FOH Weekly Smoke

[El Presidente]

I had some sensational cigars over the past week. What's better was the fact that regular production cigars led the way.

The best:

Excellent Magnum 50 on Friday afternoon. I have become a little concerned that Magnum 50 has been dropping from its high standards but this Magnum 50 from Nov 08 was just glorious.

In Melbourne laast weekI had several cigars but the standout was a 2004 Trinidad Robusto Extra. I have never really liked this cigar but this was perfect. Not robust but tried very hard to set benchmarks in smoothness. Medium bodied with toast, bran and milk coffee on the palate. What a difference since the production of Trinidads has been moved from El Laguito!

The Worst:

Al asked me to check out the best of the Petit Robusto's . Oh how I wish he didn't. Heat....the incesant heat of this format continues to concern me. I have had some very good Monte Petit Edmundo and HDM Petit Robusto ....but if the draw is slightly open on these things then you can kiss goodbye to any flavour development or intensity.

[OZCUBAN]

The Worst:

Al asked me to check out the best of the Petit Robusto's . Oh how I wish he didn't. Heat....the incesant heat of this format continues to concern me. I have had some very good Monte Petit Edmundo and HDM Petit Robusto ....but if the draw is slightly open on these things then you can kiss goodbye to any flavour development or intensity.

Hi all

My sentiments exactly, Friday night had the Bolivar short bolivar "In a word Crap" bad construction didn't burn correctly

only came good right at the end after vigorous massaging I agree with you Rob to much heat ,also because it did not burn properly i surmise. In a nut shell big disappointment from a very small Cigar,1st one I had tried maybe give another one a go maybe not (to many others to try )next cab on the rank might be the mag 50 also picked up on a recent trip to mebourne.

Cheers

Oz

[android]

The Worst:

Al asked me to check out the best of the Petit Robusto's . Oh how I wish he didn't. Heat....the incesant heat of this format continues to concern me. I have had some very good Monte Petit Edmundo and HDM Petit Robusto ....but if the draw is slightly open on these things then you can kiss goodbye to any flavour development or intensity.

Had an HDM PR last night...(DIC 06) first one in a long time...draw was just perfect and I enjoyed very much. Enjoyed it so much came back in the house and went straight for the humi & pulled a few more for dry boxing.

[PigFish]

...What's better was the fact that regular production cigars led the way.

Lisa... Oh Lisa dear.

Keep off the balcony for a few days. I just tossed a brick out the window and it should land in Oz by Wednesday. It has Ayala's name on it!

I had an enjoyable day Saturday. I have not been out much since my last little visit to the cath lab. It was toasty but I got out on the Hog and went to smoke with some friends in a nearby county. My first cigar was an ERdM Grandes de Espana; delicate in physique, a symphony on the palate, now another fond memory. As a chaser I was treated to a Monte Especiales from a dear friend; '99 vintage, blonde in color and with its reputation derided by those who prefer totem poles to cigars, she followed her slender sister into glorious history. This cigar had nothing to hide and no need to seek refuge regardless of a bad rep. From prelight aroma and excellent construction her full-bodied flavor swept the GdE aftertaste right off my tongue.

50 ring cigars! I guess if you enjoyed regular production, I enjoyed endangered production.

[laficion]

I must admit that this last weekI've enjoyed some very pleasent smokes.

I will not name any worst cigar beause I always find something good in every cigar

However, I will list from good to great & fantastic .

GOOD/ This week I again rolled out a RG- CE- corona gorda, 01, that I enjoy because

of It's sweet creamyness of café au lait taste. not strong but sweet.

GOOD/ A beautiful looking SLR- Series A- corona gorda, 08. Tastes of honey and wood

mixed with hints of grilled amonds and notes of leather. quit tasty.

GREAT/ A H. Upmann- Mag 46- corona gorda, 06. This smoke had everything you could

wish for in taste, Barnyard animal notes with earty moss & mushroom, leather with a nutty finish.

FANTASTIC / A Cuaba Solomones 08. now here is a cigar that I don't stop telling everyone about.

I has a rich body, earthy but suttle, great notes of expresso & bread dough, with hints of licorice

that hits the side of the mouth, humide leather & nutty on the finish, simply beautiful.

Today ,Sunday, I took a break from all these evils of the week and smoked a Tatuaje- Black-

corona gorda, Jan. 07 this afternoon, that was kindly given to me by Pete Johnson a while ago.

Well, I will have to put this cigar in between good & great. It has picked up some age now,

and I must say that the flavors on this smoke were quit impressive, a spicey start but not too

peppery with very dark coffee taste with great notes of grilled nuts , finishing off with a thick

taste of wet leather & coffee. I must admit, one of the rare NC's I've really enjoyed in a long time.

Sorry Jimmy, but it was really very very good.

It was so good, I even took some pics.

[shrink]

Yesterday, I fired up an early 2004 Mag 46 from an almost full cab that I've been aging. They have really turned the corner since I last sampled one in 2008: sweet and succulent, with lots of that Upmann musty goodness.

