JohnS' Smoking Diary 2025

[loose_axle]

On 5/15/2025 at 5:40 PM, JohnS said:

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!

This is good to know thanks John. I opened my CoLas last year at the 3 year mark for a special occasion but they weren't up to scratch. I was thinking of testing them again in about 10 years but the plan is to leave the majority of the box another 15-20 years. I also really don't like Cohiba when they go lemongrass/ vegueros flavour profile on you. 

[99call]

On 5/15/2025 at 8:41 AM, JohnS said:

floral presence which was magnificent, together with a walnut-inspired feel on the palate.

This is my favourite thing about the RGPC.  It's got that great foundation and spine of flavours, but this overlay of florals and nuttiness is what really elevates them for me. It breaks my heart when people say they are bland or uninteresting. 

[JohnS]

On 5/18/2025 at 6:45 AM, loose_axle said:

This is good to know thanks John. I opened my CoLas last year at the 3 year mark for a special occasion but they weren't up to scratch. I was thinking of testing them again in about 10 years but the plan is to leave the majority of the box another 15-20 years. I also really don't like Cohiba when they go lemongrass/ vegueros flavour profile on you. 

So true. I concur with you here.

23 hours ago, 99call said:

This is my favourite thing about the RGPC.  It's got that great foundation and spine of flavours, but this overlay of florals and nuttiness is what really elevates them for me. It breaks my heart when people say they are bland or uninteresting. 

Yes, when they are like this, they definitely transcend to 'another level' for me also.

[JohnS]

Partagás Lusitanias OBM Abr 2016

The Double Coronas is a vitola with a 49 ring gauge and 194 mm or 7⅝ inches length. It typically takes a long time to smoke, somewhere in the vicinity of two-and-a-half hours or more. Of the Double Coronas in regular production in the current Habanos catalogue, I would believe that the Partagas Lusitanias is rated the highest among our members. Of the remaining three, the question of what would be second is a subjective one. I wrote in my last review on this cigar that perhaps I would guess it would be the Ramon Allones Gigantes (a cigar that of recent times has been speculated as a candidate for possible discontinuation) and I still hold this view. I would surmise further that the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas and Punch Double Coronas may not receive as much acclamation because they've been more scarce in availability in comparison to the Partagas Lusitanias and Ramon Allones Gigantes in the last five years or more. (Although I have noticed the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas more readily available in 2024.)

At the present time, this may all represent a discussion that is quite hypothetical due to the downturn in current production of Habanos cigars in 2022. You see, since Habanos S.A announced their new pricing re-structure and diminished output in mid-2022, any four of these Double Coronas have been, at different times, nigh on impossible to acquire. And in my opinion, this has had a direct affect on the consumption habits of cigar enthusiasts currently as even prior to 2022 there was a reticence to smoke a Double Corona cigar owing to the commitment of time required to do so. Now, it represents a significant opportunity cost. Exactly how do I replace my stock if I smoke one?

This is my first Partagas Lusitanias from a 10-count OBM Abr 2016 box. The flavours in this cigar were remarkably constant from beginning to end. Partagas sourdough, milk coffee and leather. The only difference I would note from the mid-2018 and mid-2019 Partagas Lusitanias, which I have been smoking in the last three years or so, would be the fact that this cigar was more dominant in milk coffee, whereas those Lusis had more of a sourdough favour, in general. There was also no paprika spice whatsoever here and it was quite generous in its caramel-like sweetness (what El Pres lists as nougat). 

Construction-wise, all my UEB Jun 2018 Partagas Lusitanias, for example, have struggled to maintain a one-inch ash, but this OBR Abr 2016 example held its ash very well. This was a satisfying smoke over two-and-a-quarter hours. After smoking it, I question whether I should have bought another 10-count box of the same box code, at the very least. On the other hand, it's not really a question. I definitely 100% should have!

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Gigantes TES Dic 2015

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 usually requires a minimum of 2 hours to smoke (or often more). 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.

The advent of the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, along with the subsequent rationalisation of the Habanos cigar industry in mid-2022 made fears of discontinuation amongst Double Coronas and Churchills-sized cigars a moot point. Frankly, we barely saw any available in last twenty-four to thirty-six months or so. Thankfully, in last twelve to eighteen months, Churchills and Double Coronas-sized cigars started to be reproduced and made available for acquisition. For these reasons, I've only had three Ramon Allones Gigantes in the last four years! Incredible! 

This Gigantes was the first from a TES Dic 2015 box. It had a wonderful combination of cocoa, light coffee and raisin and this was the way it stayed again pretty much throughout. If you want complexity, I'd suggest looking elsewhere as I find the Gigantes has a set of typical flavours which stay consistent all the way from beginning to end. A few notes of difference though, my third-to-last one I smoked a few years ago had a hint of a marshmallow texture to the draw on the palate which became 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. This particular RA Gigantes certainly had its raisin notes taste more akin to dried fruits. 

The construction on this cigar was quite excellent, I did not need any touch-ups or re-lights. It took me two-and-a-half hours to smoke, which was a little faster than the last one I smoked twelve months ago, which you'd surely agree, is quite a long time to smoke a cigar!

