JohnS' Smoking Diary 2025

[JohnS]

Welcome back to the 2025 Smoking Blog. As mentioned at the end of last year's series, this year's blog will be different in that the content will be less than before (I'm most likely to provide 5 to 7 reviews a month instead of an average of 20 from previous series, as I don't plan to review the same cigar from the same box 4 to 5 times a year in this year's series), but I will try to introduce new cigars into the series by commenting on boxes from which I plan to smoke from, that I have been keeping aside after long-term rest. Thus, I hope we will continue to learn about cigars that aren't typically reviewed, on account of their age, and that they should prove beneficial in our collective knowledge of this wonderful, shared hobby.

And so, without further ado, the initial cigar reviews of the 2025 Smoking blog below...

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 URT Abr 2023

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2. The question is...Why start this year's blog series with this cigar? Well, there's a few reasons. Firstly, it's the only Robustos-sized cigar that was manufactured prior to the Cuban Revolution that is still in production. Okay, so the Partagas Serie D No.4 was around too; although, it was re-launched with a Robustos size in 1975. Secondly, it's a highly popular cigar. Compared to the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1, sales don't even compare, even after 'cigarmageddon' in mid-2022. There's a reason why the HdM Epicure No.2 is still available in a 50 cab for purchase and the HdM Epicure No.1 is not. Thirdly, I was running low on this cigar and I had to colloquially 'bite the bullet' and acquire a box at a price that doesn't rapport well to the price I used to pay. I guess we all know what that feels like.

Since cigarmageddon, Habanos S.A. has adjusted pricing sharply upwards across all its lines at various rates. I just wish the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 and Partagas Serie D No.4 wasn't changed so much. I don't expect any discounts on these two cigars anytime soon as they sell and smoke so well, in general. I wish I had acquired more of these two cigars prior to mid-2022. No doubt, you do too!

This was the second cigar from a recent acquisition. Like the very best Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2s, it was well-balanced in its light milky cocoa, cedar, light cream texture and vanilla maltiness on the edges. I think this is why I keep coming back to this cigar.

One day the cigars from this box will run out. Then I will have a real dilemma on my hands!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 PMS Abr 2015

I smoked this aged Montecristo No.2 at a gathering with fellow Sydney members of our forum. That day, I asked my friends if any of them had the Montecristo No.2 in the humidor. The answer was an unequivocal "no" from all of them. Thus, we have an example here that dispels the myth that people are still purchasing the Montecristo No.2 (and No.4) since cigarmageddon in mid-2022. Frankly, they are not.

The idea that the Montecristo No.2 would not be amongst the Top 5 selling Habanos cigars in the world just five years ago would seem like an "anathema" (i.e. a curse) to contemplate. With change in pricing comes opportunity cost folks.

There's an adage amongst Habanos cigar enthusiasts that Montecristo is best enjoyed in its youth. Perhaps less than seven years and even three to five, at most. It all depends on the individual tastes of the smoker, I suppose, but this Montecristo No.2 was still highly flavoursome at close to its ten-year mark.

Sure, it wasn't a chocolate and coffee powerhouse anymore, but its combination of milk chocolate, mocha coffee, leather and some citrus twang didn't disappoint whatsoever.

I've since acquired a box of Montecristo No.2s at current pricing and so I currently have my fair share in my humidor, together with a spattering of singles across some recent box codes from the last five years or so. However, I only have one more Montecristo No.2 from 2015. It's enough to make a grown man cry!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 UEB Feb 2019

If there's one cigar that I'd vote for as the most consistent, in fact, the best overall since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I would vouch for the Partagas Serie D No.4. It seems that every time I reach for it from my humidor of late, it never fails to deliver in terms of satisfaction. Mick Jagger famously opined that he couldn't get any satisfaction in the mid-sixties. Maybe he would have changed his mind if he smoked a current Partagas Serie D No.4. Certainly this cigar has come a long way since that time.

This was a superlative example of a Partagas Serie D No.4. The sourdough was akin to baked bread and the spice was minimal on the edges. It was so simple, yet so good...the type of cigar you could light up again as soon as you finished it.

If I were to ever win the Habanos Man of the Year award I would select a Cohiba Lanceros annually. But my second box may just be a Partagas Serie D No.4. I suppose one could dream, couldn't they?

