JohnS' Smoking Diary 2021

[JohnS]

Ramón Allones No.2 2019 - Edición Limitada TUE Jun 2020

The Ramon Allones Allones No.2 (yes, that is its full name but I can foresee that it will be quickly re-monnikered the Ramon Allones No.2 amongst aficionados) is a 2019 Limited Edition that is packaged in a 10-count ornate, green box and was launched with much fanfare by Habanos S.A in conjunction with Hunters & Frankau in London in August 2020. Habanos S.A invested heavily in its marketing campaign by releasing a technically slick video advertisement and 600 guests at the launch party were gifted packs including the new cigar; a small bottle of Hine Cigar Reserve Cognac and a glass; chocolates especially designed for the event by London club, 5 Hertford Street, a cutter, matches and a detailed informational booklet.

The Ramon Allones No.2 is a campanas; a torpedo-shaped cigar with a 52 ring x 140 mm or 5½ inches length which has the identical dimensions of a Bolivar Belicosos Finos. This is the third Ramon Allones No.2 I've had and once again, upon lighting, I noted that this was a quality, refined cigar. The flavours were typical for Ramon Allones such as cocoa and cherry fruit. The last Ramon Allones No.2 I had in April 2021 contained hazelnut and soft baking spices on the edges. This RA No.2 LE was mostly the same upon smoking around four months later, only whilst the cigar was full-bodied, the strength had changed slightly to being medium-mild. It meant that the flavours were heavy on the palate without being overly viscous through the nose.

The flavours were not delineated; rather they were melded still at this point (again, pretty much like my last RA No.2 LE) and like I mentioned in my last review on this cigar, I still feel that this cigar will require another good 2 to 3 years to start opening up to fully appreciate. Then again, if we compare the 2009 Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos Asia-Pacifico Regional Edition and the 2015 Ramon Allones Club Allones, those special releases took some time to settle so saying this does carry precedence.

The cigar took me around 90 minutes to finish and yes, I did enjoy it but for me, it's a full-bodied cigar with refined, conflated flavours at this stage. You're best to let this cigar settle three to five years.

[JohnS]

Montecristo No.2 GOB Mar 2021

If I asked you to think of Montecristo as a brand you are likely to think of one or two things; one, how inconsistent they can be at times (depending on the vitola) and two, they have a number of regular production vitolas (currently it's 25 including the Linea 1935 series, the Habanos Specialist release, the Herederos and the yet-to-be released Wide Edmundo) but the main ones that most people know about are the Montecristo No.2 and Montecristo No.4.

This Montecristo No.2 was the first cigar from a quarter pack I acquired from a 24:24 listing recently. This acquisition contained light-wrappered Monte 2s. I have had dark-wrappered Monte 2s over the years too, so what's the difference, in general? I guess I've tended to find the light-wrappered Monte 2s more nutty, creamy and milk chocolate; the dark-wrappered Monte 2s alternatively have been more dark cocoa and stronger notes of coffee. This hasn't been the case for every single example of these, however, I am speaking in generalisations.

This Montecristo No.2 was very simple in its flavours; these being a very light cocoa, milk coffee, leather, nut and an underlying citrus twang. It was quite good from beginning to end!

Not all Montecristo No.2s are going to smoke like this today. If you've smoked a number over the years you'll know exactly what I mean. But when they do, 'boy oh boy' are they great!

[JohnS]

Saint Luis Rey Regios GOB Jun 2020

According to Cuban Cigar Website, "Saint Luis Rey is a current pre-revolution brand, established around 1940 by a British firm. It was imported exclusively into the UK market until the 1993. Production was always fairly small, and starting in the early 2000s the line has been gradually reduced to a single cigar produced for copyright reasons." That one cigar is the Hermosos No.4-sized Regios (48 ring gauge x 127 mm or 5 inches in length).

In my experience, Saint Luis Rey has always been a cigar that requires aging to get the benefits of its blend profile and my preference makes it difficult to appreciate smoking it in its youth. Whether it's the now discontinued corona gorda-sized Serie A, the similarly deleted Double Corona, Lonsdale and Churchill or the Regional releases such as the Asia-Pacifico Pacificos and Cuban Marquez, I've always smoked them with time down.

