SLR Serie A - USB MAR 12

[Milan]

Just had this cigar last night as I finally had a couple of hours after a long week of study to sit down and relax! Anyway, let's get into it.

Construction

No real surprises here. This box has been more or less consistent cigar to cigar. No soft spots and a very light box press.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-13352-0-35641100-1349516246.jpg

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-13352-0-57248000-1349516520.jpg

Drink Pairing

I'm a recent convert to whisky so I had my Glenmoragie 10 and HC 7 year lined up for this cigar. In the end I liked the pairing of the smoke with the Whisky so much on this occasion that I didn't even end up touching the Rum.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-13352-0-26525300-1349516421.jpg

On to the smoking!

Cold Aroma/Draw

I gave this one a quick run over with the nose before cutting and to be honest there was nothing really smacking me in the face, not like I was getting off the Monte Especial I had last week anyway. Some light floral notes and of course just the good old Cuban tobacco smell.

After cutting the draw seems to be in line with what I've had with the rest of the box, firm but comfortable. There is a sweetness to the draw and being halfway through this box already I am incredibly excited at what I know is coming!

Opening

Not going to lie, this opening surprised me a little. It was more creamy than the last two I've had, with more of a biscuity character sitting alongside. The cream is more suggestive of a chocolatey profile than a coffee cream. The smoke is satisfying in my mouth, and fills my little room with a beautifully unoffensive biscuity smell. I think the main comment to make here is it just smooth and lovely, very, very relaxing. Exactly what I need to unwind at the end of the week.

First Third

The intensity noticeably stepped up between 5 to 10 minutes in. I'm starting to get more of the flavour I have come to expect from the rest of this box, a nice fresh apple pie with a dollop of cream on the top. Getting a sort of tartness similar to the skin of a granny smith apple, which is just divine when I follow it up with a rinse of Glenmorangie. As I continue to smoke the strength receedes but the flavour remains. Notice a kind of celery freshness emerging toward the end. The burn was initially incredibly haphazard, but all my burns have been less than admirable since I left my good lighter at my parents when I was visiting a month ago and have since had to resort to a standard bic lighter (not to mention these cigars are barely out of the rollers hands). Ash is a dirty grey, one of the less pretty Serie A's I've had out of this box.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-13352-0-64231400-1349517443.jpg

Second Third

Starting to get a hint of coffee roast, cream still prevalent. Apple tartness steady. 10 minutes on the coffee has left almost entirely and been replaced by more floral notes, although this may just be the power of suggestion on my palate from the Whisky. The fruit flavour is easily the most dominant at this point, but sweeter rather than sour. Towards the end of the third I get a brief glimpse of seasoned beef... no, scratch that, more like the beef fat. Not even so much the flavour but just the mouth coating richness. I was definitely hoping at this point I would see more of this towards the end of the stick.

Final Third

The tartness has left completely, giving way to a very alluring creaminess. It is almost perfect getting to this point in the stick and having some flavours dropping out in wake of the fullness of the cream, giving me time to appreciate the whisky. Have been talking to my younger brother for a while over facebook now, and alongside the cigar and Mad Men I am just in heaven. Everything is beautiful. A toasty flavour emerges and the biscuity notes return, but more of a distinct shortbread flavour this time. The beef fat intensity returns, so lovely! As I come in dangerously close to my fingers the shortbread remains the dominating flavour.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-13352-0-78716900-1349518430.jpg

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-13352-0-14427700-1349518444.jpg

Final Thoughts

With a young palate I am still exploring cuban cigars in a big way. But alongside the more analytical approach to cigars I have to say just the meditation time I get sitting here relaxing for a couple of hours is an invaluable thing. Writing all this out, reading through the notes I was writing down about the smoke brings back the memories of sitting in complete happiness, and that is a truly remarkable thing. Cigars are, for me, a great accompaniment to the good times I've had over the past year since I've started on my cuban journey, and I hope I can continue this trend until I die. But the sentiments aside, this particular cigar really delivered in the flavour department, but definitely fell short on the burn and aesthetics I have experienced from other brothers in the box. But overall, I loved the cigar and hope there are many more of these in my smoking future!

[dicko]

Great review mate! Need to chase down some of these!

[mk05]

You have an excellent palate, and also describe the experience very well. I can actually relate to what you are tasting.

This is a good review, and I agree with your assessment on the A, fresh. With a couple decades, these get crazy.

[ksblazer]

Thanks for the review. I've been out of SLR Serie A's for a few months now and was wondering how the recent one's were smoking.

Sounds like I need to get a box

[Charltonc]

I am a SLR *****: I love the DC, Churchill, corona, petit corona, Serie A, and Regios. My favorite is the discontinued lonsdale and I keep smoking them like crack as much as I can't get more. SLR has a great price point flavor profile and age beautifully, yet the Serie A and Regios smoke well fresh. Churchills smoke well with a couple years.

[Geo17pip]

Love this cigar! Only have a few left from a box I got last year. Will need to get another box soon, maybe for the summer. Just a great classic cuban cigar in a perfect size. Great review man!

[1LegLance]

The Petite corona has always been my favorite in this line. But honestly I have not smoked a Regio or Series A in 8+ years so my tobacconist will be thanking you that I now need to place an order

Great write up and the pics were a nice touch

enjoy

[BMack]

Wow, great review and great comments guys! Honestly, I haven't ever really looked at SLR but they are certainly on my radar now.