Cuban Cigar Reviews

Start: 11:15 PM Finish: 12:50 AM

Food: Proscuitto de Parma layered over fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on a bed of arugula with a splash of balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper (I love this salad and had to have it again tonight). Breaded 1 inch thick baked pork chop with sautéed spinach and an Indonesian rice pilaf. Desert was simple. 2 oz of organic dark chocolate and a 50 year tawny port.

Drink: S. Pellegrino over ice & Glenmorange 15 year old single malt scotch. Neat with 3 drops of water.

Location: Garage at my computer with the door ½ inch up.

Pre light aroma: This cigar was earthy with a healthy wallop of sweet spice.

Construction: This cigar appeared to be in good condition. It was ever so slightly box pressed. I was a little concerned with a small tear in the leaf near the band. It had the look rich leather and reminded me of a fine desk pad. When pinched it had just the right amount of give and felt properly humidified.

Pre Light: I made a clean cut with my Xikar cigar cutter and took a pre light draw. The pre draw revealed my second desert. Tastes of nutmeg and sweet earth rush to my palate! I was thinking that if this is the initial pre lit draw that I could hardly wait to toast this beauty! The draw was a tiny bit tight but was certainly acceptable.

Light: I used a Colibri torch lighter and toasted the foot. The cigar lit splendidly.

Taste: The initial draw was, well….heavenly. I was surrounded in sweet spice with the taste of Madagascar vanilla permiating the air. I was encircled in an aroma of syrupy ethereal smoke. I took each draw slowly as to savor each and every moment in time. I thought that if this was just the first 1/8 of the cigar I can’t wait to see how the rest unfolds! The tight grayish white ash was held in place with tiny black slits in contrast. While not as beautiful as the ash of the RyJ Ex#4 I had smoked earlier, it was a close second. The 15 year old single malt was a faultless accent to this cigar. It accentuated the hints of vanilla from the cigar. It was clean and had the taste of a refined smoke that is destined to improve with age. I smoked the entire stick without much of a change in the flavor profile. The strength was medium and never really developed into anything stronger. The flavor was maintained through the whole smoke and while I was hoping for something amazing to happen it never did. This was a fairly young stick and with a little age I could see that this could have some great potential. I want to lay these down for probably 3-5 years and revisit them. This was a joy to smoke.

Synopsis: This cigar is destined to stay in my. This is aproachable now, but I could only imagine what 3-5 years could yield! The argument for smoking right away is that you know what you are getting. You don’t have to concentrate on a complex flavor profile and can just enjoy the stick. This was a great cigar that can only improve with time.

(Stored in cabinet humidor 70deg/65RH)

Food Pairing: Chicken Tacos with Spanish rice and spicy white beans. Desert was a couple of Godiva truffles and a 20 year old tawny port.

Drink: Yalumbi Antique Tawny port.

Location: Garage at my computer with the door ½ up.

Pre light aroma: This cigar was sweet with a voluminous floral bouquet. I wasn’t sure rather to smoke it or to drizzle a little chocolate sauce on top and eat it.

Construction: This cigar appeared to be in good condition. It held an even milk chocolate color. There was one large vein that ran one quarter of the cigar. When rolled between my fingers it made a lovely crackling sound that usually means proper humidification. It gave to the touch and was not spongy. I could just see that the wrapper was a tiny bit loose ¾ up the cigar, but wasn’t something to worry about.

Pre Light: I made a clean cut with my Xikar cigar cutter and took a pre light draw. I got a little sweet earth but not much more. I did however make a perfect razor cut. This was one of the best cuts my Xikar has made to date. This is a tool that any serious aficionado should not be without.
Light: I used a Colibri torch lighter and toasted the foot. It lit perfectly.

Taste: The initial draw sweet wood. It was clean and had plenty of smoke. This cigar was a medium body and did not change much from initial light to the end. It was clean, woody, and sweet. It picked up a little steam toward the end. I could see this as a smoke after a nice breakfast and some coffee.

Synopsis: I enjoyed this stick quite a bit. I would like to add it to my rotation and would consider it a nice medium smoke. It reminds me on the RyJ Ex #4 but a bit more body and much more woody. I wouldn’t mind ordering a cab to have on hand

(Stored in cabinet humidor 70deg/65RH)

Food: Grilled chicken sandwich with Provolone and mushrooms.

Drink: Pellegrino & Glanmorange 15 y/o

Location: Garage at my computer with the door ½ up.

Pre light aroma: This cigar was sweet with a hint of cinnamon and barley detectable earth.

Construction: This cigar was flawless. It held an even milk chocolate color. It was accented with a few tiny veins. When rolled between my fingers it made a lovely crackling sound that usually means proper humidification. It gave to the touch and was not spongy.
Pre Light: I made a cut with my Xikar cigar cutter. It was a cut that a surgeon would have been proud of. It cut with no tears, or even loose bits. I took a draw before lighting and could taste all the spices. It looked to be perfect in construction as I received just enough resistance.

Light: I used my pebble torch lighter and toasted the foot. It lit perfectly.

Taste: Fair amount of smoke and fair amount of earth. Through the entire cigar it provided a balance of slightly sweet earth and very tannic flavor.