In my last review on an ABO Ene 2019 Ramon Allones Gigantes, I mentioned that I had an unopened box of TES Dic 2015 ready to explore at some point in the future...perhaps in 2025! I'm so glad I kept to my word after smoking this first cigar from that box!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Siglo I ROM 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. 

The Linea 1492 series was famously introduced in 1992 to replace the Davidoff Chateaux Series as a premium marca. The five Siglo cigars had correlating Davidoff Chateaux vitolas, with the Cohiba Siglo I replacing the identically-sized Davidoff Chateau Haut-Brion. 

This was the first Cohiba Siglo I smoked from a ROM Nov 2015 box recently opened in its tenth year. Yes, I know that's a long time to wait but I had other Habanos cigars; even other Cohiba Siglo I's, to preoccupy me in the meantime. It was self-evident from the first puff that this Cohiba Siglo I had diminished in its strength of coffee flavours and has since become sweeter, with some real nice honey and vanilla notes. It still had some spice on the edges, but that was nowhere near as potent as I imagine it would have been in its first three years (that is, if I had smoked a cigar from this box then).

Yes, this was another brilliant example of a Cohiba Siglo I smoked over 55 to 60 minutes. However, for its current price, I would hesitate to replace this cigar in my humidor in the future when supplies run out. I imagine the same scenario would play out amongst our fellow cigar enthusiasts. If you are going to commit to buying a box of Cohiba nowadays, you aren't likely to buy a box of Cohiba Siglo I or Cohiba Siglo II. Rather, it would make more sense to splurge on some Cohiba Robustos or Cohiba Siglo VIs. Enjoy your Cohiba Siglo I and II while (and if) you have them, I say!

[JohnS]

Trinidad Reyes APU Dic 2014

If I had to hazard to guess which combination of marcas and vitolas were most impacted from the large-scale price rises within the Habanos cigar industry in mid-2022 (colloquialised as 'Cigarmageddon'), I would say it would be cigars such as the Cohiba Siglo I and Siglo II, Montecristo No.4 and No.5 and Trinidad Reyes. Firstly, those smaller-sized cigars in length just can't justify their large increases in price and secondly, if one has a budget to outlay their cigar purchases, then there are other Habanos cigars to look at first. Which is a shame, as those cigars I've cited above are the types I personally would always want to have on hand in my humidor.

Be that as it may, I can't say that I smoked the Trinidad Reyes that often prior to cigarmageddon or even the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the last time I had a Trinidad Reyes was six years ago in 2019; and the one before that was in 2017. Oh well, I am fortunate to have this ten year-old box on hand to open from today and savour that Trinidad complexity I still remember oh so clearly.

Again, from the very first puff after I lit up, the combined flavours reminded me just how great this cigar can be.They were milk or creamed coffee, grass/hay, floral notes and a little honey sweetness. Along the way there was even some wood, earth and spice to compliment the core flavours I got in the opening. Of course I nubbed this after 60 minutes of smoking pleasure.

I'm still unlikely to replace this box after I finish it as I have other Habanos marcas to keep me busy. I'm just intend to enjoy this box for as long as I can!

[JohnS]

Partagás Shorts AUM May 2015

The Partagas Shorts is a highly popular minuto amongst Cigar Enthusiasts but for some reason I've never taken to them like some other smaller Habanos cigars, such as the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe, Montecristo No.5 or Rafael Gonzalez Perlas, for example. 

In late-2016/early-2017 I went through a three year-old 25 count of Partagas Shorts in just under six months. Since then I've had two gifted to me, the last around four years ago. It's funny how trends change over time, isn't it?

This was the first Partagas Shorts from a 50 count box I have rested for ten years. (Yes, ten years!) It had some Partagas sourdough and leather coming together, together with some coffee but I found the paprika spice was very much still its core flavour, especially in the back half. Unlike previous examples that I've smoked four or five years ago that were younger, that spice did not overwhelm my palate sufficiently to prevent me from smoking this cigar to its conclusion. In fact, I did so over 55 to 60 minutes.

You see, even though today's Partagas Shorts was not as balanced in its flavours as I would have liked (as I would have preferred a touch less paprika spice still), I've smoked enough Partagas Shorts to know that the next one from the box may differ still, and that is why I'm willing to coming back to them.

[JohnS]

H.Upmann Magnum 56 2015 - Edición Limitada TOS Dic 2015

The H.Upmann Magnum 56 was a Limited Edition release from 2015. It has a vitola unique only to itself amongst Habanos cigars; that is, it is 56 ring gauge x 150 millimetres (or 5⅞ inches) in length. Upon release, it didn't take long for it to become quite popular. This success led to another special release in 2019 of a ceramic jar of 20 cigars. (Although this release didn't come to market until late 2020.)

Around 2017 I lit up one of these behemoth 2015 Limited Editions and remarked what a quality release it was. The cigar was smooth, mild and full of subtle flavours of chocolate, white pepper, Upmann shortbread, spice and licorice. I surmised at the time that this cigar will only get better, anticipating a 'peak window' in the three to five year period. 

So why leave it until now to open the box? Quite simply, I had put this TOS Dic 2015 H.Upmann Magnum 56 Limited Edition box to the side and had enjoyed a number of other Habanos marcas and vitolas in the meantime.

