TRINIDAD REYES

[ICEMAN]

HAS ANYONE TRIED THE TRINIDAD REYES? IF SO, WHAT WAS YOUR OPINION OF THESE LITTLE BEASTS?........THANX

[Ginseng]

Here's an account of my most recent experience with a Reyes. In a word, recommeded.

********************

Trinidad Reyes, Habana, 4-3/8 x 40 rg - Diminutive Wonder!

Today's study smoke was the Reyes, one of the top flight Habana marques made today, Trinidad. The accompaniments were homemade pumpkin bread and bottled water. Taking advantage of some unseasonably warm weather, I retired to my garage lounge for some writing and smoking.

The Trinidad Reyes is the only production Habana in the "Reyes" vitola de galera. Measuring 4.375" x 40 rg, it is just a hair thinner than popular "Minutos" such as Bolivar Coronas Junior (BolCJ or BCJ), Partagas Shorts and Ramon Allones Small Club Corona (RSCC). It is also just a smidge longer than "Franciscanos" such as the Partagas and Romeo & Julieta Tres Petit Coronas. The net result is a cigar with compact but elegant proportions. And with the little pigtail on the cap, it's just about the cutest little cigar I've ever seen.

Prelight and Initial Stage

This was a well constructed stick. The wrapper was a silky though not particularly oily EMS-colorado claro, light to medium brown and very uniform with fine veins. The cap was perfectly laid and the pigtail was delicately twisted. Prelight aroma was delicate and gave no hint of the fireworks to come. Packing of the bunch was spot on being neither too firm nor too soft. A quick slice with my blade and the game was afoot.

Light-up was easy and a few puffs later, the cigar was burning nicely. The first thing I noticed was the huge volume of rich, mouth-filling smoke from such a tiny stick. Very impressive. Then pow! I was suddenly accosted with crisp peppery notes that grabbed me by the eyeballs. The spicy and stimulating piquancy persisted for exactly the first half inch then rapidly subsided, revealing a delicate but wonderfully creamy sensation. Dropping back to a medium strength, layers of tasty bean and floral notes came to the fore. Smoke volume remained amazingly robust.

The ash was a stiff medium gray and the burn tended to run on one side, but it was nothing a few dabs couldn't take care of. Wow, just such an amazing transition in flavors all the while supported by a soothing richness and creaminess. Delightful!

Finish and Final Impressions

The first ashing came at the midpoint of the stick and revealed a very slight coning. The flavor stayed true, maintaining an aromatic and richly floral character. At this point, I could no longer concentrate on my work as this little wonder was just too engrossing. At about the last third, the cigar took another turn. The body thickened and flavors evolved toward nuts and earth with a lush woodiness. The strength also revved up again, stirring me from my bliss. That such complexity and development could be had in a cigar this small was simply astounding.

At the 60 minute mark! The Reyes remained poised, delivering ever deepening flavor and power without the slightest hint of harshness. Truly a testament to the stellar quality of the tobacco, the blending and the rollers. The draw, as it was from the very beginning, was perfect providing just the right measure of resistance. The aroma also remained light to medium and very pleasant, just like the aftertaste.

Finally, at the 70-minute mark, I simply could not hold onto it because my fingers started to burn. And so with great reluctance and even greater satisfaction, I put this cigar down. A testament to just how mesmerized I was with this little wonder is that there is no intermediate "long ash" shot. I just couldn't bear to put it down.

In summation: Though the Reyes is a small cigar, its size belies the utter excellence of almost every aspect of the experience. While one may be tempted to think it could be casually smoked in 30 minutes, I'd disagree by saying that it has so much to offer and is so involving that it merits attention and devotion commensurate with its magnificent qualities. About the same size as the ever-popular Party Shorts, it delivers a smoking experience that is simply a level beyond. It earns my highest possible recommendation.

Wilkey

[Ginseng]

» HAS ANYONE TRIED THE TRINIDAD REYES? IF SO, WHAT WAS YOUR OPINION OF

» THESE LITTLE BEASTS?........THANX

BTW,

How about turning off the CAPS LOCK?

Wilkey

[Taino]

I just love Perlas, Minutos and similars; in this small universe Trini Reyes (like the names suggests) are kings. To me very enjoyable little stick, very good construction, creamy, nutty, vanilla… you always wish they’ll last longer.

[strayvector]

Best small smoke out there. I love the smaller vitolas because it allows me to enjoy a cigar at least once a day and of all the ones I've tried, this is my favorite. A distant second is the Padron Serie 1926 #35.

