2004 R&L Hermoso No.2 LE

[HeavySmoke]

RG 48

Length: 157 Grand Corona

JNL OCT 04

Factory: Partagas

I took the opportunity to smoke a cigar today as the weather was actually nice for a change. All of the Poker Buzz on the board regarding the Prize got me thinking about the R&J brand. Largely I have not tried the majority of cigars in the line.

Pre Cut: The Colorado (?) wrapper was smooth with the usual fine veins. This cigar was tightly rolled,firm, and barely had a give. I noticed one soft spot near the band. No unuals scent to this cigar other then fine tobacco.

Cold Draw: After cutting the cap I took a few draws: Nothing particular came to mind in the flavor department other then straight tobacco.

Draw: After toasting the foot I immediately noticed a tar taste commingled with unsweetened dark chocolate and strong coffees. The smoke came easy and in large volumes. Overall the smoke had a slight harshness or edge to it.

Second third: The flavor profile of the cigar changed from coffees to what I assume is the marquee R&J tobacco flavor. I noticed the usual twang. Cigar burned even and did not require a touch up. Ashed itself almost at half way point.

Last third. Flavor profile still R&J tobacco with twang. Some tannic harness starting to return.

Overall: This cigar is not for the faint of heart! I was completely surprised by both the cigar's strength and full flavor. My lips tingled after a few minutes and I knew this Hermoso was the real deal. I was also surprised by the volume of smoke this ring gauge could produce. I could not inhale this cigar as it was way to young/harsh. 3+ years would take care of that. The aroma of the smoke reminded me of roasted peanut shells that I smell with most cuban cigars.

Rating: 89/100 5/6 smoke rings. This cigar has been a sleeper and I cant believe I havent heard more about it.

[Mel]

Thanks for wetting the appatite mate, going to get me one out for tonight.

[shrink]

Thanks for the review, HS. Lots of people don't like this cigar, claiming that it has a generic "EL" profile. I don't find it to be that strong, but it is very rich, flavorful and sweet, with lots of fruity twang. It's one of my favorites when I'm in the mood for those flavors.

[brian1]

I have said it before to anyone that will listen. This pretty much universally unloved EL are real sleepers that are starting to come around now at the 3 year mark. I have 4 boxes put away. Available in spades it seems from EVERY vendor wait till' they go on sale and buy a few boxes and put them away for a few years. I think these will be fantastic in another 5 plus years.

[bassman]

» RG 48

» Length: 157 Grand Corona

» JNL OCT 04

» Factory: Partagas

»

»

» I took the opportunity to smoke a cigar today as the weather was actually

» nice for a change. All of the Poker Buzz on the board regarding the Prize

» got me thinking about the R&J brand. Largely I have not tried the majority

» of cigars in the line.

»

» Pre Cut: The Colorado (?) wrapper was smooth with the usual fine veins.

» This cigar was tightly rolled,firm, and barely had a give. I noticed one

» soft spot near the band. No unuals scent to this cigar other then fine

» tobacco.

»

» Cold Draw: After cutting the cap I took a few draws: Nothing particular

» came to mind in the flavor department other then straight tobacco.

»

» Draw: After toasting the foot I immediately noticed a tar taste

» commingled with unsweetened dark chocolate and strong coffees. The smoke

» came easy and in large volumes. Overall the smoke had a slight harshness

» or edge to it.

»

» Second third: The flavor profile of the cigar changed from coffees to

» what I assume is the marquee R&J tobacco flavor. I noticed the usual

» twang. Cigar burned even and did not require a touch up. Ashed itself

» almost at half way point.

»

» Last third. Flavor profile still R&J tobacco with twang. Some tannic

» harness starting to return.

»

» Overall: This cigar is not for the faint of heart! I was completely

» surprised by both the cigar's strength and full flavor. My lips tingled

» after a few minutes and I knew this Hermoso was the real deal. I was also

» surprised by the volume of smoke this ring gauge could produce. I could

» not inhale this cigar as it was way to young/harsh. 3+ years would take

» care of that. The aroma of the smoke reminded me of roasted peanut shells

» that I smell with most cuban cigars.

»

» Rating: 89/100 5/6 smoke rings. This cigar has been a sleeper and I cant

» believe I havent heard more about it.

Very nice review. Might have to finally crack open my box. I've found that, especially with ELs, smoking them too young is usually a disapointment.

[El Presidente]

Excellent review

It is a dangerous game locking oneself into generalisations when it comes to young cigars. Such assertions are always likely to bite one on the arse at some point down the track

Nice to see the development in this cigar.

[Mel]

I'm so dumb I smoked the wrong cigar last night. I pulled out the Hermoso No. 1 from 03. It was good so I did pull out the 04 No.2 for tonight. These cigars have come quite a ways since they were young but they were never bad.

[Well Armed]

» I'm so dumb I smoked the wrong cigar last night. I pulled out the Hermoso

» No. 1 from 03. It was good so I did pull out the 04 No.2 for tonight.

» These cigars have come quite a ways since they were young but they were

» never bad.

I like both of the Hermosos ELs from RyJ. Very good. Not too sure about their long term prospects but it don't matter since I only have a few and they are good now so why wait anyways....

[HeavySmoke]

» I'm so dumb I smoked the wrong cigar last night. I pulled out the Hermoso

» No. 1 from 03. It was good so I did pull out the 04 No.2 for tonight.

» These cigars have come quite a ways since they were young but they were

» never bad.

At least you were not disappointed!

[habanohal]

MY 2nd Favorite EL besides the RYJ Robusto

( My stock up cigar)

[gersonmorelli]

Smoked a Hermoso No.2 this weekend after having lunch.

The draw was just a little on the tight side, but after torching the foot it got better. It burned really well.

I found this cigar to be full bodied. It had the usual EL flavour and somewhat a similar flavour to the 2005 RyJ Petit Piramide EL. Mainly coffee beans, but also found some spicyness although not as much as in the 05 EL, maybe because it has more years on it.

I enjoyed this cigar, flavours did not change much, but I can't complain.

4/6 smoke rings

[shrink]

Nice review of a good cigar. I love these, and they are continuing to improve with time. The only thing I'd add to your description is the "dank" stewed fruit flavors that I love in an aged Romeo.

[gersonmorelli]

I just read Phailure's review on a PSD4 and he described it as "dark dank forest taste".

My Hermoso No.2 also had hints of dark forest taste.

It is always great reading reviews from you guys as they enlight me with better and better description of flavours!!! :-D

[anacostiakat]

Nice review. I like this RyJ EL and the slightly bigger No. 1 as well!

[IShotAManInReno]

I have a box of these and have found them to be mild/moderate and generic. With age, the dark chocolate notes are starting to come through just a little, but the complexities seem to end there.

The RyJ Robusto EL on the other hand, now THAT was a cigar to cherish (I wish I could still get my hands on some). That was the reason I initially picked up the Hermoso#2 when they were released. Sadly, I was disappointed at the lack of any similarity between these and the classic Robusto.

[kjellfrick]

» ok, I'm dumb. What does EL stand for?

Awww, you're not. I believe it stands for Edition Limitada :-)