JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo I OBM Nov 2015

The Cohiba Siglo I is the smallest of the Siglo range, a perlas (like the Montecristo No.5 and Rafael Gonzalez Perlas), it is slightly smaller than a minuto (like the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe or Partagas Shorts) at 40 ring gauge x 102 mm or 4 inches in length. It's been a little while since I've had a Siglo I, approximately 15 months in fact, so I considered that it was time to re-visit this cigar at around the 5 year mark.

I've found that the Siglo I tends to be the strongest of the Linea 1492 range (i.e. Cohiba Siglo I, II, III, IV, V and VI). That doesn't necessarily mean that it gets above medium to medium-full, rather they are more intense in those typical Cohiba flavours than other cigars in this line. This was true again in this case, and it was never above medium in strength at any stage.

This Siglo I from this box has developed nicely since the last one I had in late 2019. It was still full-flavoured, with core Cohiba grass and hay, some honey and notes of black espresso coffee intermingled with a little vanilla and citrus twang. I enjoyed this today over 35 minutes spent to cap off a productive day.

[JohnS]

Cuaba Distinguidos LGR Nov 2018

The beginning of this Cuaba Distinguidos was superb, it had glorious servings of peanut and a cointreau-like orange citrus, combined with some shortbread which really appealed to me. Unfortunately, the cigar settled in the middle third whereby that peanut and orange citrus dissipated and I got simple shortbread and toasted tobacco. By the final third that toasted tobacco was the dominant flavour.

When it comes to Cuaba, honestly...I've had worse. But the thing with the Distinguidos is that it's a long smoke, somewhere in the vicinity of 100 to 120 minutes and half this cigar was spent mulling over the boredom it induced from the basic flavours I got. Still, I wasn't too upset as overall it was okay. Hopefully, next time is better but that next time may be awhile!

[JohnS]

Partagás Maduro No. 1 TUE May 2020

I don't think there are enough accolades I can afford this cigar right now. It just seems that every one I reach for from the box is smoking brilliantly. If this continues I can't envisage aging the box as there wouldn't be a need to!

What makes this TUE May 2020 Partagas Maduro No.1 so good? For me it's the subtlety it offers in a maduro-wrappered cigar. You see, maduro-wrappered cigars, whether the Cohiba Maduro 5 series or Limited Editions in the past have traditionally had a strong cocoa and/or coffee note imparted onto them from the wrapper. These Partagas Maduro No.1s have not been like that. Instead, the cocoa and/or coffee I've picked up from these cigars in the last six months (or so) and today has not overwhelmed or detracted from the other wonderful flavours.

Today's Partagas Maduro No.1 shone in its balance of sourdough, leather, a touch of cream. hay and distinctive flavours such as anise and sour cherry. Together with the light cocoa, none of these flavours dominated the other; they just worked together perfectly.

The last review on this cigar I noted that, for me, it was like a quality Partagas Serie E No.2 with a maduro wrapper. Today's cigar further justified this opinion as I feel I can't describe it more aptly. It goes without saying therefore that you owe it to yourself to experience this brilliant cigar at some point in 2021, if you can!

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Petit Cayo 2018 - Edición Regional Andorra SMA Nov 2018

The El Rey del Mundo Petit Cayo is a 2018 Andorra Regional Edition released in early 2019. It is a 52 ring gauge x 110 mm (or 4⅜ inches) in length Petit Edmundo, It came packaged in a 25-count slide lid box. To say I was disappointed by this cigar would be an understatement.

Let's look into the reasons why I felt this cigar did not deserve critical appraisal. Firstly, the wrapper. The best wrappers on El Rey del Mundo cigars are silky with a touch of sheen to them, whether they are colorado claro, colorado or colorado maduro in shade. This wrapper was just a tad too stretched over this cigar, it was thin, brittle and ready to crack at any moment. Thankfully it didn't. Secondly, I had to correct the burn a few times to even it up. Thirdly, and most importantly, the blend invoked a character not true to the El Rey del Mundo profile. You see, El Rey del Mundo is known for its mild strength and softer attributes such as floral notes, a touch of citrus, shortbread, hay, almond nut and perhaps toast. This cigar was mainly burnt almond, toast and black pepper. This only intensified as the cigar drew down through the thirds. Finally, the strength here was a touch over medium, perhaps closer to medium-full. In an El Rey del Mundo cigar I consider that an anathema.

