JohnS' Mid-2018 Video Reviews Series

[JohnS]

Greetings again dear friends! Below are a number of video reviews of cigars which I've termed 'uncommon' due to their discontinuation (or hiatus), premium exclusivity or simply for the fact that as cigar enthusiasts we're more unlikely to reach for them from our humidors!

Again, like the 2017 Xmas Sampler Series, I'd like to say that speaking 'on-the-fly' about cigars is certainly a challenge and I will need to acknowledge errors throughout this series (so bare with me). Also, please feel free to share your thoughts on these cigars in this thread. If you have views or opinions contrary to what has been stated, please feel welcome to express your thoughts and say so, after all, my own views here is intended to serve as a guide.

[JohnS]

1. Montecristo No.1 – ESL JUN 17

 

In this review, I reference the Montecristo No.4 as the strongest in flavour amongst the Montecristo classic line (Montecristo No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4 and No.5) first introduced when the marca originated in 1935 at around 11 or 12 minutes into the video. Of course I meant the Montecristo No.5!

[JohnS]

 

[JohnS]

2. Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdale – SUA JUN 00

 

Thank you @ayepatz for gifting me this cigar and allowing me to review it!

[JohnS]

3. Diplomaticos No.4 – OEB FEB 07

 

Thank you @baragh for gifting me this cigar for this review. I mentioned the box code in the review as being UEB Feb 07, it is OEB Feb 07, of course!

[JohnS]

4. Partagas Lusitanias Gran Reserva Cosecha 2007 – 2013

 

Thank you @Trevor2118 for this magnificent Gran Reserva. How fortunate was I to smoke it 5 years aged!

[JohnS]

5. Cohiba BHK 56 – 2010

 

Thank you again, @Trevor2118 for gifting me this cigar to review!

[JohnS]

 

[JohnS]

I am about halfway through the series as I envisage I will review another 4 or 5 cigars. We'll keep this topic pinned for July and then move the series to the Video Cigar Reviews section.

[ayepatz]

Thanks John! Sorry you missed out on the sweetness. I’m about halfway through the box, and most have had a dominant honey note, but I have had a couple that haven’t shown it very much at all. Looks like you got one of them!

I suspect you’re right about the blend change. I’ve never really got much in the way of cocoa or chocolate from this box.

Great idea to review rarer cigars, btw. Looking forward to the next instalment!

Cheers,

Iain

 

[Fuzz]

5 hours ago, JohnS said:

If you have views or opinions...

Shave.

[El Presidente]

fantastic work mate!

[JohnS]

6. Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux – MER ABR 13

 

The des Dieux is an iconic cigar on our forum here at FoH. Did we get cream and vanilla out of this? One thing I know, I was pleasantly surprised at its evolution through the thirds.

[Fuzz]

You shaved. I see you are easily influenced...

[PigFish]

22 hours ago, El Presidente said:

fantastic work mate!

Agreed! Nice to see a brother on video. Great job John. I will take them all in when I have a free moment.

I think more members should do video reviews. I actually have a lot of fun for the most part. It rather does make me feel like I am smoking with friends, as I do all the talking anyway!!! -LOL

Bravo John... 

[stunod]

John,

Great job. You’re a natural at it. I’m here on the porch watching all your reviews and it started my 4th of July with a bang. Pun intended.

thank you !

[David88]

Great effort John! I’m glad to see some lonsdale love, particularly the Monte No.1 which tends to get overshadowed by the no.2 and no.4

[JohnS]

Thank you all for the appreciation for the review series, thus far!

[JohnS]

7. Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos Asia Pacifico Regional Edition 2009 – OMA AGO 09

 

The Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos Asia Pacifico Regional Edition 2009 was nigh on unsmokable when it first came out in 2009. It began to be much more 'approachable' around 2014/2015. How is it travelling strength-wise at around the 9-year mark?

[THEMISCHMAN]

Great reviews, John. 

[Fugu]

Looking forward to working my way through these! 

[Connoisseur Kim]

Awesome review!!! Too bad that I do not have this sampler to try. 

[joeypots]

Great job. Nice to have friends, yeah? Those are some nice cigars!

[Wertman]

Which was your favorite cigar out of all of them?

[JohnS]

On 7/10/2018 at 7:55 AM, Wertman said:

Which was your favorite cigar out of all of them?

So far, it is the Partagas Lusitanias Gran Reserva due to the finish. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats that velvety cream smoke off the draw! Next would be the Montecristo No.1, which goes to prove that a young regular production cigar with a good blend can beat out a Limited or Regional Edition special cigar anytime. Equal to the Montecristo No.1 would be the aged Cohiba BHK 56. I would have rated it higher if it was a touch milder. Originally I had around 10 cigars all up to review, but I may increase this to 12 and leave it there. If I smoke anything better than the Partagas Lusitanias Gran Reserva I'll update this post.