JohnS' Smoking Diary 2020

[JohnS]

El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse MLU Dic 2018

I was profoundly disappointed with this cigar today. That youthful 'toastiness', citrus, fruit and honey was there, it was just hard to find as the draw was a little too tight, but not plugged enough to warrant intervention with my PrefecDraw tool.

Overall, I have a quarter of this box left and the best way to describe the cigars smoked is inconsistent. It has been frustrating smoking tight and plugged examples but the flip-side is the fact that there have been sensational ERdM Demi Tasses when construction was not an issue.

[JohnS]

Quai d'Orsay No. 50 LMB Jun 2019

I had written in a recent review on the Quai d'Orsay No.50 that my 10-count 2019 box had not smoked anywhere near what my 10-count 2018 had. I had found, in general, that the 2018 QdO 50s have been mainly soft egg and butter brioche bread, cedar and ginger/toffee sweet in flavour whilst the 2019 QdO 50s have been more woody and spicy.

Today's Quai d'Orsay No.50, from my 2019 box, was actually quite good, although not as light in body as my 2018 examples. I did enjoy the egg and butter brioche pastry core flavour, a little ginger, cedar and roasted hazelnut. I also did have to smoke this slower to appreciate its more intensive profile on the palate.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco ABO Abr 2019

There's not much more I can add in my descriptions of this cigar lately without repeating myself. Yes, they just seem to deliver time-and-time again. The flavour profile was much the same; light cedar, ginger spice, marshmallow and cream texture.

My 10-count box of Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco ordered from a 24:24 listing arrived the other day. The box would be lucky to see the arrival of 2021 if any of those cigars smoke as well as my recent HdM Le Hoyo de Rio Seco!

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.4 UEB Ago 2018

I smoked this Montecristo No.4 on a delightful winter's afternoon where the sun shone after some morning fog and drizzle. I felt like smoking a classic format cigar such as the 42 ring gauge petit corona and I'm really glad I did. This was a welcome return to form due to the last one been so average, to put it mildly. The flavours were well-balanced and the citrus 'twang', which I absolutely adore in these lately, really stood out. In-between I got a some nice cocoa, milk coffee and nut to complement that 'twang'.

There are now five cigars left from this box. I hope to make that four soon!

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas LGR Oct 2019

It's been awhile since I've had a Por Larranaga Petit Coronas. My Cuban Cigar Website Smoking Diary suggests that this is just the second instance in the last two years. My how time flies!

It's true, I have been distracted by the Por Larranaga Montecarlos in recent times due to its quality-to-cost appeal. Furthermore, it takes more time for Petit Coronas to develop the caramel profile I prefer in that cigar. Whereas a Por Larranaga Montecarlos may typically take 1 to 3 years to develop a dominant caramel characteristic, the Por Larranaga Petit Coronas may take 5 to 8 years to do so.

Despite the fact that I have a EML May 2014 cab still resting away unopened, I had always been meaning to pick up a quarter cab of PLPCs from a 24:24 listing to appreciate some of these younger, perhaps to appreciate them with more 'punch' and 'bite'.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out today that this cigar did not smoke as youthfully as its box code suggested. In other words, it didn't have as much 'bite' and didn't have as much notes of toasted tobacco as what might expect from a PLPC this young. Instead I got subtle notes of caramel, some instances of baking spice, distinct honey and in-between some sweet molasses all wrapped around a quality tobacco core spine.

This was a fine cigar. It was mild, smoked well and made me lament that I haven't smoked more PLPCs recently. After today, I believe I should rectify that!

[JohnS]

Trinidad Media Luna BSM Nov 2019

2019 has seen the release of three new additions to the Trinidad line-up; the Media Luna, the Esmeralda and the Topes. The Media Luna is a Marinas size with a 50 ring gauge x 115mm (or 4½ inch) length. "Media Luna" is the name of the Hostel with an important architectonic value located in the street of the same name in the city of Trinidad.

This smoked similarly to the Media Luna I enjoyed a month ago. It had the distinctive premium, rich butter pastry, coffee, dough and wood flavours which have characterised all three new Trinidad releases, in my opinion. Again, I had to savour it and smoke it slow; this was not a cigar to rush in any way. I smoked it after a hearty meal, catching up with a close friend I had not seen since the start of 2020 due to the worldwide Covid-19 outbreak, which has obviously affected us all.

