JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

Trinidad Esmeralda GEM Nov 2019

A brilliant, complex and quality premium cigar. Quality cookie dough/cake and coffee to start with in the first third. In the middle third there was some more wood to the blend, together with a pick-up of Earth and leather. Along the way there was also nuts, spice or salt and the cigar had a wonderful buttery texture from beginning to end.

In my opinion, the Trinidad Esmeralda is a true companion in the Trinidad marca as the Cohiba Siglo VI is to the Cohiba marca.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Media Luna BSM Nov 2019

Make no mistake, this 50th anniversary regular production petit robusto is a quality addition to the Trinidad marca. This started off with some cookie dough/cake and coffee core flavours together with a little gingerbread-type sweetness. It soon settled into a savoury coffee, wood, leather, earth and salt or spice savoury core in the middle and stayed that way until the end.

Overall, this was an excellent way to spend 50 to 60 minutes on an overcast, cool Summer's day.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Topes MUP Oct 2019

It doesn't seem that long ago that the Trinidad Topes was released as a Limited Edition cigar in 2016. It continued the trend of highly reputable large ring gauge  Limited Edition releases with the H.Upmann Magnum 56 released the year before. Both these cigars were spectacular successes; in fact, the Trinidad Topes I would argue was instrumental in turning around the status of Trinidad as a premium marca. The LCDH La Trova continued that turnaround a year later. And two years later, in 2019, Habanos S.A commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Habanos version of the marca by releasing the excellent Esmeralda, Media Luna and Topes.

With a 56 ring gauge, I've learnt that one has to be weary about untwisting the pig-tail on the head as it's very easy to rip the wrapper past the shoulder. Similarly, the larger girth at the foot requires more dedication and time to light the cigar properly to guarantee an even burn.

How does the 2019 Topes compare to the 2016 Limited Edition Topes? The difference is all in the wrapper as the LE utilised filler, binder and wrapper leaves aged for two years and those wrappers on the 2016 version were more colorado maduro in shade. I found that they imparted a cocoa flavour to the cigars and more sweetness. Otherwise, the Topes was faithful to the traditional savoury Trinidad blend. In this 2019 version smoked today, this traditional blend was all there: coffee, wood, earth, salt or spice and a rich buttery texture to the smoke which reminds me of pastry; something akin to a croissant. The beginning of the cigar did have some cake/dough flavour to it, in contrast, the back half was more wood and earth and much more savoury.

In summary, this 2019 Topes was every bit as good as some recent Esmeralda and Media Luna I've enjoyed but it hasn't quite enjoyed the same critical acclaim amongst enthusiasts. Why is that I wonder? I would venture to say that in comparison to the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco, the Topes has to compete for attention in the Trinidad marca with the Esmeralda and Media Luna whereas the HdM de Rio Seco is distinctive from the HdM de San Juan and stands on its own a little more. You can't blame enthusiasts for spending their hard-earned money on the Trinidad version of the Cohiba Siglo VI (i.e the Esmeralda) or the Trinidad quintessential petit robusto offering (i.e the Media Luna). Make no mistake though, the 2019 Topes is an excellent cigar and you won't put a foot wrong in acquiring it, in my view.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo VI circa 2014

This is the first Cohiba Siglo VI I've had since I had a '99 to 100-point' aged 2009 one in November 2020. As the rating suggests, it was about the best one I've ever sampled. I'd like to have them more often but I find both current pricing ($US35 or $AU80 a stick) and the fact that I've been enamored or 'blown away' by other Cohiba vitolas more often means I don't smoke them as regularly.  

This 2014 Cohiba Siglo VI had a light mocha coffee and Cohiba grass/hay core with honey, some vanilla and a light buttered and cream texture throughout. I paired it with a glass of Canard-Duchene champagne and this complimented the cigar really well. In fact, I'd offer to say that it was a sensational pairing indeed as the champagne had a butter pastry taste to it with a hint of citrus which enhanced the flavours of this Siglo VI perfectly. It goes without saying that I nubbed the cigar to my fingertips.

I wish I could offer some more insight into how the Cohiba Siglo VI smokes within a younger time frame, say 12 to 24 months. I envisage that it would have more mocha coffee and/or spice in general than what it would at the 5 to 10 year mark. Alas, I've enjoyed a number of Cohiba Siglo VIs within the 5-to-10 year 'time-window' and when they smoke as well as this cigar I'd be hesitant to change a winning formula!

