RyJ Hermoso #2 LE 2004

[anacostiakat]

JNL OCT04

Dark wrapper. A rather rustic ugly looking cigar. Lots of bumps and lumps. Veiny.

Perfect draw. Medium/light grey striated ash.

I was looking for something to pair with the Hewitson Miss Harry 2006 GSM and noticed this box wedged in the humi. About half the box left. I noticed this one was a little bit of a loose wrap at one point so I pulled it out. What the hell.

The first inch or so of this cigar is very satisfying. Very earthy with sweet tobacco flavors. Some white pepper. Smooth nose. Virtually no pepper on the nose.

I an intrigued as this baby is starting out solidly medium/full. So I wanna see where the path takes me. I can not remember when I have had one of these last. But when I looked at the box code I figured why not?

The ash is solid and offers resistance when I ash the cigar. The dark ripe berries of the wine and the earthy sweetness of the cigar are lovely together. A nice combo prior to the pie I will order for tonight's meal.

Richness matches richness. Hmmm. Interesting as some leathery lashings are entering as I move towards the middle of the stick.

A dryness on the palate is becomming evident. Not unpleasant but unexpected. Disappears rather quickly. A very nice full mouthfeel and body to this mid-way. Very nice indeed at half way. I like this size! The nose is showing a some pepper now. Mild but there.

Burn is sharp and even. The wine and cigar complement each other wonderfully. Earthy tobacco sweetness is the defining flavor along with a nice low level pepper on the lips. Satisfying. . .

There is a cardamon element arising just ever so slightly. I am not usually a fan of the spice but this is a nuance. Totally enjoyable. Entering the last third of this limitado is just so enjoyable. Heavy mouth and full bodied. Mild pepper on the nose.

Listening to some vintage country. Man this is good! Passed the LE band and going for it! I hate a quitter! BTW that little bit of loose wrapper corrected with a touchup.

About a half inch left and it is sadly over. . . Onward and upward Men and Ladies. Guys and Dolls. Cats and Dogs. . .

[crasmith]

Thanks for the wonderful review! Sounds like a great smoke!

[matt14]

This has been one of my favourite smokes of the last few years, been reurning to the box every few months down to my last4 sticks, I have a couple boxes stashed away in my locker thanks to Lisa! A couple have disappointed with be underfilled but it`s been one of my most memorable boxes I have smoked through.

[shrink]

Thanks for the review. I haven't had one of these in at least a year, and the last one I smoked was bitter.

Your positive review encourages me to try another.

[matt14]

Thanks for the review. I haven't had one of these in at least a year, and the last one I smoked was bitter.

Bitter as in nasty, or a dark chocolate bitter taste?

[shrink]

Bitter as in nasty, or a dark chocolate bitter taste?

Nasty. Surprised me, since when these were young, they were spicy and delicious.

[laficion]

Great review Jim I like the swift cardamon taste and the pairing with the wine.

You hear a lot of people saying that wine won't go well with cigars, well,

I'm with you bro, I find that it does.

[El Presidente]

When people talk about "great LE's" this one often comes up. I agree with you in that it really does provide a kaleidescope of flavour.

Great review

[matt14]

Now I know what the first thing I iwll smoke when I get back from work will be

[Guest rob]

Great write up Ana!

I've got a box of these that is still complete... and I really havent ever had the desire to sample one. I don't know why exactly... but I now hope to get around to one soon.

[brian1]

Thanks for the review. I have been telling anyone who will listen how good these are. I stocked up on these when you couldnt give them away a few years ago. these were lost in the hype of the more famous EL of that year the Sublime and PSD#1. I think 2004 was a great year for cigars in general and this obviously benefitted the EL that year. These Herm #2's continue to get better and better. Love them, one of the few cigars that I get a disttint butterscotch flavor from. These are very unique and quite un EL like IMHO.

[maalouly]

Hey Jim,

Thank you for sharing. Great review!

Cheers,

Elie.

[thechenman]

Ana...

Loved the review. Never had one of these sticks as they were released several years prior to me beginning my cigar smoking journey, but they sound delicious. Thanks for sharing.

[Azksig]

That was a great review and right on. I got a box a few years ago and they were good but nothing special. I just had one for the first time in almost a year and it was incredible. One of the best smokes I've had lately. I'm down to 6 sticks so I'm afraid of smoking them as I think they have a lot left.

[habanohal]

A truye review. I have 2 singles left and a full box. Dont wanna smoke the 2 since then i ll half too brake into the box then

[shrink]

This review prompted me to fire one up tonight, and I was pleasantly surprised. This example was smooth, sweet and exhibited that characteristic Romeo tangy fruit-flavored profile. A well-matured and balanced smoke. Ready to rock n' roll.

[Torpo]

Very descriptive review. Thanks.

[bassman]

Considering how mediocre the regular production 04 cigars are, the 04 ELs really shine. I like this one a lot.

[matt14]

Heading home tomorrow it will be the first thing I grab on friday night for the AFL Grand Final warm up, I dont follow AFL dont even know who`s playing, but its a breakfast and Lunch buffet in the Sheraton with free flow of beer and wine, sat in the smoking section of course!

[MontrealRon]

Great review!!

These were the only LE's that I ever stocked up on. (Four boxes!)

They were available for quite a while, and prices, until recently,

were very reasonable.

I'm now winding up the first box, having smoked one every couple of months or so.

They were very good fresh, showing a real R&J character,

similar to the Churchills of some years back,

but with that extra red cherry/berry sweetness from the LE wrapper.

Around two years ago, they seemed to really shut down,

but have begun to blossom again this year.

I expect that in another year or two, they will hit their plateau of maturity,

where they will cruise for a long time.

[joeypots]

I had one the other day. Better, much better, than the last one I smoked about a year ago. I couldn't help thinking that the Hermoso #2 was like a week R&J Robusto EL from a few years before. The PSD#1 EL Partagas EL is imho far superior to any 2004 EL. Those sticks have come around!