So, it goes without saying that I won't be reaching for another one of these soon. At just over two years of age I won't be excusing this cigar for its youthfulness because that had nothing to do with how it smoked. Rant over, time to move on!

[JohnS]

Bolívar Byblos 2016 - Edición Regional Líbano SMA Dic 2017

The Bolivar Byblos is a 2016 Libano Regional Edition which hit the market late in December 2017. It's named after the Phoenician city of Byblos, the oldest continuously inhabited city in modern history. It is a Magicos vitola, with a 52 ring gauge x 115 mm (or 4½ inches) length and comes packaged in a 25-count semi boite nature box.

This was a full-bodied smoke with notes of dry wood, earth, leather along with sweet hay and pepper. If I didn't have to touch it up a few times due to bunched leaves, which induced an uneven burn, I would have rated this cigar higher. As it was the flavours redeemed it somewhat and so I look forward to sampling another to compare it (hopefully more favourably) soon.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Magnum 54 circa 2018

I think this may be the second ever H.Upmann Magnum 54 I've ever had and I'm still not enamored with it. After enjoying Connoisseur No.1s and Connossieur As over the years, together with a smattering of Sir Winstons here and there, it really isn't a surprise outcome. And I've never been too fond of the Magnum 46 either. There's an idiom that's come about in the last thirty or forty years, "go big or go home". When it comes to H.Upmann, for me, that means shortbread, quality espresso coffee, a subtle cream texture and cedar all finely balanced. This is not the H.Upmann Magnum 54.

I found this slightly under-filled, a muddle of flavours such as cedar, coffee, toasted tobacco, shortbread and white pepper and I had to re-light it a few times. I smoked the cigar down into the last third but I don't think this is a 54 ring gauge cigar I will be chasing anytime soon. Ostensibly speaking, I would reach for a Bolivar Libertador, Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan, Partagas Serie E No.2 or Quai d'Orsay No.54 before I smoked a H.Upmann Magnum 54 again. There's also enough other satisfying H.Upmann cigars in current production to keep me well-occupied for the foreseeable future!

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos EML Sep 2014

Gifted kindly by @jay8354 (thank you kindly), this six-and-a-half year old Por Larranaga Montecarlos surprised me in its body for its age. You see, I've been 'waxing lyrical' for the past year and a half about my LGR '17 and '18 boxes (especially the 2017 one) and I would comfortably surmise that this PLMC from 2014 was the equal of those '17 and '18 varieties in flavour. In terms of strength, of course this 2014 PLMC was a little milder.

In regards to the flavours, I got a simple combination of wood, toast and caramel and frankly that is all I cared for as I didn't need complexity from this cigar today. In my opinion, it smoked quite well as it was.

One final thought I'd like to share would be the generalisation we cigar enthusiasts afford certain marcas and/or vitolas in terms of aging. While this is important in providing a guideline, it nevertheless highlights how the wise adage of smoking periodically from a box is the best criteria for judging when a cigar is at it's peak. Some of my late 2017 Por Larranaga Montecarlos have smoked like they're just past their peak lately, according to my preference; in contrast, this 2014 example smoked like it was still approaching its apex.

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Británicas Extra 2017 - Edición Regional Gran Bretaña LTO May 2020

The La Gloria Cubana Británicas Extra is an anomaly amongst Habanos releases. The reason is not due to the fact it was released to market late, for this is a common occurrence, rather; it is a 2017 Great Britain Regional Edition that came after the 2018 El Rey del Mundo La Reina, which in itself was released late in 2019! Still, you'd have to agree, a 2017 Regional Edition that is only made widely available in mid-2020 is quite something. (There were some samples made available in 2018 though.)

Measuring 137 mm in length (or 5⅜ inches), the 48 ring gauge on the cigar has meant that the appendage 'Extra' has been added to distinguish it from standard 46 ring gauge Británicas releases in the past, such as the 2011 Bolívar Británicas. The tapered head and foot on the cigar signifies that it is a perfecto' a vitola that requires greater skill from a torcedor (cigar roller) to roll correctly.

