Romeo & Juliet LE Hermoso No 1. 2003

[Ken Gargett]

R & J LE Hermoso No 1 2003

After the spectacular success of the LE Cohiba from 2003 (the DC) the night before, thought I’d also try this one – did so the next evening. Whereas almost everything I have ever seen about the Cohiba DC has been extremely positive, have seen mixed reports here and had not tried one for some time.

Had the typical dark old leathery wrapper of the LE’s and cold, had an aroma with floral and sweet chocolate notes. More evocative than most LE’s when cold.

Started extremely well. A very slow and even burn, perfect consistency. Good flavours, mostly floral and spice (bit surprised re the floral notes as not really what I think of when going LE but no argument that they were very pleasant). The smoke was quite full flavoured. Lovely dense smoke. Everything was going very well along these lines for almost 2/3rds of the cigar. Then it all fell apart. Draw, always on the firm side, got really tough, but the major negative was a dirty, earthy, grubby ash character that emerged. A little like cleaning up the ashtrays full of cigarette butts the next morning after a big party. Okay, I’ve never actually cleaned up but you know what I mean. This was a major disappointment for me after such a terrific start. Will time solve this? I have no idea. First half of the smoke was worth a good 93+ but the last third, lucky to scape low 80s. So where does that leave the final score? Again, I have no idea. Think there are good arguments to go either way and I’d love to know what others think or do in such circumstances. I got a great deal of pleasure from the first 2/3rds but none from the rest?

[Mel]

I'm finishing up my first box and have come to the conclusion that they are ok and that's all. Theylook a lot better than they smoke but are not dog rockets either. Will time make then better????? They ain't young right now mate. That's like waiting for a middle aged woman to hit her prime.;-)

[shrink]

I got a great deal of pleasure from the first 2/3rds but none from the rest?

What an incredible coincidence! That's exactly what your ex-girlfriend told me...