San Cristobal El Principe TOS MAR 17 (MPCRW)

Hollywood Ninja · May 26, 2019

Cigar : San Cristobal El Principe (4-3/8 x 42)

Specs : TOS MAR 17 (2yr 3mo), 1 week humidor rest, 65% RH, single torch butane lighter, smoking outside on the deck, 63 degrees F here in the Pacific Northwest, did not dry box.

Disclaimer : I am a cigar noob with less than 200 smokes under my belt both CC and NC. Baby is down for a nap + laundry is on + wife at work = Minuto Time!

Initial notes : This is the 1st cigar from this box that I’ve smoked and first from this marca that I’ve ever had. Semi-sweet aroma from the wrapper and cold draw. My challenge with small RG sticks is slowing my draw and frequency as to not overheat them. I’m learning slowly. Initial puffs are marvelous. No bitterness, semi-sweet leather. Tons of smoke output and sweetness on the retro. I’m excited. A bit of dry tannin starts to develop, so I grab a Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. Porter to help wet the palette.

Final notes : Twang picked up about halfway through. And dryness mellowed out (or perhaps the beer helped). As I mentioned, this is my first time smoking anything from San Cristobal. I’ve got a box of La Punta waiting in my humi for a moment when I have 90 minutes to dedicate. If it’s anything like this little El Principe then I’ve got a lot to look forward to. I’m sure the beer is skewing flavors somewhat, but I’m picking up light leather, honey and dark chocolate. Uh oh, the baby monitor is indicating that the boy is stirring. I run upstairs in an attempt to salvage the situation and place a pacifier in the boy's mouth. I run back downstairs to grab a puff so the cigar doesn’t go out. Fingers crossed the baby stays asleep. But of course, bad luck today as baby is fully awake. And here I end my smoke.

Smoke time : 35 minutes, but likely would have been 45.

Score : Gotta say, this paired with the porter was like smoking candy. What a treat! For my taste profile, I’ve gotta rank El Principe, Shorts then Corona Junior. Haven’t had a RASCC yet, but that’s next on my list to try. 9/10 for the score on this one.