The question of Limited Editions has changed since the first ones were released in 2000. Back then, there were four or five annual releases and they cost close to their regular production counterparts. From 2005 to 2019 the releases were reset to three annually and their pricing began to differ greatly from normal Habanos cigars. From 2020 onwards only nine releases have been announced and five or six released at the time of writing this review. Suffice to say, since the program was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, the lustre of the Limited Edition program have never regained its traction, in my view.

Another view is that Limited Editions have long had special wrappers which have imparted a chocolate taste upon the cigar and has impacted its longevity in terms of its "peak" window. Personally speaking, I don't espouse to this view. I guess the cigar enthusiasts who continue to buy 2014 Cohiba Robustos Supremos and 2015 H.Upmann Magnum 56s on auction sites such as Bond Roberts don't either.

With this particular H.Upmann Magnum 56, the cold draw was a little loose on account of its age. The first third revealed that its body was still very much intact. In other words, there was plenty of flavour. Think of coffee, leather, light chocolate, wood, white pepper and some licorice sweetness on the edges. 

The second third settled with those core flavours joined by a shortbread/hay combination. There is quite a bit of smoke output per puff and the pepper is evident into the final third, but in terms of balance this cigar is still 'quality', that's for sure.

With its consistent ash and burn, and with the benefit of age, the cigar took me about 100 minutes to smoke (which is about 30 to 40 minutes shorter than what it used to in its youth). The question of its expiry is a moot point. The fact is that it definitely hasn't and it's still quite smokeable as it approaches its tenth year.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Robustos MUO May 2015

There was once a time when Robustos were the exceptional cigar in one's inventory. For example, Simon Chase commented in an interview with Nic Wing in 2015 that the Partagas Serie D No.4 sold a total of 5000 boxes in the mid-eighties worldwide. Even up to that point (i.e. in the mid-1980s) there were only four, yes four Robusto (i.e. 50 ring gauge x 124 mm or 4⅞ inches in length) vitolas available. These were the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2, the Bolivar Royal Coronas, the Partagas Serie D No.4 and the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. The Cohiba Robustos itself wasn't released until 1989. Soon after, the Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 was released in the early-90s. No, it wasn't until the 2000s that Robustos started to get more popular. In the 1980s and prior they were just thought of as very large ring gauge cigars, an anomaly, if you will.

Today, the robustos vitola simply sells. In the last decade the Partagas Serie D No.4 has via communal consensus moved past the Montecristo No.4 as the number one selling Habanos cigar in the world today.

This was the first Cohiba Robustos I smoked from this MUO May 2015 box. It must seem crazy to let a box like this one rest for ten years prior to 'cracking' it open. In my view, this only happens in one instance...simply put, it happens when cigar enthusiasts have stocked up on their inventory, have a settled rotation of standard cigars to smoke, and they leave supplementary stock to rest and age. Otherwise, it's impossible to resist the temptation, no?

This Cohiba Robusto had a scrumptious buttered texture, a honey sweetness, some vanilla essence and lemon citrus too. In terms of its mocha coffee, this has decreased in strength over time and subsequently made the honey and vanilla sweetness in the cigar more evident. If you love Cohiba as a marca, or even just this cigar, this is how you want your Cohiba to be.

So, age has not diminished the body or quality of flavours in this cigar at all, even if the strength of the cigar has. I'm confident I can get value out of this box for many years yet!

[JohnS]

H.Upmann Connossieur A 2013 - Especialista en Habanos y La Casa del Habano Exclusivo LUB Abr 2015

The H.Upmann Connossieur A is a Habanos Specialist Exclusive release. The program was developed in 2012. Although recent releases within this program have not been too noteworthy or popular of late, perhaps due to increased pricing (e.g. the Cohiba Novedosos, Montecristo Herederos, Partagás Aliados and Romeo y Julieta Cupidos), the initial releases within this program certainly were popular amongst enthusiasts and better known (e.g. H.Upmann Connossieur A, Por Larranaga Picadores No.1, Punch Punch 48 and H.Upmann Connossieur B). The H.Upmann Connossieur A was the second release in this program in 2013 after the San Cristóbal de la Habana Torreon in 2012.

There seems to be some confusion as to the proper spelling of this release. Well, the original H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1, a pre-1960 release, carries the correct spelling for the word 'connoisseur' in English and comes from the identical French word, "connaisseur" which means 'specialist' or 'expert'. The adage goes that the H.Upmann Connossieur A got its spelling due to an error on the packaging at the time of its release. Personally, I would be inclined to believe it. All subsequent releases within the H.Upmann marca have carried this misspelling, including the H.Upmann Connossieur B in 2018 and the H.Upmann Connossieur 2 in 2021.

The H.Upmann Connossieur A, upon its release in 2013 had and continues to be amongst the most critically-rated cigars on our forum. The reasons for its reputed excellence were firstly; its construction, in drawing well and avoiding burn issues (well, at least a lot less than other Cuban cigars) and secondly, they deliver in flavours on a consistent basis and those flavours come from a marca that is a favourite amongst enthusiasts, that being H.Upmann. This H.Upmann Connossieur A was the first cigar from a box rested ten years. I've had some superlatives examples of this cigar in the past, but it has been nearly five years since I last smoked it.

