Cohiba Esplendido '08 (BGRW)

[rcarlson]

I pulled out the mighty Esplendido from my paltry '08 stash acquired around that time, which has dwindled to only 3 remaining.   Does this qualify as a "big gun?"  Not compared to some our more prolific FOHers.  But this Esplendido is a "big gun" to me because I have managed to keep my grubby mitts off of it for over a decade -- quite a feat for someone such as myself who is totally bereft of patience.  It is also a big gun because it was the Esplendido that introduced me to CCs for the first time in the mid 90's.  And yet I have not purchased box since I acquired this one, 'cause I'm cheap like that. 

I decided to smoke my big gun Esplendido during an Easter video herf on Zoom last night with some of the fellas, whom I've now come to regard as friends.  While I can't say the Esplendido was terribly remarkable, the company certainly was.  Checkin' in on Zoom to hang and talk about everything and nothing has become a near-daily ritual.  It's become a great way to break the isolation doldrum that we are all facing, so working through this stick with the video herf cast of characters and a belly full of cabernet is a third reason I consider it a big gun.

Without further ado, my '08 Esplendido.   

The construction was exceptional, as it should be.  Smooth, oily, perfect heft and resistance with the quintessential barnyard, sweet hay aroma . . .  I think.  Gotta admit that the Easter wine gluttony kind of impaired any hope that I would have the ability to detect subtle flavors on this, or any cigar really.  Oh well.  We've all been there. 

Burn was excellent.  Nice tight grey ash that I almost needed a chainsaw to drop at about 2-3 inches in. 

Tons of smoke and a slow introduction of the creamy, woody, sweet grassy, light citrusy flavors that built as the smoke warmed through the middle.  Still, the flavors seemed pretty muted until the final third.  Was it the blend, the age, or something else that made the flavors so elusive?  It was something else: the thick coating of red wine applied to my tongue and gullet -- and the threat of a tornado from the fast-approaching storm.  

As I said to the fellas, why is it that Cohibas never seem to do much for me until the final third?  All of them.  Maybe I'm just an uncultured cigar brute, but that seems to be my universal experience with Cohiba over the last few years.  I even tried Javi's fully-endorsed, 100% guaranteed, total metaphysical certitude, sure-fire smokin' technique and all I can say is . . .  it was all a damn lie.  I got the same experience with this one as I have with all the rest.  Thanks for nothing, Javi. 

Rounding the corner into the final lap the strength increased, the body became a little bit fuller, the creaminess became a bit creamier, the sweetness became a bit sweeter, the hay a bit wetter, and my good looks gooder with each glass of wine guzzled.  And so there it was, again.  The final stretch that made the long walk through the first two-thirds worth it.  A terrific end to another lazy day.

I'll give this big gun a generous A-.                

[99call]

12 minutes ago, rcarlson said:

I'll give this big gun a generous A-.

we are both well documented as 'Cohiba mystified',   I'm interested to see if you feel the same as myself i.e. that the missing link with Cohiba, is that it doesn't have anything dirty in its blend.  that missing 5% of rotten,  that as with all other wonders of the gastronomic world  (truffles, foie gras, sea urchin, matured cheeses, well matured beef etc).  When I read your review,  I sense that you are desperate for the cigar to show a bit of guts, and bit of guile, a bit of something thats wild and characterful.  For me Cohiba always fails at this, I never feel as if I would like to have a beer with the blender, I feel as if they would be a humourless robot. 

Maybe I'm wrong....i probably am

[rcarlson]

15 minutes ago, 99call said:

we are both well documented as 'Cohiba mystified',   I'm interested to see if you feel the same as myself i.e. that the missing link with Cohiba, is that it doesn't have anything dirty in its blend.  that missing 5% of rotten,  that as with all other wonders of the gastronomic world  (truffles, foie gras, sea urchin, matured cheeses, well matured beef etc).  When I read your review,  I sense that you are desperate for the cigar to show a bit of guts, and bit of guile, a bit of something thats wild and characterful.  For me Cohiba always fails at this, I never feel as if I would like to have a beer with the blender, I feel as if they would be a humourless robot. 