[JohnS]

Partagás 8-9-8 (2) TLE Jun 2020

If you've ever wondered why the current version of the Partagas 8-9-8 (2) is listed on Cuban Cigar Website with a parenthesised two it's because there used to be another Partagas cigar named '8-9-8'. Sound confusing? Well, yes...obviously! Would McDonald's have two burgers on their menu called a Big Mac? We may lament Altidis' 50-50 partnership with Habanos S.A in the early 2000s because of mass rationalisation of the Habanos cigar catalogue but at least they were able to assist on the marketing side of things. In this example, the Partagas 8-9-8 (1) was discontinued in 2002. Thus the Partagas 8-9-8 only refers to one cigar ever since.

Informally, aficionados referred to the other Coronas Grandes-sized 42 ring gauge x 155 mm (or 6⅛ inches) 8-9-8 as an unvarnished version because the distinctive bowed-sided semi boite nature box it came in was plain. The modern and current 8-9-8 is a Dalias-sized 43 ring gauge x 170 mm ( or 6¾ inches) and comes in a varnished box with cigars layered in three rows of eight, nine and eight respectively...hence the name!

I would like to thank @Bijan for the trade that made smoking this cigar possible. The Partagas 8-9-8 is not a cigar I've smoked often recently. In fact, I would say this is just my fourth one in the last five years but the cigar did go into a lengthy hiatus recently (the similarly Dalias-sized Cohiba Siglo V goes into regular hiatus periods too). In my mind, the best way to classify this cigar is too say that it's a smaller version of the Double Corona-sized Lusitanias, only stronger and bolder in flavour.

This 8-9-8 had a fantastic hit of sourdough upon the first puff. This 'bready' sourdough remained at the core of the cigar throughout. Along the way I got various flavours of coffee, leather, Earth, Forest Floor, cedar, strong tobacco and pepper. I knew I was smoking a solid, complex, quality and reputable cigar but I must confess that it didn't connect with my palate on account of the stronger tobacco and pepper flavours. The Lusitanias, on the other hand, tends to be much more sourdough and coffee and much less on the spice and pepper, hence why I favour it so much more.

Nevertheless, there's a reason why this sells so well on 24:24 listings and that's because it not as available as other Partagas cigars and it appeals to enthusiasts who adore pepper and complexity in a Partagas cigar. If that's you then don't hesitate acquiring a box, if you can!

[JohnS]

La Flor de Cano Grandiosos 2013 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico ROL Oct 2013

In terms of flavour, this has been the best La Flor de Cano Grandiosos cigar from this box, and this is the third one of a 10-count box. This had shortbread, hay, cream, almond nut and floral notes on the edges from the 'get-go' and didn't let up until the end.

The only negative issue that came up was the fact that the cigar was slightly under-filled. Thankfully it wasn't enough to detract from the flavours by being bitter and acrid, but I find this unfortunately common in an otherwise good Asia-Pacific Regional Edition release.

[JohnS]

Partagás Capitols TUA Abr 2020

The Partagas Capitols is a new, retro-inspired 42 ring gauge x 129 mm (or 5⅛ inches) in length cigar released in conjunction with the Romeo y Julieta Club Kings. There must be some success to these 'retro releases' because I notice that the H.Upmann Regalias is next-in-line for a retro-tin packaged release.

The original Partagas Capitols was the same length but slightly smaller in ring gauge; a 40 rg Petit Cetros which was also machine-made. At least the re-introduced, rebooted Capitols is a handmade cigar!

Like my last Partagas Capitols, this one had a beautiful colorado rosado shade wrapper, which I find quite ideal in a Partagas cigar. My previous Capitols was more complex than this one. This was mainly coffee, sourdough and forest floor flavours from the end of the first third onwards. My previous Capitols had a pleasant sourdough, spice, wood and a little coffee. There was no spice or pepper, for example.

I wrote in my previous reviews on this cigar that in comparison to the Partagas Shorts, it lacked that quality leather that you can get in those cigars, but it was a step-up from the generic Partagas Mille Fleur. Again, I still feel this way after smoking my third example from this 5-pack tin.

So, overall I would surmise that this Partagas Capitols was again a dependable smoke, was constructed well and it was more like a quality premium marevas than a lower-tiered 'cheap and cheerful'. It just wasn't quite up to Partagas Shorts, though.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Club Kings RAT Dic 2019

The Romeo y Julieta Club Kings was discontinued originally in the mid-1980s. It actually came in a two formats; the handmade marevas and machine-made petit coronas although only the marevas was offered in a 5-pack tin. (The machine-made petit coronas Club Kings came in a cardboard pack.) This release was actually announced in 2015 but production was delayed, probably due to the packaging.