I gave him one too from this box and he was effervescent in singing its praises. He offered me some Springbank 15 whisky to pair with it espousing the coconut and honey qualities of the drink as a perfect compliment to the rich and savoury Media Luna we were both smoking. Indeed, it was a fine pairing.

Comparisons are readily made to the Topes and Esmeralda when discussing the Media Luna. In my mind, the other two may be said to be better only because they last longer as a quality smoke.

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 (circa 2016)

At any one time it is said that one-quarter to one-third of regular production Habanos cigars is in hiatus. As there are 212 current regular production cigars at the time of writing (69 pre-1960 cigars, 120 post-1960 cigars and 23 La Casa del Habanos and Habanos Specialist cigars), you have to agree, that's quite a number of cigars (something like 53 to 71 cigars currently, based on that cited figure). The one cigar of all these in recent hiatus that gets mentioned the most on our forum lately is the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4.

But what exactly makes the LGC MdO4 so popular? I believe there are three reasons; firstly, it's a slim panatela vitola, one of the last of its kind in regular production (apart from the Por Larranaga Montecarlos), secondly, its the last regular production La Gloria Cubana cigar left (if you don't count the LCDH Inmensos, Piramides and Robusto Extra releases) and lastly, it tends to be a wonderfully complex cigar.

This Medaille d'Or No.4 was indeed wonderfully complex. Gifted by @Luca (thank you kindly) and from circa 2016, the first third was all almond nut and fruit flavours, whilst the middle third saw more woody characteristics and the last third picked up in pepper. In the meantime, it was very, very satisfying.

When will the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 come back, I hear you say? The last box codes confirmed on our forum were a little over two years ago (around March 2018). Your guess is as good as mine. One thing I can say, the reason for hiatuses is not always due to leaf quality or lack thereof. Sometimes its packaging issues and alternatively it can be a combination of both. Here's hoping they return soon!

[JohnS]

Juan López Selección No.2 (circa 2016)

The Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 has enjoyed a revival on our forum in the past few years. I've tried a number over the years and I consistently find them more desirable with age on them. When young, I tend to find that they dominate in toasted tobacco and coffee notes; as they age, the orange citrus and chocolate notes within the cigar tend to come to the fore.

This JLS2, from circa 2016, was generously gifted to me by @Luca (thank you). It had that typical Juan Lopez toasted tobacco and espresso coffee core, but it was a lot milder than a youthful JLS2 and the orange citrus really shone in this cigar, which made it memorable for me. Surprisingly, I didn't really register chocolate with this cigar this time round.

I'm still aging my Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 box from December 2016. I have two-thirds of the box left and I aim to smoke my next one in a few months time, just to see how they are coming along.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos Ammunition 2018 - Edición Regional Phoenicia RAG Sep 2018

The Diplomaticos Ammunition was released in November 2018 by Phoenicia Trading, the exclusive Habanos distributor in the Middle East, Cyprus, Greece and parts of Africa. Phoenicia Trading have been known for their excellent Libano Regional Edition releases over the years, however, curiously enough their seven consecutive Regional Edition Ramon Allones releases from 2008 to 2015 prompted Habanos S.A to update their guidelines for Regional Edition releases for their distributors. No longer are we to get two releases of the same marca for the same region in consecutive years!

As for the curious name of this release, 'Ammunition' is a reference to "the challenge, thrill, and resolve felt and experienced by hunters and poker players, dedicated to their passion, knowing of the gratitude for the accomplishment of success,” according to Hisham Lofti, commercial director of Phoenicia Trading A.A. The Diplomaticos Ammunition came out in 10000 10-count boxes (so 100000 sticks overall) and is a 54 ring gauge x 150 mm (or 5⅞ inches) in length Geniales cigar, having the same dimensions as the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan and H.Upmann Connossieur B.

After smoking this cigar today, make no mistake, this is a quality release. The Diplomaticos No.2 is noted for its sourdough, bell pepper (or capsicum) and paprika spice notes, emphasising the savoury side of the marca, this Ammunition definitely highlighted just how sweet Diplomaticos can be. Whereas the Nortenos was like strawberries and cream, this cigar was more quality sourdough, cinnamon and nutmeg.

