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Johnny O Corona with shagfoot and pigtail cap Purchased November 2015 as part of a sampler wherein I received 2 of these, and 2 each of other vitolas. I did not write down whether these are the World Famous or La Corona. I haven't had either corona and selected the prettier one to smoke out of the coolerdor where it's been living. Cohiba-like orange wrapper with little tooth and only one tiny leaf stem/vein running the length of the stick; it has that spiral shape that always portends an exemplary RASS or Partagas product. Inside the cut (couldn't get a good pic with this awful phone camera), there isn't a stem in sight - quality colorado, thin leaf. The filler is obviously rolled entubado with 3 distinct circles of bunched tobacco surrounded by generous, thin binder. The shagfoot starts with a flourish and my wife says the smell takes her back to outdoor concerts back in high school. I, however, don't taste anything remotely marijuana-like. She said it wasn't like that - it was like the smell of tobacco being smoked outside on a warm summer evening while under the influence of a few beers. Oh, nostalgia! Paired with some Serrano coffee, fresh ground through a drip machine and topped off with good ole moo cow milk. I bought a kg of beans of this wonderful stuff and we have fallen in love with this coffee - its low acidity appeals to me and the terroir is definitely Cuba all the way with chocolate and earth defining the flavor and finish. The burn is immediately level and the flavor is creamy and nutty. Tastes sort of like Trinidad meets RyJ toasted tobacco. Apricot-like notes (similar to HdM EE). Creamy in moutfeel and slight after-taste (whipping cream-based icing). For one moment, the blend comes together and reminds me of a fall day, making me think of my wife's comment earlier. As the first third comes to a close with slow burn, the RyJ toastiness is a slight edge here and there, Trinidad nuttiness and toastiness shows up to join the fray. If handed with a cut foot, I'd have guessed it was a HdM and a particularly good one at that. A brief hint of that peculiar Por Larrañaga nut and dried fruit note show up and makes me eager to witness what the rest of the cigar has in store. If the remainder of the cigar was simply an interplay of the existing profile, I would be completely content, however, something makes me think the profile is about to become a journey. For the few dud JOs I've had, this reminds me why I will always keep some sitting back. This is quality tobacco! Burn is perfect, draw is tight, but intentionally so and nothing excessive. When I ash, the hots are a perfectly-centered cone. Hats off to the roller of this fine cigar! Serrano coffee finished (God, how amazing is that chocolate earthiness! I need to fix my espresso machine/buy a new one!). I go for a finger of Barbancourt 8 year as an accompaniment (bonus: incognito in the coffee mug!). El Prez has recommended rums as the perfect cigar/beverage pairing and I'd tend to agree. Before (and usually), i only drink water while smoking because I like the tobacco expression itself and alcohol numbs my palate. I don't do bourbon while smoking unless I'm shit-faced drunk as I haven't had a good pairing in the 100 or so times I've tried it. The second third still has that undeniable HdM EE apricot/slight peach note. It is backed up by the Por Larrañaga wood and earth with a little of that dried fruit still peaking through. Midway through, the cigar wakes up, strength increases noticeably and body goes up slightly as a peppery earthy pepper-earth comes through. The creaminess and toastiness reminds me more of Trinidad than anything else. As the second third draws to a close, I'd swear I was smoking a somewhat immature RyJ; the apricot has turned more into a slightly sweet cherry, there's plenty of toastiness (sometimes earthy like good RyJ, sometimes elegant and refined like Trinidad). And the earth and pepper are chugging on through, blending some nicotine alertness to round out the Serrano go-juice and offsetting the relaxation from the rum. The final third leaves me sad because I know we (who?) are rounding the corner and this will end soon. I would love an approximation of this blend in a monsdale vitola, or one of those slightly fattened Carlos Fernandez lanceros I have sitting back (8.5 inches x 40ish with a similar wrapper that screams "Cohiba!"). The Por Larrañaga returns and reminds of a particularly peppery and earthy PLMC - you know the ones. The sweetness is rare on the finish, the cigar has gotten quite woody, and the earth is all cuban terroir. It's peppery and I am left wondering what pure leaf-derived nicotine tastes like, as the buzz grows into a medium/full cigar (by NC standards) and the muddled fruit and kitchen spice (cardamom, cumin, savory) define the finish. The cigar finishes like a PLMC and I might be correct in that opinion - lately I go through a box of PLMC every quarter and I only smoke a few cigars per week. I lay the nub down by the cairn, focusing on my yardwork and gardening chores rather than going inside to hunt down a toothpick for 2 or 3 more puffs. I am very satisfied with that cigar and will leave the lone last corona for another year or 2, just for shits n giggles. The strength and vibrancy of flavors suggest additional aging potential. Why oh why didn't I just buy a bundle of these instead of pissing around with other vitolas? I would feel a wealthy man if I were sitting on 20-something more of these puppies in their humble ziplock bag alongside my branded beauties. I would buy boxes of this cigar.