee overtone.

Cut:  Guillotine
Pre-Light Draw:  Nuts, hay and barn yard earth greeted my palate.
Combustion:  Torch lighter.
Post Light Aroma:  From its opening moment the bouquet produced hazelnut cappuccino married lightly to barnyard earth.

Initial Draw: The initial draw greeted me with a distinctive evolution of flavor.  Lightly toasted tobacco moved toward hazelnut and heavy toffee creaminess which lingered on my palate only to return to a more subtle toasted tobacco finish.   Plentiful smoke rose and entreated me to a bouquet of tobacco and toasted nuts.  Slightly resistive with an effortless draw, this cigar was off to a great start.

First third:  The lightly toasted tobacco became more pronounced, opened up and moved into a mature barnyard flavor.  Diminishing in strength from the initial draws, the heavy toffee and hazelnut offered a refreshing sweetness in contrast to the earthiness of the toasted tobacco.

Soon, the burn became crooked and when flame was applied to correct, in what appeared to be outright defiance on the cigars behalf, the ash became flaky and the wrapper began to open like a Christmas present.  Not wishing to make things worse I decided to allow the burn to run its course without further attempts at correction.

Second third:  The second third grew in intensity with heartier tobacco moving further in the foreground.  Still diminished from its opening the toffee and creaminess formed a melodious sweet punctuation to each draw.
Remaining defiant, the ash was flaky and the burn continued to be stubborn.  The wrapper did cease to open and since the first attempt to correct the burn ended with the potential for disaster no further correction was attempted.

Final third:  Large volumes of smoke poured from the final third.  The very prominent toasted tobacco remained consistent with hay and barnyard aromas permeating my smoking patio.  The sweet hazelnut and creamy texture albeit even more subdued than earlier continued to offer appropriate contrast.  The ash finally tightened and attractive grayish black tiger striping was visible.  I finished this cigar only when my fingers caught fire.

Synopsis:  Having smoked many San Cristobal cigars, the San Cristobal El Principe did not disappoint.  From beginning to end I was impressed with the progression of pure tobacco counterbalanced by the undercurrent of creaminess and sweetness.  Yes, the rebellious burn and ash diminished some satisfaction; however, the blending of the tobacco and delivery of the flavor profile forgave many sins.  I completely recommend this cigar for consumption now and would be interested to see what some years of aging will bring.    

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.

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.     

(Stored in cabinet humidor in a partially closed zip lock bag at 70deg/65RH)

Food: After a great pizza I retired to have a great smoke. I had a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Drink: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale / Arrowhead bottled water

Location: Garage at my computer with the door cracked slightly for ventilation.

Pre light aroma: There were faint floral traces from the cigar although I had used a scented hand soap that interfered with the sensation of smelling the cigar truly.

Construction: This was a near perfect cigar, baring one very tiny tear in the foot. Coco brown wrapper and when cut drew very well. It just ever so slightly crackled between my fingers.

Light: The Xikar cigar made an exemplary cut. It left no jagged tears in the leaf and did not hamper the cigar quality in any way whatsoever. I used a Colibri torch lighter and toasted the foot. The cigar lit perfectly.

Taste: The initial draw was an immediate flavor of heavy cream and macadamia nuts. No change ¼ ways through the cigar. It had a nice grayish black ash that held tight. There was voluminous smoke upon each draw. I soon realized that the Pale Ale was doing NOTHING for this cigar and I switched to some bottled water. I had set the cigar down for about 5 minuets and it almost went out. Upon relight it was a little harsh so I relit and exhaled through the cigar for about thirty seconds. This seemed to help quite a bit. Half way through and the power started to kick in. It became slightly earthy and more leathery with the same heavy cream and nut flavor but had a slightly unpleasant aftertaste. Almost ¾ through the stick I came to realize that the “aftertaste” was akin to drinking whole milk which leaves a viscous paste lingering in your mouth. I can’t say I liked the aftertaste, but it only lingered for about 5 seconds after the draw. I had to correct the burn twice, but this cigar was rarely if ever rotated and that may be the cause of the uneven burn. I let the cigar expire on its own and the room smelled wonderful even after 20 minuets.

Synopsis: I enjoyed this cigar and while it may not be my “go to” piece I would not be against purchasing again. On a 1-10 rating with 10 being the highest I would give this cigar a 7.5. I was thinking it would be a perfect smoke for after a light meal, such as fish or grilled chicken. I would not have this after a big juicy steak. I would not recommend an IPA as a drink pairing.