Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Exclusivo

This is quite a pricey cigar and not something I could afford to smoke on a regular basis, but it's very highly regarded and so I guess it could be used as a solid benchmark. In the search for an all round quality cigar that is affordable I suppose you need to at some point try the best to understand what quality is and have something to compare it too.

Cigar summary

Origin: Nicaragua

Ring gauge: 43

Length: 7

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 4 Months

Construction: Very good

Draw: Easy draw with mild aniseed dry draw

Strength: Light to medium

Flavour: Mild dry fruit, coffee with spiciness developing later and some oiliness all through

Burn: good

Guy's rating (70-100): 89.5

General comments:

 When I first received this cigar the first thing that caught my attention was that it had very little aroma or flavour in the wrapper. It's now been in my humidor for 4 months and it has the aroma of cedar (as expected) but still no flavour in the wrapper so I'm interested to see how this translates into the actual smoke. Lighting her up!

The dry draw is easy, pleasant flavours on the dry draw - mild aniseed.

Oiliness, dried fruit, excellent smoke volume, easy draw - all off the bat, also some bitterness coming through. It also has a good feel in the hand, so it's a good first impression. It's very smooth at this point, light to medium in body, the flavours don't seem to be doing very much, some smooth coffee possibly coming through with the bitterness maintaining. The first third also has the introduction of some fresh grassy tobacco.

The second third introduces some creaminess, very very mild though, and the spiciness develops into something a bit stronger. It's still a pleasant smoke at this stage, fantastic construction and draw but just a little disappointed in the relatively mild/bland flavours - maybe it's a morning smoke?

The last third was still mild but introduced some earthy espresso notes. All in all it was a good smoke but personally I prefer something a bit more dynamic and moves around a bit with the flavours. A score of 89.5 may seem low but it's a solid 89.5. Next time I may give it a go in the morning and it may score higher.

Decisions, decisions!!

What to smoke today?

Davidoff Special "R"

This is my first non cuban cigar and it's definitely up their with the best cubans. In fact in terms of appearance and construction it's probably better than a larger majority of the top cubans.

Cigar summary

Origin: Dominican Republic

Ring gauge: 50

Length: 4 7/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 6 Weeks

Construction: Very good

Draw: Easy draw with dominant aniseed dry draw

Strength: Light to medium

Flavour: Creamy espresso developing to a rich spicey pepper

Burn: Fair

Guy's rating (70-100): 90.5

General comments:

The wrapper has a fresh grassy aroma with some oiliness. It's very light off the bat with some burnt creamy espresso and some sweetness coming through. The draw was light with a good smoke volume. What is appealing with this cigar is the felling of quality - it's appearance, feel in the hand, draw, flavour, construction, the whole package is really good.

 

Early on in the cigar and it already gives a taste sensation, after the first third some spiciness starts to develop. The second third the creaminess starts to fade but it maintains some oiliness. At this point the cigar is just really fresh and cool, it feels like it's the type of cigar that you would smoke at a sporting event maybe like a posh horse race event. It doesn't demand to much attention but does it's job really well.

 

The last third spiciness dominated with a pleasant tobacco flavour, burn and construction were superb. All in all a very good smoke.

 

 

 

 

Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill

This is my second Romeo Y Julieta and based on the other reviews that one can find on the web my expectations are high. Unfortunately my previous experience with a R&J is not particularly good, admittedly that was a machine made cigar and this is hand made, but this is going to be interesting!

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 50

Length: 4 7/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 1 month

Construction: Very good at first but fell apart towards the end

Draw: Easy, mild aniseed dry draw that firmed up after toasting

Strength: medium to full

Flavour: Nutty, coffee, pepper

Burn: From bad to worse

Guy's rating (70-100): 87

General comments:

Very nutty off the bat with some oiliness and some spiciness coming through. In addition the first 1/3 had some smokey barrel flavours coming through. Second third had the espresso coming through with perhaps some light earthy sweetness. The last third coffee and peppery spice were coming through stronger but the construction was starting to fail miserably. All in all the flavour is not too bad - but expected more, maybe that's a bit unfair, it's really solid. Maybe it's a personnel preference type taste, but it's just not for me. I wouldn't recommend this to a first time smoker. It will be some time before I get another R&J in my humidor.

 

Mowing the lawn with a Monte 4

This is a test run of posting from my mobile phone. And how brilliant - while I'm mowing the lawn. I don't think I've done an official review of a MonteC 4 before but they're just excellent so will do one soon.

Anyway, let me get back too it.

Later!

Cohiba Robustos

This was my second Cohiba and I think I may have set my expectations a bit high before smoking it, because I was a little disappointed. Compared to the Siglo I it just didn't quite have the sweetness and creaminess in the flavour and the flavour didn't develop into anything much. Still a great smoke but just not quite as dynamic as I had expected - and if you check out the other reviews online it's a very highly regarded cigar.