This was the second SLR Regios from this box code that I smoked. The first, smoked four months ago, had distinctive Saint Luis Rey flavours of cocoa, hay and a stonefruit (think dried apricots) core but its apple citrus tart flavour wasn't as dominant as I would have liked. It was merely serviceable, in my view. Fast forward to the present and what a revelation a little time down serves. This SLR Regio today was exemplary in all departments; construction, flavour and smoking.

The cigar ash was consistent, as was the burn but it was the flavours and smoking in which this cigar really excelled. I very much appreciated the cake-type texture to this Regios, together with its obvious dried apricot or stonefruit and hay profile. If there was any cocoa it was minimal, although I did get some apple tart citrus too. The flavours were so rich that this Hermosos No.4-sized cigar took me in the vicinity of 95 to 100 minutes to finish.

I guess I was just glad to finally 'hop on the bandwagon', so-to-speak and enjoy this 'hot' cigar (at the moment) in all its glory.

[JohnS]

Nudies N3 Carlota

The Nudies are a 2019 collaboration between El Pres and master Cuban roller, Hamlet Paredes using Non-Cuban leaf. Specifically, the filler is made up of Nicaraguan quality aged seco and volado, there is no ligero which means no strong pepper and less 'kick'. The Nudies N1 Lancero was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1, the Nudies N3 Carlota was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3. Both Partagas cigars were discontinued in 2010.

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3 was 35 ring gauge by 143 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length. The N3 Carlota is slighter bigger and longer, 38 ring by 152 mm (or 6 inches) in length. The reason for this was the difference in blend and taste once it got down past the 38 ring gauge mark in testing. Hence why the N3 Carlota is slightly bigger than the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3.

This N3 Carlota today was even better than the one I had around two months ago. That one was all quality bread sourdough, sweet cocoa and leather. This N3 Carlota had all those characteristics, only it was even more refined, more smoother. This cigar today was every bit as 'classy' as the many quality Habanos cigars I've enjoyed of late. In my opinion, this cigar is smoking at a higher standard than when I acquired them at the beginning of 2020.

[JohnS]

Nudies N1 Lancero

For those of you unfamiliar with the Nudies releases, the intention was to blend more than the eventual two cigars produced, but this wasn't possible to achieve for commercial reasons, so El Pres and Hamlet settled on tweaking a blend which was close enough to replicating the 2010 discontinued Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 and Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3.

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 was a lancero size with 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7½ inches) in length dimensions. With these Nudies releases, it makes it hard to believe that they were blended with Non-Cuban tobacco, but knowing that there's no Nicaraguan ligero leaf in these makes me understand and appreciate the muted bite and the sweet flavours. El Pres himself said that the small factory, small team (6 rollers), Hamlet blending, Cuban factory manager, choice of good aged tobaccos and great chemistry made things all come together well for the 2019 edition. I couldn't agree more!

At around two years of age, this N1 Lancero I smoked today was absolutely superb, probably the best from the 25-count pack this far. Again, it had minimal sweet cocoa, your usual leather and sourdough and no Partagas-type spice to speak of. In the first third I picked up a delicious sour lemon citrus that complimented and did not embitter the blend, together with a quality cedar flavour. This transformed past the midway point into more of a woody and star anise-type flavour.

This was every bit a quality cigar. I'm glad I have a few left to enjoy in 2021. As I mentioned the last time I reviewed this cigar, I don't envisage a need to age these much past the three year mark as they are smoking so well right now.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1 BRE Nov 2018

The H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 is a popular cigar on our forum because it's an easy cigar to smoke and fairly reliable in its flavour delivery. It's the type of cigar that enthusiasts colloquially term a 'go-to' cigar; that is, a cigar that they would smoke more often than other cigars in their humidor. The HU Connie 1 may also be the last release with the moniker 'Connoisseur' spelt correctly too!

