Is San Cristobal carrying its weight?

[El Presidente]

A decade is nearing since the launch of San Cristobal de La Habana (November 1999).

Brutally, the question I ask is whether San Cristobal has met expectations? Has it found a place in the heart of the Habanos lover?

I enjoy a Principe and a la Punta but I am not sure if I love them enough to lose too much sleep should they go. Ok...I would be upset on the Principe....one of the best of class. The La Punta's were magnificent in the first 5 years of production but there have been some lean years since.

Still the Fuerza, Morro, Officios, Mercaderes, Muralla ....while in no way bad...still bring on a slight yawn more often than not.

I would love to get your opinion on the San Cristobal. The good the bad and the ugly. Do you have any mates who reach for a San Cristobal before anything else? Is it merely a bit player as a change of pace cigar?

[laficion]

I agree that they could be richer then what they are

However , I do enjoy the taste of La Fuerza with It's creamyness and suttle tastes but

It does lack richness & body which it had a few years ago.

I love the size of a gordito and I must say that when they first came out with this size,

I was head over heels over it. I don't know to many friends that would reach for the

brand in front of many others. I would still prefer a JL No.1 or HdM Epicure NO. 1 to

any of the SCdH . but as you said, I would not certainly lose much sleep over this.

I'm sure that the brand could use a little more personality in the blend.

[Ryan]

The only ones of which I smoked more than a couple are the Principes and the Murallas. You're right about the Principes, I think they're fantastic. I find they smoke very "big" for their size, if that makes any sense.

I enjoy the Murallas for their heft when I'm in the mood and I would hate to see them discontinued. I like the size/shape and the packaging is lovely. The flavours, while nice, can become boring as you say.

[sounddust]

I have always been intrigued by this marque, by its reliable construction, one-of-a-kind vitolas and unique, pleasant flavors. The El Principes and Oficios are my go to smokes in the morning and afternoon, or when I just want a cigar that will not irritate me with surprisingly harsh flavors or dodgy construction. IMHO, HSA got it right with SCDLH, with its elegant packaging, names with actually some history and relevance behind it, and spot on pricing, on top of the fine cigars.

[Guest rob]

As a change of pace, I had an El Morro yesterday.

Can't say I was craving it... but I did enjoy it. It was light, yet quite flavourful.

I certainly wouldn't make it a staple in my humidor but I would certainly go for one or two of these every year. Oh, and don't forget to set aside 2 hours to smoke it.

[anacostiakat]

I hardly ever smoke these. I have a remaining box of Oficios from when they first came out.

Would I lose sleep if they were not available? I would sleep right through it.

[Kangaroo495]

Also really enjoyed the El Principe. However, if I want a minuto, and I've got a choice between this and the Bolivar Coronas Junior, what am I going to pick up?

Can't stand the Muralla! Gave it so many chances and it disappointed me every time.

[aavkk]

I have very little experience with this marca but really enjoyed some 01 El Principes a few months back. They had an unmistakable raisin flavor to them. No experience with recent production I'm afraid.

[kjellfrick]

I say let them die! I just smoked a La Punta and I had a hard time finishing it...far to floral to be enjoyable. Luckily there's only three left in the box! The box of El Principe I have contains harsh and unbalanced cigars. They are on the list of cigars that have to move out of my cabinet.

I've only tried the La Punta (01), El Principe(06) and the Mercaderes. Not a single one has been to my liking. There's a box of Oficios somewhere and it'll stay there for a long time...

[bassman]

I really enjoy the 01 La Puntas & El Morros. Recent ones not as good. The EL Principes are good, but I no longer buy them. Too many other good small cigars around- BCJS, Party TPCs, Petite Punch, Dip & MC#5s come to mind. RASCC too, if you get some good ones. They have been most irregular latelt.

[Van55]

El Principes are a staple in my humidor.

I've enjoyed a couple of boxes of La Fuerza, but was not overjoyed by them.

The others I have tried have been decent, change-of-pace cigars that have not inspired me to invest in boxes for future smoking.

So, I would say in general terms that the marca has not lived up to expectation.

[android]

Always keep a few boxes of El Principe in the humi...tons of flavor and never let down by this smoke.

[Tampa1257]

The three vitolas of the marca that I have really enjoyed are the El Principe, the La Punta (which for several years truly beat the BBF as the best Campana on the market), and the La Fuerza. I and still working on the 1999's I picked up a few years ago and have not really tried many of the newer production except a few of the Oficios. This marca is perhaps the only marca left that I find cherry notes when smoking. I do enjoy the marca and would miss it should they discard it.

[harryleech]

The Principe's are fantastic, I haven't had one that I haven't liked. The rest.... Meh!

