El Rey Del Mundo Infantes 2013 Edicion Regional Cuba

[Cigar Surgeon]

http://cigarfederati...n-regional-cuba

This El Rey Del Mundo Infantes 2013 Edicion Regional Cuba which was the 2013 regional release for the year came to me by way of the Partagas Festival in Cuba.

I went down in November of 2013 with a group of Canadian friends to see Cuba for the first time and experience the festival. I also picked up several boxes of the Infantes, but this particular stick I reviewed was part of the bundle given to attendees for the events. I did smoke two of the El Rey Del Munfo Infantes while I was there but I did not take notes, so it was nice to be able to revisit my thoughts and focus on a review.

This cigar review also kicks off the first in my ‘best of 2014’ for Cuban cigars.

Nose:

The nose is consistent with my original experiences. Floral with some dry hay and that unmistakable Cuban tobacco smell.

Construction:

The El Rey Del Mundo Infantes measures 4 7/8” by 50 ring gauge in a robusto vitola. This is a ‘Torcido Exclusivamente para Cuba’ which means an exclusive release to the Cuban region. With only 5,000 ten count boxes were produced, and each box bears the corresponding production number. First announced in June of 2013, the cigar was presented during a special event at the La Casa del Habano of the Habana Libre Hotel.

Flavor:

First Third

The first few draws and I get that sweet Cuban tobacco taste. After the cigar begins to settle in I’m getting a hint of pepper at the back of my tongue. There’s a hunt of dried earth as a post-draw flavor. The cigar doesn’t really hit its stride until the first third starts to wind down.

Middle Third

Quite floral going into the middle third. At the halfway mark there are some nice nutty flavors.

As the middle third closes out the earth notes that were present only in the first third post-draw now increase in intensity and are a part of the map here.

Last Third

The earth and nut flavors from the middle third find a balance and there are undertones of floral here again. I’m actually getting some nice tobacco strength kicking in here.

The nut flavors really kick up in strength as the last third closes out. There’s some slight acrid undertones which probably have more to do with the winter smoking conditions than anything. They were not present in the first two Infantes I smoked in Cuba.

Burn/Draw:

I punched the cap instead of using a guillotine or v-cut based on my previous smoking experiences. The Infantes tends towards the open end for draw and a punch tightens it up so it hits the sweet spot. The initial burn was uneven but it settled down after about 10 minutes with only minor touch ups required. Total smoking time was a leisurely 1 hour and 26 minutes.

Value:

The El Rey Del Mundo Infantes is a very good deal available at only 59 CUCs (Cuban convertible pesos) for a 10 count box. The only caveat is that unless you can find someone willing to part with a box, you’ll have to travel to Cuba and visit a LCDH store to purchase them. For a limited production exclusive regional release this is a fantastic value. Especially given that you don’t have to invest in a 25 count box.

Final Word:

I’m happy to say that my impression of the El Rey Del Mundo Infantes is consistent with my original experiences during the Partagas festival. It’s an enjoyable cigar but not an amazing cigar. The flavors are enjoyable but there is not yet any complexity or balance in the entire smoking experience. I feel like these cigars will be very enjoyable after at least a year of rest.

[Puros Y Vino]

Good review John. A lot of people were slagging this cigar down there. I enjoyed the half box I smoked down there. It may not be a long term aging cigar,but then again. Who really knows?

[Larsy]

Nice review!

Really nice pictures

[tmac77]

Great review John. I have not had one of these since we were all in Havana back in November. Might just have to give one a go tonight and revisit.

Tom

[ramon_cojones]

i've not seen one review where people really like this cigar, i think the appeal comes from the "cuba regional" mystique coupled with the price point and my wallet is thankful for that

[Puros Y Vino]

i've not seen one review where people really like this cigar, i think the appeal comes from the "cuba regional" mystique coupled with the price point and my wallet is thankful for that

I haven't reviewed it but I've smoked half a box so far. It's on the mild/medium side but it does have it's qualities. I got a bit of leather, earth, floral notes and some pepper kick every once in a while. For the price, it's a damn good cigar. Throw in that it's a Cuban RE and you've got a bonus. It won't create the buzz that the LGC Deliciosos jar has but it's very good overall.

