How about some 12 days of Christmas review with a little snow in the backdrop.
Cigar: H Upmann Petit Corona
Box Code: PET DIC 16
As I've mentioned in recent posts, I've found myself on a real Petit Corona (I know the shape is a Mareva) kick lately. Before joining FOH back on May 4th, to be exact, I was a typical bigger RG smoker. I don't think it was ever because I found them more flavorful, but because there was more cigar to smoke. However, through this forum and or amazing community I've learned that bigger isn't always better (particularly flavor-wise).
I digress on other smokes... And say let's get on with the stick of this hour, the H. Upmann Petit Corona. The stick has a few veins with a beautiful milk chocolate wrapper. The cold draw (no pun intended, current temp in NJ is a cool 40°F) has hints of dried fruits, some sweetness, and the foot smells of that familiar barnyard twang. Because I know what I'm in for with this cigar, I can almost taste that salty tinge that's to come. After lighting I get the typical earthiness we all love from our CC's with hints of spices. The burn is beautifully even and the stick is producing copious amounts of smoke. Towards the end of the first third and into the second I can pick up some salty caramel notes. The burn remains razor perfect and the ash doesn't fall until about half the stick is burned. Throughout, I find myself doing what I do with so many Upmann's... Nose to barrel. I can get a lot of cream and shortbread coming off the stick. The retrohale is smooth even into the final third. It might be the cooler air but only in this final third do I pick up on the espresso and roasted coffee. I nubbed it and it was delicious to the very end.
This has become my marca of choice and I've learned through this cigar, in particular, that smaller vitolas deserve my attention. The fact that it's been discontinued is a sin. I've already begun my panic hoarding and I'm 5 boxes deep. I know I'm way behind many of my brothers-in-leaf but I'll continue to put these away every chance I get.
This was my first cigar review of any kind. I hope it wasn't too pedestrian for the real experts, and I hope you all enjoy this smoke as much as I did. Thank you Rob for the lineup of this sampler. So many other great smokes to get familiar with.
Cheers all and a Merry Christmas to my FOH brethren!
El Javi