If you can get you hands on this release then do not hesitate in doing so. As for me, I look forward to smoking my next one!

[JohnS]

Cohiba Lanceros PFY Dic 2005

I think I've smoked 6 Cohiba Lanceros in the last 3 years and my smoking diary on Cuban Cigar Website has noted each and every one rated five out of five overall.

Gifted by @Trevor2118, this Lanceros again solidified for me why these can be great young, and other-worldly when aged. A beautifully complex long and skinny, flavours were ornate from beginning to end. Mocha, milk coffee, Cohiba grass/hay, vanilla, spice and honey, it was all there until the very end when I nubbed it. Another 5 out of 5 but it really deserved a 5 1/2!

Despite the cigar not being an aligned parejo (i.e. the image above shows the cigar being slightly bent in the middle), it smoked wonderfully. I nubbed it to my fingers and I immediately thought to myself upon completion that I could smoke another, the cigar was that exemplary! I've smoked an array of quality Habanos cigars in 2020 and this 2005 Cohiba Lanceros would have to rate as one of the very best cigars that I have smoked thus far this year!

[JohnS]

Trinidad Esmeralda GEM Nov 2019

The Trinidad Esmeralda is a Dinoras-sized cigar with a 53 ring gauge x 145mm (or 5¾ inches) length. Esmeralda is a reference to one of the famous streets of Trinidad city.

I was enamored with the coffee and cake-like quality of my first Esmeralda from the box a few weeks ago so I wanted to enjoy the next one with Trevor Leask, the founder of Cuban Cigar Website, on a pleasant and warm Winter's mid-afternoon.

The first third again opened with distinctive coffee, cake or dough, wood and a buttered texture which I've come to appreciate in all three new Trinidad releases. In the middle third the cigar picked up more coffee and wood notes. In the last third the buttered texture was still there but the wood and spice came out more to the fore and both Trevor and I let out cigars go around halfway through the last third. We both figured that the Esmeralda was a young cigar and together with its rich and flavoursome profile, really needed the last third to be smoother if we were to nub it. Then again, it was still a good smoke and an afternoon well-enjoyed!

I had mentioned in my previous review on the Esmeralda and the three new Trinidad releases (i.e the Esmeralda, Topes and Media Luna) are the type of cigars that you would finish a night (or afternoon) with, possibly after a hearty meal. Today's Esmeralda exemplified this view.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Exquisitos (circa 2018)

It's been a bit under three years since I've had a Cohiba Exquisitos. At 33 ring gauge x 126 mm (or 5 inches) in length, I tell myself that I should have these more, but the issue I find with these is unlike similar panatela ring-gauged cigars, (e.g. the Por Larranaga Montecarlos and the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4) they have a tendency to be tightly rolled. Today's Exquisitos was not like that thankfully, although it did have a little resistance on the draw.

This cigar was youthful, well...at least for a Cohiba vitola, at two years old and the tasting reflected that. Basically it dominated in mocha coffee and sweet honey or perhaps caramel notes and that was it. I've had much older examples of this cigar and frankly I would prefer them within the 5 to 10 year mark, where other traditional Clasica Linea flavours come more to fore and you can get some really nice aged baking spice, which I personally quite like.

No matter, this Cohiba Exquisitos was quite fine. Although if I do get a box down the track I think I'll let it rest for quite some time before lighting the first cigar up.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince SOM Jun 2016

This started off as the smaller doppelgänger of an aged Le Hoyo des Dieux, all cedar and cream with subtle vanilla notes on the edges and remained that way throughout. At around 4 years of age, I'm finding these are finally developing the creamy texture that traditional aged Le Hoyo cigars are known for.

I mention the word 'traditional' as I can emphatically state that the recent larger Le Hoyo cigars, the 2014 de San Juan and 2018 de Rio Seco are not as woody as these classic thinner ring-gauged Le Hoyo cigars and have a creamy texture much younger, especially the de Rio Seco, in my opinion.

The Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince was deleted in early 2017 and was a FoH forum favourite for much of 2016. If you've picked up a box during this era then you'd be pleased to know how they are developing.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Petit Coronas LUB May 2014

The H.Upmann Petit Corona was discontinued by Habanos S.A in 2017. In comparison to other marevas cigars, such as the Montecristo No.4, it was never a big seller. This was evident from the availability of stock after the cigar was mooted for discontinuation. I seem to remember that on-line vendors had them in stock for the greater majority of that year.

This H.Upmann Petit Corona was similar to my last one a few months ago. That is, it was quite good, but not as creamy as I like it. Flavours were similar too with light espresso coffee, cedar, shortbread, a hint of white pepper and a some licorice sweetness. Creaminess was again evident but it was minimal. I'm starting to equate the licorice flavour in this intermediate period between youthful long-term rest and older long-term aging as the flavour one gets in the crossover period when these have more leather in that youth and more creaminess in their long-term age period.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Magnum 46 (circa 2018)

If we ask ourselves honestly, I'd think we'd admit that we all have one or two marcas or vitolas we predominantly don't favour despite trying over a long period of time. Despite my last H.Upmann Magnum 46 around 4 months ago being excellent, the H.Upmann Magnum 46 is one such cigar, for me.

In general, I find H.Upmann needs time, for my taste, to reach its peak and I definitely favour the softer shortbread-laden varieties such as the Connossieur A, Connoisseur No.1 and Sir Winston rather than the powerhouse, when young, espresso-laden Magnum 46, Half Corona and (now deleted) Petit Corona. In any case, I will tend to age my Upmann stock, except I'm partial to smoking the aforementioned 'softer' cigars (in terms of flavour intensity) younger.

This Magnum 46 had some harshness on the edges, some shortbread and cedar, a core strong, dark espresso coffee and a little licorice sweetness which overall made it quite an acceptable cigar; it just wasn't to my preference.

Kudos to you if you love the H.Upmann Magnum 46 and it is in your 'go-to' rotation. One thing I can say about it, it is a dependable cigar; both in flavour and construction, in general.

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Dukes 2009 - Edición Limitada 2009

The Romeo y Julieta Dukes 2009 Limited Edition was the first of its type in regards to its vitola. At 54 ring gauge x 140mm (or 5½ inches) in length, the factory name of this cigar is actually called 'duke', otherwise its broader common name is 'robusto extra'. Two years later the popular Partagas Serie E No.2 was released. Since then we've had five Regional Editions and the 2018 Bolivar Soberanos Limited Edition share this size.

This 2009 Limited Edition cigar received high critical praise amongst aficionados when it was released. It was noted for its bold cherry, wood and spice flavours. How did this one fare in 2020? In a word, it smoked like it would have in 2012, it was that bold!

The first third was gorgeous; cherry and what resembled coconut cream abounded for the first few puffs until some spice kicked in. In the middle third that spice took over with the cherry and some cocoa and wood notes. In the last third the wood dominated. This cigar was the type of Romeo y Julieta that is the antithesis of the current Romeo y Julieta Churchills, which I find a much milder and sweeter.

There are colloquial rumours that surround the Limited Edition program amongst enthusiasts. Firstly, they tend to emphasise chocolate notes due to their maduro-shaded wrappers (true) and secondly, they tend to hit their peak within 12 to 24 months (false). This cigar today provided testament to the fact that Limited Editions can have a long shelf-life indeed!

[JohnS]

Partagás Serie D No.4 OPA Mar 2010

The question of shelf-life periodically comes up on our forum. Rest assured, if you keep your Habanos cigars in proper storage conditions you will reap the benefits of settling them for many, many years. Today's Partagas Serie D No.4 is a testament to that fact.

At just over ten years of age I had no issue nubbing this to my fingertips. How did it differ to younger Partagas Serie D No 4's? Firstly, it wasn't toasty in any way, neither did it have strong coffee notes. Rather, it dominated in sourdough and leather. Along the way I really appreciated the mild pepper lilting in and out and the nougat, which I don't get anywhere near the same amount of in younger Partagas Serie D No.4's.

Aristotle once said, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” How true that is!