Those 2018 samples I mentioned above had a Standard Band B attached to them, but the 2020 examples carry a unique archived band sourced from the executive director of Hunters & Frankau, Jemma Freeman.

To say that this release was highly anticipated would be an understatement as stock was quickly depreciated. The reason? In my opinion it's quite simple; these cigars have some outstanding leaf used in them and to my mind they've been aged a little. The flavours were subtle and balanced. In the first third I got quality sandalwood, some cream texture, a hint of fruit and citrus and some white pepper. In the second third that white pepper was more prominent and the cream texture gave way but it did not unbalance the flavours, nor detract from my enjoyment of the cigar. The final third saw the sandalwood flavour pick up a bit, as did the pepper, but overall this was a fantastic example of a La Gloria Cubana cigar.

If you have the La Gloria Cubana Británicas Extra on hand know that these are ready to smoke now. They may benefit from some further aging, but in my opinion, this was an outstanding cigar well worth the wait.

[JohnS]

Juan López Malecon 2015 - Edición Regional Andorra ROM Oct 2015

The Juan Lopez Malecon is a 2015 Andorran Regional Edition release. It is a Montesco-sized cigar with a 55 ring gauge x 130 mm length (or 5⅛ inches). As for the cigar's name, Malecon, of course it's a tribute to the famous eponymous promenade located on the waterfront north of Havana. In English, Malecón means "the pier". Dunhill had a Lonsdales-sized cigar (i.e similar in size as the Montecristo No.1 - 42 ring gauge x 165 mm or 6½ inches) in its marca also prior to its discontinuation in 1991.

Despite the larger size of this cigar, make no mistake, this is a quality release. Juan Lopez is known for its fuller strength with notes of coffee, toasted tobacco, orange citrus, chocolate and cedar or wood. This cigar, at just over five years of age, was true to the marca in flavour. Both the body and strength of this cigar was around medium.

I mainly got notes of cedar, shortbread, white pepper with a creamy texture more prominent in the first and middle thirds whereby the white pepper kicked in and settled into the final third. Flavours were well-balanced and construction was mostly fine apart from a re-light or two. Otherwise, this was a great example of a superb Juan Lopez cigar and worthy of its fine reputation since release.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana Prado 2018 - Especialista en Habanos Exclusivo LGR Oct 2019

According to Cuban Cigar Website, "The Habanos Specialist programme was developed by Habanos S.A. around 2012. It is a designation given to independent tobacconists that meet certain criteria with regards to the range of Cuban cigars they carry, storage conditions, and staff training. It is administered by the exclusive distributors in their markets. There are around 500 Habanos Specialist stores worldwide.

Cigars in this category are exclusively available at Habanos Specialist and La Casa del Habano stores. They are produced indefinitely in somewhat smaller quantities than standard production. Since 2016, they have worn a special gold band that denotes this series, and tend to have higher end packaging."

The first Habanos Specialist release in 2012 was the San Cristobal de la Habana Torreon. It's arrival to market in 2013 delayed the next release, the H.Upmann Connossieur A which meant that the programme skipped a release in 2015. 2014 introduced the Por Larranaga Picadores, in 2016 the Punch 48 was added, in 2017 we saw the H.Upmann Connossieur B and in 2018 the San Cristobal de la Habana Prado was debuted. (Of course it was available in stores worldwide in 2019.) The last Habanos Specialist release was the 2019 Cohiba Novedosos, we're still awaiting the 2020 Montecristo Herederos.

Reception to this program has been mixed. We've had the excellent (H.Upmann Connossieur A and Punch 48), the respected (Por Larranaga Picadores and H.Upmann Connossieur B), the rarely seen (Cohiba Novedosos) and the highly-priced curiosities (i.e both San Cristobal de la Habana releases - the Torreon and Prado). The problem with the San Cristobal releases has been their price-point, packaging and comparison to other vitolas in the San Cristobal marca. Whereas the Torreon has been rare and costly due to its packaging in an ornate ceramic jar, the Prado is a Petit Pyramid which cannot compete price-wise with the Campanas-sized La Punta. For this reason, one must question what Habanos S.A were thinking in bringing out the Prado to market.