[stargazer14]

I anyone wants to part with one of these for a fair trade please PM me,

I have a collection of single regionals going on and a Cuba RE would be a great addition.

Mike

[tmac77]

As i mentioned earlier I was motivated to lite one of these up this afternoon and I am sure glad I did. in the two short months since having one back in Havana, this cigar is much richer in flavour's and allot less bitterness than my previous tasting. A bit wayward in the final third for me but I am sure that these will hit their stride in a relatively short amount of time.

[Cigar Surgeon]

i've not seen one review where people really like this cigar, i think the appeal comes from the "cuba regional" mystique coupled with the price point and my wallet is thankful for that

I can't believe the number of people that enjoyed the Double Edmundo. In comparison this cigar is a symphony of flavors.

[ramon_cojones]

I haven't reviewed it but I've smoked half a box so far. It's on the mild/medium side but it does have it's qualities. I got a bit of leather, earth, floral notes and some pepper kick every once in a while. For the price, it's a damn good cigar. Throw in that it's a Cuban RE and you've got a bonus. It won't create the buzz that the LGC Deliciosos jar has but it's very good overall.

i gotcha, i'll see if any of my guys have one i can try out but i swear every time i sample a non-ra special edition i'm let down and maybe this cigar has legs, we'll see

[LLC]

Great review John. I have not had one of these since we were all in Havana back in November. Might just have to give one a go tonight and revisit.

Tom

Enjoyed the review John. Like Tom, I haven't had the single we were given or dug into any of my boxes yet. I did enjoy the ones u has in Havana and look forward to revisiting them soon.

Gary

[maverickdrinker]

Great review John.

[Lotusguy]

59 CUC and then people pay $300++ in the secondary market - insanity!!!

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[lopezoscar03]

Great review. Would love to get a box or two of these

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[Cigar Surgeon]

59 CUC and then people pay $300++ in the secondary market - insanity!!!

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Yeah, for the record I would not pay over $130 for the box as it smokes right now.

[Guest Robo]

How do they compare to the Choix Supreme, anyone have an opinion?

[shlomo]

I can't believe the number of people that enjoyed the Double Edmundo. In comparison this cigar is a symphony of flavors.

The Double Edmundo is awful. Just bitter, rough edges, too much smoke volume, pure tobacco, nothing else happening. Very NC-like. Boring.

At least the ones I have had have been. Have not had an Infantes yet, but good review. Interesting read.

[mk05]

The Double Edmundo is awful. Just bitter, rough edges, too much smoke volume, pure tobacco, nothing else happening. Very NC-like. Boring.

At least the ones I have had have been. Have not had an Infantes yet, but good review. Interesting read.

So what you're saying is that the Double Edmundo is an absolute stunner and keeper.

[Nino]

Thank you for the review, John !

Not sure if we talked about this cigar in Havana last November, but sure I told some of the guys in the group the opinion we gathered.

While the price ( in Cuba ) is very attractive, I and the guys I smoked the cigar with ( among them Punch Joe ) considered the cigar sub-par and little attractive. The best we came up with was : hmm, nice.

I tried 3 sticks there and gave up.

Will re-check it next month and hope for better experiences, but don't hold my breath ;-)

[Cigar Surgeon]

Thank you for the review, John !

Not sure if we talked about this cigar in Havana last November, but sure I told some of the guys in the group the opinion we gathered.

While the price ( in Cuba ) is very attractive, I and the guys I smoked the cigar with ( among them Punch Joe ) considered the cigar sub-par and little attractive. The best we came up with was : hmm, nice.

I tried 3 sticks there and gave up.

Will re-check it next month and hope for better experiences, but don't hold my breath ;-)

Thanks for the kind words Nino, it means a lot.

I definitely could not see myself paying some of the outrageous prices people are offering in the US. I'm really looking forward to revisiting the Infantes later in the year. Fingers crossed.

[Onsto]

Everything I smoked in Cuba in November was muted by the humidity. A couple of the cigars I got at the festival dinner were not just over humidified, they were physically wet to the touch. That's got to have an effect on the perceived quality of the cigar, and not surprising that they'd be more enjoyable when they have settled a little.