\'06 Sampler Special

[Van55]

He Mr. Prez....

You're on record as saying that Cuba has produced some outstanding regular production cigars this year. How about putting together a sampler of the 2006 entries that you think are the best. Maybe five each of five different cigars or perhaps two each of ten samples?

I'd go for that, and I bet many others would as well.

Just an idea from your post on another (HCF) board.

[Phailure]

» He Mr. Prez....

»

» You're on record as saying that Cuba has produced some outstanding regular

» production cigars this year. How about putting together a sampler of the

» 2006 entries that you think are the best. Maybe five each of five

» different cigars or perhaps two each of ten samples?

»

» I'd go for that, and I bet many others would as well.

»

» Just an idea from your post on another (HCF) board.

I was thinking the same thing myself. I'd definitely be down for a best of '06 sampler.

[Jimmy2]

When Van posts which is not often he show his wisdom .

[Trevor2118]

» » He Mr. Prez....

» »

» » You're on record as saying that Cuba has produced some outstanding

» regular

» » production cigars this year. How about putting together a sampler of

» the

» » 2006 entries that you think are the best. Maybe five each of five

» » different cigars or perhaps two each of ten samples?

» »

» » I'd go for that, and I bet many others would as well.

» »

» » Just an idea from your post on another (HCF) board.

»

» I was thinking the same thing myself. I'd definitely be down for a best of

» '06 sampler.

I'll go for the 2/10:-D

[Great King Rat]

» He Mr. Prez....

»

» You're on record as saying that Cuba has produced some outstanding regular

» production cigars this year. How about putting together a sampler of the

» 2006 entries that you think are the best. Maybe five each of five

» different cigars or perhaps two each of ten samples?

»

» I'd go for that, and I bet many others would as well.

»

» Just an idea from your post on another (HCF) board.

I would love to get a sampler of the '06 cigars.

Great idea Van.

[shrink]

An excellent idea, Van. Rob has been very helpful in suggesting which '06 cigars to sample. I know that I sound like a broken record, but IMO, thanks to the use of aged fillers, '06 has been something of a revolution for Habanos. Here are my picks, based on at least two, and as many as four or more samples:

Monte #2: Full-bodied and flavorful. The best in years.

Diplomaticos #2: Strong, flavorful and spicy.

Bolivar Royal Coronas: My MAR06 are flavorful and tangy. Rob wrote that these may have fallen off of late. Too bad.

Romeo Cazadores: Strong, but delicious and surprisingly approachable for a young Caz.

Hoyo Epicure #1: Real depth of flavor, with excellent aging potential.

Partagas D #4: Classic PSD4; they taste like they're two years old. But they lack that youthful tobacco sweetness.

Vegas Robaina Famosos: Rich flavors, excellent aging potential.

Ramon Allones Specially Selected: Best young RASS ever.

Upmann Connaisseur #1: Strong, with good potential for aging.

Cohiba Siglo II: Strong, with rich flavors. To smoke now or age.

Cohiba Robusto: Almost as good as the Siglo II.

Monte Especial #1: Rich and remarkably mature for a young cigar.

Trinidad Fundadore: Good now. Real potential with age.

Partagas Series du Connaisseur No. 2 and 3: Strong, peppery and citrusy, with potential for great depth and complexity with age.

Based on limited sampling, I do not recommend:

Hoyo des Dieux: Lacks depth of flavor and that classic sweet wood.

Upmann #2: Lacks strength and flavor.

Partagas P2: Unremarkable compared to original issue. Lacks flavor definition and spice.

Juan Lopez #2: Bland with a somewhat sour finish.

[El Presidente]

Thanks Van.

I will have it redy to go this week and will make it part of this weeks e-mail to all members :-)

[Jimmy2]

Partagas P2 are smoking great now more complex than ever .

When they first came out they were terrible since trying the late 05's i am a changed man.

[Miami101]

Yea baby!

Send the list this way! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

[Guest stang]

Most excellent idea

[Professor Twain]

I like the idea.

Shrink, thanks for your own personal take on the stars of 2006, you have not steered me wrong yet, bro

[jqmunro]

Shrink, you sure about those HdM Epi #1's ... Are you sure you didn't mean #2's? My opinion of the #1 revolves around a very mild body with lack of depth, yet possessing elegant finesse... but that's just me ;-)

[shrink]

» Shrink, you sure about those HdM Epi #1's ... Are you sure you didn't mean

» #2's? My opinion of the #1 revolves around a very mild body with lack of

» depth, yet possessing elegant finesse... but that's just me ;-)

Yep, Epicure No. 1. Nothing mild about these spicy coronas gorda. The '06s I've had are on the strong side of medium body, opening with intense baking spices and pepper, then mellowing out to a slightly sweet woody core, with cinnamon, allspice, and pepper. With time, could be as good as the benchmark '04s. Well worth aging.

[shrink]

Shrink, thanks for your own personal take on the stars of 2006, you have not steered me wrong yet, bro

Shrink: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.

Bill: Yes, sir.

Shrink: Are you listening?

Bill: Yes, I am.

Shrink: Plastics.

[genevapics]

» Shrink, thanks for your own personal take on the stars of 2006, you have

» not steered me wrong yet, bro

»

» Shrink: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.

» Bill: Yes, sir.

» Shrink: Are you listening?

» Bill: Yes, I am.

» Shrink: Plastics.

The Graduate?

[Professor Twain]

Shrink, I should have clarified that you have not steered me wrong on CIGARS, not sure how good you are at giving advice in other domains.

[Jimmy2]

[Jimmy2]

I think this would be a great line up just in time for Holidays.

I think a higher end sampler would be better as most of us have alot of stock of the others mentioned and these are some we don't try that often overall.

Cohiba Lanceros

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No. 1

Trinidad Fundadores

Partagas Partagas de Partagas No. 1

Montecristo Especial No. 1

Bolivar Coronas Gigantes

Cohiba Esplendidos

H. Upmann Sir Winston

Hoyo de Monterrey Doble Coronas

Saint Luis Rey Doble Coronas

[El Rushbo]

I would love to see a "Best of 06 Sampler" Holiday Sale.

Definately would like to see some of the highly regarded product, per the discussions on the board the last few months. Stuff like the Sig II, Monte 2, Boli RC, etc...

All orders recieve complimentary Cohiba Pyramide EL 06...

[Cal-Duck]

Sweet. I'm looking forwrd to this.