Cigar Review Competition- '03 HDM Des Dieux

[DougB]

I knew exactly to cigar to re-visit for this review. This cigar has been my go-to since I started on this slippery slope and they have rarely let me down. At some point during the cigar I always think "why don't I smoke these more often?"

Initial observation-

Box code JUL ORE 03. Down to my last 15 or so in this cab. They are glistening as I pull back the lid. No doubt now that I chose the right one to review. The wrapper is silky soft with no real veins or blemishes. Tightly packed. No real aromas to speak of while cold but it smells pretty darned good. I clipped the head and the draw is firm. Pretty much perfect resistance. Tastes of mellow, smooth tobacco just as it should.

Toasted very nicely. Nice camp-fire aromas filling the still air. First pull shows a nice, cedar-y and light vanilla characteristic. Draw immediately opened up and we are off.

For me it takes discipline not to smoke a cigar of this size too quickly. I want those lush flavors and volumes of smoke but if pushed, the cigar will resist with thin smoke, acrid flavors, and bitterness. So, time to take my time.

1st Third-

Can't see any red glow coming off of the foot so I dive in. Wow- creamy, creamy-rich. Gorgeous flavor and sensation when exhaling through the nose. A delicate sweetness and gingerbread-like aroma and taste coming up. I am very happy. Letting it relax...

Some tannic bitterness on the front now but yet a very clean finish on the end. Man this wrapper is so smooth the cigar almost slips out of my hand. It feels extraordinary. Brief touches of earthiness like mushrooms coupled with bitter greens. Interesting. The cigar does not seem exactly balanced as of yet. When there is that discernable beginning, middle, and finish that coalesce into that one 'ah...' moment, to me- heaven is found. We are not there, but hoping to find it. (note to self- don't look for it...)

Whew. Picking up nicely. This cigar walks to the beat of a different drummer. Loving that this one is a journey indeed. The smoke is darker, brooding, and lively. A pleasant acidic note to the smoke. Not citrus, per se. Dark, burned cedar coming through and the draw and burn are exceptional.

2nd Third-

Starting out more of the same but now with the roasted, woodsy characteristics. Medium-full. Tasty. Not much movement as of late. Smoking nicely and pretty bold. No real flavors to speak of but burned wood, charcoal. Smoking very nicely but seems to have settled into its' own dimension. Nothing wrong with that but no real ride here in the middle. Fine with me. Afterall, I am smoking a 9-year old cigar while sitting on my deck watching LFTH. Clipped it as there was some tar build-up and the draw was getting a little too firm. Nice, rich, creamy roasted flavors coming through but nothing to get overly excited about...the cedar is getting a bit much. The roof of my mouth gets a little sore in one little spot when a cigar is too woodsy. Hopefully it backs off in the last third. The smoke is pungent though. Still nice and pretty full.

3rd Third and Final Thoughts-

Pretty good thus far. Not moving around much- just steady, charred wood and rich smoke. Not billowing clouds as I would like, but nonetheless enough...ah ha!-now it is getting bolder, darker, and more brooding. Are these things legal? Very rich and robust. Can't complain here. The cigar is getting more 'adult-like'. This is not one to give the guy that stops by and asks 'hey you got any cigars'? This is one to have with something in your stomach and nothing on your mind. The ride is over it seems, but the stride has been hit and it is not a bad stride to ride. Deep, charcoal, burned wood types of flavors with rich, eye-burning smoke. Not one of my best DD's, but certainly not my worst. Though I do have to add here that I would not mind firing up something to chase it- like a BBF- albeit in an half hour or so.

Overall- because I have come to expect more from these- 87/100

[mk05]

an uncomplicated, delicious, newspaper read smoke. great review.

[maverickdrinker]

nice review Doug!!!!

[isa]

The 03 stock has been smoking very well for me of late - intially though it didnt seem that way.

Thanks for the nice detailed review

[phoenix]

Awesome!

Here's a 1998 HDM Des Dieux I had the pleasure of enjoying over a late morning cup of cuban coffee while in HKG last year. The newspaper didn't have a chance.

[LGC]

Awesome!

Here's a 1998 HDM Des Dieux I had the pleasure of enjoying over a late morning cup of cuban coffee while in HKG last year. The newspaper didn't have a chance.

Are you certain of the age? There shouldn't be a band on there if that is the actual box code.

[phoenix]

That was my recollection, but-- Dang-- you're right. That doesn't make any sense. Maybe early Alzheimer's setting in... When did they start putting bands on those? 2005'ish?

[rcarlson]

No bands on a '98. I think they went on around '06 or so. No shame in the mistake. Still good. I have a good stock of the '03 -- but I've had some wonderful '10s too.

[ptrthgr8]

Great review!

A couple of weeks ago I got a 50 cab of these, also from 2003... RSE FEB 03, I think. Would need to double check that when I get home. Of all the cigar boxes I've ever opened, this one was the most amazing. My wife isn't much of a cigar smoker at all, but even she thought the aroma from the box was much nicer than any others. I've smoked three so far and it's quickly becoming one of my favorites, even though I do generally prefer a bigger stick.

I absolutely agree about the very woody flavors and I also get the sensation in the back of the roof of my mouth - not really pain at all, not sore, but I can definitely feel it when smoking one of these. I also absolutely agree about that last third - that's where all the flavors really become noticeable. I like the cigar overall just fine, but, man, if the whole thing was like that last third it would be epic.

I also picked up a 50 cab of the HDM Epicure #1 from 2005 (BPL NOV 05, I think). Pretty danged good smoke, but that Des Dieux is just awesome. I kinda wish they had bands, though. But no real complaints at all!

Cheers,

~ Greg ~