I've tried to consider other cigars in my humidor this year because I've enjoyed these HU Connie 1s and yes, they've all been fairly easy on the palate and easy to smoke. This one differed a little in that the shortbread element to it was slightly sweeter than usual, which I quite like, and the espresso coffee note was light. In the middle third I got some hints of white pepper. There was an underlying cedar element to the cigar too and smoke gave off a creamy texture on the palate.

I think I'm down to my last six from this box left. It's definitely time to consider acquiring more to savour and enjoy into 2022.

[JohnS]

Vegas Robaina Famosos AEM May 2015

I waited four years to 'crack open' this box in 2019 and I went through half the box in that year. This cigar is just my fourth Vegas Robaina Famosos in the last twelve months. Overall, I'd rate this box thus far as been simply outstanding. Vegas Robaina is a marca that is easily overlooked but when you get a fantastic box of this marca, it really can be like nothing else.

Today's cigar was every bit as superlative as many of the other Famosos from the box. It had quality lush tobacco and grass, dates, baking spice and floral notes here and there, with a gorgeous soft creamy milk chocolate at its core from beginning-to-end.

I only have three cigars of this box left and I'm glad that I've acquired some more 2019/20 Vegas Robaina Famosos only recently. 2019/20 Vegas Robaina Famosos have been excellent in their appraisal but they would never be the same as this box at the five to six-year stage, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

H. Upmann Half Corona OPG Feb 2015

I opened this box in 2020 and I've now gone through twelve sticks from it (including gifting three for others to sample). The cigars came with glorious rosado-shade wrappers but I must say that the H.Upmann Half Corona flavour blend is not to my choosing when it comes to H.Upmann as a marca. After all, there's plenty of choice elsewhere within this brand.

When it comes to H.Upmann I have a stronger preference for the milder shortbread-intensive vitolas such as the Connoisseur No.1 and Connossieur A. This one was under again medium-strength, but unlike most of the sticks I've had thus far this had a pleasant licorice sweetness combined with a core espresso coffee, muted toasted tobacco and some shortbread, believe it or not. It lasted around 35 minutes.

So, in essence, this H.Upmann Half Corona turned out to be the first one I've actually enjoyed in quite awhile, from this box. I still envisage that I will explore other minutos and perlas options prior to returning to this (box), in the meantime.

[JohnS]

Diplomáticos Diplomáticos No.2 EML Ago 2014

At seven years of age, this Diplomaticos No.2 continues to show no sign of diminishing in the flavour department whatsoever. I find that, in general, Diplomaticos cigars can vary markedly between flavours that are savoury (such as capsicum or bell pepper, paprika spice) and flavours that are sweet (cinnamon, nutmeg). These Dip 2s from this box have definitely been on the savoury side.

Like my last Dip 2 from this box, this was quite savoury, there were strong notes of wood, capsicum or bell pepper and paprika spice.The cigar had plenty of smoke per puff and packed plenty of flavour. The ash was consistent and it was burning and drawing very well.

The beginning of the middle third saw some additional 'toastiness' join the mix and perhaps some hints of sourdough but the cigar basically remained the same and did not evolve any further. It was still quite easy to smoke through in the final third, at which point I nubbed it as far as it would go.

So, all-in-all, this Dip 2 was just as enjoyable as my past few cigars from this box code. I'd happily settle for a Diplomaticos No.2 such as this one anytime.

[karp]

On 9/10/2021 at 8:57 AM, JohnS said:

In my view, they're best enjoyed within the first 12 to 24 months.

Do you think they lose complexity over time? I have a box, first few were very interesting - interplay of spices that was really unique and exciting - then I had one recently after a year or so, and just - a peanut creamy flavour. I didn’t dislike it but seems to have lost the bite. Maybe just a bad one, but am wondering about the long term for these…

[JohnS]

21 minutes ago, karp said:

Do you think they lose complexity over time? I have a box, first few were very interesting - interplay of spices that was really unique and exciting - then I had one recently after a year or so, and just - a peanut creamy flavour. I didn’t dislike it but seems to have lost the bite. Maybe just a bad one, but am wondering about the long term for these…

In regards to the Punch Short de Punch, as they are a new release, one can only speculate about their general development into the near future. Suffice to say, judging by their performance thus for, at least for me, I simply think that they are smoking really well now and there is little to be gained from aging them in comparison to how well they are smoking at the present time.