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo IV EOT Sep 2015

The Cohiba Siglo IV, a Corona Gorda at 46 ring gauge by 143 mm in length (or 5.63 inches) is the one Siglo cigar I have smoked the least of the Linea 1492 series, even more so than the Siglo V which has been harder to source in the last few years (well, at least for me). The reason? No specific reason other than this cigar really deserves some time down to savour it, in my opinion.

El Pres, in past 24:24 listings, has written of them thusly;

"Stalks of dry hay/honeycomb/clean tobacco/spiced cream. Bold, deep, rich, classy.

Worth every cent."

I don't think I could put it better myself.

To put into context just how few Cohiba Siglo IVs I've had of late, this is just my fifth in the last ten years. Thankfully, I have been resting away a box, and this cigar today represents the first one I smoked from it.

So how was it? In essence, it was quite simply a beautiful cigar. It had a noticeable grass, cream and honey blend, with it being more grassy than recent Siglo cigars I've smoked.

It's funny how holding this cigar, a 46 ring gauge Corona Gorda, seems so small in the hand nowadays. Ten to fifteen years ago, the size of the cigar would have been considered on the large side. I do sincerely hope my next Cohiba Siglo IV from this box provides me a simple blend of grass, cream and honey. I aim to find out soon enough.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No.52 GRB May 2024

The Quai d'Orsay No.52 is a 2021 release that came to market in early 2023. It has a 52 ring gauge x 156 millimetres (or 6⅛ inches) length, which is similar in size to a Cohiba Siglo VI, only six millimetres or a quarter of an inch longer. This cigar was recommended to me by @99call and @Li Bai and I'm elated to have finally acquired this cigar to sample.

Having smoked a number of Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 since their launch in 2017/18, I can assert that the blend of this Quai d'Orsay No.52 is similar. What made it stand out for me was how full-flavoured it was for a mid-bodied cigar. It had typical Quai d'Orsay flavours of brioche and butter complimented by an underlying cedar, hay and cream texture. In terms of its smoking, there's a case to be made that this latest addition to the Quai d'Orsay marca is the Cohiba Siglo VI of the Quai d'Orsay line. It was a beautiful smoke over more than 2 hours!

In my part of the world, the Cohiba Siglo VI is three to three-and-a-half times more expensive that the Quai d'Orsay No.52. In other markets it's at least twice as dear. You could say, therefore, that the Quai d'Orsay No.52 is the new poor man's Cohiba Siglo VI.

They have come up a little more often recently on 24:24 listings, but in general, they aren't easy to acquire in regards to their availability. If you manage to source a box, I know you'll be glad that you did so!

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Petit Coronas MEG Oct 2015

The H.Upmann Petit Coronas was last manufactured in 2016. The last of these 25-count dress boxes were last seen in 2017. They were never a popular seller, both in relation to other marevas-sized cigars and within the H.Upmann marca. I would speculate the reason for why the H.Upmann Petit Coronas never developed a following would be because it was the type of cigar that took a long time to 'peak' or develop and when young it was known for being quite dominant in strength, espresso coffee and toasted tobacco.

What then did the H.Upmann Petit Coronas have in terms of appeal for its adherents? Simply put, with significant time down it was known for having a combination of that other-worldly H.Upmann shortbread and sweet cream texture. When you get this in an aged H.Upmann cigar I promise you that there is nothing finer.

This particular H.Upmann Petit Coronas, being a little over nine years of age, is the first cigar from this box and the first H.Upmann Petit Coronas I've had in the last two years. It was light on cream, yet heavy on cedar, leather and Upmann pepper, especially in the back half/last third. It still has many years of development for my taste. I'll need to smoke another from the box soon to compare.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB Mar 2018

The Montecristo No.4 was released in 1935, but it wasn't until the 1970s that it became ubiquitous in its popularity, mainly thanks to its UK distributor. Whereas it was once universally known as the number one selling Habanos cigar in the world (in the 1980s and 1990s); today, the Montecristo No.4 is languishing in its appeal. Cigarmageddon has changed everything, and not just pricing adjustments across the board. Nowadays, the Montecristo No.4 is proving hard to sell for Habanos S.A.. Yet, who can blame the ordinary, humble cigar enthusiast who once paid $US150 a box and is now asked to pay two-and-a-half to three times that amount for the same box? For that pricing, we've come to learn the reality of opportunity cost.

This was the fist cigar that I opened from this box. At seven years of age, it was stronger in cocoa and coffee than I expected. I guess it was serviceable for a Montecristo No.4, but I would have preferred it to be "softer".