Like my last Romeo y Julieta Club Kings from this tin, this cigar had a 'grassiness' which translated into a vegetal flavour upon smoking, but it also had a nice cherry fruit, RyJ Rosewater and toasted tobacco core element to it which made it quite flavoursome.

In regards to construction the draw was slightly tight this time, whereas my previous Club Kings was slightly loose. This did not detract from smoking and the cigar smoked well.

Again overall, the main difference between this Club Kings and a quality Romeo y Julieta Churchill or Wide Churchill would be that the element of cocoa was missing, but the cigar was quite flavoursome and it was a step-up from a RyJ Mille Fleur.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

The Montecristo No.5 is a 40 ring gauge x 102 mm (or 4 inches in length) perla and was amongst the foundation Montecristo numbered vitolas introduced when the brand debuted in 1935. It stands a little on its own in relation to the Montecristo No.1, 3 and 4 because it is indeed more intense in strength and body in comparison and the flavours may appear 'sharper' to the palate.

Incidentally, this box rested in my on-line humidor for around 5 years prior to me having it shipped it late 2020. In the meantime I had acquired a quarter pack sampler in 2017, with the very same box code (AUM Jul 2014) and I had noted then that those examples had some leather and nut elements to them to compliment the cocoa and coffee.

This started off with some muted cocoa in the first few puffs but soon settled into a melded smooth, yet rich, chocolate and milk coffee melded flavour profile with some spice on the edges as I smoked it over 30 minutes. There was definitely no leather or nut flavours as noted in those 2017 examples.

This was my third Monte 5 from this box. I will definitely smoke through this box over the next 12 to 24 months.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo II OBM Nov 2015

Five years down on this Cohiba Siglo II and after smoking it I know it can easily do with five more! The proof was in the strength and intensity of the flavours. It was still a touch under medium and the distinctive Cohiba grass/hay and coffee flavours were more dominant than the honey and citrus.

It was still a fine cigar, but it had no softer cream texture to it and for my preference I know more time down will only benefit the flavour profile by smoothing out those aforementioned dominant flavours even more.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Half Corona OPG Feb 2015

The H.Upmann Half Corona was released in 2011, has a 44 ring gauge and is 90 mm or 3½ inches in length. It typically smokes around 25 to 35 minutes. It comes packaged in a 5-pack metal tin or 25-count dress box. This OPG Feb 2015 H.Upmann Half Corona I smoked today came from a dress box.

When young the H.Upmann Half Corona is noted for its espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and white pepper/spice flavours. This is the third cigar I've had from this box and as it approaches its sixth year I found this cigar to be just under the medium mark in strength. The flavours this time were mainly coffee, a little shortbread, cedar and leather. There was more notes of sweet licorice at its core. There was little to no toasted tobacco. I also got some hints of white pepper coming through at times through the smoke, like my last H.Upmann Half Corona from this box.

I guess I'm just loving these right now. Although I intend to age the box further to see how the cigars develop, it's going to be hard to keep my hands off them, especially when I want a quick smoke!

[JohnS]

Punch 8-9-8 2018 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico TUE Mar 2020

The 2018 Asia Pacifico Regional Edition Punch 8-9-8 has been hugely popular for PCC since its release in 2019. El Pres has mentioned on our forum in 2020 that, along with the Taiwanese Regional Edition El Rey del Mundo Tainos, the Punch 8-9-8 has been one of the top selling cigars for 2020 worldwide.

When it first came out a few enthusiasts lamented that it didn't come in a 25-count traditionally curved 8-9-8 box, however, the 10-count Punch 8-9-8 packaging references the traditional packaging by including curved edges on its varnished box.

This Punch 8-9-8 was outstanding, even better than my last one around six months ago and that was excellent through-and-through. Strong notes of hazelnut, a chocolate fudge or marshmallow texture, around a medium to medium-mild strength with some subtle citrus twang.

I've had enough Punch 8-9-8s to equate it to the Punch 48 LCDH in flavour and not the Punch Punch, which in my opinion is different, with it being a touch milder due to its dalia vitola dimensions.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Edmundos BUP Sep 2019

My last Montecristo Edmundos late last year was sensational, this was merely ordinary. What can one say? That's Montecristo for you when it comes to inconsistency. Thankfully over the great number of Montecristo cigars I've smoked in 2020, very few were like this.