The cigar itself is actually quite good. Apart from been a little tight on the draw, construction was perfect, ash-length was consistent and flavours were true to the San Cristobal profile, albeit a touch milder. From the beginning I got a light cocoa, molasses sweetness, pancake texture and baking spice note which stayed on-point throughout the cigar. However, in comparison to the La Punta (a 52 ring gauge x 140 mm or 5½ inch Campanas) the Prado (a 50 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inch Petit Pyramid) is more expensive, milder and lacks compulsion for acquisition for most cigar enthusiasts because the El Principe (a 42 ring gauge x 110 mm or 4⅜ inch Minutos) and La Fuerza (a 50 ring gauge x 141 mm or 5½ inch Gorditos) are more established, more competitive in price and more reputable in flavour profile.

So, in summary, the San Cristobal de la Habana Prado has value if you'd like to try it for a change and you are favourably inclined towards San Cristobal as a marca. However, it doesn't provide compelling reasons for regular acquisition in comparison to the other aforementioned regular production San Cristobal cigars in my view.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos No.4 OEB Feb 2007

I'd like to thank @baragh for gifting me this cigar because this has long been discontinued. Along with the Diplomaticos No.5, the Diplomaticos No.4 was last seen in 2010 and is much missed amongst cigar enthusiasts. After smoking this petit corona tonight I must say I miss it even more!

Time has indeed been kind to this early '07 example. Flavours were vibrant, if I were to have a box I could easily envisage giving them even more time and be confident in knowing that they'd smoke well. By no means a complex cigar, this Diplomaticos No.4 had classic Diplomaticos sourdough, capsicum or bell pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon spice throughout. Interestingly, it didn't get too intense in the last third in comparison to the first third either.

Wouldn't it be nice if this cigar was re-introduced via the Regional Edition program, much like the German Ramon Allones 8-9-8 or Taiwanese El Rey del Mundo Tainos. I suppose one can but hope and dream, can't they?

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones La Palmera 2016 - Edición Regional Emiratos Arabes Unidos SOM Dic 2016

The Ramon Allones La Palmera is a 2016 U.A.E Regional Edition which was released to market in early 2018. According to Cuban Cigar Website, this cigar made first use of a new regional band for the United Arab Emirates with the text Emiratos Arabes. Previous releases wore a band with E.A.U.

With a 54 ring gauge x 164mm length (or 6½ inches)  the RA La Palmera is a Sublimes vitola, the same size as the 2004 Cohiba Sublimes and 2008 Montecristo Sublimes Limited Editions and LCDH Bolivar Libertador. It comes packaged in a 10-count semi boite nature box.

The cigar was a touch under mild-medium, so nothing like a youthful Ramon Allones Specially Selected in strength or body. Flavours were also unique to the marca, in fact it reminded me a little of the 2017 Montesco-sized Asia Pacifico Regional Edition Silver Jubilee. It had relatively no cocoa but it did have a combination of baked bread, walnut, apple and pear citrus in the first half which was joined with some wood and cherry notes in the back half.

This was a long cigar to smoke, easily over two hours. The ash was extremely flaky and white-grey which made relights inevitable. It was a fine cigar nevertheless. I'm glad I have another one to sample.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos Norteños 2018 - Edición Regional Canadá UEB Jul 2018

It's been twelve months since I last enjoyed this recent (and due to plain packaging laws, possibly last) Canadian Regional Edition to review. I had smoked two superlative examples in 2020 so I looked forward in anticipation to smoking this today.

The Diplomaticos Nortenos was released in the second half of 2018 in six thousand 10-count dress boxes. There have been seven Regional releases in the Diplomaticos marca, three in 2018 alone! This cigar also represents the tenth Canadian Regional Edition since 2007. It is a Robusto vitola, with a 50 ring gauge x 124 mm (or 4⅞ inches) length.

I had written in my previous review that when I find the Diplomaticos No.2 on the savoury side, it can have strong notes of capsicum or bell pepper and paprika spice. Other Diplomaticos cigars I've enjoyed over the years have been sweeter...more cinnamon spice and nutmeg. This Nortenos Robusto was again unmistakably on the sweet side. For me, Diplomaticos cigars are all about sourdough and again this was easily evident here from the first few puffs.