So what appeal is there left for the Montecristo No.4? I think the fact that when you get a brilliant one they can be "other-worldly". I just wish I could get that more often!

[Chucko8]

  On 3/16/2025 at 6:33 AM, JohnS said:

 

Quai d'Orsay No.52 GRB May 2024

The Quai d'Orsay No.52 is a 2021 release that came to market in early 2023. It has a 52 ring gauge x 156 millimetres (or 6⅛ inches) length, which is similar in size to a Cohiba Siglo VI, only six millimetres or a quarter of an inch longer. This cigar was recommended to me by @99call and @Li Bai and I'm elated to have finally acquired this cigar to sample.

Having smoked a number of Quai d'Orsay Nos. 50 and 54 since their launch in 2017/18, I can assert that the blend of this Quai d'Orsay No.52 is similar. What made it stand out for me was how full-flavoured it was for a mid-bodied cigar. It had typical Quai d'Orsay flavours of brioche and butter complimented by an underlying cedar, hay and cream texture. In terms of its smoking, there's a case to be made that this latest addition to the Quai d'Orsay marca is the Cohiba Siglo VI of the Quai d'Orsay line. It was a beautiful smoke over more than 2 hours!

In my part of the world, the Cohiba Siglo VI is three to three-and-a-half times more expensive that the Quai d'Orsay No.52. In other markets it's at least twice as dear. You could say, therefore, that the Quai d'Orsay No.52 is the new poor man's Cohiba Siglo VI.

They have come up a little more often recently on 24:24 listings, but in general, they aren't easy to acquire in regards to their availability. If you manage to source a box, I know you'll be glad that you did so!

Expand  

I’m with you on this John. The 52 straight up as young cigar to me is the stand out of the QD line up at present. It definitely feels fuller than the 50 & 54.

[JohnS]

  On 3/19/2025 at 12:26 PM, Chucko8 said:

I’m with you on this John. The 52 straight up as young cigar to me is the stand out of the QD line up at present. It definitely feels fuller than the 50 & 54.

Expand  

Agreed. Most definitely! 

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince TOR Nov 2015

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo line was created specifically for the Swiss distributor, A. Dürr Co and was only available in Switzerland until the mid-seventies. It was created to be lighter than the Chateaux series, also created for the same distributor. This line had cigars that were all 42 ring gauge or under, but by 2017, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin, du Roi, du Gourmet, des Dieux and du Prince, the cigar I'm smoking today, were all discontinued. Only the smaller-length du Depute and du Maire are left of the original series.

It has now been eight years since the last of the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo line, the du Prince was discontinued. Can you remember how popular this cigar was on our forum during 2015 and 2016? It seemed that every time they came out on a 24:24 listing they were snapped up in a proverbial blink! There's a reason for this, I think, and it lays in the fact that this cigar, although an almuerzos at 40 ring gauge x 130 mm and not quite a Petit Corona (42 ring gauge x 129 mm), offers a nice change-of-pace in the Petit Corona range.

This was the first HdM Le Hoyo du Prince I had from this box aged almost nine-and-a-half years. Unlike a number of HdM Le Hoyo de Prince cigars I've smoked since its discontinuation, this example was relatively light in those typical forest floor or Earth and 'woody' flavours common with the Le Hoyo range and it did not really have a semblance of a mushroom core (which can also be a common flavour in these cigars). What it did have is what I exactly look for in the Le Hoyo line with considerable aging, and that is, a wondrous cream texture and vanilla element, with a touch of cinnamon spice on the edges (and more so in the back half).

In comparison to the most recent Le Hoyo releases of the de San Juan (a Geniales at 54 ring gauge x 150 mm) and Rio de Seco (an Armorosos at 56 ring gauge x 140 mm), those cigars are different to this du Prince box in that those cigars have more crispy, toasty flavours when young, can have a distinctive tea flavour, and in my opinion, are more approachable in their youth.

In my last review within this blog series, I wrote about having an unopened box that I hope to 'crack' down-the-track, being hopeful that the first stick from that box will be light in forest floor and Earth flavours and contain a cream texture with evidence of some vanilla sweetness on the edges. I mentioned that this would be well within my 'wheelhouse' or quite simply, that phase where I prefer them to be. That was a little over a year ago. Today I got my wish and I am grateful.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Depute OMS Sep 2015

In comparison to the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo cigars that were discontinued between 2003 and 2017 (the du Dauphin, du Roi, du Gourmet, des Dieux and du Prince), I sometimes wonder why the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Depute is still around? I mean, when was the last time you smoked one? Me? Well, I had a 2015 box that I finished by April 2018 so I guess it's been seven years. In hindsight, maybe it was a waste to smoke those HdM Le Hoyo du Deputes so young.