The main issue with this Monte Edmundos was the fact that it was tightly-packed and I smoked it on a slightly humid day. This didn't overly impact the draw as you might think it would, as the draw was only a little tighter than average, but the extra humidity on this pleasant Summer's day split the wrapper around the mid-way point and made it difficult to smoke thereafter.

The cigar was a little muted on flavour too. Apart from the typical Montecristo cocoa and some milk coffee there wasn't much else to the cigar. (It's a) Pity, my last Edmundos was so, so good!

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 UTL Jul 2019

This was my second Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 from this 15-count Cardboard 5x3 pack and this was really, really good. I got some beautiful complexity through the thirds and I was most pleased to smoke it well into the final third.

The first few puffs opened up the cigar to light lashings of fine milk cocoa and cedar. In the middle third I got more cedar, some cinnamon spice and a little vanilla sweetness on the edges. In the final third the cocoa got more intense, as did the spice.

The only way to perfect this cigar further would be to add more cream texture to it. I'm hoping to get that with some more time down. Perhaps I'll re-visit this cigar in six to twelve months time, we'll see.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Half Corona OPG Feb 2015

The H.Upmann Half Corona was released in 2011, has a 44 ring gauge and is 90 mm or 3½ inches in length. It typically smokes around 25 to 35 minutes. It comes packaged in a 5-pack metal tin or 25-count dress box. This OPG Feb 2015 H.Upmann Half Corona I smoked today came from a dress box.

When young the H.Upmann Half Corona is noted for its espresso coffee, toasted tobacco and white pepper/spice flavours. This is the fourth cigar I've had from this box and as it approaches its sixth year I found this cigar to be just over the medium mark in strength. The flavours this time were mainly coffee and toasted tobacco. There was no sweet licorice at its core or hints of white pepper, like my last H.Upmann Half Corona from this box.

I think I've had my fun for now with this box as this H.Upmann Half Corona was more like a two-to-three year old HUHC than a six year old one. Perhaps I'll re-visit this cigar in six to twelve months down the track and see how they are progressing.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

I'm coming to the end of this box now as I've smoked through two-thirds of it and what a box it's been! My last one from this box, around three months ago, was ordinary whilst the previous one six months before was outstanding. This was somewhere in-between, solid to very good.

I got a good assortment of flavours that I admire such as caramel and honey intertwined with a core coffee, wood and toast. The only thing I got that was different to last time was the spice, which 'kicked' in at times and forced me to smoke very slowly.

I have a feeling this was slightly underfilled so this smoked as well as I could expect it to.

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 ETP Ene 2016

The last box codes in production for the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 were three years ago now (i.e the first quarter of 2018) so this has made boxes appreciate in value quite markedly since. It's also made enthusiasts less likely to reach for one lately without the knowledge that they are either in hiatus or discontinued; I sincerely hope it's the former scenario.

I've always found the La Gloria Medaille d'Or No.4 to have a nice complexity to it and this was no exception. This cigar had a nice mix of fruit, wood, pepper and herbal notes to it which I enjoyed. The pepper dominated at times and made me smoke slower, but this did not deter from the appreciation I had for the cigar.

If I knew I could source more boxes of this cigar I would be more likely to reach for another LGC No.4 soon. As it is, La Gloria Cubana is a marca known for its aging benefits so I don't mind waiting a little longer until the next one.

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie E No.2 MSU Jun 2019

In 2018 the Partagas Serie E No.2 was been touted on our forum as a 'Behike replacement'. Of course, nothing can truly replace a Behike, but since it's been on hiatus until just recently, I must admit that the Partagas Serie E No.2 is not a bad replacement. So what was this like? Quite complex actually. This Partagas E2 had coffee, leather, sourdough and wood but it was lighter on those 'bready' flavours and more heavier on the wood. In between I got quite a bit of paprika spice; more than I normally would from an E2.

The ash was quite flaky and the burn, which I correct a few times, was a bit inconsistent as I encountered some bunched leaves. Hopefully my next Partagas Serie E No.2 smokes better next time as the flavours were quite solid and commendable.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 PMS Abr 2015

Today's darker-wrappered Montecristo No.2 was the last one from this 10-count box from 2015. It was slightly different to my last one (from this box), there was no sign of nut this time and little cream, but I got coffee and some citrus twang on the edges and another generous serving of quality cocoa which made this stand out for me. I got some distinctive notes of leather throughout the cigar which also added to the appeal of it. Strength-wise, this was a little stronger than my recent Monte 2s from this box which were just under medium. This was definitely a touch over medium.