When younger, the H.Upmann Connossieur A is noted for its typical H.Upmann coffee, shortbread and nuttiness, but this ten year-old example had minimal or muted aspects of those flavours. Rather, the cedar, leather and cream texture made this cigar noteworthy from beginning to end. In the back half there was a little white pepper on the edges (which is another flavour somewhat typical for H.Upmann releases), but this only enhanced the cigar in my view.

After smoking this cigar today, I would think that I will be returning to it sometime soon. Age has not wearied this cigar whatsoever, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe EML Feb 2015

I know I stated that my intentions for this year's 2025 smoking blog was to not include multiple iterations of one of my favourite Habanos cigars, the San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe, but this particular example comes from a ten year-old box so I consider it of interest to review. So despite the fact that I've had excellent examples from my TOS Jun 2016, LGR Jun 2018, LGR Jun 2019 and BRM May 2022 boxes of late, it's this EML Feb 2015 box that we'll be discussing.

So whereas the best San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipes, within this smoking blog series over the years, have been noted for their beautiful pancake-texture, cocoa, coffee and molasses flavours, this particular specimen, for its age, was not quite like that. Instead, the cigar opened with a strong note of baking spice and molasses. It's cocoa, coffee and pancake elements were muted by comparison and it was nowhere near as sweet on the palate as other younger SCdLH El Principe I've had recently. Nevertheless, it didn't mean that this older SCdLH was any less outstanding or remarkable. On the contrary, despite it being quite different, in my view it certainly was.

At its very best, the San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe is pancake-textured. So, when its dominated by a baking spice and molasses core it simply means that it has entered its long-term stage of development. Sure, I love my SCdLH El Principes to be pancake-textured throughout, but I'd be happy to smoke these aged versions anytime. In my opinion, a lack of pancake texture does not indicate that the cigar has expired or gone past its peak.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Fundadores RAG Dic 2017

When it comes to the Trinidad Fundadores, in general, this cigar is considered the flagship of the brand. Prior to 2003 these were produced solely in the El Laguito factory. From 2004 onwards, production was also diverted to the Francisco Donatien factory, due to greater demand. Trinidad Fundadores from 1998 to 2003 is generally considered the best of its kind, especially the original run of 1997-98.

Prior to the advent of the 2019 50th anniversary regular production additions to the Trinidad marca (i.e. the Media Luna, Esmeralda and Topes), the Trinidad Fundadores was considered the 'hot' cigar of the brand, in terms of smoking, of course. Around this time, I acquired a RAG Dic 2017 box of Trinidad Fundadores to store and age, but otherwise I have enjoyed around a combined fourteen ARS and RAG '17/'18 and '19 box code cigars in the last seven years.

I've found that these ARS and RAG box code Fundadores to have more of a milk coffee and dough combination, unlike the more savoury and complex wood, grass, honey, coffee flavours I've picked up in Trinidad cigars that I've smoked in the past.

This was the first cigar from this RAG Dic 2017 box and as usual, I unwound the pig-tail on this Trinidad Fundadores and this time I found the draw on-point. I mention this as the last two times I have smoked this vitola in the last eighteen months or so, I have found the draw a little tight. Unlike that last Trinidad Fundadores I smoked (with a different box code), this cigar opened with a combined coffee, Earth, wood and hay core blend and frankly this savoury group of flavours continued from beginning to end. Sometimes I find Fundadores cigars from this period to pick up in 'woodiness' or 'oak-like' flavours in the last third, and this particular one did so too, but only a touch.

So, in essence, I would have liked to have had that quintessential milk coffee, dough, cake and almond nut flavour combination in this cigar, but it was not to be. Still, there was no issue whatsoever with the body of the cigar. The smoke output and flavours here was quite fulsome.

Unlike the last time I lit up this cigar, I had issues with keeping this cigar alight. This has not been an uncommon problem when it comes to smoking Fundadores for me. Yeah, it's annoying but you get used to it. Funnily enough, I had a rare occurrence whereby there were some bunched leaves above the band, but this didn't last too long or detract from the enjoyment of the cigar.

In summary, this was another flavoursome Fundadores but I have found too many of them over the years with construction issues, for my liking. At current pricing, I'm content to smoke slowly through this box, but I wouldn't entertain the idea of making another acquisition (of this vitola) anytime soon.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Exquisitos Circa 2006

It's been a bit under five years since I've had a Cohiba Exquisitos. At 33 ring gauge x 126 mm (or 5 inches) in length, it doesn't take too long to smoke. This one took me around 35 minutes. Of course, I've had a box of Cohiba Panetelas that I've been smoking through in the meantime. That cigar is 26 ring gauge x 115 mm (or 4½ inches) in length, and takes around 25 to 30 minutes to smoke through, normally. 

The issue I find with these smaller cigars, is unlike similar panatela ring-gauged cigars, (e.g. the Por Larranaga Montecarlos and the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4) when they have a construction fault, they tend to be tightly rolled. Today's Exquisitos was again not like that thankfully, although it did have a little resistance on the draw.

This cigar, despite being almost twenty years old, did not lack in the flavour department whatsoever. You would think that it would have, but no, the cigar started off strong in mocha coffee and that flavour stayed throughout. Along the way there were some caramel notes, some honey and some baking spice too. I've had some similar older examples of this cigar over the years, and frankly this is how I like them, where the Clasica Linea flavours come more to fore and you can get some really nice aged baking spice, which I personally quite like.