I would opine that the HdM Le Hoyo du Depute is still around because Habanos S.A. has not deleted a great number of Minutos and Perlas cigars in comparison to all the Coronas, Lonsdales, Coronas Gordas and Churchills they've ceased producing since 2000. Forgive me also for classifying the HdM Le Hoyo du Depute as a Minuto or Perla. Technically, it's a Trabucos on account of its 38 ring gauge.

So, this is the first cigar from a nine-and-a-half year box and it surprised me for how strong it was for its age. It was minimal in cream and cocoa, yet dominant in its woodiness, floral notes and spice (at times). By comparison, I've had Rafael Gonzalez Perlas and Montecristo No.5s aged under three years that were lighter than this HdM Le Hoyo du Depute today.

At least the question of expiry is a mute one. This box has many years of 'legs' on it.  I don't think it will be seven years until I re-visit it.

[JohnS]

Sancho Panza Belicosos UTL May 2018

The Sancho Panza Belicosos is officially the only vitola left in regular production within the Sancho Panza marca nowadays. Okay, so the Non Plus keeps getting periodical runs after officially being deleted so who knows what Habanos S.A. is doing with that vitola? In the meantime, we at least know that the Belicosos is still around.

I acquired this box at a time in 2018 when the SP Belicosos was "smoking hot" and was in strong demand via 24:24 listings on our forum. The cigar had enjoyed somewhat of a revival on our forum since 2016, and rightly so, as some examples I had smoked around that period were uniformly excellent.

So fast-forward seven years and here we are today with this first cigar from this newly opened box. How was it? It was all quality wood and salt, with a hint of floral notes, some caramel and a marshmallow texture. I couldn't envisage it being any better in the way it smoked so superbly.

There's a saying, amongst our circles, that for a cigar to age well it first has to be smoking well in its youthful stages. This Sancho Panza Belicosos was ample proof of that, today.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Specially Selected RAE Abr 2015

I've enjoyed my fair share of Ramon Allones cigars over the years, including the Small Club Coronas, Gigantes, Superiores, Regional Editions such as the Asia-Pacific Celestiales Finos and Limited Editions such as the Club Allones. In fact, my Smoking Diary on Cuban Cigar Website states that I've smoked eighty-two Ramon Allones cigars in the last eight-and-a-half years (some eleven of these were given away), but only one of these was a Ramon Allones Specially Selected. That RASS was from the FoH 2018 Xmas Sampler and believe me, it was a veritable powerhouse.

So it's no surprise I waited ten years before having the first Ramon Allones Specially Selected from this box. And even at this stage of its development, this RASS still had some "oomph" to it, so-to-speak. There was enough fruit and nut to suggest that these flavours had delineated more over time to make themselves more noticeable, but there was also a strong presence of coffee, earth and leather. And the smoke output? Well, let's just say that if I got anymore per puff, the neighbours would have called for the local fire department to investigate what was going on in my backyard.

Still, I enjoyed this RASS as a change-of-pace, but when it comes to a Robusto, I'd still reach for a Partagas Serie D No.4, Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 or even a Cohiba Robustos before I would reach for a ten year-old Ramon Allones Specially Selected like this one. No complaints, however. I'm glad I have this around in my humidor so I at least have a choice, an option for something different every now-and-then.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especiales No.2 REG Abr 2018

I've had only one Montecristo Especiales No.2 in the last four years, and that was during the launch for El Habano Moderno in mid-2023. It goes without saying that I was looking forward to today's Monte Especiales No.2.

For many years the Montecristo line, founded by Alonso Menendez in 1935 and named after the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, had just the famous five cigars in its line-up (i.e. the No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4 and No.5) but after the Cuban Cigar industry was nationalised in the early 60s, Jose Manuel Gonzalez, a top grade torcedor promoted to factory manager after Menendez left Cuba, fatefully introduced the Montecristo Especial, Especiales No.2 and Joyitas to the marca. Today Montecristo has been expanded to twenty-six regular production cigars.