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 50

Length: 4 7/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 1 month

Construction: Not great, veiny, a bit flackey

Draw: Easy draw with a fruity dry draw

Strength: medium "ish"

Flavour: Espresso, grass and mild spice dominant with hints of cream and sweetness

Burn: Fair

Guy's rating (70-100): 90

General comments:

Off the bat there was a light oiliness and sweetness, coffee, cream, peppery spice were all present. These flavours became slightly richer after the first third but really didn't move anywhere. At this pointed I would have easily swapped it for an HDM Ep2. After the first half possibly some earthy tones coming through but nothing significant. Flavour wise it may be a good cigar to occupy you while you do something else like cut the lawn or watch the game with a few beers because it's not really complex and doesn't require attention to appreciate the smoke, but then again you could have something half the price and smoke a Punch Coronation or something like that instead. I think this one is probably worth another go - purely based on it's reputation, so I'll buy 3 for the Humidor and see how they go. But for the price - sorry this just didn't cut it!

 

Hoyo De Monterey Epicure No. 2

 

This was my first over 42 ring gauge cigar, 50 to be precise, and the size and weight and all round feel in the hand felt the most comfortable. The first impressions when cut and toasted is just quality, the aroma is a bit more earthy than other cigars I've reviewed almost like fresh sawdust, but the flavours are amazing. I think this one is going to be hard to beat.

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 50

Length: 4 7/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 1 month

Construction: Not great, veiny, a few tears in the wrapper

Draw: Loose

Strength: Light at first and developing to medium

Flavour: Coffee with mild pepper and spice and creaminess all through

Burn: Not great, 5 or 6 patch ups

Guy's rating (70-100): 93

General comments:

Off the bat as I've mentioned you pick up immediately that this is a quality cigar. Flavours are sweet and creamy with very mild pepper and spice and hints of coffee and cocoa. First third was a sweet espresso with creaminess. This developed into almost a honey coated nut flavour with some dried fruit, still on the light to medium side of body. At this point the cigar was really really smooth and probably one of the best I've smoked. At this stage it was starting to develop a rich creaminess and was maintaining a really good smoke volume. The last third introduced possibly a hint of pepper and spice but just a the right time - this cigar seems to hit all the right notes - I was very impressed at this point. Construction was not great but completely made up for with all the flavour. Creaminess was still there with pepper and espresso coming through strong at the end. All in all this is an excellent well balanced cigar and my recommendation is BUY!!

Montecristo No.5

I was initially banking on the MonteC No. 5 coming out tops on my review of short cigars - of course bringing the factor of price into the equation and not just all round quality. But unfortunately it was beat...Yes, by the Cohiba Siglo I. But the exercise wasn't a complete wash out as I've discovered that it's not a case of having a regular smoke available in your humidor because moods and requirements change depending on the situation, in fact maybe it's about having a variety available in your humidor to fulfill your cigar craving needs when they arise. So, below is the review of the MonteC No. 5:

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 40

Length: 4

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 2 week

Construction: Excellent

Draw: Easy

Strength: Medium at first and developing to full

Flavour: Coffee with mild pepper and spice

Burn: Fair

Guy's rating (70-100): 89

General comments:

Once again the dry draw of this cigar was the best part with hints of a fresh fruity citrus.

Off the bat there was a mild spice and coffee but no sweetness or creaminess that I've come to associate with montec's. This flavour seemed to maintain through the smoke and although not a bad flavour just didn't develop any further - maybe this is what they aim to do with short sticks, I don't know? A real positive with this cigar is the smoke volume which is great and I really enjoy together with the fairly easy draw for such a small stick. I'll be getting some of these for the humidor at some point but will be buying some Siglo I's first.

Next review is the HDM Epicure 2 - moving on to the big boys:) Watch this space!

 

Cohiba Siglo I

Wow, the big day arrived and I smoked my first Cohiba...rolling drums, in the form of the Cohiba Siglo I. Following on from my previous post, I'm trying different short cigars hoping to find one to add to my humidor as a regular smoke. I suppose the only down side to the Cohiba's are their price, for the price of a Siglo I you can get a MonteC No. 4 and an extra 1". Oh well, on to the review:

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 40

Length: 4

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 1 week

Construction: Very good

Draw: Slightly firm

Strength: Medium at first and developing to full

Taste: Sweet and nutty developing into pepper and spice

Burn: Not the greatest but only needed two patch ups

Guy's rating (70-100): 91

General comments:

 

The dry draw on this is just brilliant, it has this sweetness that I just can't place. After toasting it off the bat you have sweet nut flavours, almost like a creamy peanut butter with hints of vanilla.

 

The first third developed richer woody earthiness that was exceptionally smooth and fresh. The sweet nuttiness remained but more as an undertone. In the second third a fresh grassyness started to come through with a raw nut flavour becoming more prominent. An oiliness also started to come through which you can feel on you lips, almost like a nut oil. In the last third the pepper and spice that I've come to know with Cuban cigars started to dominate, but not harsh.  It had an oily finish at this point which seemed to make the strong pepper and spice more palatable. Strangely I also seemed to be picking up a hint of berry in the finish and the aroma - weird as it may be!