And so, this Cohiba Exquisitos was quite fine. Although, when it comes to the Cohiba marca, the current cost would not incline me towards purchasing a box of Exquisitos. It probably wouldn't incline you that way either. 

[JohnS]

Rafael González 88 2016 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico SOM Dic 2016

The Rafael Gonzalez 88 is a 2016 Asia-Pacific Regional Edition release. It stood out at the time for its vitola dimensions, a Británicas Extra at under 50/64ths of an inch ring gauge and was in fact only the second Rafael Gonzalez Regional Edition release other than the 2013 German Petit Piramides. The hype generated by its predecessors, the 2014 Asia-Pacific Diplomaticos Bushidos (and less so the 2015 La Gloria Cubana Revolution) caused a lot of demand from our forum members for the RG88 when it came out eventually in 2017, so much so that supplies for the new release couldn't keep up with demand initially. But then things quickly changed!

You see, much like the 2010 discontinued Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra, this cigar was 'closed' in its flavours in its youthful stages upon release, and the consensus amongst our forum members at that point was that it needed a good five years for it to blossom or 'open up'. Well, it's been around eight-and-a-half years since the release of this cigar and today's cigar is the first one from this 10-count box. It was certainly worth the wait, just to compare again the large difference in how the RG88 smoked in 2017/18.

The number 8 is a number considered lucky in the Chinese Culture, hence the name of this Asia-Pacific release. The cigar is perfecto-shaped, tapered at the head and foot and has a 48 ring gauge x 137 mm or 5⅜ inches length. I smoked a few upon their release in mid-2017 and yes, I felt that they were okay but I concurred that they needed more time. The critical consensus was generally negative but to be fair I felt this occurred because other releases such as the 2014 Diplomaticos Bushidos was so good and the RG88, in comparison, had a lot to live up to in terms of consumer expectation. 

Fast forward to today, mid-2025, and the wise adage that one should give an Asia-Pacific Regional Edition a good five years to develop came to fruition, in my mind, upon the first few puffs of smoking after lighting up. Yes indeed, it was that clearly obvious that this was a different cigar to 2017, but I'll get to that soon. In the meantime, this RG88 had a colorado 'neutral' shade as opposed to some others I've had in the past that have had a darker colorado maduro shade. 

In mid-2017, I found my RG88s to be very light in flavour and body, paradoxically. They tended to have a flavour combination of cocoa, floral notes, honey and nuts but those flavours were indistinctive in the blends of the cigars I sampled back then. In other words, slightly muddled. This RG88, after eight-and-a-half years of course, was light in strength (as all Rafael Gonzalez cigars tend to be) but the body was thankfully light to light-medium and the flavours were simple, yet quite enunciated and expressive. I basically got a combination of cocoa, a touch of earthiness and a floral bouquet that ran through the core of the cigar from beginning to end. In summary, it was much, much better than what I remember in 2017.

It goes without saying that I'm overjoyed with how this cigar smoked after eight-and-a-half years of aging. I'm glad that I've opened this 10-count Rafael Gonzalez 88 box at this stage of its development. I'm confident that it will continue to improve.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Superiores 2010 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo ULA Sep 2014

If I had to put the Ramon Allones on a spectrum according to strength and body, I would put the Ramon Allones Superiores on the other side of the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. That is, the Superiores (commonly abbreviated to RAS) would be on the lighter or milder side and the Specially Selected (commonly abbreviated to RASS) would be on the stronger or fuller side. This ULA Sep 14 RAS, at almost eleven years of age, therefore was atypical for an average Ramon Allones cigar in how light, smooth and soft on the palate it was to smoke.

Everything about this smoke was subtle, pretty much like the last three RAS that I have smoked in the last three years and nine months. The cocoa was light, the typical 'stewed fruit' Ramon Allones profile was light too, and these flavours were complimented by some baking spice, wood and floral notes. In comparison to my last RAS, I would say that there was a notable walnut in the blend this time around (and no evidence of any earthiness). I finished this cigar in seventy-five minutes and what a glorious hour and fifteen minutes it was! 

For me, this was another example of a stupendous Ramon Allones cigar. I could quite easily smoke another from the box just thinking about it! Only, I shouldn't really because this Ramon Allones Superiores was the first one from this particular box and thus I only have nine left. I really need to make them last!

[JohnS]

Fonseca No.1 OEP Nov 2014

The Fonseca Fonseca No.1 (yes, it's name includes its marca and vitola) was officially discontinued in 2012. Thankfully, its production run continued a few years after and it has been available ever since. Since the beginning of 2022, however, it's only been available sporadically, with the last box code that I've seen dating from mid-2023.

This OEP Nov 2014 came from Spanish stock held by Tabacalera, sourced by Pacific Cigar Company (or PCC) and acquired ultimately via a 24:24 listing on Friends of Habanos. Coincidentally, I noticed that Rob and Ken released a review on the Fonseca No.1 in late 2020 and Rob stated that FoH would account for quite a few sales more than the worldwide average, which is most probably on the lower side of things.

This was my fifth Fonseca No.1 from this box code; the first two were smoked around mid-2021, the third one was smoked at the beginning of 2023 and the fourth one was smoked in mid-2024. Those first three were all quite decent in how flavoursome they were, but the fourth one (or my last one) was quite 'heavy' on the palate and struggled to stay lit.