Today started off with a smooth and toasty '97 VR Familiar. Rich flavors and aromas reminiscent of a spice rack.

I sampled the first from a DB of ENE06 Partagas Piramides. Not bad, but still not ready; it was medium bodied with good Party flavors, but lacking the exceptional quality of the early 2005's. These are going into the back of the humidor for another couple of years.

[joeypots]

Tuesday, '02 BCG Great cigar that has hit it's stride. I'm going to murder the rest of this cab.

Sunday afternoon. '03 Hoyo Des Dieux A terrific mid day smoke. Smoooooooth

Sunday evening. Partagas SD#1 LE '04 At just under 5 years these are getting there, but I'm torn between thinking they need more time or I've just lost my taste for the LEs. Not as good as the Bolivar, but I did smoke it right down to the nub. I put a note in the box to lay off until '09/10.

[aavkk]

this past week I smoked some outstanding cigars that just thinking about them make my mouth water.

1. USE MAR 08 H Upmann Connoisseur #1

2. USE MAR 08 H Upmann Connoisseur #1

3. USE MAR 08 H Upmann Connoisseur #1

4. Ramon Allones Belicoso 05' UK regional

I cracked this box of mar 08 connie 1's with the intention of trying 1 out and letting them settle a bit longer. Well I was just floored with how mature, complex, full, robust, rich and flavorful this cigar is. The first 2 were back to back and the 3rd was after the RA Beli 2 days later to be sure that my taste buds werent crazy. Sure it was a bit rough at the end of the final 3rd but I am going to say that this is the best regular production cigar I have ever tasted fresh. It was definitely Upmann (clean toasted tobacco with a light spice) but had a very strong and noticable dark chocolate core to it that distinguishes itself from the Mag 50. It is also richer and more robust than the Mag 50. An easy 93-94 now and will be a classic in a few years.

[Northshore04]

Today ,Sunday, I took a break from all these evils of the week and smoked a Tatuaje- Black-

corona gorda, Jan. 07 this afternoon, that was kindly given to me by Pete Johnson a while ago.

Well, I will have to put this cigar in between good & great. It has picked up some age now,

and I must say that the flavors on this smoke were quit impressive, a spicey start but not too

peppery with very dark coffee taste with great notes of grilled nuts , finishing off with a thick

taste of wet leather & coffee. I must admit, one of the rare NC's I've really enjoyed in a long time.

Sorry Jimmy, but it was really very very good.

It was so good, I even took some pics.

Gotta love those Tat Blacks. They're right up there among my favorite nc's.

[IceChant]

My best was Partagas Lusitanias '06 I had last night.

Worst: DPG Black I don't know why I tried it again, very unbalanced cigar that losses his character after the first third.

[Mr.T]

Well, I dropped my wife and daughter off at grandma and grandpa's for the week which meant i could smoke all I wanted.....

First up: Hoyo Piramide 2003 EL LLN NOV 03 - this cigar had an excellent draw and burn. It was medium to full bodied all the way. It was a fairly one-dimensional smoke, but still very pleasing nonetheless. Hints of white pepper and leather all the way down to the nub. I know these get knocked, but I think this still has some legs...

Monte No.2 - single from 2004 - this cigar was perfectly constructed with a perfect draw and burn. Flavors started off with some pepper and grass and moved towards more earthy and leather flavors with the classic monte twang...This was a good Monte 2.

Trinidad Fundadore - IKR SEP 05 - another perfectly constructed cigar with a silky smooth light golden wrapper. The draw and burn again were great. Smell at cold was barnyard/hay. Initial flavors were grass with a touch of pepper at the back and moved onto hints of nuts, cocao and and some vanilla. The smoke stayed medium bodied throughout. This was a great smoke.

Ramon Allones Belicoso - SVF MAY 05- This cigar is truly a beautiful site to behold. A dark golden reddish/brown wrapper...perfect construction. There was a touch of salt on the lips when lighting up. This is a complex cigar with notes of wood, toast, leather and pepper all the way down to the nub. Draw and burn were perfect. I love these smokes and I'm glad I am managing to keep my hands off the two boxes I have tucked away.

Thanks for the reviews and I hope it was a good smoking week for everyone....

[jquest63]

Best: Por Larranaga petite corona - smoked one everyday the past week during morning commute. Never fails to impress and satisfy. Drink - Illy coffee w/milk. Music - King Crimson: Red and Yes: Close to the Edge

Worst: None, daily evening smoke was Vegas Robaina Famosos - always smooth and rich

[Torpo]

The Worst:

Al asked me to check out the best of the Petit Robusto's . Oh how I wish he didn't. Heat....the incesant heat of this format continues to concern me. I have had some very good Monte Petit Edmundo and HDM Petit Robusto ....but if the draw is slightly open on these things then you can kiss goodbye to any flavour development or intensity.

Thanks Rob. Feel free to mock me at any time. I would think that with your clean lifestyle, early to bed and all, a little heat wouldn't disturb you. Thanks for taking one for the team! lol.