I again experienced a refined core flavour combination of sourdough, cream and strawberries mainly throughout the cigar. I've had Diplomaticos No.2 cigars that have been quite toasty and potent in paprika spice, this cigar had a hint of that paprika spice which made it tangy on the palate. This did not detract from its slightly 'sweeter' profile. Last time there was little to no capsicum or bell pepper but this Diplomaticos Nortenos did have hints of it throughout.

The construction was once again excellent. I only ashed three or four times in total as ash-length was over an inch long, easily. I nubbed this as far as I could go. The mild, sweeter Diplomaticos flavour profile really resonated with me. Smoking time was approximately 75 minutes, which is about average for me in smoking a Robusto-sized cigar.

In regards to value, well...these things are relative. Due to higher Canadian taxes this cigar will most likely cost you more than your regular production Diplomaticos No.2 to acquire. However, I'm Australian and expensive tobacco duties are 'par-for-course' for me, so I'm grateful to have sampled this quality Canadian Regional Edition cigar today.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 UTL Jul 2019

This was my third Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 from a 5x3 cardboard pack in the last six weeks or so. After smoking through 20% of its contents, I'm confident that the question of aging in cardboard packaging will be but a moot point as all three cigars thus far have been great to excellent.

Light and mild, with distinctive Hoyo de Monterrey flavours with evident, this HdM Epi 2 was a little 'spongy' but it smoked very well, the draw was just right and smoke output was ideal. The flavours were well-balanced too; light milk cocoa, cedar, malt, cream and vanilla and I must say that these milder, sweeter flavours really resonated with me.

Immediately after smoking this, I told myself how I need to re-visit this cigar quite soon as it was that enjoyable on a pleasantly warm and sunny Summer's day.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

This mid-2014 Montecristo No.5 would have to be the best from the box thus far, and that by a long way! I've gone through half the box since opening it last year although I have given a number away because how often has one tried an aged minuto or perlas?

What I greatly appreciated from this cigar was the luscious chocolate which coated the palate thickly, with a molten texture that lingered long after each draw was taken. Coupled with some baking spice, light milk coffee and a bit of nuttiness the quality flavours were easily discernible.

I still feel that this box is within its peak period, according to my palate, and so I'm planning to smoke from the rest of the box within the next twelve to eighteen months. I'm curious to see if the next few Monte 5s live up to the quality of this one!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales RAT Ene 2020

I've found the Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales excellent in quality throughout 2020 so it was only a matter of time until I reached for one that didn't live up these expectations. This RyJ Petit Royales was still fine though, in other ways.

I got those wonderfully rich and intense chocolate and cherry notes, with a bit of spice at times, throughout the cigar but the smoke output was so voluminous that I had to ease back on the draw after the halfway point, ironically enough.

So, in summary, I've found the greater majority of these RyJ Petit Royales more well-balanced in general and I consider this cigar today an anomaly. I'm eager to try another one soon in the confidence it will smoke better than this RyJ Petit Royales today.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Half Corona OPG Feb 2015

I opened this box in 2020 and I've gone through around a quarter of it. Overall these H.Upmann Half Coronas have been excellent; however, this one wasn't as good as my previous ones from the box. Mind you, it wasn't that bad either, it just that the others have been quite solid thus far.

When it comes to H.Upmann as a marca I must admit I have a strong preference for the milder shortbread-intensive vitolas such as the Connoisseur No.1 and Connossieur A so these HU Half Coronas, at around six years of age, have been quite a pleasure to smoke thus far. This one was still under medium-strength,had a pleasant licorice sweetness combined with a core espresso coffee and toasted tobacco. It was very easy to smoke; in fact, I could have easily reached for another after finishing this one.

According to my palate, this box is still peaking so I envisage that I will return to it a little later down-the-track to see how things are coming along. How long? Maybe six to twelve months.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas ROE Jul 2016

I'd like to thank @wineguy for gifting me this cigar to review. This was much milder since the last Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona I had from this same box code. Again, unlike other popular Hoyo De Monterrey regular production cigars such as the Epicure No.1 and No.2, I found that this had minimal light cocoa. Instead it had a core cedar, biscuit, light cream and clove combination, together with some nutmeg and vanilla sweetness here and there and some floral notes coming through on the edges.