Maybe I'm wrong....i probably am

I think you got it right from my perspective.  Sometimes Cohiba feels like a kiss from your sister.  

[99call]

18 minutes ago, rcarlson said:

I think you got it right from my perspective.  Sometimes Cohiba feels like a kiss from your sister.  

said so more accurately, in such fewer words. Hats off to you Sir

the wonders of the world should be fed back to us in a clear and accurate fashion, this is exactly what I hate about Cohiba  (Medio Siglo/Piramides Extas exempt).  Life should not be fed back to us in some sort of bullshit, sugar coated form. 

Thats what Cohiba is!!!!! like some sort of beautiful robot, that has infiltrated your house, but you manage to work out its presence, as everytime it farts, your house is stained with some odd, sort of essence of rose.          

[Wookie]

I usually have a similar experience...humdrum....every once in while i smoke a Cohiba and really appreciate it.  Maybe I'll try one tonight in honor of this post.

[Hammer Smokin']

My absolute least favourite Cohiba, by far, is the Medio Siglo.

Shows we all like different flavours.

Great review!!! I have an '11 Espie I've been sitting on, waiting for the right occasion.

[ElJavi76]

You didn't blow your cheeks out right. Plus the tongue to the back of the front teeth. There's technique man. In this case I don't blame the game... I blame the player. ???

[99call]

ouch!

[Markspring1978]

8 hours ago, rcarlson said:

I even tried Javi's fully-endorsed, 100% guaranteed, total metaphysical certitude, sure-fire smokin' technique and all I can say is . . .  it was all a damn lie.  I got the same experience with this one as I have with all the rest.  Thanks for nothing, Javi.

I want to know more about this. Fill me in @ElJavi76  

[ElJavi76]

8 hours ago, Markspring1978 said:

I want to know more about this. Fill me in @ElJavi76  

Mark, our for man Rob here is being half serious half facetious. So I posted a thread on a video from some guys online. One guy was instructing the other on the best way to taste your cigars. Giving him some interesting tips that we discussed on the thread, I'm same cases leaving us scratching our heads. 

I think the Travis guy might've even had good cousin comment on the thread. One guy give him a pretty good endorsement. LoL I'm just kidding btw. I hope nobody takes any of this too seriously. Below is the thread you can link to. Enjoy bud.

 

[rcarlson]

54 minutes ago, ElJavi76 said:

Mark, our for man Rob here is being half serious half facetious. So I posted a thread on a video from some guys online. One guy was instructing the other on the best way to taste your cigars. Giving him some interesting tips that we discussed on the thread, I'm same cases leaving us scratching our heads. 

I think the Travis guy might've even had good cousin comment on the thread. One guy give him a pretty good endorsement. LoL I'm just kidding btw. I hope nobody takes any of this too seriously. Below is the thread you can link to. Enjoy bud.

 

Yeah, I was just gigging Javi. 

Speaking of which, I'm gaining on you Javi.  This will bump my review back to the top. 

Only a few hours.  I'm setting a pick.  

Vote For Pedro!   

[ElJavi76]

@rcarlson I think it was a good run but the dream is over. I'm glad the comp got me to smoke one of my best sticks. Reminds me to live in the now. 

Currently sucking down a ERdM Demitasse on my back deck with some coffee. Talk about going on the opposite direction. LoL Hey at least we're in the hunt for some of the other samplers. 

Hope to see you in zoom later if possible.

[rcarlson]

6 hours ago, ElJavi76 said:

@rcarlson I think it was a good run but the dream is over. I'm glad the comp got me to smoke one of my best sticks. Reminds me to live in the now. 

Currently sucking down a ERdM Demitasse on my back deck with some coffee. Talk about going on the opposite direction. LoL Hey at least we're in the hunt for some of the other samplers. 

Hope to see you in zoom later if possible.

Yup.  Hope to check in later too.