Edmundo Dantes Conde 109

[Guest]

Nice write up Rob. And great photos. Looks like a nice day there!

Do you know what releases of this cigar you have smoked?

Smoking Spiro's you would have had the first release... but I'm wondering if you have had the 2nd release also?

If so, can you comment on similarities / consistency between the releases?

[El Presidente]

» Nice write up Rob. And great photos. Looks like a nice day there!

»

» Do you know what releases of this cigar you have smoked?

»

» Smoking Spiro's you would have had the first release... but I'm wondering

» if you have had the 2nd release also?

»

» If so, can you comment on similarities / consistency between the releases?

The last I had smoked (this review) was Spiros so first release. I can't comment on the others although Dave and Stan may be able to chime in.

I did note some variation amongst the cigars in terms of body. Three smoked like the last and were certainly my preference.

[Guest rob]

» I did note some variation amongst the cigars in terms of body. Three

» smoked like the last and were certainly my preference.

Cheers Rob.

After the variance in taste (and quality IMO) between the 06 and 07 Estupendos I am getting somewhat fanatical about knowing what release I am smoking.

--End of my thread hijack...I will now return to normal programming and discussion about this cigar--

I agree entirely with you when you state perfect construction. The boxes I have are some of the most pristine rolled cigars in my collection. Not a single flaw at all. And the wrappers... I cant believe how good they are - Don Alejandro would be proud of them.

About your great pics... what camera do you use mate?

[El Presidente]

» About your great pics... what camera do you use mate?

Canon EOS 400D

[habanohal]

I bought a box last week. Just dont want to break into it for quite a while if at all. If anyone has a few singles they d like to swap out, let me know.

I think on this box , my intentions were for collecting. Now I am thinking of burning them up now

[bassman]

I rarely pay so much for a box of cigars, but am so happy I have a box of these along with a couple singles to gauge it's progress. I've only smoked one & it's a truly first class cigar.

[Ginseng]

What a beautiful and impressive cigar. HSA did it right on this one.

Wilkey

[kjellfrick]

I had my first one when the first box arrived, and I think they were even more delicious then, fantastic when fresh. Ginger flavour...mmmm

[Van55]

A guy on another board smoked one of these the very day it arrived on his doorstep and he has done nothing but condemn the entire 1200 boxes since. "Hit or miss" he called them most recently -- on the basis of ONE sample right off the truck.

{rant off}

Thanks for the review Rob. I'm not sure when I will break down and smoke one from the box I have. Patrick got the first one from my box and I expect to hear from him after he has smoked it in the next few weeks.

[anacostiakat]

Good review. As usual.

These are just too much out of my budget frankly.

[Sandman]

Thanks for reviewing this Rob. These are some of my favorite cigars, and your review was great. I have a box of first and second release, and I can say that the first release was a hell of a lot more ready to smoke than the 2nd. That said, they will both become classics.

[Guest rob]

» I have a box of first and second release, and I

» can say that the first release was a hell of a lot more ready to smoke

» than the 2nd. That said, they will both become classics.

Hey Sandman, besides their slight age difference - did they 1st and 2nd releases exhibit similar characteristics and flavour profiles?

[Sandman]

» » I have a box of first and second release, and I

» » can say that the first release was a hell of a lot more ready to smoke

» » than the 2nd. That said, they will both become classics.

»

» Hey Sandman, besides their slight age difference - did they 1st and 2nd

» releases exhibit similar characteristics and flavour profiles?

Actually yes they did. Very similar actually. The second release that I tried was actually incredible for the first inch, and then it all fell apart. I stuck with it, and it came around very nicely in the last 3rd.

[Miami101]

I smoked a few of these with my crew here in Miami...It was given to me by a business friend for taking care of some issues.......if you know what I mean;-)

I fix some computer issues for his company........nothing crazy...

I love the write up Rob......I look forward to them...., but I always want to go back and smoke the cigar again to compare notes.