The Montecristo Especiales No.2 is a Laguito No.2-sized cigar with a pigtail, 38 ring gauge and is 152 mm or 6 inches in length (the same size as the Cohiba Coronas Especiales). Because of the pigtail, I dispense with a normal cutter on this cigar and I tend to use a 'Cuban cut', which is a simple method of dispensing with a cigar cap from the head by using one's thumbnail, albeit carefully.

This Monte Especiales No.2 had a nice colorado claro shade wrapper, but the draw was a tad tight throughout. The flavours were fantastic though; typical for what you'd expect for a Monte Especiales No.2 aged seven years. These were a combination of milk coffee, cocoa, almond nut, cream, baking spice and citrus twang and they were great from beginning to end; albeit, the last third was more intense in coffee and spice.

If I could, I would reach for a Montecristo Especiales No.2 more often. Alas, I have plenty of other cigars to explore and I'd much rather this box rest for a few more years yet.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos EML Sep 2014

The Por Larranaga Montecarlos is a 33 ring gauge x 159 mm (or 6¼ inches) in length cigar commonly considered a 'forum favourite' on our forum...you know, a cigar that has many admirers for providing value for money when it comes to its smoking performance.

I believe that the Por Larranaga Montecarlos is the cigar I have the most of in my inventory, followed by the San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe. Why those two cigars in particular? I think it's due to the fact that I'm a veritable 'sweet-tooth' and the appeal of one of these cigars that delivers on-point is highly desirable each time I reach for these two sticks.

Unlike the greater majority of LGR Oct 17 PL Montecarlos I smoked, which I classify as amongst the best cigars I've had in a box purchase, this cigar today was not characterised by its beautiful hit of sweet, refined caramel. Indeed, this is always the one characteristic that I look for whenever I smoke this cigar. Rather, as this is the first cigar from a well-rested nine-and-a-half year box, this PL Montecarlos was defined instead by its mellowed concoction of wood and coffee, with some hints of toffee sweetness.

In regards to construction, this PL Montecarlos at least burned consistently well and didn't need re-lights.

The adage when it comes to Por Larranaga cigars that they need five to eight years to mature is certainly a generalisation. Well, I can state that this may be more true of the PL Petit Coronas than the PL Montecarlos in that the PL Petit Coronas does need more time. Yet this PL Montecarlos stick, aged nearly ten years, wasn't over-flowing in its caramel. Yet, I've had PL Montecarlos less than three years old that were. Maybe the next one I have from my humidor across four box codes will be 'full of caramel', so-to-speak. It's why I keep coming back to them.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo III PUR Nov 2016

The Siglo III is and remains my favourite of the Linea 1492 series. The reason is simple, the vitola is 42 ring gauge by 155 mm (or 6.1 inches) in length and that, I feel, is the ideal cigar size for me. This was the first cigar I've had since I recently opened this late-2016 box.

The Linea 1492 series was announced in November 1992 as the new line of Cohiba intended to replace the premium Davidoff Chateau series which concluded in 1991. When these cigars did hit the market (in 1994), the Cohiba Siglo III, a Coronas Grandes cigar with a 42 ring gauge x 155 mm (or 6⅛ inches) length was the replacement cigar for the Davidoff Château Mouton Rothschild cigar in the Chateau series.

Today, the Cohiba Siglo III is only one of two regular production Coronas Grandes cigars in existence (the other is the Montecristo Tubos). The last one deleted from Habanos S.A's catalogue, the highly-regarded cigar enthusiast favourite, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux was discontinued in 2014 but most Coronas Grandes-sized cigars were discontinued in the early-2000s soon after Habanos S.A. was 50% acquired by Altidis in 2000.

It's long been said on our forum that Cohiba is a marca that benefits from long-term aging (think five years and over) but, of late, I've noted that Cohiba has smoked well a lot younger (and I'm talking about Cohiba manufactured post-2019). Also, the Cohiba brand has been noted for its herbal qualities since its inception to the consumer market in the 1980s, yet I feel that recent Cohiba hasn't had as much herbal element in their cigars in comparison to Cohiba pre-2015. When I mention herbal flavours, I am referring of course to the quintessential Cohiba grass/hay. Grass indicates that the herbal flavour is sharper and more distinct in the blend, hay indicates that the herbal flavour is rounder and more melded.

With this late-2016 Cohiba Siglo III, the Cohiba grass/hay was more in line with Linea 1492 series cigars I smoked from the mid-2000s until the mid-2010s. There was a bit of honey and citrus, however; the main flavours were definitely the butter, grass/hay and creaminess. It was simply superb. I consider myself fortunate to have this box in my humidor, based on how well this smoked.