My last ROE Jul 2016 Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona had more cloved spice than this cigar. It really settled around the midway point and I could tell that, at just short of five years of age, some floral notes were coming through. It was also very easy to smoke and retrohale.

How often do we get the chance to light up a Double Corona? Not often, I'd bet, with the demands of modern life, 2 to 2-and-a-half hours to set aside and reflect on a cigar can be considered a luxury in terms of time. This Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona took me two-and-a-quarter hours to smoke and again delivered on flavour, body and strength.

If you get the chance to get a 50 cab, and you enjoy Hoyo de Monterrey as a marca, I don't think you'd regret adding the HdM Double Corona as an acquisition to your humidor. It helps to know that recent 2019-20 Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas have been smoking well and have been very popular on our FoH forum 24:24 listings when they invariably are made available for purchase.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Gigantes ABO Ene 2019

The Ramon Allones Gigantes represents a Habanos vitola of which there are only four left. At 49 ring gauge x 194 millimetres in length (or 7.6 inches), this Double Corona requires a minimum of 2 hours to smoke. They always seem mild in strength to me when invariably I find the time to smoke one, they definitely are never medium to medium-full. However, together with the Partagas Lusitanias, Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona and Punch Double Corona, they represent a vitola that, unlike Lonsdales and Churchills, hasn't been depleted completely in the last 20 years or so. Still, this hasn't stopped rumours circulating in 2019-20 that the Gigantes is on the way out. Maybe the Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro and Saint Luis Rey Double Corona's discontinuations has fueled such speculation? I certainly hope not, yet time will tell.

This Gigantes was much like my last one from this same box code, smoked twelve months ago. There was a beautiful balance of cocoa, light coffee and raisin flavours and this was the way it stayed again pretty much throughout. If you want complexity, I'd suggest look elsewhere as I find the Gigantes has a core set of flavours which stay consistent all the way from beginning to end. A few points of note though, there was a hint of a marshmallow texture to the draw on the palate which becomes more like a quality baking spice as this cigar ages long-term. Also, those raisin notes tend to become more like dried fruits and an aged RA Gigantes is more likely to have leather flavours than a younger one.

Unlike my last Gigantes from this box code the construction on this cigar was quite excellent, I did not need any touch-ups or re-lights. It still took me two-and-a-half hours to smoke, which you'd surely agree, is quite a long time to smoke a cigar.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Capuletos 2016 - Edición Limitada TOS Sep 2016

If you are not familiar with the Romeo y Julieta Capuletos Limited Edition from 2016 it would because the other Limited Editions that year got all the publicity. The Trinidad Topes was lauded as an exemplary example of the format and the Montecristo Dantes was noted as a 'Monte powerhouse'. The Capuletos merely disappeared into the 'slipstream' of these other two Limited Editions, it seemed.
 
It's not like it was a bad cigar either. On the contrary, contemporary reviews were mainly consistent in labeling it a solid cigar which will see it getting better and peaking after three to four years.

My last RyJ Capuletos was smoked around three or four months ago. It left quite an impression on me after smoking it. It was comfortably mild, had a great balance of RyJ flavours such as cocoa, nutmeg, anise sweetness, rosewater, wood, a little spice and even a velvety cream texture on the draw. The consensus that this Limited Edition would take three to four years to start to peak is about right, retrospectively speaking.

I smoked a 2018 Romeo y Julieta Tacos around the same time and I noted that it was a powerhouse, something akin to a Limited Edition version of the Cazadores. Today's 2016 RyJ Capuletos was more like an amplified Churchills, with all the very best characteristics of that flagship cigar to go with it. Again it had cocoa, nutmeg, anise sweetness, rosewater, wood and a velvety cream texture on the draw. This time there was no spice evident. If you have some of these in your humidor and it's been awhile since you've visited them, do yourself a favour and smoke one soon. I'm confident you won't regret it!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 GOS Ago 2018

This was my last August 2018 Montecristo No.2. Whilst they've all been very good, and of the lighter-wrappered variety, they've haven't been as good as my 2020 samples, which have been exceptional.