Synopsis: This was a very earthy cigar toward the end. It was quite tannic and at the end had quite a bite. This young cigar shows good potential for aging nicely. While very different from the Monte #2 it shares the sense of strength and balance between power and a rich flavor profile. I will revisit this in six months.

06/07/08: Start: 11:40 PM Finish: 12:35 PM

Food: Roasted Chicken w potatoes and carrots. Desert was a couple of
Godiva truffles and a 20 year old tawny port.

Drink: Yalumbi Antique Tawny port.

Location: Office Smoking Room.

Pre light aroma: This cigar was sweet with a light floral bouquet.

Construction: This cigar was in great condition. It held an even milk chocolate color. It was accented with a few tiny veins running just shy of half the length of the cigar. When rolled between my fingers it made a lovely crackling sound and gave ever so lightly to the touch.

Pre Light: I made a cut with my Xikar cigar cutter and a small amount of the wrapper cracked toward the cap. I took a pre light draw. I got a little resistance (usually a good sign) and a load of spice on the tongue. This really got my juices goin in anticipation.

Light: I used (3) long wooden matches. It lit perfectly.

Taste: The initial draw was sweet and woody. It was clean and had plenty of smoke. This cigar was a medium body and did not change much from initial light to the end. Clean tobacco, woody, and sweet best describes this treat. It picked up a little steam toward the end. I could see this as a smoke after a nice breakfast and some coffee.

Synopsis: I usually do not favor larger smokes but I enjoyed this giant quite a bit. I would like to add it to my rotation and would consider it a nice medium to full bodies smoke. I feel this box needs about another 5 years of age to really shine, so I will probably aquire a vintage box for any more I wish to smoke now. 10 years seems to be the magic number among my trusted friends when it comes to the majestic smoke. There is a reason that this smoke can bear the name of such a great man. It delivers without exception and can stand the test of time.

Start: 11:42 PM Finish: 12:21 PM

Food: Spicy chicken and rice. Desert a tasty Ice cream cake with warm caramel glaze and fudge icing.

Drink: S. Pellegrino over ice

Location: Garage at my computer.

Pre light aroma: This cigar was bounding with floral notes mixed with the light smell of sweet tobacco.

Construction: This was in good condition save the foot had about a ¼ inch crack. It had a beautiful coco brown color and had no visible veins or discoloration. When rolled between my fingers the cigar gave off what I have found to be the trademark of a properly humidified cigar.

Pre Light: I made a clean cut with my Xikar cigar cutter and took a pre light draw. It was just slightly tighter than I would like, but was by no means plugged or difficult to draw. I could taste the sweetness of this cigar before I even lit the stick.

Light: As usual 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, but the burn had to be corrected for the first few draws.

Taste: The initial draw was sweet wood. It was clean and had no aftertaste whatsoever. For having a damaged foot it presented no real problems. I did have to correct the burn for the initial draw but after that it corrected itself. There was no change ¼ ways through the cigar. It was mellow and at this point the sweetness and slight wood flavor stood in favorable balance of one another. It had a very tight grayish black ash. There was ample smoke upon each draw but was not overwhelming. I was considering cracking my door so as to let a little fresh air in the room, however upon taking in the stunning bouquet; all I wanted to do was sit back and enjoy. A little more than ¼ way through and I picked up on some hints of coffee with a little bit of cream. The smoke was still not as heavy as I would have liked, but was acceptable. I was ½ way through and I wish I had taken a picture of the ash. This cigar looked like a work of art. The ash went from a charcoal grey to a snow white and clung tight. There was a heavy taste of coffee and an aroma that only God could describe in detail. Still woody and a faint taste of ripe fruit. I couldn’t lay my finger on the exact fruit flavor but overall this cigar was magic that hung on my palate. Still ½ way in and no aftertaste present at all. This was one of the cleanest tasting cigars I had ever smoked. The ash finally gave way and fell off to reveal a razor clean edge that held straight the rest of the smoke. The last ¼ of the cigar picked up some power. Rich earthy tobacco, leather, and heavy cream began to pour over my palate. This was a significant change from the laid back nature the cigar had showed up to this point. This mixed with the intoxicating aroma lingering in the air made me nearly melt in my chair. I smoked this beauty till my fingers burned an with my head slightly buzzing I allowed the cigar to expire on its own.

Synopsis: To say I enjoyed this cigar would be an understatement. From the lovely bouquet to the complex taste I found this smoke a delight. This was a perfect cigar to compliment a lighter meal. My only complaint would be the volume of smoke produced. I tend to favor cigars that produce copious amounts of smoke and that was not the case with this RyJ Ex #4. That was however my only complaint and it seems trivial compared to the almost divine experience of smoking this fantastic cigar.

Start: 11:40 PM Finish: 12:45 PM

Appetizer: Mussels in a white wine sauce;
Soup: Minestrone;
Main course: Lasagna with 4 cheese & chicken.
Desert: Tiramisu

Drink: Zaya 12 y/o rum

Location: Garage at my computer with the door 1/8 up.

Pre light aroma: This cigar was earthy with a ever so light floral bouquet.