This fifth one started off with a definable cedar/sandalwood and a gorgeous marshmallow and vanilla sweet note in the centre, but like the last time I smoke a Fonseca No.1, it didn't take long for the cigar to become more 'heavy' on the palate; with forest floor, toasted tobacco and spice dominating from the second third onwards. This time, I had no issue keeping the cigar alight but the cigar was so 'heavy', as I previously mentioned, that I pitched it halfway through the last third.

After smoking three quite good Fonseca No.1s it was disappointing to encounter this lacklustre effort again today, after my last one from this box code was also disappointing. I guess that's the way it goes with the Fonseca No.1. When it's good, it can be rather delectable in its subtlety; but when it's bad, it can be downright bland and boring. It's the type of cigar that you either identify with its mellow nature and appreciate or alternatively you'd classify as 'lifeless', it's that 'leisurely' on the palate. 

I've said this before, but I still believe that with all the changes in pricing in Habanos cigars since mid-2022, I would think you'd have to be very, very fond of the Fonseca No.1 to continue to acquire it presently. Then again, some of you are continuing to that, and kudos to you for doing so.

[JohnS]

Trinidad Robustos Extra 2020 - Robusto Extra Travel Humidor Circa 2020

The Trinidad Robustos Extra. Where do we start with this cigar? It's a long story. It first appeared as a regular production cigar in 2004 before been discontinued in 2012. Habanos S.A. made it available as Travel Humidor release in 2020 in a replete 14-count lacquered box. Luxury boîte nature boxes of 3 cigars were made available for sale at the XXIV Festival del Habano in 2024 and Habanos S.A. announced that it will return to regular production in 2024 in 12-count boxes. The latest iteration has a standard Trinidad band, a 55th Anniversary Trinidad band (only for 2024) and a foot band. 

Today's cigar came courtesy of the graciousness of @Chucko8. It came from the 2020 Travel Humidor release and I rested it in my humidor for a month prior to lighting it today. One thing that all versions of the Trinidad Robustos Extra share is the size. They have all been 50 ring gauge x 155 millimetres (or 6⅛ inches) in length Dobles Ts (or Robustos Extras).

I had the good fortune to enjoy a 12-count of the original Trinidad Robustos Extra release which I aged and enjoyed during 2019 and 2020. I especially enjoyed sharing them with other dear cigar enthusiasts who hadn't had the opportunity to smoke the cigar. How did I remember them? I can tell you that all of the ones that I smoked from that OUS Sep 2009 box were around the 95-point mark in their smoking. They were mainly mild barnyard hay, tea, honey and butter in their blend and glorious in their satisfaction. So why did Habanos S.A. discontinue them in 2012? Quite simply, Habanos S.A. has always viewed the Trinidad brand as a complimentary luxury brand to Cohiba and at the time the Robustos Extra and the equally popular Robustos T were not keeping up in sales with similar cigars within the Cohiba marca; namely, the Cohiba Siglo VI and Cohiba Robustos respectively so they stopped production with the intent of releasing them further down-the-track. After the 2019 50th Anniversary releases (i.e. the Esmeralda, Topes and Media Luna) and the re-branding of Trinidad post 2022, the Robustos Extra has made a comeback. We'll wait and see if the Robustos T is re-introduced.

Upon lighting the foot there was absolutely no doubt that this was a quality cigar. And, unlike the regular production Robustos Extra with the 55th Anniversary band, which I smoked last year (gifted by Alex Groom after attending the Habanos Festival in 2024), this five year-old special release was more-in-line with how I remember my aged OUS Sep 2009 box. It was suitably mild-medium in strength, subtle in its sweet flavours and more typically 'Trinidad' in its smoking, in my view, as compared to the many Trinidad cigars I've smoked over the years. I would once again praise the fine balance by which this cigar held my interest over the time I smoked it though. For me, it was like a salted caramel delight that was buttery and defined by its soft-hay texture on the palate. Unlike a great number of Trinidad cigars I've smoked in my time, it wasn't particularly woody, coffee-flavoured or spicy. I could retrohale it easily from beginning to end. I nubbed it in appreciation until the safety of my fingers came into question .

I'd like to thank again @Chucko8 for gifting this cigar to review today. It brought me back such wonderful memories of the 2009 Trinidad Robustos Extra box I finished in late 2020.

[joeypots]

Great round of reviews, John. Man, you are smoking some great aged cigars!

[JohnS]

Thank you @joeypots. I'm glad to have rested those boxes and smoked those cigars after some significant time down. It goes to show that there's quite some life and aged Cuban cigars.

[KCCubano]

On 7/15/2025 at 11:13 AM, JohnS said:

Trinidad Robustos Extra 2020 - Robusto Extra Travel Humidor Circa 2020

The Trinidad Robustos Extra. Where do we start with this cigar? It's a long story. It first appeared as a regular production cigar in 2004 before been discontinued in 2012. Habanos S.A. made it available as Travel Humidor release in 2020 in a replete 14-count lacquered box. Luxury boîte nature boxes of 3 cigars were made available for sale at the XXIV Festival del Habano in 2024 and Habanos S.A. announced that it will return to regular production in 2024 in 12-count boxes. The latest iteration has a standard Trinidad band, a 55th Anniversary Trinidad band (only for 2024) and a foot band. 

