PL Belicoso Extra RE Asia-Pacific 2008

[cottierm]

Our friend Isa was recently asking in 'The Water Hole' for info about this vitola (and both Perfectform and TWalker expressed their love for it). I promised Isa to write a short review about it and since the Toronto LCDH is closing its doors tonight to move to a new location, I decided that it would be a fitting last cigar to smoke on its patio!

I smoked this cigar last summer and here are the quick notes I wrote at that time:

"Superbly manufactured cigar. Taste: fresh and grassy at the start, moving very quickly (already before the end of its first third) into the bitterness of dark coffee well balanced by moderate honey flavour; this taste will go on uninterrupted to the end without other additions; nonetheless, this flavour increases and grows up to the end without being ever overpowering; a cigar to smoke slowly, since it may become heady. A good, round, satisfying cigar. 88."

How much has this cigar changed after a further 7-8 months? That was the point of interest for me. Let's see:

- Box code: EMA SEP08

- Appearance: beautiful colorado wrapper, shiny and a bit oily. Excellent construction; a well-packed cigar.

- Aroma at cold: sweet tobacco and milk chocolate. Good draw with a bit of restraint.

- Smoke: good amount of it and a very pleasant leathery smell.

- Ash: long and solid; no flakiness; beautiful white silver in colour.

- 1/3: The first puff delivers a taste of fresh bread, then grass and sweet tobacco. First impressions are: fresh and pleasant, smooth in the grass/herbal spectrum. Freshness in the mouth is of course also due to the torpedo-shape of this particular cigar. A touch of woodiness starts to add itself to the profile (cedarwood + grass + a touch of cream); delicate flavours; slow burn; the cigar is soothing for your palate. All around sweetness (without sugar), very agreeable.

- 2/3: Sweet grass and fresh bread are the dominant flavours at this point with a touch of honey appearing. This cigar is really relaxing and easy to smoke. Strength is under medium (2/5) (and will only slightly increase in the final third). The mixture of grass + sweet/honey note gives you a slight taste of liquorice.

- 3/3: The very long ash decides finally to say goodbye to me! (Falling luckily in the ashtray and not on my trousers). A taste of light honey overcomes the grassy profile now. There is a slight but not substantial increase in strength. A bit of spiciness on the lips and in the mouth (white pepper). Cream and grass become more pronounced in the end.

- Conclusion: 'Smooth as silk' will be a good description for this smoke. After more than half a year of further aging, the bitterness of dark chocolate has totally vanished. This cigar has reached a perfect balance (no harshness or dryness at all; perfect mix of flavours). It leaves you with a sweet grassy taste in the mouth. A very pleasant and relaxing experience and a good cigar to smoke before a meal. On the down side, there is no flavour restraint in it, that is this cigar does not give you the impression that it has something more to give you in a few years time than what is already present. That said I do not have a sufficiently long experience with cigars under medium to comment on their long term development. Could someone help here?

Best,

Michel

[perfectform]

Nice review. Great cigar that is lush, complex and so approachable now. I think they are in the middle of their stride and going strong. No need to wait on these any longer IMO.

[cottierm]

No need to wait on these any longer IMO.

I agree with you on that. Thanks for commenting.

Have a nice week-end.

Michel

[headstand]

cedarwood + grass + a touch of cream

That's exactly what I got from the first one I ever tried - almost incense like.

Bought two boxes i was so impressed. Will break into them soon.

Thanks for the review.

[CanuckSARTech]

Nice review and notes. Thanks for sharing, Michel!

[isa]

Hey Michel, thanks for the great review Appreciate it

Seems like a pretty good cigar to try

One question Michel & anyone else who has had some:

Would you say that the flavours are medium full to full or mild - as in a touch of this and that - i normally seem to prefer cigars with bold flavours, not very faint flavours - if that makes any sense

[cottierm]

Hi Isa,

Strength and flavour are not the same thing, although strength could indeed increase the flavour profile but again not necessarily.

Now to answer your question: it is an under-medium cigar as far as its strength is concerned which means that it is not an overpowering cigar, the kind that will leave you gasping for air! Flavour-wise this is a great cigar with good changes of taste during the smoking experience. You will feel all the different flavours while still keeping a relatively fresh mouth. Maybe I need to use an analogy here. As far as strength is concerned one may say that CCs range from the very light Fonseca Cosaco (1/5 in strength) to the R&J Cazadore (5/5 in strength). Does that mean that the Fonseca has no taste? No, but it is very light and refreshing which makes it a perfect morning cigar. On the other hand, a Cazadore will be better appreciated after a solid meal and need to be smoked slowly if you want to avoid becoming sick! The difference between the two is like between a light jasmin tea and a dark coffee. Would you say that jasmin tea has no taste? Do you like a strong dark-roasted coffee? A question of personal taste or depending on the moment of the day or on your mood at a particular time. That is why smoking CC is so interesting.

Best,

Michel

[isa]

Hi Michel,

Thanks a lot - your explanation brings a lot of clarity

I was talking about the flavour - some cigars seem to have very mild flavours, like i have to concentrate hard to detect any. In others the flavours are clear & bold, the aroma & taste.

BTW, i have a lot of espresso, so yes, i like strong coffee

thanks.

[TWalker]

Great review, Michel. Thanks for taking the time.