Interestingly, I can't say in general that my recent lighter-wrappered Montecristo No.2s have been so generous in quality cocoa, however; they've shone on account of their nut and citrus twang.

I will aim to smoke a lighter-wrappered Montecristo No.2 soon to make a direct comparison with this one today.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

This is the fifth Montecristo No.5 I've had from this box since I opened it recently and it was the strongest by far. I was surprised how much it was over medium in strength, although I wouldn't classify it as medium-full, it still packed a punch.

Unlike my previous Montecristo No.5s from this six-and-a-half year old box, the flavours here were much more intense, yet much less complex. I mainly got bitter chocolate, coffee and leather flavours from beginning to end.

The intensity of this cigar necessitated me smoking it slower. I managed 40 minutes and moved on to a much milder cigar soon afterwards to 'refresh' my palate.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Choix Suprême MLU Nov 2018

Before there was Cohiba and Trinidad, before Davidoff and Dunhill, there was El Rey del Mundo. Yes, El Rey del Mundo was the premium Habanos brand pre-Revolution during the 1940s and 50s. How times change! Today, the brand has only two regular production cigars left, the Choix Supreme and the diminutive Demi Tasse.

I guess it's a testament to how trends change over time. El Rey del Mundo is a mild strength brand (in general). It's interesting to note that when Zino Davidoff developed his famous Chateaux line in the 1940s he went into partnership with Hoyo de Monterey, another light-strength brand. In modern times, premium brands such as Cohiba and Trinidad demand rich flavours on the palate for the premium price they carry. El Rey del Mundo may have been left behind in the 1980s, and its heyday would have been prior to the Cuban Government acquisition of Cuban cigar brands in 1960, but a good El Rey del Mundo cigar is still flavoursome, even to this day!

This ERdM Choix Supreme was smoked on a cool Summer's day and it smoked well. I got subtle flavours of almond nut, citrus and floral notes on the edges. I even got some lashings of shortbread here and there. This El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme was a delightful choice of cigar to finish a day indeed!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 ABO Ago 2018

The first three cigars from this box were rated four-out-of-five on my Cuban Cigar Website Smoking Diary, the last two were both five-out-of-five. In the meantime I've given two away. It goes without saying that this has been an outstanding box thus far.

This Romeo y Exhibicion No.4 would have been close to the best sample of the vitola I've ever smoked; and I include the fable POU Jun 13 varieties in that call, in the first third alone because of the combined cherry, milk cocoa.chocolate, coconut and cream flavours. However, around the middle of the cigar it developed complexity. Normally, I'd welcome this but this time the spice that started on the edges ended up enveloping the cigar into the final third.

So, what started out as a five-out-of-five cigar became a three-and-a-half-out-of-five cigar. What more could I add? We've all been there. I always say that an average or disappointing cigar from a box rarely repeats twice and for me this has nearly always held true as a maxim. So I think I'll return to this cigar soon and relish the opportunity when I light it up!

[JohnS]

Bolívar Petit Coronas ETP Mar 2017

This is my fifth Bolivar Petit Coronas from this box and so far they've all been outstanding to excellent in their smoking. I have to admit, I've really enjoyed them despite Bolivar not being a marca I relate to as easily as other marcas (such as Cohiba and Montecristo).

This BPC had a solid cocoa, wood and leather profile with a touch of earthiness (something like gravel, although this wasn't unappealing) and a little creamy texture to it. What stood out for me was the bitter malt flavour that kicked in around the middle of the first third and settled into the second. It meant that I had little difficulty nubbing this to my fingertips by the end because it was simply so tasty!

Make no mistake, the Bolivar Petit Coronas is worthy of your attention when you want to consider a marevas cigar (i.e. 42 ring gauge x 129 mm or 5⅛ inches in length) over approximately 55 to 65 minutes smoking time. Indeed, it's a worthy alternative to the Montecristo No.4 or Por Larranaga Petit Coronas.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 GOS Ago 2018

My last Monte 2 was a darker-wrappered one from a 10-count box from 2015. It had coffee and some citrus twang on the edges, a generous serving of quality cocoa and some distinctive notes of leather throughout the cigar which also added to the appeal of it. Strength-wise, it was a little stronger than my recent Monte 2s from this 2015 box which were just under medium. This was definitely a touch over medium.

