My 2009 Habanos Cigar of the Year

[hansa]

I have picked this one as my Habanos cigar of the Year because they show an almost perfect consistency and a wonderfull taste :

I was able to pick up 4 boxes of these this year, all were from the "bad" period '99-'01. Although they are from this period, their construction was flawless ! I am halfway through the third box, and have had one or two tight cigars during these 70 tastefull hours.

Burn and ash are near perfect.

I have some pictures of one I smoke a while ago, I hope you enjoy :

Boxcode : ECA CCUI (José Marti formerly H.Upmann - Juni 1999)

Details : 170mm Ring 43

Nice smooth wrapper with little veins, somewhat boxpressed due to the age and the dressbox, beautifull color with lots of oil (like you would be oiled in and tanned after being on the Havana Club beach for 14 days !), the tripple cap was perfectly finished (Torcedor's schoolbook example).

Predraw : some earthy tones and leather.

After firing up this beauty, you get immediately lots of leather, some pepper. Halfway through, more and more chocolate and coffee comes in, magnificient. Not sharp or harsh at all.

[android]

A great Dalia...I enjoy and appreciate this cigar for what it is amongst a strong family of competition. Smoking through a box from 2003.

[dicko]

great artwork on those boxes. nice oily sheen to the cigars, you are right!

[Bartolomeo]

Love this cigar!

Bart

[cigaraholic]

I got 2 boxes of these when they were practically giving them away. Fantastic cigar.

Unfortunately I waited a while till I tried one and by then the price tripled.

Lesson learned.