I smoked this as far as I could take it. For its age, this Cohiba Siglo III truly was an exquisite and exemplary example of how great Cohiba can be when it is 'on song', like it was today.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo VI EAG Jun 2015

If the Cohiba Siglo VI is considered a 'special occasion' cigar, then surely Habanos S.A's price re-structuring in mid-2022 has solidified this reputation even further. After all, consider the outlay: $US120 or $AUD200 at the present time for a Cohiba Siglo VI. Will Cohiba have a market left after a spate of price increases in the last two-and-a-half years or so? I must say that yes, I believe it will. After all, someone out there is still buying them!

My last Cohiba Siglo VI I had, around eighteen months ago, was ideal in its balance of flavours and construction. I happily nubbed it. In the exact same way as my last three Siglo VIs began, from the very first puff I took of it, I immediately was overwhelmed at how fantastically this smoked in the first third. In simple terms, it smoked like I was eating a honey-flavoured biscuit (or cookie).

In the middle third, the cigar picked up a little in its mocha coffee, but not too much, as that dominant honey flavour was very much at the core of this cigar in its smoking.

The final third continued in much the same vein as the middle third. Of course, I again nubbed this Siglo VI far as it could go, right to my fingertips.

Thankfully, this was my first Cohiba Siglo VI left from this 25-count box. The last three examples of these Siglo VIs from my previous ARG Jun 2015 box smoked superbly (and incidentally, in the same way flavour-wise and construction-wise) and this new EAG Jun 2015 example ostensibly has taken up where the last one left off, so-to-speak. I took one hour and fifty minutes to smoke this today. It might have been one hell of an expensive cigar, but in my mind, it was well worth it!

[BONJIN]

  On 3/16/2025 at 6:28 AM, JohnS said:

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 URT Abr 2023

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2. The question is...Why start this year's blog series with this cigar? Well, there's a few reasons. Firstly, it's the only Robustos-sized cigar that was manufactured prior to the Cuban Revolution that is still in production. Okay, so the Partagas Serie D No.4 was around too; although, it was re-launched with a Robustos size in 1975. Secondly, it's a highly popular cigar. Compared to the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1, sales don't even compare, even after 'cigarmageddon' in mid-2022. There's a reason why the HdM Epicure No.2 is still available in a 50 cab for purchase and the HdM Epicure No.1 is not. Thirdly, I was running low on this cigar and I had to colloquially 'bite the bullet' and acquire a box at a price that doesn't rapport well to the price I used to pay. I guess we all know what that feels like.

Since cigarmageddon, Habanos S.A. has adjusted pricing sharply upwards across all its lines at various rates. I just wish the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 and Partagas Serie D No.4 wasn't changed so much. I don't expect any discounts on these two cigars anytime soon as they sell and smoke so well, in general. I wish I had acquired more of these two cigars prior to mid-2022. No doubt, you do too!

This was the second cigar from a recent acquisition. Like the very best Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2s, it was well-balanced in its light milky cocoa, cedar, light cream texture and vanilla maltiness on the edges. I think this is why I keep coming back to this cigar.

One day the cigars from this box will run out. Then I will have a real dilemma on my hands!

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Awesome review, thanks for sharing!

 

[JohnS]

Punch Punch ALO Mar 2016

From 2015 to 2017, the Punch Punch enjoyed a revival on our forum. So much so, it actually became a forum favourite. At that time, from what I can recall, Punch Punch during this period had been quite approachable despite its youthfulness. Prior to this, I recall having Punch Punch from 2014 and earlier that was woody and flavourless, or alternatively, there was a sense of 'wet' leather to them that indicated the need for resting. But that Punch Punch from 2015 to 2017, which I really enjoyed, excelled in its combination of cedar and spiced cream at a medium to medium-mild strength.

By comparison, I've also enjoyed Punch Punch in the last few years that has dated from mid-2020 that was equally as brilliant but very different in its blend. These cigars tended to have a combination of cedar, leather, sour cream and 'Cuban Twang' which frankly made them irresistible. So, since it's been some time since I've had Punch Punch from the mid-2010s, my recent 2020 Punch Punch has very much influenced my experience of them.

This was the first cigar from a 50-count cab of early-2016 Punch Punch. From the very first puff, I had forgotten how much clove these could have in the past. Certainly there was some cedar, cream and leather there, but that clove was unmistakable; it's just that I haven't had that in a Punch Punch for years. After nine years of rest, the strength was more akin to mild-medium but the cigar was still medium-bodied, which made it quite easy to smoke.

