Minuto cigars - something for the weekend

[Randolph]

With winter fast approaching (we've had a couple of crisp nights in Sydney already) and a possibility of having to spend more time in Melbourne this year I'm on the lookout for something a little less enduring than my normal smoke.

I tend to smoke Robusto/Hermoso 4 format and upwards. I enjoy an hour plus smoke. Although I also enjoy the occasional Punch Coronation / Cohiba Siglo 2.

With cooler days/nights on the radar I'm on the look out for a lighter minuto format cigar. I have some Boli Coronas Junior but I like to smoke them slowly. I'm looking for a 20 to 30 min cigar that presents itself with some decorum, mild, unassuming, and not an assault on the taste buds. Something like a Epi No 2 flavor but smaller.

Any ideas?

[NSXCIGAR]

I don't think there's a Minuto that meets your criteria. All of them are at least what I would call medium strength. The mildest of the bunch is probably the RASCC, and I don't think that's what you're looking for.

Perhaps a Perla? The Siglo I and the RG Perlas are fairly mellow relative to the available Minutos selection.

They're larger, but perhaps a Hoyo Short Robusto or a Le Hoyo du Prince?

[JohnS]

Yes, the smaller cigars do tend to be 'flavour bombs'. I have a few in my rotation right now...the SCdLH El Principe, Trinidad Reyes, Partagas Serie D No.6 and Montecristo No.5. Of these, I'd recommend the Monte 5. The AUM Jul 14 box I'm going through is absolutely brilliant right now. I'd be happy to let you sample it at the next Sydney get together.

[TomF]

Try an LGC MdO4, or Upmann Half Corona. Neither are minutos, but both are good, med body 30 minute smokes.

[zeedubbya]

Like JohnS I would recommend Monte 5 as well, but I also just smoked a Party Short basically ROTT and was genuinely amazed at how awesome it was. Have smoked them in the past and they have been kind of Ho Hum, but what a great little cigar this one was. Would have to wholeheartedly agree with Prez's assessment of it being pound for pound one of the best cigars in the world today.

[CigarSeeker]

Monte 5... Whenever I'm looking for a quick 20-30 min smoke, I turn to the Monte 5 hands down.

[JohnS]

Like JohnS I would recommend Monte 5 as well, but I also just smoked a Party Short basically ROTT and was genuinely amazed at how awesome it was. Have smoked them in the past and they have been kind of Ho Hum, but what a great little cigar this one was. Would have to wholeheartedly agree with Prez's assessment of it being pound for pound one of the best cigars in the world today.

When I finish the Party D6's (which are quite nice!), I plan to go onto the Party Shorts. Yes, they are a good and reliable minuto.

To clarify further, if you expand your cigar categories to minutos, perlas and half coronas...then you have in alpahabetical order:

• Bolivar Coronas Junior
• Cohiba Secretos
• Cohiba Siglo I
• Cuaba Divinos
• H.Upmann Half Corona
• Montecristo Media Corona
• Montecristo No.5
• Partagas Shorts
• Rafael Gonzalez Perlas
• Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas
• San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe
• Trinidad Reyes

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/list.aspx?&ringlow=40&ringhigh=44&lengthmmlow=90&lengthmmhigh=110&specialtype=Current_Production;&includeimages=True&sortorder=noorder

[NSXCIGAR]

I'm currently smoking through a box of LAR OCT 13 Monte 5 and indeed, they are excellent, but are certainly not anything close to the "mild, unassuming" cigar the OP is looking for. Good Montes are far from that description. Montecristo is and almost always has been a medium-strong cigar--IMHO. The Monte 5 is my go-to perla and I smoke my fair share.

The perla/minuto class of cigars is very limited for milder options. In fact, I think the current lineup is as strong as ever. The RG Perla or Siglo I are the closest you'll get to mild and a good Siglo I is not mild and the recent RGs are certainly flavorful and medium, not mild.

I'd stand by the Hoyo du Prince as the cigar that meets the OPs criteria. I guess the OP can just cut a 20mm off of the end if the OP really needs it to be minuto length.

[JohnS]

I'm currently smoking through a box of LAR OCT 13 Monte 5 and indeed, they are excellent, but are certainly not anything close to the "mild, unassuming" cigar the OP is looking for. Good Montes are far from that description. Montecristo is and almost always has been a medium-strong cigar--IMHO. The Monte 5 is my go-to perla and I smoke my fair share.

