Half Corona/Perla/Petit Corona........complexity question?

[El Presidente]

In terms of Half Corona/Perla/Petit Corona....how important is the element of complexity for you? 

This question has been based on the excellent review of the Ramon Alloness Small Club Corona by member Piramidas. 

When I fire up a CC half corona/perla/PC.....or even a NC in the same vitolas, I am personally not looking for complexity. Simply, I am looking for DNA consistency excellence. 

My favourtite  NC /Padron .....as an example is the maduro principe. My favourite CC in a perla/half corona is the RASC/Partagas Short/Trini Reyes. 

I don't expect a flavour "journey"....but rather a DNA integrity that I enjoy. Just my opinion. 

Question, Am I underselling it? Is there a CC or NC cigar in this format that provides a flavour "journey"? 

What is your experience? 

 

[JohnS]

If we define complexity as a range of flavours within a cigar and evolution as a state of change in the cigar, then I would state that complexity can be found in these smaller cigars, but evolution is more common in larger cigars, as a generalisation.

As for whether I personally seek complexity in a Half Corona/Minuto/Perla/Petit Corona, for me, it depends on the specific cigar. For example, within a Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales I'm quite content with a small range of typical RyJ flavours found in that cigar; however, if I'm smoking an aged Cohiba Siglo II by comparison, then the range of flavours possible within that cigar can be quite impressive.

There's also the issue of aging to factor into this equation. While it's true that modern Habanos cigars are ready to smoke and enjoy much younger than in the past, the addition of aging these smaller-sized cigars can help delineate the flavours within the blend over time. Then again, one may find that with aging those flavours may meld together. It all depends.

[Li Bai]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

When I fire up a CC half corona/perla/PC.....or even a NC in the same vitolas, I am personally not looking for complexity. Simply, I am looking for DNA consistency excellence.

Very well said ! DNA is what I get from my favourites, Party shorts and RASC and I love them 😍

But as you say @JohnS, I find that longer vitolas (than my beloved minutos, like marevas), especially with a little age on them, can take you on a different journey 🤔

[SirVantes]

2 hours ago, JohnS said:

If we define complexity as a range of flavours within a cigar and evolution as a state of change in the cigar, then I would state that complexity can be found in these smaller cigars, but evolution is more common in larger cigars, as a generalisation.

To get off on a tangent - when we use the term "evolution", is it a polite way of saying "a slow start"?  If small vitolas are capable of complexity, and say an Inmensa takes until its middle third to get to the classic/complex Bolivar flavours that a BPC exhibits from the get-go, was that first third a waste of time? 

[Li Bai]

2 hours ago, SirVantes said:

To get off on a tangent - when we use the term "evolution", is it a polite way of saying "a slow start"?  If small vitolas are capable of complexity, and say an Inmensa takes until its middle third to get to the classic/complex Bolivar flavours that a BPC exhibits from the get-go, was that first third a waste of time? 

Fwiw, I don't think so.

I'll take an example, maybe an extreme one tbh but let's talk about the Monte A. The first third (one hour or so) is mostly only whispers to one's ear but the volume ruthlessly goes up from there, for 3 more hours, providing an unique smoking experience 😍

It's more or less the same with DCs, one of my mentors in the cigar world states it perfectly "if a regular sized cigar can be compared to a song, a DC is an entire symphony" and I think one needs those calm introductions to appreciate the intensity of what's to come.

It's all about the contrast imo 🤔

[Chibearsv]

13 hours ago, JohnS said:

If we define complexity as a range of flavours within a cigar and evolution as a state of change in the cigar, then I would state that complexity can be found in these smaller cigars

I agree. I think complexity and balance are the traits I prefer most in any cigar. If you add evolution and can retain complexity and balance, that's something extra special and I think a longer cigar would have a better opportunity to make that happen. Do I seek out complexity in a PC? Not necessarily, but I sure enjoy it when it's there.  Reyes or a BPC with some age have often delivered complexity for me.  

[Chitmo]

I don’t expect much beyond a decent draw and Cuban flavour. Small Vitolas are my morning coffee smokes, if I want something interesting I reach to a different section of the humidor. Don’t expect the world and these are great when time is short. 

[El Presidente]

11 hours ago, SirVantes said:

To get off on a tangent - when we use the term "evolution", is it a polite way of saying "a slow start"?  If small vitolas are capable of complexity, and say an Inmensa takes until its middle third to get to the classic/complex Bolivar flavours that a BPC exhibits from the get-go, was that first third a waste of time? 

No. 

I love lighting a great San Cristobal Principe and immediately being punched in the palate with that "pancake and molasses" note. 

"Evolution" is where does the cigar go from there. How many twists and turns are left. 

[JohnS]

17 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I love lighting a great San Cristobal Principe and immediately being punched in the palate with that "pancake and molasses" note. 

Well said. I can very much relate to this and I know exactly what you mean.

[VeguerosMAN]

San Cristobal El Principe and Padron Maduro/Natural Principe are the greatest small cigars in the world, in my opinion. They are very complex imo, unlike other bigger vitolas where you have to wait a while for a note to hit.

[frenchkiwi]

Expecting complexity is perhaps a bit unfair on the little bros of the cigar world as on average they probably get smoked with less age, and so less likely they will have a chance to get as complex (as a generalisation not a hard rule). As they tend to have stronger blends, flavour-wise they often have the goods to age gracefully though. 

Had a wonderful 50 cab of Partagas Shorts that had a chance to age (strength in numbers), back in the days of HQ boxes, it was mighty strong for a Partagas. The first 2-3 years then developed amazing perfume complexity and flavour thereafter. Back when they were priced reasonably, I used to wait 1-3 years on a box of Reyes and some boxes would develop a lovely biscuity cedar richness, etc. If I could I would smoke those aged beauties most of the time but it is a bit of a needle and haystack scenario.

Sometimes I just want a powerful DNA - Bolivar Coronas Junior a case in point. But generally as a second cigar and/or if I have a strong drink that needs accompaniment (e.g. peaty whisky) which is pretty rare. That's just me though.