 

Overall this smoke was great, the aroma is like no other, it's like a burnt fruity toffee - just brilliant. Although the Siglo I is slightly expensive for such a small cigar I will definately be keeping a couple of these in the humidor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partagas Short

I've discovered since my recent introduction to enjoying fine cigars is that they can take up considerable time to smoke and can get rather expensive. So, in an effort to save on both I've decided to review a few short cigars and hopefully find one that i can make my regular smoke. One that is still superb quality but only takes half an hour or so to smoke and that does not break the bank to buy. The three that I've gone with for now are the Partagas Short, Cohiba Siglo I and MonteC No. 5. The first to be reviewed is the Partagas Short.

This week the venue for the review was more exotic than just my cramped study and I headed off to the beach with my wife, my dog and my Partages Short - my wife is an aspiring photographer and wanted some sunset shots at the beach, so photos are compliments of her.

Here are the results of the Partagas review:

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 42

Length: 4 3/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 1 week

Construction: Excellent

Draw: Poor

Strength: Medium at first and developing to full later on

Taste: Strong pepper with some spice

Burn: Became better after about half way but needed some patching up before then

Guy's rating (70-100): 87

General comments:

 

The draw let this one down, I had cramp in my ckeeks at one point due to having to pull so hard. The flavours in the dry draw were just fantastic and made me really excited to light this one up, nice pleasant hints of aniseed.

 

Off the bat the flavours were mild peppery, earthy and woody and these dominated through the entire smoke. The 2nd third flavours possibly developed a bit with the pepper becoming a little more spicy and perhaps a slight introduction to some sweetness. The draw was still tight but I was enjoying the smoke (but maybe more for the scenic view) and the tight draw was making the smoke last longer :)

 

Overall the smoke volume was small, the flavours were okay but one dimensional and the the draw tight. However the flavours weren't bad, the price is right and other reviews on the web rate this quite highly so I haven't completely ruled this one out and will maybe give it another go at some point.

 

  

 

 

Montecristo No. 2

 

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 52

Length: 6.0

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: None

Construction: Good - slight peel of the wrapper at the foot

Draw: Easy pleasant draw

Strength: Light initially and then developed to medium after the first third

Taste: Mild spicy, creamy, old wood fire smokiness, vanilla developing into creamy butterscotch

Burn: Burn was excellent

Guy's rating (70-100): 91

General comments:

 

This is just a pure quality cigar. The aroma is sweet and woody, fantastic construction, excellent draw, excellent burn and superbly balanced flavours. The start of the smoke the body was possibly light to medium with this developing to a solid medium from after the first third. The flavours were so smooth and creamy that I had to consciously slow my self down. The spicy sweetness that started off developed into a spicy creamy butterscotch that became a manly spicy butterscotch after the second third. Fresh earthy woody tones maintained throughout the smoke and completely balanced with the spice, cream and sweetness.

 

Wow, I struggled to put this one down. Being a beginner I don't think I'm giving the complexity of the flavours the justice they deserve. I'm so glad I have another two in my humidor, I'll let them sit for a bit of time and then look forward to seeing how they develop and hopefully so does my pallet for such a fine cigar. I highly recommend giving this a go.

 

 

 

Punch Coronations

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 42

Length: 5.0

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: None

Construction: Poor - wrapper coming loose, bumps (Cigar was dry so probably not stored well)

Draw: Fair

Strength: Light to medium

Taste: Light, smooth, creamy with some spice

Burn: Burn was fair, possible a bit quick but due to dryness

Guy's rating (70-100): 75

General comments:

This cigar started off a bit slow, the aroma was good with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, fresh and gentle. The flavour was smooth, creamy with some spice but very very light. The taste only really started to develop after the first half of this cigar with the spiciness becoming more prominent. The last 3rd of this cigar was definitely the most exciting and interesting but construction let this one down with the wrapper starting to unfold at this point, it also lacked a bit of sweetness all through.

This smoke did however highlight the quality in flavour difference between hand made and machine made cigars - so my recommendation is stay away from machine made cigars. I'm also looking forward to something a little more fuller, maybe a robustos or short churchill next.

Romeo y Julieta: Romeo No. 1

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 40

Length: 5.5

Manufactured: Machine made

Maturity: None

Construction: Excellent

Draw: Poor

Strength:Medium

Taste: Woody and herby dominant

Burn: Burns well and uniform

Guy's rating (70-100): <70

Approximate price: £10.00

General comments:

Out of the tube this cigar gives the impression of a fantastic smoke, gentle sweet aroma with superb construction. However, when lit up the draw is awful, the taste is very woody and herb dominant that doesn't develop as the smoke goes on. The dominance of the woody herby taste ruins the experience - at times I thought I was smoking charcoal. I don't recommend if you're looking for a quality smoke.