Cohiba Esplendidos PLM MAY 07

[jdbrown]

I have smoked more Esplendido's than any other cigar. No doubt consistency in blending. I dont know why I keep buying them. Well WTF I do! When you do get a great one it beats all else. The last I smoked from PLM 06 was similar to your description EXCEPT the change in depth occured much sooner. I will try another at the 3 year mark.

[bassman]

Thanks, Rob. You just saved me some money!:-D

[tapewormboy]

It's sad to see such a recognizable cigar going through a bad phase.

[nutsford]

Have to agree with this review, i had one last night and it was mild to the point of blandness. There was something good in there but it required far too much concentration to even get a sniff of it.

[aavkk]

Thanks for the review Prez. Hey what about another comparison review of a Coronas especiales, lancero, and a Party Sdc#3? This time lets do all early 07?

[bassman]

The last excellent Espies I had were from 2001. I'' ve recently tried from 2004s & they are surprisingly mild. I'd rate the Bolivar CG & Upman SW as tastier cigars & much better QPR.

[El Presidente]

Cohiba Esplendidos PLM MAY 07

Such an enigma. How many truly great Esplendidos have you enjoyed in your life? By “great” I don’t mean good or very good…..but rather earth shattering…life changing…memorable to the point that you can to this day still taste it when you close your eyes.

Precious few? …..me to.

This Cohiba Esplendido looks the part. Imposing, regal. Sweet and sour smell at cold. Good construction along its length and I can’t identify a likely problem. Clipped the cap and the draw is fine and the remnant flavours soft and sweet in the herbal sphere.

Gently torched the foot. Soft sweet lemon grass flavours and light milk coffee. It begins as if is the opening of a symphony. I am hearing perfectly balanced flutes and strings. Light bodied but complex enough to maintain my interest as I sit down to await the meat and potatoes this cigar will surely bring. I think all 2006/2007 Cohiba’s of note taste remarkable similar. You could not ever identify a Cohiba as say a Partagas or a Bolivar. There is a herbal sweet grassiness, a milk coffee core, vanilla/honey and fruity notes on the edges. All were here in this Eplendido but disappointingly here in a “Light form”. If Cohiba Robusto is full strength beer them this Cohiba Esplendido is “Bud Light”. The cigar tastes exactly as if the “strength meter” has been turned down to “1/3”

I want so much to love this cigar and to be able to say that it is back to being the flagship of the Habano cigar. While I appreciate its Cohiba heritage and I can see it in the smoking of the cigar, it simply lacks intensity and a personality of its own. Now to be fair, the last ¼ of the Esplendido developed a true mid body format. Everything was a little deeper in flavour and the change suited such a large format cigar. I am left with the feeling that the change in body is intentional and passes for complexity. Not good enough.

This is a good cigar no more no less.

85/100