Construction: This cigar appeared to be in great condition. It held an even milk chocolate color. It gave to the touch and was not spongy.

Pre Light: I made a clean cut with my Xikar cigar. I took a pre light draw and tasted coco and hints of leather.

Light: I used my new Blazer torch lighter and toasted the foot. It lit perfectly.

Taste: The initial draw earth and leather. It was clean and had plenty of smoke. 2/3 of the cigar was for the most part the same profile. It was earthy with leather and hints of dark chocolate. It has the smallest suggestion of sweetness and was balanced very well with the choice of rum. The last third of the stick picked up a little steam but never was overpowering. I smoked it to the nub and it was pleasant all the way to the end. It left no residual unpleasant aftertaste and was perfectly clean.

Synopsis: I enjoyed this stick quite a bit. VR are a stick unto themselves. To my knowledge there is not another torpedo that compares. To me if a BBF and a Dip #2 had a child it would be the VR Unicos. What a tasty smoke and a great day!

URL: http://www.cubanlous.com/vegas-robaina-unicos-cigars-p-290.html

Start: 11:05 PM Finish: 12:01 PM

Food: Lemon Chicken with fried rice and vegetable potstickers

Drink: S. Pellegrino over ice

Location: Front of my house. No breeze and 72 deg.

Pre light aroma: This cigar was full of chocolate, spice, and the smell of sweet tobacco.

Construction: This was in great condition. It had a beautiful light coco brown color and had no visible veins or discoloration.

Pre Light: I made a clean cut with my Xikar cigar cutter and took a pre light draw. It was a perfect draw and promised to be a fine smoke even before my lighter ever came close to the foot.

Light: As usual the Xikar cigar made an exemplary cut. Feeling very “Tim the Tool man” I used a food prep blow torch to ignite the stick. No burn correction touch up’s were ever necessary.

Taste: The initial draw was cardamom, leather and allspice. It was as clean as the night I was smoking. There was no change ¼ ways through the cigar. After the first ¼ of the cigar dark coco became more pronounced and grew along with plenty of leather. It had a very tight grayish black ash the clung tight to the stick and was going nowhere. There was ample smoke upon each draw. The smoke started to build at the ½ way point and became a little peppery. This cigar looked like a work of art with its ash still in tact ½ way up the cigar. The ash was a light charcoal grey. Now coffee, leather and heavy spice permeated the air and my neighbor who does not enjoy cigars came out and asked what I was smoking. I replied a great stick and he commented on how wonderful the bouquet was. The spice clung to my palate and intensified through the rest of the stick. The ash finally gave way and fell off to reveal a clean edge that held straight the rest of the smoke. The last ¼ of the cigar picked up intense power. Were talking vitamin “N” here. Rich earthy tobacco, leather, and heavy spice. This mixed with the intoxicating aroma and a healthy dose of nicotine held me in place. I nubed this cigar and only as my fingers were singing did it get a tad harsh.

Synopsis: Phenomenal! From the lovely bouquet to the complex taste I found this smoke a delight. Smoke this cigar on a full stomach. My only complaint would be that it was only an hour. I could have smoked this till I turned green. A must have for any serious cigar aficionado.

URL: http://www.cubanlous.com/ramon-allones-specially-selected-cigars-p-222.html

Food: None

Drink: Caramel Latte

Location: At the park.

Pre light aroma: Floral with hints of spice.

Construction: One word, Flawless

Pre Light: I made a clean cut with my Xikar cigar cutter and took a pre light draw. It was a perfect draw.

Light: Blazer torch lighter.

Taste: If you have never experienced a Cohiba then you won’t really understand what I am saying. These cigars are works of art. I have never had a genuine Cohiba that disappointed, and I have had many. The flavor profile doesn’t change much through the entire stick although it does build some strength. I do not have the words to really describe the experience so I will use the best adjectives I can to scratch the surface to describe such a fine smoke. Honey, floral aromas, floral taste, like drinking vanilla straight for the mold that God made vanilla from, transports you to a different place, slows time and makes you never want to leave. Rarely needs burn correcting, perfect draw, perfect burn.

Synopsis: Try this cigar if you have not. You will NOT be disappointed. The only regret is that it only lasts 45 min. However, that’s why they make Siglo IV’s and VI.

URL: http://www.cubanlous.com/cohiba-siglo-cigars-p-37.html

Here are the proposed releases for 2008. I have only seen the Magnum 50 and Hoyo Epicure Especial while at the Habanos Festival in February, but the following is suppose to be released during 2008…

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One of the most anticipated releases this year was the launch of the H.Upmann Magnum 50. Some of you may remember the highly sought after Upmann Mag 50 Limitada from 2005. Habanos SA has re-released the Magnum 50 in all of its glory. This years presentation will be in CABs of 50, 25, 10 as well as in the 3AT (packs of 3 Tubos) format. These will be a regular production release. I did have a chance to try one at the Festival and I can say that in my opinion they are just as good as the 05’s. Anyways, here are some pictures taken at Habanos. I apologize as my camera is not the greatest, but I think you can get the idea.

Next: First look at the new Hoyo Epicure Especial for 2008