Today's cigar came courtesy of the graciousness of @Chucko8. It came from the 2020 Travel Humidor release and I rested it in my humidor for a month prior to lighting it today. One thing that all versions of the Trinidad Robustos Extra share is the size. They have all been 50 ring gauge x 155 millimetres (or 6⅛ inches) in length Dobles Ts (or Robustos Extras).

I had the good fortune to enjoy a 12-count of the original Trinidad Robustos Extra release which I aged and enjoyed during 2019 and 2020. I especially enjoyed sharing them with other dear cigar enthusiasts who hadn't had the opportunity to smoke the cigar. How did I remember them? I can tell you that all of the ones that I smoked from that OUS Sep 2009 box were around the 95-point mark in their smoking. They were mainly mild barnyard hay, tea, honey and butter in their blend and glorious in their satisfaction. So why did Habanos S.A. discontinue them in 2012? Quite simply, Habanos S.A. has always viewed the Trinidad brand as a complimentary luxury brand to Cohiba and at the time the Robustos Extra and the equally popular Robustos T were not keeping up in sales with similar cigars within the Cohiba marca; namely, the Cohiba Siglo VI and Cohiba Robustos respectively so they stopped production with the intent of releasing them further down-the-track. After the 2019 50th Anniversary releases (i.e. the Esmeralda, Topes and Media Luna) and the re-branding of Trinidad post 2022, the Robustos Extra has made a comeback. We'll wait and see if the Robustos T is re-introduced.

Upon lighting the foot there was absolutely no doubt that this was a quality cigar. And, unlike the regular production Robustos Extra with the 55th Anniversary band, which I smoked last year (gifted by Alex Groom after attending the Habanos Festival in 2024), this five year-old special release was more-in-line with how I remember my aged OUS Sep 2009 box. It was suitably mild-medium in strength, subtle in its sweet flavours and more typically 'Trinidad' in its smoking, in my view, as compared to the many Trinidad cigars I've smoked over the years. I would once again praise the fine balance by which this cigar held my interest over the time I smoked it though. For me, it was like a salted caramel delight that was buttery and defined by its soft-hay texture on the palate. Unlike a great number of Trinidad cigars I've smoked in my time, it wasn't particularly woody, coffee-flavoured or spicy. I could retrohale it easily from beginning to end. I nubbed it in appreciation until the safety of my fingers came into question .

I'd like to thank again @Chucko8 for gifting this cigar to review today. It brought me back such wonderful memories of the 2009 Trinidad Robustos Extra box I finished in late 2020.

I had an OUS 09 box as well. Very good sticks indeed! 

[JohnS]

Bolívar Petit Coronas UBL Dec 2022

I acquired this lot of late-2022 Bolivar Petit Coronas about a year ago because I'd been going through a box of early-2017 BPCs for some time and I thought that I owed it to myself to make a comparison between some rested and youthful examples. Let me reassure you, there is a difference!

I first opened my March 2017 box in September 2020 and after eight years they've come along quite nicely, in fact, I have a third of a box left. But I wouldn't classify my recent Bolivar Petit Coronas from that box as having that much 'bite' to them. Nevertheless, I must admit that I have been enjoying them of late.

This BPC is two-and-a-half years old, and like the last one I smoked from this box code about a year ago, it was immediately noticeable that it had more strength and was fuller in body. Again, it wasn't too 'Earthy' but it did have more in the way of forest floor flavours and leather. These flavours dominated the cigar; indeed, one couldn't say there was much in the way of malt and certainly this Bolivar Petit Coronas was not marshmallowed-textured in its smoking. So, despite almost a year of rest, the first and second BPCs from this box code were remarkably similar. 

So what can one make of all this? I still stand by my summation of my last review on this cigar. Quite simply, sometimes we need to challenge our preferences, our biases, purely for the sake of challenging ourselves and trying something new. I've smoked enough cigars in my life to handle the change from my routine expectation of what a Bolivar Petit Coronas is. Frankly, I can't say that I've had too many Bolivar Petit Coronas less than three years old. They are certainly quite 'moreish', which is an informal adjective that means something which has a very pleasant taste and making you want to have more. And I'm sure that if you are a fan of the Bolivar Petit Coronas you know what this means too.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones No. 2 2019 - Edición Limitada GEM Jul 2020

The Ramon Allones Allones No.2 (yes, that is its full name but it is commonly referred to as the Ramon Allones No.2 amongst aficionados) is a 2019 Limited Edition that is packaged in a 10-count ornate, green box and was launched with much fanfare by Habanos S.A in conjunction with Hunters & Frankau in London in August 2020. Habanos S.A invested heavily in its marketing campaign by releasing a technically slick video advertisement and 600 guests at the launch party were gifted packs including the new cigar; a small bottle of Hine Cigar Reserve Cognac and a glass; chocolates especially designed for the event by London club, 5 Hertford Street, a cutter, matches and a detailed informational booklet. 