[Mikey]

I like the trini reyes.Nice little cigar,but far from my favorite in this size range.I personally prefer the RASCC,Boli CJ,and the SCdH EP to the trini's......of course,ymmv.....

:-D

[Fatshotbud]

I would say Wilkey pretty much covered it ;-)

Just finishing off my last box - will be looking for another no doubt.

In the smaller size cigars, you would usually see me smoking either these or a Siglo I. Then again I do not get out much and probably need to try some others.

Never have had any hint of problems with their smoking - very consistant

[Wiley]

WTF! Do you smoke with a roach clip?

[Ginseng]

» WTF! Do you smoke with a roach clip?

Nope,

This one was all finger. :-D

Wilkey

[raney]

Hmmmm....

I'm definitely in the minority, but theone box I had of these just didn't do it for me. I have five left that I'm holding onto for a couple of years to see if they get better, but I can think of at least a half-dozen perlas/minutos I like better...

[El Presidente]

Now that's a review

[smk819]

I alternate the Reyes with the Sig I as my weekend morning coffee smoke. I can't be without them, a truley great little cigar.

[Loki]

Very nice review. I have smoked this stick and liked it but did not have quite as wonderful an experience as yours. ;-)

[genevapics]

Kudos on the review.

[Bill Hayes]

My fav small smoke by far. Smokes like a larger format cigar. Really tasty, packs a punch and you can take your time with it if you want. :-D

[Ginseng]

» My fav small smoke by far. Smokes like a larger format cigar. Really tasty,

» packs a punch and you can take your time with it if you want. :-D

Can you imagine if they sold these in tubos? They could double up two side-by-side in a little shotgun flat pack. Man, I would put those up by the dozens!

Wilkey

[The Privateer]

Fantastic...and one of my absolute faves! Thanks for the yummy pics....couldn't decide which was yummier...the cake or the cigar!

[DocRKS]

It also appears I am in the minority here - but these don't make it for me at all...Way too small for my tastes and after finishing the better part of a box - the phrase "is that all there is" comes to mind --kind of a Ho Hum experience for me.

However - when these are allowed to rest and grow and become the Trini Robusto Extra - then I find them to be a most Excellent cigar ! :-)

[Ken Gargett]

liked them a lot at the beginning - think we have another thread on these somewhere? - but lately, finding that mine have gone very dry earth and a bit raspy. think that this is coming from a bunch i picked up in spain. hoping they return to form.

[mr.harten]

Great review - These have recently become one of my favorites. May have to get another box soon if I keep smoking them...

[The Privateer]

» liked them a lot at the beginning - think we have another thread on these

» somewhere? - but lately, finding that mine have gone very dry earth and a

» bit raspy. think that this is coming from a bunch i picked up in spain.

» hoping they return to form.

I've had mixed experiences with the enitre line as well. While they never become as sick as some Cohibas, they can get somewhat flat if at the wrong humidity etc

[Freefallguy]

Ice... I like these so much I've ordered a box just this weekend... how could I help myself after a review like that?

[BL68MUSTANG]

I smoked about 48 of these and found that the contruction and burn was superior. When the original Trinidad was released I think the mid 90's the flavor changed three times from start to finish. This disappeared for me through out the years of trying them again and again. The Reyes brought back this change of three distinct flavors and complexity. I would recommend this smoke hope it does not change during it's production life.

Would recommend a Partagas Short which depending on batch have found them to be a baby lucy.

[ICEMAN]

» I smoked about 48 of these and found that the contruction and burn was

» superior. When the original Trinidad was released I think the mid 90's

» the flavor changed three times from start to finish. This disappeared for

» me through out the years of trying them again and again. The Reyes brought

» back this change of three distinct flavors and complexity. I would

» recommend this smoke hope it does not change during it's production life.

»

» Would recommend a Partagas Short which depending on batch have found them

» to be a baby lucy. THANK YOU FOR THAT HISTORY....I HOPE THEY DO NOT CHANGE........SOME YEARS BACK I HAD A TRINIDAD FOR FATHERS DAY.......IT WAS MILD AND DISAPPOINTING....NOW WITH YOUR INFO THEY SOUND GOOD AS GOLD....MANY THANKS..............ICE

[ICEMAN]

» Ice... I like these so much I've ordered a box just this weekend... how

» could I help myself after a review like that? IM WITH YOU...... TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE............WIFE'S NOT HAPPY.......BUT SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA DO WHAT YA GOTTA DO!.......................................THANX...................ICE