[android]

This marca is perhaps the only marca left that I find cherry notes when smoking. I do enjoy the marca and would miss it should they discard it.

I agree...I have had a few of the Muralla which gave a wonderful sour cherry flavor...very creamy and slight spice to my palate.

[jquest63]

Overall, brand is not stellar. No single size has impressed me, no go to cigars in the lot. Wouldn't be disappointed if brand were discontinued.

[OZCUBAN]

Personally, I would not cry if they went to the Habanos bin of history .I would much prefer to see some of the classics that have been "discontinued" returned to the fray and resurrected....

And I am sure we all have our Favorites that need to brought BACK TO THE FUTURE

Cheers

Oz

[Froggy]

I wouldn't loose any sleep over its removal, but I do like it once in a while. I tasted "cherry" in the Murallas I puffed. And their prices are not artificially inflated!

[neal875]

A decade is nearing since the launch of San Cristobal de La Habana (November 1999).

Brutally, the question I ask is whether San Cristobal has met expectations? Has it found a place in the heart of the Habanos lover?

I enjoy a Principe and a la Punta but I am not sure if I love them enough to lose too much sleep should they go. Ok...I would be upset on the Principe....one of the best of class. The La Punta's were magnificent in the first 5 years of production but there have been some lean years since.

Still the Fuerza, Morro, Officios, Mercaderes, Muralla ....while in no way bad...still bring on a slight yawn more often than not.

I would love to get your opinion on the San Cristobal. The good the bad and the ugly. Do you have any mates who reach for a San Cristobal before anything else? Is it merely a bit player as a change of pace cigar?

This is the Shemp of Cuban Cigars (For all you 3 Stooges fans out there).

[CigarZen]

I am with you on the first 5 years of the La Puntas -- it was a great cigar. Still well aged El Morros are great imo. The 07s I have tried I can highly recommend. In the years to come they will be great.

How are the recent La Puntas?

[PigFish]

I am with you on the first 5 years of the La Puntas -- it was a great cigar. Still well aged El Morros are great imo. The 07s I have tried I can highly recommend. In the years to come they will be great.

How are the recent La Puntas?

I have not tried the '08 yet but the '07's were to die for. That is a boat I regret missing.

Adding to this post I enjoy most of the cigars in their line but typically don't stock the La Fuerza. I have not yet tried the '08 La Punta but am currently smoking out of a box of '07 ElP and some '01 El Morro. I have never hit it off with the Oficios although I find the size appealing. It is too bad too because I would like to support and encourage the introduction of this size cigar.

[El Presidente]

I have not tried the '08 yet but the '07's were to die for. That is a boat I regret missing.

Adding to this post I enjoy most of the cigars in their line but typically don't stock the La Fuerza. I have not yet tried the '08 La Punta but am currently smoking out of a box of '07 ElP and some '01 El Morro. I have never hit it off with the Oficios although I find the size appealing. It is too bad too because I would like to support and encourage the introduction of this size cigar.

Thanks Piggy. I have not had an 08 Punta as yet but will try them in the next couple of days.

[cadillacdoc]

A decade is nearing since the launch of San Cristobal de La Habana (November 1999).

Brutally, the question I ask is whether San Cristobal has met expectations? Has it found a place in the heart of the Habanos lover?

I enjoy a Principe and a la Punta but I am not sure if I love them enough to lose too much sleep should they go. Ok...I would be upset on the Principe....one of the best of class. The La Punta's were magnificent in the first 5 years of production but there have been some lean years since.

Still the Fuerza, Morro, Officios, Mercaderes, Muralla ....while in no way bad...still bring on a slight yawn more often than not.

I would love to get your opinion on the San Cristobal. The good the bad and the ugly. Do you have any mates who reach for a San Cristobal before anything else? Is it merely a bit player as a change of pace cigar?

Prez, My only real experience is with the original release which I thought were steller sticks. As with other Habanos releases they seem to fall off after the initial batches. I was gifted a box of el Morro's a few years back by a guy whose cousin got them from la Corona. They were dead on right and very enjoyable. No experience with newer releases. Doc

[Jokermann]

You wont find me without a box of Oficios in my cabinet at all times. I love em! I am smoking a 9/07 box right now and have been very happy. I dont care for the rest of the SCDLH, including the Principe...Just a little too small for me.

[buster]

This is the Shemp of Cuban Cigars (For all you 3 Stooges fans out there).

Hey, I resemble that remark! Shemp is the favorite Stooge for some Stooge fans, you know (it's not like he's Joe Besser). Never had a SCdLH yet, but I've got a EMA MAR 08 El Principe box in storage.

Rick woo woo woo woo woo