Cohiba Siglo I LGB DIC 19 (PSRW)

[drinaldi84]

A powerful, rich, and flavorful smoke is something we’re all after, and there are times when I want that flavor punch in a shorter format.  For me, I see the Cohiba Siglo I as something you can almost always make time for, and part of the reason I like to keep them stocked in my humidor.  Not to mention that when they’re good, they are everything I want in a cigar, touch of spice, richness, nuttiness, cocoa, and cream.  If you were lucky enough to score a PSP box in December (unfortunately, I was not), it’s almost a guarantee that they will be incredible.  On the strength of those boxes alone, I have to assume the quality on the 2020 run of these is going to be outstanding.  Wrappers as though they were painted on, construction looked to be incredible, why in the world didn’t I request a box?… I digress, onto the review.

Cold draw: Dried fruit, cocoa, black pepper

Draw is a bit tight, but not enough to worry.

First impressions: Flavor bomb at the start, just as I hoped. A dark fruit note is prominent. Very lovely dense smoke.  Great start.

First half: The dark fruit came and went, but a lovely cocoa makes its way through. Cedar and woody spice notes are present, very enjoyable at this point.  The smoke has a great texture, that in a way envelops palate.  Keeps me craving the next draw.

Whiskey Pairing: 1792 Full Proof Bourbon – Nose is a dark brown sugar, mostly. Oak and caramel with a touch of cherry are the overarching flavors that explode at the front of the palate.  The high proof is immediately intense but then mellows and allows the flavor to shine.  As far as pairing, it started off pretty good, but the cigar, in a way, turned off the complexities of the whiskey, which become very much brown sugar and oak.  Not in a bad way, but it lost a bit of luster, which was unfortunate for an otherwise brilliant whiskey.  The cigar was the focal point when paired with the whiskey, but I preferred it without an immediate sip before/after a draw. I’d say this was a 6.5/10 pairing.  They don’t clash, but I didn’t get any more nuance from either.  In hindsight, a barrel proof whiskey maybe was not the best choice for this cigar.

Second half: Very creamy smoke texture continues through the second half, spice has lightened up, cocoa is more present.  The flavor punch from the beginning has faded a bit, but left me very content (maybe I should’ve taken advice from @Ken Gargett and stuck two together).

Final thoughts: very enjoyable, smoked better waiting longer between draws. The cold weather did cause some forced re-lighting situations, but it didn’t bother me too much, as the cigar was much more enjoyable at a lower burn temperature. Score: 93/100.

Although this cigar is too small by most standards and maybe doesn’t find its way into everyone’s lineup, I think this cigar will be knocking it out of the park in 2021.  Low expectations, excellent pedigree, and undeniable class will put this petit corona above the rest (shoot, was I reviewing the cigar or handicapping race 4 at Santa Anita?)

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, drinaldi84 said:

very enjoyable, smoked better waiting longer between draws.

Anything 40 RG or below is highly susceptible to overheating. Very important to draw slowly and infrequently. Makes a huge difference in flavor. 

[drinaldi84]

Right on, thanks for that. Definitely something something I’ve experienced in the past, and had previously turned me away from smaller ring gauge cigars. I would often get a kick up in intensity and bitterness. A good lesson to remember. 

[Goodfortune]

Very nice review! I am a big fan of Siglo I’s as well