The Ramon Allones No.2 is a campanas; a torpedo-shaped cigar with a 52 ring x 140 mm or 5½ inches length which has the identical dimensions of a Bolivar Belicosos Finos. This is the seventh Ramon Allones No.2 I've had, but only the third one I've smoked in the last three-and-a-half years. All of my previous Ramon Allones No.2s were easily discernible as being quality, refined cigars and this again proved to be true today. The flavours were again typical for Ramon Allones such as cocoa and cherry fruit. The Ramon Allones No.2 I had in December 2021 contained hazelnut and soft baking spices on the edges, was full-bodied and medium-mild in strength, yet differed in comparison to previous Ramon Allones No.2s I'd smoked because it finally begun to 'open up' and smoke like the quality cigar it has promised to be the previous three times I had smoked it in late 2020 to mid 2021.

This Ramon Allones No.2 smoked today had flavours that were quite delineated, like the last one I smoked in April 2023. They were not melded or 'muddled'. The cherry fruit and hazelnut flavours were evident from the start and the cocoa aspect to the cigar was again much more in the background. It was in the second half of the cigar that it became more heavy in cocoa and oak, but it did not become 'bitter'. In my view, as we near the five year mark this cigar is very approachable, but not as 'sharp' in its typical Ramon Allones flavours as it was two to three years ago, in my view.

The cigar took me around one-and-three-quarter hours to finish, and in my opinion, as I have only one left in my inventory, I don't intend to age any further. They are quite fine to smoke now.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Talismán 2017 - Edición Limitada UAO Ago 2017

Do you remember the hype surrounding the release of the Cohiba Talisman 2017 Limited Edition? It was launched in London in October 2017, it sold out quickly despite a hefty price tag and it was subject to rumours of unauthorised pre-sales in the United States or distribution of copied fakes. From a marketing point of view, what more could Habanos S.A want? Perhaps re-release it two years later in 2019 and so make it the first 'Unlimited Edition' Habanos release? 

It is the seventh Cohiba Limited Edition since 2001 (Piramides Extra 2001 and 2006, Double Corona in 2003, Sublime in 2004, 1966 in 2011 and Robustos Supremos in 2014 were the others. An eighth Cohiba Limited Edition, the 2021 Cohiba 55 Aniversario, has since joined this list in mid-2022). It is a Cañonazo Doble at 54 ring gauge x 154 mm or 6.1 inches in length. The common name for this cigar is a Robustos Extra, however take note of that factory name as the Cohiba Siglo VI is a Cañonazo, being slightly smaller, and in my mind, this cigar is its direct cousin in terms of how it smoked.

If you have picked a 10-count box of these (or two), what can you expect? How do you approach this cigar in terms of when to smoke it and how does it compare to other Cohiba vitolas?

The last time I smoke a Cohiba Talisman I felt it was like an amplified Siglo VI, much like the Robustos Supremos was like an amplified Magicos, in my opinion. I stand by this sentiment after smoking it again today.

This time I untwisted the pig-tail rather than straight-cut the head. The first third was much lighter in mocha coffee, in comparison to the last time I smoked a Cohiba Talisman three-and-a-half years ago. It was lighter in citrus and honey too but it continued to show signs of a buttered cream texture which indicates a good Cohiba cigar, in my view.

The middle third saw some anise and baking spice notes pick up in the blend. At this point the cigar was smoking very, very well. 

The final third 'continued on its merry way', in stark contrast to my last Cohiba Talisman. That cigar picked up in more 'Earthy' notes into the last third it became more nondescript or muddled, dare I say. I ended up extinguishing it earlier than I normally would. This Cohiba Talisman smoked wonderfully right up until the end, when I had to nub it because I couldn't smoke any more of it!

My conclusion on the Talisman? Well; frankly, it's much the same as before. It's a good choice to celebrate a milestone event, such as welcoming in the New Year, for example. Like the Robustos Supremos, this will continue to get better with further years of development as the middle and final third melds and becomes more akin to the flavours in the first third, no doubt. However, I enjoyed the cigar for the stage that it was at today. Again, I wouldn't hesitate to choose it to celebrate another milestone event in the near future.

[JohnS]

Partagás Selección Privada 2014 - Edición Limitada OPG Dic 2014

The Partagas Seleccion Privada Limited Edition was released in 2014, along with the Bolivar Super Corona and Cohiba Robustos Supremos. Initial reviews suggested that it was like a Partagas Serie D No.4, only richer. The consensus, at the time, was that this cigar was ripe for aging, with a 3 to 5 year window.

A double robusto with a 50 ring gauge by 160 mm (or 6¼ inches) length, my last Partagas Seleccion Privada Limited Edition, smoked eighteen months ago, had a core of simple flavours which included coffee, sourdough, wood, leather and toasted tobacco throughout. 

This cigar also had core flavours of coffee, sourdough, wood and leather, only this time the toasted tobacco was even more minimal than before. It was not as full-flavoured as some Partagas Seleccion Privada cigars I've smoked in the past, and it had practically no cream-texture to it, unlike some cigars from this box. However, in stating that it was not as full in flavour, I must add that it was not exactly medium-bodied either. There was plenty of flavour to be 'had' here. Again, the woody aspects of the blend really stood out also in this cigar today and there was a slight sour taste to the woodiness on offer here that was akin to lemon citrus (or similar), in much the same way as my last Partagas Seleccion Privada exhibited. It gave the cigar a nice 'tang', which made it very easy to smoke to its nub.

I still feel that this cigar is continuing to develop 'peak' flavours for some time yet. I only have one more cigar left from this box. Maybe I'll come back to it in another eighteen months!