I decided to smoke this GOS Ago 18 lighter-wrappered Montecristo No.2 to make a direct comparison with my recent darker-wrappered Monte 2. Not surprisingly, it was not as intense in cocoa, had more milk coffee, some nut and a touch of cream. Yes, it even had some leather to it. Overall, it was around the medium mark in strength; in fact I did not anticipate how strong this lighter-wrappered Monte 2 would be, nor how full-flavoured it was. It was better than average for a Montecristo No.2.

Then again, I would need to add a footnote to this review by stating that the Montecristo No.2 preceding these darker and lighter-wrappered Monte 2s was even better than them. No surprises then that it came from a 2020 box code.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Piramides Extra ULA Dic 2013

The Cohiba Piramides Extra, chances are...you've never had one, or more likely one or two in your lifetime (or less than a box, which comes in a 10-count). If this the case, what is it about this Cohiba addition to the classic line that warrants the "extra" in its moniker, apart from the price?

The Cohiba Piramides Extra was introduced as an addition to the Linea Clasica group of cigars (i.e. Lanceros, Esplendidos, Robustos, Coronas Especiales, Panatelas and Exquisitos) within the Cohiba marca in 2012. It was noted for its dimensions being a little larger than the standard piramide cigar such as the Montecristo No.2, which is 52 ring gauge by 156 mm (or 6.15 inches) in length. The Cohiba Piramides Extra is 54 ring gauge (1/32 on a inch larger) and 160 mm in length (4 mm or 1/6 of an inch longer). These larger dimensions I believe define why it was labelled as "extra", but I'd argue that the price point in comparison to other Habanos cigars would similarly justify why it's named "extra", especially in regards to price increases since its inception.

The other thing that the Cohiba Piramides Extra is noted for is its hologrammatic band which it was released with. In mid-2014, the other Cohiba vitolas began to follow suit.

I used to think that it was simply a regular production release of the 2001 and/or 2006 Cohiba Piramides Limited Editions but I'm convinced now that, apart from the increased dimensions of the cigar, this Piramides Extra is a different cigar due to its blend.

You see, there haven't been just two special Cohiba Piramides releases prior to the regular production addition of the CPE. No, in that time prior to 2012, there were in fact another 7 special Piramides releases in the Cohiba marca. Yes, seven! And all these were your standard 52 ring gauge x 156 mm in length.

When I first purchased a box of this cigar, it was on special. Five or six years later the price is two-and-a-half to three times what my original purchase price was, so it's no surprise that I smoke these on occasion. In fact, I'd say the greater majority of our members smoke this cigar only 'on occasion'.

What about the blend? How does it compare to other Cohiba vitolas? In a late-2019 poll on our forum the following question was asked; "Which is the most flavoursome Cohiba today?" Responses were limited to cigars from 2015 onwards. The Esplendidos garnered 21% of votes, followed by the Robusto which received 13%. The Cohiba Piramides Extra received around 6% of the vote, but more importantly it came eighth out of 14 cigars.  Why did it not poll higher?

In my opinion, firstly, the premium price disqualifies it from creating a better brand awareness. I feel cigar enthusiasts simply don't smoke enough of them in comparison to other Cohiba cigars. Secondly, if you were to compare it to the Esplendidos, which topped this poll, I tend to find it rather full-flavoured and most Cohiba cigars are noted for being more milder and subtle in its flavours.

I would counter that the Cohiba Piramides Extra is still flavoursome. However, don't approach it expecting mild Cohiba grass/hay, honey or milk coffee. On the contrary, it tends to be stronger on that mocha coffee flavour and lighter on any grass/hay to be found. The stronger mocha flavour tends to invite spice at times too.

This cigar was had mocha coffee and Earthy flavours from the get-go until the end. I also got some buttery notes, honey sweetness and a little orange citrus along the way. In essence, it was largely similar to the last Cohiba Piramides Extra I had around nine months ago, only it was slightly milder. Also, I retrohaled the last CPE I had in 2020 a few times but the spice through the nose was so intense that I did not retrohale this CPE enjoyed early in 2021.

So, when you want a bold cigar over two hours or more in the Cohiba line, then I'd recommend this cigar for you. Otherwise, if you'd prefer classic grass/hay and honey notes in a softer and milder expression, stick with aged Linea 1492 series cigars from this marca.