Taboada Pyramide

[Ken Gargett]

Don’t usually look at reviewing individual roller cigars as they are almost impossible to get outside Cuba so not that relevant to most forum members and even in Cuba, not always available. Depends on the time they have and when you visit and sometimes whether they know you or not (just mention Rob’s name). Most of mine have been Hamlet’s and his Salomones are as spectacular as I was told they would be. Happened across a couple from this guy when there last time and they have been so good that I thought I would make an exception and if someone is there and gets the chance, they won’t miss them.

They have the most beautiful dark appearance. Not as dark as the LE’s but enticing nonetheless and they also have a really good weighty feel. Always a good sign (at least for me). Alluring aroma when cold and very silky to touch. Superb construction in appearance. It offered a long slow burn but the only problem was that I struggled to get the thing even. For the first half of it, it remained off kilter and needed constant attention - not in relighting but just to keep it even. That righted itself after half the cigar and there were no other problems for the rest of the cigar other than I did get very hot near the finish. The ones in Cuba did not exhibit either problem.

That is all the negatives out of the way.

The flavours were superb. It is obviously young but very richly flavoured with dense smoke. There were roasted nuts, dried herbs and a bacon fat note. These flavours and more just kept rolling on and on. Superb smoke. I’d give it 93 but the ones that didn’t have these minor problem deserve even higher. I despair that I have no more.

[habanohal]

Nice Ken! His cigars are are on my "cigars I need to try before I lose my taste ability" But then I will probably never be in Cuba

[CigarZen]

Agreed Ken -- his may be the best. Based on my limited experince, I like that vitola over his sallies. the double pyramides were strooong.:-P

[Ken Gargett]

» Agreed Ken -- his may be the best. Based on my limited experince, I like

» that vitola over his sallies. the double pyramides were strooong.:-P

i will say that i did find the others i tried in havana marginally stronger than this one but certainly not too much so. this is the only vitola of his i have tried.

[SuperT]

Nice review!

Still never had a custom, but I will get my hands on some. . . oh yes I will!

[CIGARHead]

Ken,

Dont suppose you want to trade one of those custom rolled would ya??

Always wanted to try one.;-)

[El Presidente]

I have arranged to bring back about 75 of Hamlet's Salomones when I am in Havana end July. Will certainly make them available as singles to FOH members (who have not tried customs) so that you can at least try one.

[Ken Gargett]

» Ken,

»

» Dont suppose you want to trade one of those custom rolled would ya??

»

» Always wanted to try one.;-)

you need to read the last line. i am out of them (the taboada pryamides). have a couple of hamlets left that i have stored well away, even from me, and one DC from ramses so i'm on bare bones.

i hope i am not giving anything away when i say that i know that discussions have been held with some of the rollers to try and source some for members but my latest info is that no success as yet. here is hoping but i believe it is looking difficult. i'll be first in line.

[Ken Gargett]

so rob has completely kept me on the dark on that but great news. they are spectacular. suggest everyone grab all that he'll allow (after i get my whack).

[CIGARHead]

» I have arranged to bring back about 75 of Hamlet's Salomones when I am in

» Havana end July. Will certainly make them available as singles to FOH

» members (who have not tried customs) so that you can at least try one.

Great news Rob. Would def be appreciated. Put me down for one or 25.

Ken, I have no concentration when it come to reading..needless to say, i didnt read the last line. stupid me:lookaround:

[Well Armed]

» I have arranged to bring back about 75 of Hamlet's Salomones when I am in

» Havana end July. Will certainly make them available as singles to FOH

» members (who have not tried customs) so that you can at least try one.

If they are fresh and wet still I have to be in on that action!

[SuperT]

» I have arranged to bring back about 75 of Hamlet's Salomones when I am in

» Havana end July. Will certainly make them available as singles to FOH

» members (who have not tried customs) so that you can at least try one.

That is frickin' great. Please keep us (ME) posted. :-D

Thanks,

T

[Loki]

Rob that would be wonderful as I happen to never have tried a custom roll. A lottery for those sticks might be cool.

[Tampa1257]

» I have arranged to bring back about 75 of Hamlet's Salomones when I am in

» Havana end July. Will certainly make them available as singles to FOH

» members (who have not tried customs) so that you can at least try one.

Gee, I wonder what they taste like?

[Smokin Bulldog]

How does the cuban government treat these custom cigar rollers in Cuba?

[El Presidente]

» How does the cuban government treat these custom cigar rollers in Cuba?

Hamlet and most other sought after rollers only roll within the environs of the factory divans. Everything is above board even to the extent where documentation is provided (if need be) allowing you to take them out of the country (you are restricted normall to 5 boxes and no more than 23 loose sticks).

There have been examples recently where respected rollers have been "encouraged" to enter into large supply arrangements of customs for overseas vendors. It pains me when I see these guys get into trouble in Havana when the deal is exposed.

People are quick to say that they new what they were getting into but I beg to differ. No commercial relationship with a private Cuban is ever equal. They carry all the risk and the incentive to them.. given the economic and political situation can cloud their better judgement.