However, I wouldn't begrudge anyone putting a box or two away for long-term rest as Punch has a recent tradition of benefiting from aging.

[JohnS]

Nudies N1 Lancero

For those of you unfamiliar with the Nudies releases, the Nudies N1 Lancero was blended with the intention of replicating the 2010 discontinued Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1. The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 was a lancero size with 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7½ inches) in length dimensions, which the Nudies N1 Lancero shares.

I smoked an absolutely glorious example of an Nudies N1 Lancero less than a week ago so I figured I would try to take a chance at replicating that experience today. Alas, like seemingly all other attempts to smoke the same marca and vitola in 2021 after smoking an exemplary specimen, I couldn't quite get the same result. Could it really be like 'catching lightning in a bottle?'  

This Nudies N1 Lancero was more 'run-of-the-mill', although admittingly it was quite solid. It had minimal sweet cocoa, your usual leather and sourdough but this time the Partagas-type spice was evident in spates throughout the cigar. The delicious sour lemon citrus that complimented and did not embitter the blend in my last Nudies N1 Lancero was non-existent, together with any quality cedar flavour. There was no transformation past the midway point with more woody and star anise-type flavours either.

If my last Nudies N1 Lancero was somewhere in the vicinity of 94 or 95 points, then this one was around 89 to 90. It didn't let me down but it didn't lift me into other-worldly realms either. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to look into acquiring the next release of the Nudies cigars, which are coming soon at the time of writing this review, and in rosado (or natural) and maduro-wrappered versions.

[JohnS]

Cuaba Salomón RAT May 2020

The Cuaba Salomon was added to the Cuaba marca (introduced in 1996) as a regular production cigar in 2003, after a number of special releases included the vitola from 1999 to 2002. How often would one smoke it or the similarly-sized LCDH Partagas Salomones? It's a behemoth-sized cigar that requires a good 120 to 150 minutes smoking time but when they smoke as well as this I'd say it's well worth it.

This was my third Salomon from a 10-count dress box and again, it definitely wasn't a complex cigar and it was quite mild. Flavours where a notable, dominant and consistent shortbread, lemon citrus, walnut, some leather and it also had a little cream texture to it. For a fifteen month old cigar it was brilliant, especially for Cuaba.

There was a little spice here and there, and more so towards the last third, but I didn't even notice any until 1 hour and 45 minutes into smoking the cigar!

I took around three hours to smoke it...yes, three hours! I V-cut the head and it as just a little tight in the draw,  but the smoke per draw was fine and I had no qualms nubbing it right to the end.

If you're looking for a long smoke and would like to try something other than a Double Corona or Churchill why not give the Cuaba Salomon or Partagas Salomones a try? It's no wonder why they sell quite well on 24:24 listings when they invariably come up, they tend to be a good option for a cigar to smoke on a pleasant afternoon.

[JohnS]

Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos 2018 - La Casa del Habano Exclusivo SOU Dic 2020

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.

Since 2011, the annual La Casa del Habano Exclusive releases have been:

H. Upmann Royal Robusto (2011)
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure de Luxe (2012)
Bolívar Libertador (2013)
Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe (2014)
La Gloria Cubana Pirámides (2015)
La Gloria Cubana Robustos Extra (2015)
Hoyo de Monterrey Elegantes (2016)
Trinidad La Trova (2017)

The Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos, which means 'selected' in Spanish, was the 2018 LCDH Exclusive release, although it did not come to market until late-2019. It’s a 49 ring gauge x 180 mm (or 7⅛ inches) in length Pacos, which is around half an inch shorter than the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas. Like the rest of the LCDH releases, it features a secondary brown band that has the La Casa del Habano logo. It comes packaged in a 10-count semi boîte nature box.