A year after I acquired this box Habanos S.A. discontinued production of the Punch Punch (and Punch Double Coronas) in 50 cabs. What a shame, as these 50 cabs have traditionally been ideal for long-term aging within the circles of our cigar community. As for me, yes...I enjoyed this cigar, but I know that having so many left in the box augurs well for resting these even longer. Not all of them, mind you, as I will re-visit this box this year, but I'm glad I have the option to explore these further well down the track. Say, five years or so as a minimum.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Churchills ESL Jun 2017

The Romeo y Julieta Churchill has been a standout cigar for me, in general, in the last few years. For a few years before 2015/16, I would say that this definitely wasn't the case; after all, I can recall my fair share of tasteless, bland toasted tobacco RyJ Churchills. Afterwards, the opposite may be true; I have had a great number of excellent RyJ Churchills, mostly replete with delicious fruity flavours.

I enjoyed four Romeo y Julieta Churchills in a two-month period in mid-2021 but I've only had five or six since then. (Technically speaking, it may be seven or eight as I'm not including the 2007 Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anejados I've had in the meantime - and they have been fantastic, especially for an Anejados release!) I think the unavailability of this cigar in 2022/23, amidst the supply issues and prices changes for Habanos S.A., may have some bearing on my current reticence to light up a RyJ Churchills as often as I did in the past. That, and the current pricing when I want to re-stock!

Fortunately, I've had this mid-2017 box resting, which I acquired in 2018 at a time when the Romeo y Julieta Churchills' reputation was on the 'upswing' on our forum. This was the first cigar that I had from that box.

This RyJ Churchill had oxidisation on the band, but that didn't dissuade me from smoking it as I knew that it wouldn't affect the smoking taste of the cigar. The construction was consistent in ash-lengths and burn.

In terms of taste, this particular example was brilliant. That ever-reliable cherry fruitiness, together with some baking spice, made it simply outstanding. Along the way there was also some rosewater essence and dried cocoa, but that didn't detract from the initial flavours which stayed on-point well into the last third. The only difference I noted from my last few RyJ Churchills was that the notable tobacco flavours in the back half weren't as strong this time, which makes sense as this cigar is now approaching its eighth year of age.

The flavour combination was consistent over 2 hours and 10 minutes of smoking time, and I had no hesitation in nubbing this as far as I could go.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Sir Winston ROM May 2017

In case you aren't privy to such knowledge, apart from the fact that the H.Upmann Sir Winston is considered amongst Habanos enthusiasts as a premium, 'classy' cigar, the HU Sir Winston is a highly sought after vitola on account of its seasonal production regimen. It's made only when the ingredients (i.e the leaves) are ready and is only available for months at a time when released (usually), when thereafter the HU Sir Winston goes into a production hiatus until the next time it's produced.

Of late, I've had two sticks in 2020, one in 2021 and one in late 2023 which came from an EOS Jul 2019 quarter box acquisition in January 2020. This was the first cigar I enjoyed from this mid-2017 box.

Unlike more potent H.Upmann offerings such as the Magnum series, H. Upmann No.2 and Petit Corona, I've generally found the Sir Winston more approachable when young, but even more desirable with age. Much like the last time I smoked an H.Upmann Sir Winston, this had coffee and nut throughout, but there was very little evidence of H.Upmann shortbread and a cream texture. Whereas I've had HU Sir Winstons with notes of cinnamon spice, this had more white pepper. This was less intense in strength and body than what I've been accustomed to in the past. By the middle third until the end the cigar had more prominent leather notes. I would describe the nuttiness as being akin to a combination of roasted almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

I finished this after two hours and fifteen minutes. My last few H.Upmann Sir Winstons smoked in 2020 and 2021 were sweet, slightly-caramel and creamy cappuccino-like, generally speaking. This was nowhere near as sweet, but admittingly still very good. There was no doubt it was still a quality cigar, judging by its construction, burning and flavours.

What a great way to spend a pleasant afternoon, enjoying a churchill-sized cigar such as this one! I am now curious as to how the next cigar from the box will smoke. No doubt it won't be long until I find out, I think!

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos Bushido 2014 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico EML Nov 2014

The tapered head on this special Asia Pacifico Regional Edition tells you that this is a quality cigar. They were a big hit when they first came out in 2015, they were practically sold out by the beginning of 2016, so how are they in 2025?

