San Cristobal La Fuerza FJN JUN 05

[strayvector]

As always, great review Rob. Echoes my sentiments. For some reason, other than the Principe, the San Cristobal line have always left me cold. The Fuerza is one of the few Cuban cigars that I've had to lay down less than halfway smoked...twice. I've got a couple left that have been sitting for a couple of years and it may be time to pull it out again and see if it has developed into a better cigar.

[CelticBasque]

» Through the nose it is as delicate as a mother tucking in a newborn.

I never thought I'd hear a man speak about a cigar this way... :-P

Group hug???

[GP012]

Damn, every review photo I've seen so far is chock full of sunshine. Is it always that sunny over there in Aussie land?

I need to relocate.

[El Presidente]

» » Through the nose it is as delicate as a mother tucking in a newborn.

»

» I never thought I'd hear a man speak about a cigar this way... :-P

» Group hug???

What can I say...I am a sensitive, delicate soul in touch with my feelings and those of the people around me.

Lise will fall off her chair when she reads this Monday

[Professor Twain]

Thanks for another great review. I agree that the La Fuerza does not meet the high standards set by the El Principe and La Punte.

[jakebarnes]

Thanks for the review! This is a line I have had no experience with, so it is always nice to get a review like this to shed some light on the line.

thanks

Pete

[Cam]

nice review mate, I like the way you describe yourself as being sensitive and great photos, brisbane looks beautiful as always!

Cam -

[Ginseng]

Fine review. Rob.

I'm one of those guys who likes the La Fuerza. I really enjoy it for what it delivers. It's no barn burner but neither is it a wussy stick. In a way, it does remind me temperamentally of a Padron 2000. Nice observation.

Wilkey

[El Presidente]

I like the San Cristobal line but the La Fuerza has been perhaps the least favourite. I mean...with a name like "Fuerza" I always expect a bigger bodied cigar....some rough and tumble...some in your face smackdown. However...to me ...it always reminded me of guys who knickname themselves Bigboy, onefootlog or suavesam....the reality always turns out to be different ;-)

This was a lovely characteristic San Cristobal cigar. Wrapper the shade of toast, slight sweet aroma at cold, good construction...well filled without any tell tale signs of trouble.

I enjoyed it here today with my morning coffee on a cloudy Brisbane day.

Cerrated the cap to test the draw....too loose for my liking and similar to a Padron 3000/4000. Not exactly a wind tunnel but not the traditional Cuban draw I enjoy. Tast on the palate was slightly caramelised butter and sugar in a pan.

Torched the foot and the cigar was quickly into stride. Light to medium body with a light cream and sweet molasses edge. This is the definition of a late morning breakfast cigar....it is not going to challenge you...just allow you to concentrate on what you are doing without the audacity to interupt.

While not overpowering the palate in any way, the cigar does coat the palate in a soft velvety way. Cream and molasses...cream and molasses.....I am looking for something else but I can't find it. Through the nose it is as delicate as a mother tucking in a newborn.

Halfway through and I am in two minds. I am enjoying the simple pleasures this cigar brings but I am also wanting more. The La Fuerza is a choirboy of the cigar world. I am thinking, hoping that it will snap out of its goody two shoes trance and clip me over the ear when I am not looking. No chance. I am sure the easy draw has not helped although the draw has tightened up enough to be very acceptable.

I have always enjoyed the company of mates who are good people but have a ratbag edge. Lincoln once said that "a man without vice is a man without virtue" and I am reminded of that line while I am thinking of the Fuerza.

Getting towards the end, nothing has changed. Perfect manners and deportment. It delivers its two core flavours of cream and molasses in style but it is a one trick pony. "Grow some balls son....have a go....is there any rebellious spirit within that perfect wrapper?"

The answer is no. To be honest, I could have been smoking a Padron 3000/4000.

My favourite of the SC line is the Principe and La Punta. The Fuerza and the El Morro leave me cold. If you are a large format cigar...you need to have complexity and a few tricks up your sleeve. The Principe has more body than la Fuerza and is by far a better late morning cigar.

My advice members is to try the La Fuerza if you enjoy light simple cigars with a cream and molasses core. I wouldn't buy boxes of them as I think you will get bored as your taste develops. It is only my opinion.

To Habanos s.a I would suggest tinkering with the blend to give it more substance or changing the name to "El Flaco"

85/100 3/6 smokerings.

***I give it an 85 based on it delivers well what it sets out to do.