This was the second cigar from this box I sampled. Even after smoking it, I'm still puzzled as to why Habanos S.A felt compelled to release a Pacos-sized cigar for a marca that already contained a Double Coronas. After all, plenty of other marcas have no Double Coronas or Churchills option, why not release a Pacos for one of those? I guess that since cigars of this size have been steadily discontinued in the 21st century I should be at least grateful that a LCDH Exclusive release should enjoy this vitola dimensions.

Like the greater majority of Hoyo de Monterrey cigars, this was on the lighter side in terms of strength. Unlike my last HdM Escogidos, which was fuller-bodied, this was around the medium mark in terms of flavour. These flavours were definitely true to the Hoyo de Monterrey marca. Over the course of 110 minutes I got an array of light cocoa, cedar, nut, floral notes and clove spice of which, in the main, the cedar, floral notes and clove spice stood out.  

Like my first HdM Escogidos smoked about a month ago, it was this clove spice that alluded to the old-school classic Hoyo de Monterrey flavours of the late 20th century which I most appreciated. So, in summary, this lived up to its La Casa del Habano Exclusive reputation in being a fine cigar, but it was distinctive from the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas I've sampled, of late, in that the HdM Escogidos is more savoury and less cream-textured.

The next LCDH Exclusive release will be the 2020 Juan Lopez Seleccion Especial, a 52 ring gauge x 170 mm (or 6¾ inches) in length Fortunas-sized cigar. It may not arrive for awhile, but at least it will be the first LCDH release in the Juan Lopez marca.

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especial LTO Mar 2021

Together with the Cohiba Lancero, the Montecristo Especial is the epitome of the 'long-and-skinny', a Laguito No.1 with a slender 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7.6 inches) in length. I had the first cigar from this LTO Mar 2021 box about six weeks ago and the second around a month after that, so of course I was exuberant in the thought that I would smoke the third one today!

The Montecristo marca is one of my favourite, although I do prefer the majority of its vitolas in the 3 to 5 year window of rest. The Especial, and its shorter Laguito No.2 brother, the Especiales No.2, is an exception to this preference. I've found these long and skinnies tend to get rolled with quality seco leaf, hence the mocha creaminess you can get from them as they mature. However, having said this, I've found Montecristo cigars from 2019 to 2021 quite favourable to smoke with minimal rest.

This Montecristo Especial opened with more citrus twang than the first two Monte Especials from the box combined. Of course, there was that quintessential milk chocolate and coffee core which stayed constant throughout the smoke. The coffee aspect to this cigar was a tad stronger than what I've previously encountered from this box. Again, the lack of complexity didn't diminish my impression of how satisfied I was with the simple blend of flavours I experienced.

The only letdown was the tight draw, which I found a tad disappointing. Other than that, I didn't hesitate to nub this once again. The draw did ease up in the last third just below the band, but by that point I had moistened what leaf remained of the cap loose. Thankfully the cigar remained intact and did not untangle.

Despite the tight draw I persevered with today, I envisage that I will light up another Montecristo Especial from this box quite soon. I look forward to the thought of doing so, even as I finish reflecting and writing this review.

[JohnS]

Nudies N3 Carlota

The Nudies are a 2019 collaboration between El Pres and master Cuban roller, Hamlet Paredes using Non-Cuban leaf. Specifically, the filler is made up of Nicaraguan quality aged seco and volado, there is no ligero which means no strong pepper and less 'kick'. The Nudies N1 Lancero was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1, the Nudies N3 Carlota was designed to replicate the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3. Both Partagas cigars were discontinued in 2010.

The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3 was 35 ring gauge by 143 mm (or 5⅝ inches) in length. The N3 Carlota is slighter bigger and longer, 38 ring by 152 mm (or 6 inches) in length. The reason for this was the difference in blend and taste once it got down past the 38 ring gauge mark in testing. Hence why the N3 Carlota is slightly bigger than the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.3.