[JohnS]

Montecristo Dantés 2016 - Edición Limitada MEL Dic 2016

The Montecristo Dantes 2016 Limited Edition is a Hermosos No.1 which came out in early 2017. At 48 ring gauge x 167mm (or 6⅝ inches) in length, it is indeed a rare vitola not seen since the 2003 Romeo y Julieta Limited Edition and the three special release San Cristobal de la Habana Mercedares releases last seen in 2009. A commemorative Hoyo de Monterrey Primaveras 18 release is due in 2021, which will see the return of this vitola size.

At the time of release Rob and Ken reviewed this cigar and commented that it needed a three to five year window to peak. This Montecristo Dantes, at around three-and-a-half years of age, justified in my opinion this view.

In 2017 initial reviews stated that the Dantes honoured the Montecristo cocoa or chocolate and coffee profile and had a bit of fruit and white pepper to it, although it was a little one-dimensional. Fast forward to 2020 and this Dantes today had your classic Montecristo cocoa, coffee and cream core intermixed with some baking spice, marshmallow (but nowhere near what you'd get in a good Montecristo Leyenda cigar) and of course hints of white pepper here and there.

It was still mild-medium in strength and quite flavoursome. If you have a 10-count box of this Limited Edition cigar resting away why not pull out a stick or two to sample it? I assure you that you'll be grateful you did!

[JohnS]

Saint Luis Rey Serie A MOE Oct 2014

It's a shame that Habanos S.A have reduced a marca such as Saint Luis Rey to one regular production vitola, the Regios. Saint Luis Rey as a brand established itself in the 1940s in the United Kingdom and did not do so in other regions, nevertheless, the Regios and the Serie A are quite different cigars, in my opinion, especially as these can be quite complex in their flavour delivery. I find the Regios more approachable young, yet the Serie A can really take you on a journey when smoked with some age on it, as this one was today.

This cigar when aged can give you nuanced, subtle flavours and changes through the thirds. My most recent Serie A's showed notes of powdered cocoa, hay, lemon/orange citrus sweetness and apricot or peach stonefruit flavours in the first third, floral flavours and cream in the middle third and chocolate and espresso coffee in the final third.

This Saint Luis Rey Serie A, at five-and-a-half years of age had more elements of the first third in it. The main flavours I got from it were cocoa, hay, orange citrus and a sprinkling of pekoe tea and spice. It was a finely balanced cigar and upon finishing it I lamented that I have only five Serie A's left in my humidor. I plan to enjoy them with a little more age on them yet.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225 2015 - Edición Regional Gran Bretaña MUR Feb 2013

The Ramon Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225 was released in 2015 to commemorate Hunters & Frankau's 225th Anniversary as a cigar distributor company. The release notes below...

About this cigar: To mark Hunters & Frankau's 225th Anniversary, we are offering a very special Havana cigar and a commemorative humidor. Just 50,000 of the cigars have been produced in numbered SLB boxes of 25. Master blender Arnaldo Vichot at the Partagas factory, created the rich mixture of leaves for the cigars. Two different blends were submitted to a tasting panel in November 2012 and once the blend was chosen by H&F representatives, production of all 50,000 cigars took place between February and May 2013 and was undertaken by just three top grade torcedores.

In the traditional British manner, the cigars were then shipped to the UK and aged for a period of two years in their condition-controlled warehouse so that they would be fully matured before being released to the market.

Popular Vitola: H&F 225th Aniversario
Factory Vitola: Gordito con Cabeza Tumbada
Ring Gauge: 50
Cigar Length: 141 mm / 5.5 inches
Body: Medium - Full

After five years the cigar has become medium-mild in body yet still retains a core flavour of cocoa, madeira cake, baking spice and floral notes. I found it very different to a regular production Ramon Allones cigar, much lighter and nuanced.

The Bolivar Silver Jubilee Asia Pacific Regional Edition has since been released with the same vitola in 2018, but the RA H&F Aniversario 225 remains a unique cigar within the Ramon Allones marca.

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro OMR Oct 2015

Vegas Robaina was introduced as an addition to the Habanos catalogue in 1997. It was named after the famous Cuban tobacco grower, Alejandro Robaina, whom the Cuban Government decided to honour as the preeminent tobacco grower in Cuba in the 90's by naming a marca after him. Apparently the Don was unhappy with the direction that Habanos S.A took with the marca named after him prior to his passing in 2010. Subsequently, Habanos S.A has not produced a special release Vegas Robaina cigar since Alejandro's grandson, Hirochi left the island to produced a line of Non-Cuban cigars in 2014 (he has since returned to the Robaina farm in Cuba). So, it would be credible to say that there is a 'bubbling' of tension in the relationship between the Robaina family and Habanos S.A up to the present time. Deleting the cigar named after the most famous Cuban tobacco farmer since the Cuban Revolution in 2017 surely would not have helped things.