[sje]

Hi Rob and Rob,

Yes first release, i bought a full box and 5 (singles) early on, i Gave 1 stick away and then another and then the third to Rob. so having given away more than i smoked (3-0) i thought to light one up myself. Although i felt it was very good (and will get better) i have smoked better such as the Partagas SD2 (Rob will let us all know what he thinks of this also)

but considering the Dante (first release) is only 1 of 600 boxes and is a very good cigar is has 2 characteristics that will ensure it becomes a "classic" a/ rare b/ good smoke that will get better. i suspect out of the 1200 boxes released (first and second release) there are will about 3000 boxes still available and in circulation, (i am sure they have already been faked).

on the Dante and your review (well done and i am glad you enjoyed)

Spiro

[toasterhead]

» I have smoked a half a dozen of these the most recent four gifted by Stan,

» Dave, Jose and Spiro. Thank you Gentlemen

You are welcome; it's the least I could do, mate!

The one I gave you was in the "Vendetta" tube and I am pretty sure it was first release. I got 5 singles from LCDH Cabo in January 2008. My impression then was similar, but sort of closed and muted. I have let them rest ever since and will revisit soon.

Dave

[Smoke_Eater]

Great review and outstanding pics! Thanks!

[chuck1rar]

Any idea if these will be released this year again?

Have heard talk that it will happen but who knows with talk on the net..

Also $800 a box make it worth while??

Are they that good Rob?

[perfectform]

» Any idea if these will be released this year again?

» Have heard talk that it will happen but who knows with talk on the net..

»

» Also $800 a box make it worth while??

» Are they that good Rob?

There have been only two releases, each for 600 boxes, with no plans for a third release.

[El Presidente]

» Also $800 a box make it worth while??

» Are they that good Rob?

We don't retail them but I would spend $600 a box but I would struggle at getting my head around $800. $800 is a 50 cab of Ramon Allones Estupendos. I would rather a cab of Estupendos

[solid]

These are excellent cigars, but given the fact that there $35.00 USD a stick or $1000.00 USD a box of 25 at LCDH Tijuana, I have to be very carefull with my remaining 4 sticks! You can say that the Cohiba Siglo VI is a much better value, especially when ordering from Rob! :-D

[El Presidente]

Edmundo Dantes Conde 109 ( 50 ring gauge and 7 ¼ inches)

I have smoked a half a dozen of these the most recent four gifted by Stan, Dave, Jose and Spiro. Thank you Gentlemen

This example was enjoyed Monday morning on the deck and I will start by saying it was exceptional. Right now I would rate it a 92 or 5/6 smokerings and showing every sign of being a classic cigar (95+ 6/6).

This is a large imposing cigar which was perfectly constructed. The domed cap is gorgeous, the wrapper silky to the touch. Aroma at cold is slightly sweet tobacco.

Clipped the cap and the draw is sublime. Shortbread and dry grass on the lips. I am a romantic at heart and a great kiss is a window to the soul. I am in love.

Gently fired up the foot and spent some extra time to get it right. The smoke is white and thick with a sweet tobacco incense which you could market and make a fortune out of. The first few draws call you like a fabled siren of the seas. Medium bodied, lush, viscous. The flavour is shortbread dunked in a good milk coffee.

I have tasted these flavours before. Upmann Sir Winston (01/03) comes to mind. There is a sweet tobacco edge and a slight dry grass stalk to the flavour which only accentuates the experience.

The flavour is consistent during the first half but an old leather note emerges in the second half of the cigar. The leather works to deepen the flavour experience, darken the cigars mood. The Dantes is evolving into a many layered cigar of serious potential and complexity.

Upon ashing the cigar I noticed that the central filler was burning faster than the outer filler/binder and wrapper. Another 12 months will take care of this anomaly but it did not take away from the experience.

I bask in the near perfection of the final third. Everything is in balance; Medium/full body, full flavour, creamy shortbread notes, the darker elements of old leather, the unmistakable finish of sweetened espresso coffee.

After having six of these I have found that they range from light medium to medium full in body. Draw plays a part but all in all they have been consistent in their flavour profile. Still, the looser the draw the more flavour you miss out on.

An excellent cigar experience.