My last Diplomaticos Bushido I enjoyed around four years ago was mild and easy to smoke and retrohale. The flavours were reminiscent of light coffee and cream, aged cedar, sourdough, capsicum and paprika spice, with these last two latter flavours the main dominant ones consistent throughout the cigar.

Fast forward to the present time and the flavours had melded further. The cigar had taken on a less complex nature, but this was no criticism of how it smoked. In contrast, it was great. There was very little hint of any savoury notes of capsicum or bell pepper or paprika spice. Rather, this Diplomaticos Bushidos had a very light milk coffee, aged cedar, sourdough and berries blend which made it a pure delight to smoke over two hours and twenty minutes on a pleasant Autumn's afternoon.

I wonder how many cigar enthusiasts still even have this highly reputable Asia-Pacifico Regional Edition on-hand after ten years? I wouldn't think too many. I guess I'm lucky I'm one of them.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Lanceros UAO Dic 2017

In 1963 Fidel's Castro's personal bodyguard, Bienvenido ‘Chico’ Perez, offered him a fuma (a cigar rolled by a torcedor for personal use) which was rolled by Perez's friend, Eduardo Riviera. Fidel loved the fine quality of the cigar so much that he had Rivera appointed as his personal roller. Under Rivera’s supervision, the El Laguito factory was established in a grand mansion in the suburbs of Havana in 1964. The Lanceros was known at this point as an unnamed brand Laguito No.1 until the brand was named Cohiba in 1966 and it was referred to as the Cohiba Lanceros from 1969 onwards. Thereafter, the Cohiba brand became known as the personal brand favourite of Castro, high government officials, and to give as diplomatic gifts.

In fact, the vitola (38 ring gauge x 192 mm or 7½ inches) lends itself to a reputable size in Habanos cigar history. Other cigars which had, or have this size currently, have been the Bolivar Especiales, El Rey del Mundo Grandes de Espana, Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1, Montecristo Especial and Davidoff No.1. The Trinidad Fundadores is the same length but has a slightly larger 40 ring gauge.

This was the first cigar from a box I have rested for seven years. The first third started with coffee, that distinctive Cohiba grass/hay and some honey. The middle third picked up in that grass/hay so that the smoked took on herbal qualities, whilst the last third saw those herbal flavours remain until the end and continue to strengthen. It was very reminiscent of lemongrass and not what I was expecting from this cigar after seven years of rest.

The main difference between this Cohiba Lanceros smoked at seven years of age and other Lanceros I've smoked in the past at ten to fifteen years and over was the baking spice, softer mocha coffee flavours and more defined vanilla bean prevalent in those older examples. Oh, and those hints of honey. You really want that honey profile to shine through when you smoke an aged Cohiba Lanceros. Trust me!

[JohnS]

Rafael González Petit Coronas SOM Ene 2017

A Deep Dive topic on the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas on our forum, at the beginning of 2023, revealed two schools of thought on this cigar. One; it's a complex and subtle melange of sweet and savoury flavours which surpasses the Montecristo No.4 in class as a Petit Coronas or two; it's bland and undistinguished, unworthy of comparing to the Sancho Panza Non Plus even in how basic it aspires to be. The link to the topic can be accessed below:

My last five Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas I've smoked (in the last two-and-a-half years) have been all sensational. The one before those was a disappointment because it was not as balanced in its flavours as I would have liked it to be. It had cocoa, wood and some dried fruit to it but it lacked that subtle honey sweetness and at times it was too 'Earthy' for my liking. I suppose the balance between the sweet and savoury flavours of the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas is quite small, which supports the view that it a cigar that can encapsulate the notion of subtlety.

This particular Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas was again excellent. It had a mild, soft cocoa, baking spice, dried fruit and honey core flavour in the first third. After that, there was a distinct earthiness, like all my recent Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas, and in fact, it wasn't that sweet at all. Rather, it continued on after the first third with a notable floral presence which was magnificent, together with a walnut-inspired feel on the palate.

This time the draw was ideal, the ash was a bright white (which suggests that tobacco came from a soil more nutritious in magnesium and/or calcium than normal) and the cigar was easy to smoke down with little effort. This Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas was indeed a complex and subtle blend of sweet and savoury flavours which easily exceeded the average Montecristo No.4 in its quality. I promise you, I feel like lighting up another one right now just thinking about it!