Cuaba Distinguidos \'05

[Kingantz]

(actually smoked 04/26/08)

Although the weather called from thunderstorms, the morning and afternoon were quite nice, mid 70’s and lots of sun. As always, the wife and baby girl took off for an afternoon of shopping, so I decided to find something nice to take out for a smoke on the front porch swing. My search through the humis led me to a very nice looking Cuaba Distinguidos ’05, and also decided to have a nice dram of the Glenfiddich 21 Havana Reserve to accompany the nice looking smoke.

I loaded up with all the necessities (cutter, lighter, camera, laptop, phone, ZEN, headphones, and drink). Yep, it was quite a trip to the front porch! :-D Once settled in amongst the pillows and quite comfortable with some smooth jazz tunes playing on the FM, the journey began.

The Cuaba figurado had a gorgeous brown wrapper with few veins, slight patchwork in spots. It was quite light in the hand and a bit spongy when squeezed. I clipped the head and thought the draw would be quite loose from the feel, however it was perfect IMO. Pre-draw was of sweet, nutty tobacco.

After a quick tug on the excellent amber scotch from the snifter, I put fire to the tapered foot. My first couple of draws really didn’t produce a lot of smoke, which I thought odd as most figurados I’ve ever lit before were quite plentiful of smoke and flavor. Looking at the lit head, there seemed to be an issue with running.

However, it didn’t take very long at all to get it back on track and smoking fine. I found the body to be a bit on the mild to medium side, however the flavor was very nice. Tastes of sweet hay, roasted nuts, and a delicious raw honey. Once the fire reached about a third in, the body opened up and became a full medium smoke and very smooth. There was a floral flavor with a full draw, however delicious sticky honey and roasted nuts (hazelnut maybe) lingered in the nostrils when exhaling. As the smoke began the slow taper down, heat built up quite a bit so had to take it slow.

A great smoke, fine dram, and great tunes on a beautiful afternoon in the South. Just doesn't get much better! Now just to get my hands on a box of these!

[El Presidente]

Great review mate! I really do enjoy reading your work :-D

I encourage others to review the Cuaba Line this week. While I am doing it, there is much to be added by others.

[aavkk]

Thanks for the great review King! I'm hesitant to say the least about going after a box of Cuaba's but maybe by the end of the week if there is an onslaught of great reviews I will seriously consider.

[KB24]

This is what I had Saturday night. It was a great improvement from the 1 I tried about a year ago but I think another year or 2 and they will be very nice cigars. The guy at the local shop swears by the Salomanes(sp).

-Patrick