San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe LGR JUN 19 (MRDRW)

[TobaccoRoad]

My Mr. Dependable- This is an easy cigar to review 

Nicely constructed with a slight box press. Very firm roll with just a little give when squeezed. Beautiful light hued wrapper. Went with my favorite straight cut and the cold draw is firm with just a small hint of sweetness.

First third: This is why this cigar is my Mr. Dependable and so easy to review. Every time I smoke one I get exactly what I expect. Baking spices, caramelized sugar, slight woody flavor to balance it out and a sweet peppery retrohale. Not quite cinnamon on the retro, but reminiscent of it. Very generous smoke output. 

Second third: More of the same but the retrohale transitions more to pepper. Burn is spot on, if it gets a little off kilter, it self-corrects. Smoke output remains great. No need to double puff, just a light draw rewards you with plenty of smoke.

Final third: A little bitterness creeps in. Not in an unpleasant way. Just a counterpoint to the sweet woody flavor. It continues to burn perfectly and remains cool and easily smoke-able way past the band line. 

Conclusion: This cigar fits me very well. Just below medium body, great flavors, trouble free smoking experience. Plus it's available at an affordable price point and smokes well at a young age. That's important for noobs like me. I smoke daily but don't have an unlimited budget and I haven't been into CC's long enough to have an aged stash. This cigar smokes way above it's price point in my opinion. Definitely a staple for me as I continue on my habano cigar journey.

Score: 8/10- Only because I'm leaving room to score better cigars as I continue along. Otherwise I'd have given it a 9/10.

[J-Slay]

Just put a box in the coolidor! RAT NOV 19

How long do you give these?

[TobaccoRoad]

Mine are only about 6 months older than yours and they are smoking good for me. At the rate I'm going the box I bought back in September won't see another birthday. I have plans to buy another box to put back, but so far I don't have any experience with aging them. I'm sure there are guys out there who have feedback on how they age. Maybe they will chime in and give us both some benefit of their experience.

[Devo]

Great review and I could not agree with you more.  It's a toss up between these and the Boli PCs for me for my Mr. Dependable. 

[GVan]

Agree with all the comments here!  In my regular rotation, the three most chosen CC's (in order) are the SCdlH El Principe, the Boli PC and then the PLMC.  I've just finished my first box of El Principe's (LGR NOV-2017).  All of these were very good cigars - about every third one was molasses and pancakes with the rest being just nice toasted tobacco and espresso coffee - these have been my go-to morning cigar with coffee and are the oldest El Principe's I have.  My guess (so far) is that with a few years on them you have a better chance of getting the molasses and pancakes your looking for.  The other advantage is that they just smoke better; they burn better and I've never gotten one out of the 2017 box that I would equate with pepper or a bitter taste.

From what I've read here on FOH most smoke these in their first few years of age.  I've got another box of 2017's that I'm going to set-aside and let age for another year or two just to see what happens!  I've got 4 boxes of 2018's waiting with the first one just hitting 6 months in the humi -- I'm going to move onto that box in my rotation.  

Also, plan on buying some more El Principe 2020 boxes for aging when I see a good price.  With the 1 box of 2017's and the 4 boxes of 2018's ready to go - I shouldn't have to dip into the 2020's until about 2024.

[GVan]

Your post inspired my selection this morning!  (LGR JUN-18)

[cleelv]

Just picked up two boxes of these on Black Friday, never had before so excited to try. What's the verdict on ideal aging time? Hoping I can smoke one/stock one.