This Monte 2 was well-balanced, simply put, the blend was just spot on between some delicious mocha chocolate, cocoa, coffee and nut which seemed to be consistent in their intensity throughout the 90 to 100 minutes I took to smoke this. So, it didn't let me down, and it was easily a 92 to 93 point cigar, but now I eagerly await smoking through my 2020 stock.

 

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

I've started to 'warm up' to this box since the last few have been outstanding, so I decided today was a good day to enjoy another mid-2014 Montecristo No.5. I've been saying all along that this box won't see out the end of 2022 (heck, probably 2021!) and today's specimen supported that view.

Most of the Montecristo No.5s from this box have been on the mild side thus far and lighter in those classic Montecristo cocoa/coffee flavours in comparison to youthful Monte 5s. With 40% left of the box, this one surprised me a little as whilst it was still on the mild side in terms of strength, it was full of flavour. The flavours were a mix of cocoa, sweet chocolate, milk coffee, toasted tobacco, leather and some baking spice on the edges. At times that sweet chocolate 'ramped up' in intensity and smoked more like strong cocoa powder, and so much so that I had to ease back on the cigar to prevent overheating.

In the end all was well. I felt smug in the knowledge that a 40 ring gauge by 102 mm (or 4 inches) perlas felt like I was smoking a toothpick in comparison to most Habanos cigars we all smoke these days. Aren't you glad there's still cigars like this available? I know I am!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales SMA Jun 2019

My last RAT Ene 2020 Tubo Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales was a little more intense than I expected, so to say I was eager to sample some new SMA Jun 2019 RyJ Petit Royales would be an understatement. These were advertised on a FoH 24:24 listing as seconds on account of one or two from the dress box having 'cracked feet' but mine were all perfect.

This mid-2019 RyJ Petit Royales was a little 'spongy', which I reasoned was due to them been slightly wet or over-humidified and not due to being underfilled. Normally I would let a box acclimatise to my humidor for at least 30 days; more often it would be 60 to 90. Alas, sometimes I allow myself to smoke one cigar 'right-off-the-truck', so-to-speak,  just to gauge flavours and where the cigar is at in its development to give me an idea as to when to sample the next one.

The first third opened on-point. I got some deep chocolate, cedar and cherry notes which stayed consistent throughout. In the middle of the cigar I got more distinctive walnut flavours with some spice here and there. I made sure to smoke this very slowly to prevent overwhelming my palate as they was a lot of smoke per draw, at times.

In summary, I've been very pleased with the Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales since I've acquired some 2019 and 2020 stock. It's fast become a regular 'go-to' cigar and I think the reason for that is because it doesn't seem to let you down on flavour.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire TEO May 2018

I've had enough ups and downs with the last few Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maires from this box in 2020 that I'm actually glad I'm down to the last third remaining. It certainly has been an interesting ride between exemplary cigar-smoking experiences and bewilderingly awful ones.

This HdM Le Hoyo du Maire was merely 'serviceable' by comparison. The flavours were rudimentary; cocoa, vanilla and wood and the draw was thankfully good, as I've had too many plugged and under-filled cigars of this size in the last few years for my liking.

When it comes to the Le Hoyo series I sometimes wonder why the du Gourmet, du Roi, du Prince and des Dieux were discontinued but the du Maire remains. I suppose the cold hard facts is that the du Maire continues to sell, while the other aforementioned cigars of the Le Hoyo series did not, but I still reminisce and pine for a des Dieux or du Prince at times; whereas I never pine for a du Maire other than when I need a cigar to smoke for a 20 to 25-minute duration.

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

Like the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire, I've had too many fluctuating cigar-smoking experiences of the El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse in the last two years for my liking ranging from superlatively great to stinkingly-awful. Thankfully, I've had more good ones than bad ones but these smaller ring-gauge cigars are prone to rolling errors ranging from plugged to under-filled because simply-speaking they're harder to roll. Therefore, it's imperative not to buy Entreactos-sized cigars from vendors 'blind' which admittingly is hard to do when these cigars are often discounted.

This ERdM Demi Tasse was fine; that is, it was neither brilliant nor ordinary. Flavours were a mix of toasted tobacco, floral notes, fruit and honey. I have five cigars left from this box and I don't think I care to age them as I have a SGA Sep 2016 box for that purpose and I hope to explore that box as it approaches five years of age this year.