[Jimmy2]

Hope all goes well with Hamlet and his custom rolled sticks Prez.Would be down for 5 to 10 of those puppies.

[strayvector]

Prez, when you do have them available, please put me down for a few.

[Smokin Bulldog]

» » How does the cuban government treat these custom cigar rollers in Cuba?

»

» Hamlet and most other sought after rollers only roll within the environs

» of the factory divans. Everything is above board even to the extent where

» documentation is provided (if need be) allowing you to take them out of

» the country (you are restricted normall to 5 boxes and no more than 23

» loose sticks).

»

» There have been examples recently where respected rollers have been

» "encouraged" to enter into large supply arrangements of customs for

» overseas vendors. It pains me when I see these guys get into trouble in

» Havana when the deal is exposed.

Thanks Prez!

»

» People are quick to say that they new what they were getting into but I

» beg to differ. No commercial relationship with a private Cuban is ever

» equal. They carry all the risk and the incentive to them.. given the

» economic and political situation can cloud their better judgement.

[genevapics]

» I have arranged to bring back about 75 of Hamlet's Salomones when I am in

» Havana end July. Will certainly make them available as singles to FOH

» members (who have not tried customs) so that you can at least try one.

So Taboada, Hamlet and Ramses work as rollers in the factories. Curious to know which is their home factory. The Hamlet Salomones that you will be offering, these will be a blend that he has put together, or is this a blend that you have asked him to roll? Just curious as to how this works. I have seen these names on other boards and always wondered how the blend is determined. Also, how long has this practice been going on?

I also would like to be on the list when these are available. Just out of curiosity El Prez, what takes you back to Cuba? Can't just be the Salomines is it? And how are you able to leave the country for a third time? That is one GREAT WIFE you have my friend! Try not to forget her birthday this year!

Again, thanks on the Salomones idea. That's why I love this place.

[anacostiakat]

I had a chance to get some of these last year and I had to pass because of the cost. I dont even remember what was quoted. I just remember I couldnt lean on it. :-(

[cigarnv]

Toboada has retired so chances of getting his cigars are slim. Most "Toboada's" that are offered up these days have never seen the man's hands......

[Mel]

» Toboada has retired so chances of getting his cigars are slim. Most

» "Toboada's" that are offered up these days have never seen the man's

» hands......

This is very true. I have both the real deal and the fakes. Interesting that the fakes are as good as the real Todoada sticks. I found the first few puffs of the pyramide to be strong as death. I think some of that comes from the way he has the wrapper crinkled and uncut over the foot. That strength reappears at the middle third because of the blending.

Oh put me on the list too I have never had a custom rolled.;-)

[Ginseng]

» I have arranged to bring back about 75 of Hamlet's Salomones when I am in

» Havana end July. Will certainly make them available as singles to FOH

» members (who have not tried customs) so that you can at least try one.

Rob,

I have never had a custom rolled so I would love to experience this.

Thanks,

Wilkey

[puros71]

» Don’t usually look at reviewing individual roller cigars as they are almost

» impossible to get outside Cuba so not that relevant to most forum members

» and even in Cuba, not always available. Depends on the time they have and

» when you visit and sometimes whether they know you or not (just mention

» Rob’s name). Most of mine have been Hamlet’s and his Salomones are as

» spectacular as I was told they would be. Happened across a couple from

» this guy when there last time and they have been so good that I thought I

» would make an exception and if someone is there and gets the chance, they

» won’t miss them.

» They have the most beautiful dark appearance. Not as dark as the LE’s but

» enticing nonetheless and they also have a really good weighty feel. Always

» a good sign (at least for me). Alluring aroma when cold and very silky to

» touch. Superb construction in appearance. It offered a long slow burn but

» the only problem was that I struggled to get the thing even. For the first

» half of it, it remained off kilter and needed constant attention - not in

» relighting but just to keep it even. That righted itself after half the

» cigar and there were no other problems for the rest of the cigar other

» than I did get very hot near the finish. The ones in Cuba did not exhibit

» either problem.

» That is all the negatives out of the way.

» The flavours were superb. It is obviously young but very richly flavoured

» with dense smoke. There were roasted nuts, dried herbs and a bacon fat

» note. These flavours and more just kept rolling on and on. Superb smoke.

» I’d give it 93 but the ones that didn’t have these minor problem deserve

» even higher. I despair that I have no more.

When I get down to the island I always have had Taboada roll me custom rolled Robustos. That's when he used to roll at La Corona factory. I would put my order in to him and in two days he had them ready. Real nice guy to chat with. He knows some of the same people I know within the industry and aficionado. When fresh the cigars are very powerful and full bodied in strength. Very dark wrapper with a beautiful oily look. Wonderful aroma that these cigars have. I here that these days Mr. Taboada is retired so it's going take some pull to get him to roll me some of those great Robustos.

I also have been fortunate to also try a Hamlet Salomone that a close friend gifted me. It was aged for a few years and it was one of the best smokes I ever had. I mean awesome!

I will headed to the island this year to visit family and I know I will be getting some customs from La China and Hamlet. This time I have to save some on the side to age. I just cant keep my self from smoking them.