The perla/minuto class of cigars is very limited for milder options. In fact, I think the current lineup is as strong as ever. The RG Perla or Siglo I are the closest you'll get to mild and a good Siglo I is not mild and the recent RGs are certainly flavorful and medium, not mild.

I'd stand by the Hoyo du Prince as the cigar that meets the OPs criteria. I guess the OP can just cut a 20mm off of the end if the OP really needs it to be minuto length.

Yes, everything you've stated is spot on. I agree wholeheartedly.

The Siglo I would require a significant amount of time to rest (to be mild) and still it would be stronger than the other Linea 1492 cigars if you to age them comparatively.

[ChefBoyRG54]

I'll sneak in with a slightly smaller vitola and throw ryj belevederes in the ring. Short, inexpensive handmade with a surprisingly flavorful offering, but much more mild than its brethren in the small size department, such as bpc and the likes.

[Bill Hayes]

Don't mind the ERDM Demi Tasse for a quick smoke with a beer. Have been getting a little hot near the end though. They will need more time in the humidor and dry boxed to even out the harsh edges that can creep in if smoked to quickly.

[earthson]

I think you'll have trouble finishing a minuto in 30 min, unless you puff away wildly, which would impact flavor.

I'd go with HUHC, LFDC PC, PL Panetelas or somesuch other cheap tripa corta.

[Fugu]

A 20-min smoke, for me, would only be met by an Entreactos format (or similar, Perlas perhaps as others proposed). A minuto taking me a good 45 to even over 60 min in the case of the BCJ.

Thus, as Bill H sais, a ERDM Demi Tasse, or the Hoyo du Maire would perhaps be an option that meets your criteria also flavour-wise. Though, the ERDM is not cheap (comp. to size and smoking duration). HDM Petit Robustos perhaps be worth a trial as well.

Try an LGC MdO4, or Upmann Half Corona. Neither are minutos, but both are good, med body 30 minute smokes.

MdO 4 taking me well into 75 min to smoke (and I wouldn't say it qualifies for "unassuming"). The HUHC might be an option.

Cheers

Paul

[Akela3rd]

Anyone mentioned Monte 5s yet? (ha ha). I'm L loving these at the moment - spring has arrived in the NHem but there's still a chill in the air of an evening so a half hour with one of these little beauties is perfect. Great for work breaks etc too.

[CaptainQuintero]

I'd probably put my money on the Upmann half Corona, with the smaller ryj eg sport largos afterwards

To my taste the RG perlas are some of the most full bodied beasties available from Cuba. I've had some original release in my desk top and they are still fizzing with attitude problems

[Smallclub]

Definitely Upmann half corona.

+

RyJ Regalias de Londres

RyJ Romeo No.3 A/T

(both are coronitas vitolas = a 117mm long perla)

[triplet]

RA makes some of my favorite sticks, last night decided to have a RASCC and a San Cristobal El. Prencipe. Fully expected the SCC to be my favorite of the night but I was pleasantly suprised I favored the SCEP. Both have about 3 years on them.

[planetary]

RA makes some of my favorite sticks, last night decided to have a RASCC and a San Cristobal El. Prencipe. Fully expected the SCC to be my favorite of the night but I was pleasantly suprised I favored the SCEP. Both have about 3 years on them.

Very good to hear. I've got a Feb 15 box from our host and I've not been able to sample from it yet. Allegedly, the natural SC sweetness deepens for several years. I'm a sucker for that flavor profile.

[Duxnutz]

Rarely smoke em for some reason of late but love the RASCC, El Principe and smaller Partagas (enjoy the Habaneros a lot even though I think it's slightly larger).

Also if you get the chance (or I see you) try a Tatuaje PCR {Petite Cazadores Reserva} - absolute crack sticks for those that like a strong lil bugger of a cigar.

[Troels]

Hdm du maire?

[FalseCast]

Try an HUHC. I've had some very good ones. Not a 30 minute smoke for me though. I tend to nurse mine, I guess.

[Randolph]

Good morning,

Pleased to confirm I have taken a punt and ordered a box of Rafael Gonzalez Perlas.

I do have a few dozen HUHC resting away. A nice smoke indeed.

I fear I may have been mistaken to think I could get anywhere near the enjoyment I get out of a longer smoke in a 20 to 30 minute break. Part of the enjoyment of cigar smoking is the time to relax - I suspect any cigar will provide an poor experience if rushed.

[Frinkiac7]

For this particular category, I really miss the ERDM Lunch Club.

[LordAnubis]

For 20 minutes try the ERDM Demi Tasse. Not an Epi 2 flavour though, but it fits all your other criteria. It's almost a cigarillo.