San Cristobal El Principe EML Feb 15. WRC

[yhomas]

This is my first review on FOH. I am fairly new to cigars in general, but very new to CC this year, having only tried an assortment of ~10x of the smaller sized CC offerings, but I thought I would give it a shot anyway at my "cigar of 2015"--which I happened to enjoy yesterday.

Purchased a PSP box from our host--these have the darker (more reddish) colored wrappers as mentioned in El President's post "A Tale of Two Principes". They have been sitting at 61% and ~75f for only ~2 weeks after delivery, but I couldn't wait any longer to try one. The handsome aroma from the box and cold draw suggested promise.

After a few puffs, I had to smile. This was what I was hoping for. We have the sophistication and nuanced depth of flavor that I remember from the Upmann Half Corona--but a better flavor profile (for my palate). Less woody/earthy than the HC, and more cocoa, with some molasses and every once in a while vanilla? The flavor is pretty robust and seems to undulate somewhat from puff to puff--just a nip of pepper/spice from time to time.

In the second third, I am getting more baking spice/cloves (as is the case for me toward the end in a lot of cigars that I have tried). The last third continued along the lines of the 2nd third. As I got near the end, I did have to relight as I was puffing at too leisurely of a pace.

The flavor remained pleasant and consistent; but right near the nub, I started to pick up a new presence of flavor (spice?) that I haven't ever tasted before--not an aeromatic/cloves flavor, but something else entirely. Not sure what it is but I like it--really interesting finish.

Overall, great creamy/velvety smoke output, and no burn issues--clearly good construction. The ash would hang on longer than what seemed reasonable. Perfect draw--so perfect, I just didn't notice it. Just delightful overall experience--even a nice aftertaste. Smoke time: 66 minutes.

The only fault I could point toward is that the flavor didn't really "progress" in the sense that the cigar was hitting with full flavor from the first few minutes (and pretty much kept going). Arguably, that is the inherent nature of this size format, but I was so wowed from the start, the fact that it merely kept going seemed almost disappointing (almost). This is definitely my favorite small Cuban so far. These are a bit more expensive than some of the other small CC's I have tried--yet a great overall value IMO.

I am reluctant to put a point score on this since I have my own 1-10 scoring system that is not really applicable to anyone but me; basically a score above 5.0 is a cigar that I like--and the majority of my scores have been in the 6-7 range--good, but not thrilling. I gave this Principe an 8.5, which is the highest score I have given. (The second highest score was a Half Corona, which I gave an 8.0. FYI, several weeks back, I had another lighter colored Principe single of unknown vintage, which I was happy with, and scored at a 7.5.)

[Scrubber]

Got my first box of these last week (same code). Had one on Saturday and loved it so much I had another on Sunday. Planning on getting another box because I will be burning through this one fast.

Great first review and glad you enjoyed the smoke!

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[Dave O)))]

Nice review, thanks. The difference between the lighter and darker wrapped Principes is interesting, the former being more a dry-spicy smoke, similar complexity but lackin the sweetness of the dark wrappers. I like both varieties, happy to have both on hand. I handed a few darker sticks to some mates on the weekend and they loved the sweetness, a non smoker with us even remarked on the sweet aroma.

[JohnS]

Outstanding review. They are as wonderful to smoke as you've mentioned. Thanks!

[irratebass]

Nice review, sounds like a tasty stick to me....thanks for sharing

[Optic101]

Nice review !

[Wrangler]

Waiting on a box now.... can't wait to try one. Nice review!

[SCgarman]

Sitting on 2 boxes of these same box code as yours. Waiting for the cold winter weather to kick in and then start diving into a box. Have yet to try one but they sure sound promising!

[yhomas]

Thanks everyone. I was a bit surprised at the 66 minute duration, for such a small cigar. I feel like I probably get less time out of most of the PC sized offerings I have tried (but admittedly I don't usually record the smoke time). I was going pretty leisurely--pausing to record review notes--but I didn't feel like I was really trying to stretch it out (maybe I was doing so subconsciously though).