The Don Alejandro, as mentioned, was available until 2017. It was a very slow seller (as is the Vegas Robaina marca overall). The late '15 Don Alejandro I smoked tonight has rested a little under 5 years and I wanted to re-visit it as Vegas Robaina is known for its prominent chocolate profile, and according to my palate, brands that share this dominant flavour profile tend to peak in the 3 to 5 year window, although I admit this is a personal generalisation and not a rule.

Similarly to the last VR Double Alejandro I had around 15 months ago, this Double Corona was 2 hours and 15 minutes of pure bliss. It had a perfect balance of chocolate, a slight raisin sweetness, a hint of sour dark cherries, and a core baking spice element from beginning to end. For me, the baking spice was the dominant flavour and is something I look for and appeals to me in certain marcas as a sign of aging.

It's such a shame that Habanos S.A has discontinued this particular cigar named after a much-admired figure of the Cuban cigar industry. It stands out in its flavour profile amongst the remaining Double Coronas, there's simply no other Double Corona like it.

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones Allones Superiores 2010 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo ULA Sep 2014

According to Habanos S.A (and Cuban Cigar Website), La Casa del Habano is an internationally registered trademark, property of the Corporation Habano S.A.; it’s design and concept are founded in ‘know how’, and have been pivotal in Habanos’ successful development into an International Chain of Franchises in just a brief period of time.

La Casa del Habano are models for successful businesses around the world. An ample number of cigar boutiques rebuilt using norms and parameters of identity set by the Franchiser, Habanos S.A., using it’s image and excellent service, have successfully promoted the pleasures of smoking cigars along with the knowledge of it’s culture to consumers, while still maintaining the capacity to adapt itself to the characteristics and culture of the country in which it functions.

In 1990, the first international La Casa Del Habano began operating in Cancun, Mexico.

From that date to the present it’s business concept has evolved. In the beginning it functioned as a store especially dedicated to the selling of famous Cuban tobaccos commercially recognized around the world. Presently, this store not only sells tobaccos, but is also characterized by numerous other services and personalized attention provided to experts in the art of smoking cigars as well as to those beginners interested in learning about these products, it’s culture and it’s history.

Initially the LCdH releases were standard productions cigars produced in unlimited numbers.

Since 2011 a new policy of releasing special La Casa Del Habano Exclusives (La Casa Del Habano Exclusivo) in limited numbers was established. Prior to this, releases such as the 2006 San Cristóbal de la Habana Muralla, San Cristóbal de la Habana Mercaderes and San Cristóbal de la Habana Oficios and the 2007
Bolívar Gold Medal were produced in limited runs and not continued. The 2007 Partagás Culebras, 2008 Partagás Salomones, 2009 H. Upmann Noellas and 2010 Ramón Allones Allones Superiores were amongst the first LCdH releases to benefit from the 2011 change in policy and hence have been in regular production ever since.

This was a nice, complex smoking experience. It began with refined baking spice or floral notes dominating. In the middle third the cigar was more woody until the final third when it was mainly vegetal. In between, the Ramon Allones stewed fruit or Christmas cake flavours were very much present and to the fore, yet I appreciated the mildness, with the cigar being just under 6 years of age.

For me, this was a stupendous example of a Ramon Allones cigar. Then again, I am highly impartial to quality aged and mild Habanos cigars!

[JohnS]

Montecristo 80 Aniversario 2015 - 80 Aniversario GOA Dic 2016

The Montecristo 80 Aniversario is a special release cigar to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Montecristo marca by Alonso Menéndez in 1935. The original press release by Habanos S.A below...

Montecristo 80 Aniversario is a unique vitola , specially selected by Habanos s.a. to commemorate the establishment of this legendary brand in 1935. The 20 Habanos in this exclusive edition have been made Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga -Totally Handmade with Long Filler-, after selecting the exquisite capa , tripa and capote -wrapper, filler, and binder- leaves from the best plantations in Vuelta Abajo * (Pinar del Río*). The vitola and blend, which have a special strength, have been created for smokers who enjoy intense flavours.

The Montecristo 80 Aniversario has special dimensions that cannot be found in any other standard Habanos vitola. It will particularly appeal to smokers who enjoy thick ring gauge Habanos and an exquisite blend that is balanced, and intense at the same time.

This commemorative edition is presented in an exclusive, uniquely designed box made from the finest Cuban wood and elegantly finished with carmelite lacquer, with all its bevelled edges showing. The box cover stands out due to the round Montecristo seal in vivid gold tones, inspired by the design of the brand’s band.

The Habanos in this edition are also presented in an exclusive and novel fashion. The brand’s band is entirely finished in gold for the occasion and is accompanied by a second band bearing the reason for the edition: 80 Aniversario.

Montecristo is the best known and, perhaps, best appreciated of the Habanos brands and is considered by many to be the benchmark in Habano flavour. Its name is inspired by the novel The Count of Montecristo, by Alexandre Dumas, extremely popular among the torcedores -cigar rollers- at the H. Upmann factory in Havana, where the brand was established in 1935.

Interestingly, there were only two Limited Editions released in 2015, the H.Upmann Magnum 56 and the Ramon Allones Club Allones. I mention this because usually three Limited Editions are released annually and the Montecristo 80 Aniversario seemed to be a 'de facto' Limited Edition for that year. Like those Limited Editions it wasn't available until later, in this case, mid-2016. Unlike the H.Upmann Magnum 56 and Ramon Allones Club Allones, the Montecristo 80 Aniversario was still seeing 24:24 listings on our forum in 2019 with late-2018/early-2019 box codes.

The vitola is indeed unique, a Maravillas No.2 with a 55 ring gauge x 165 mm (or 6½ inches) length. The Montecristo Leyenda, released two years later as part of the Linea 1935 premium line, shares these dimensions.

After smoking it today, I couldn't help but feel how complimentary this was in comparison to the very best Leyendas I've smoked. To me, they seem to share common characteristics, with this Montecristo 80 Aniversario at around 3-and-a-half years of age. Unlike the recent, similarly-aged Montecristo Dantes 2016 Limited Edition which I smoked and noted how it emphasised stronger coffee and cocoa flavours, this Montecristo 80 Aniversario was mainly nutty, light coffee, milk chocolate and had a marshmallow-textured creaminess that simply oozed class from beginning to end.

Make no mistake, this was a glorious example of a Montecristo cigar from start to finish. I only wish I had more in my humidor!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Aguilas 2005 - 130 Aniversario Humidor (circa 2005)

It's unlikely that you've come across a review on the Romeo y Julieta Aguilas before. Heck, it's just as unlikely that you've even heard of it. If you haven't...don't fret! This cigar came paired with the Romeo y Julieta 109 in a Special Release 130 Aniversario Humidor, released in 2005. There were 250 Humidors made with 50 cigars of the 109 and 50 cigars of the Aguilas included. I was fortunate enough to get this cigar in a trade with @ATGroom, the proprietor of Cuban Cigar Website.

Incidentally, the only other place that you are likely to cite a review on the RyJ Aguilas is on Alex's very funny Dusky Beauties blog here:

https://www.duskybeauties.com/romeo-y-julieta-aguilas-130-aniversario-humidor/

The review is an excellent read and yes, that funny story within that article is even funnier when Alex confirmed it when I asked him about it a few years ago!

The Romeo y Julieta Aguilas 2005 - 130 Aniverario Humidor cigar is a 50 ring gauge x 143 mm (or 5⅝ inches) Perfecto, tapered at the foot and slightly less so at the head. In his review on Dusky Beauties, Alex noted how nutty and creamy this cigar was. For me, I reflected how that nutty taste was more akin to a quality cedar, otherwise this cigar had elements of cherries, cream and spice on the edges which unequivocally suggested that this was indeed the best Romeo y Julieta cigar I've ever sampled!

I feel that I'm in good company though. @Trevor2118 affirmed how spectacular this was late last year when he smoked the same cigar:

https://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/topic/99094-fohers-daily-smoke/?do=findComment&comment=990105

Similarly, when Alex smoked 20 Romeo y Julieta cigars for his Dusky Beauties blog in 2016 he ranked the Aguilas 130 Aniversario Humidor the cigar as the best.

https://www.duskybeauties.com/romeo-y-julieta-roundup/

All that's left for me to do in this short mini-review is to thank Alex again for the trade and the opportunity to sample such a magnificent cigar. I was truly honoured!

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Unifree 2018 - Edición Regional Turquía LGR Oct 2018

What price sentimentality? The question itself sounds odd. If we can argue that sentimentality is the heightened, emotional response based on feelings which can become idealistic, perhaps we could counter that Aristotle's cathartic response to tragedy, the willingness to let go of pity and fear in the face of a calamitous event is the exact opposite of the idea of sentimentality. How does this relate to the La Gloria Cubana 2018 Turkish Regional Edition? Please read on...

As cigar enthusiasts we regularly find ourselves lamenting the (often numerous) changes that are coerced upon us seemingly in pursuit of our hobby. The two main areas where this is most relevant is the discontinuation of favourite cigars from the past (e.g. the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur Series, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux et al.) and the advent of larger ring gauge cigars. The La Gloria Cubana Unifree is a release that represents these two laments amongst aficionados; firstly, it has been released in a time when the regular production long and skinny La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 is in hiatus and secondly, it is another Montesco-sized release.

The LGC Unifree is the second Turkish Regional Edition after the 2014 52 ring gauge x 110 mm (or 4⅜ inches) in length, Petit Robusto Bolivar Bosphorus. Trevor Leask, the founder of Cuban Cigar Website actually gifted me this cigar to smoke with him in early 2016 (after all, like typical special releases, it was released to market late in mid-2015) and we both found it ordinary, extinguishing it early into the final third. This second Turkish Regional Edition was not like this. Like all good La Gloria Cubana cigars, it had an element of complexity to it. In my view, La Gloria Cubana is one of those marcas renowned for balance and complexity in a cigar; and more so when the cigar is constructed and blended well.

This cigar had notes of almond nut, fruit, wood, pepper but where it really shone, for me, was in its mild, creamy texture. For a cigar that's a little over 18 months old I found this impressive. The problem with it was the 55 ring gauge. You see, I punched the cap with my Credo 3-in-1 Punch Cutter, and usually this does the job on these larger-girthed cigars, but the smoke output was minimal at times, despite satisfactory resistance from the draw and I really should have opened up the head with a straight cut to compensate for this.

The reduced smoke resulted in me drawing harder on the cigar and by the final third I had moistened the head of it, which meant the flavours became a little acrid and bitter. Up until that point, this Unifree was a very, very good example of a La Gloria Cubana cigar, with some light wood, hints of pepper and tangy fruitiness in the middle third to compliment the creaminess from the first third. Chalk it up to experience and a lesson learnt, but next time I will be applying my Xikar XO cutter to the head.

As I alluded to the size of the LGC Unifree previously, this is the 11th Regional Edition to garner a 55 ring gauge x 130 mm (or 5⅛ inches) in length size. The original cigar to have these dimensions was the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills in 2010. In the meantime, apart from those eleven Regional Editions, the 2013 Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure and 2019 Montecristo Supremos Limited Editions and the 2015 Romeo y Julieta Gran Reserva Wide Churchills also were released in a Montesco size. It just seems that this vitola is here to stay and Petit Coronas are fast becoming cigars of yesteryear.

So how do we respond to this as cigar enthusiasts? Do we become sentimental and lament this change or cathartic and embrace it? Perhaps there is another way, a view that eschews the extremes and is balanced and 'down-the-middle'. For in the time that the La Gloria Cuban Medaille d'Or No.4 has been in hiatus we've seen 88000 Italian LGC Invictos, 500000 Spanish LGC Serie D No.5, 60000 Swiss LGC Orgullosos, 60000 Turkish LGC Unifree and soon we'll have 60000 of the 3-year delayed British LGC Britanicas Extra cigars released.

This 2018 La Gloria Cubana Montesco-sized Unifree was a delightful cigar. I'm honest enough to admit that whilst at the same time feeling sentimental about the slim panatela La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4.