My last N3 Carlota, smoked only a week-and-a-half ago, was outstanding and this was easily of its equal. It smoked more like my recent N1 Lanceros in that it had a definable and delicious sour lemon citrus to compliment the cedar, leather and sourdough core to the cigar. At this point of its development, the sweet cocoa I used to get in these when first released has certainly receded; however, I would argue that these N3 Carlotas are getting better as they age.

As I mentioned the last time I reviewed this cigar, I don't envisage a need to age these much past the three year mark as they are smoking so well right now.

[JohnS]

Bolívar Petit Coronas ETP Mar 2017

A case can be made to suggest that both the Bolivar Petit Coronas and Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas are quite under-rated in comparison to other Petit Coronas such as the Montecristo No.4, Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Cohiba Siglo II. As for the BPC, one could make a case however for how consistent they are and this one was no different.

As many of you know, I'm not as favourably-inclined to the Bolivar marca as I am to Cohiba and Montecristo, for example, but that's because I don't connect with the 'Earthy' flavours of Bolivar. It seems to me though that Bolivar was more 'Earthy' in the past than it is nowadays and I think this is true of recent Bolivar Petit Coronas and Belicosos Finos I've enjoyed in the last year or two.

This Bolivar Petit Coronas was slightly box-pressed but the draw was excellent. The flavours were on-point and the smoke per draw was impressive. I got typical flavours of leather, Earth, cocoa, wood, fruit or berries and malt (or stout) to varying degrees. However, I would like to emphasise that the 'Earthy' flavours very much appealed here; they were like a mix of forest floor and/or mushroom flavours and for me, were the highlight of the cigar.

I've now gone through half of the box (i.e, I've smoked ten and given away two) and they've all been great to excellent in my view. I hope to smoke a number of my remaining stock past its fifth year, which is a just under six months away.  If they continue to excel as they have done thus far, the box may not make it (to its fifth year)!

[JohnS]

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 ABO Ago 2018

This ABO Ago 2018 box of Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4s have been so consistently good that when I turn to my humidor to reach for one I'm confident that I will be well-satisfied after smoking one. This RyJ Exhibicion No.4 was no different.

What I appreciated was the 'fruitiness' and the combination of typical RyJ flavours. I got more sour cherry out of this RyJ Ex4 than the previous ones I've smoked in the first third; and cocoa thereafter, but this was well-balanced with anise, rosewater and oat biscuit. I had no issue nubbing it.

The key to the 'fruity' flavours, I believe, is to ensure one gets a box of these with rosado-hued wrappers. It makes all the world of difference to the a RyJ Ex4 cigar, in my opinion.

[JohnS]

Por Larrañaga Montecarlos LGR Oct 2017

After having an average Por Larranaga Montecarlos from this box two months ago, today's stick was a return to form, so-to-speak. Well, in the flavour department, that is, the construction was 'somewhat to be desired'. In general though, if you've followed my reviews of this LGR Oct 2017 Por Larranaga Montecarlos box, since I acquired it in January 2019, you'd know just how brilliant they've been. And the reason, on the whole, why they've that way has been due to flavour.

From the very first puff it hits you...yes, the refined caramel. I've mentioned this before but you just can't mistake it when a Por Larranaga cigar smokes like this one today. Together with the milk coffee, the honey and the woodiness in the last third it simply makes for a great smoke, flavour-wise.

In regards to construction, what let this cigar down was the slight under-filling. Now, normally that will facilitate some slight bitter flavours or the cigar smoking 'hot' but I was fortunate, the result was a number of re-lights. In my mind, that would have been due to this PL Montecarlo not having enough volado leaf to maintain a consistent burn. It meant that I smoked this in 55 minutes to prevent it going out on a more consistent basis. That was much quicker than what I would have preferred, but it didn't affect the cigar in the flavour department, thankfully.

I bought this box for $US72 and in my mind that still represents, by far, the greatest return in smoking pleasure for the price over the last two-and-a-half years I've gone through with this box. I'm elated (yet sentimental) that I have only 3 sticks left!

[JohnS]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 ETP Ene 2016

The predominance of larger ring gauge Habanos cigars since Habanos S.A. sold a 50% share of its business to Franco-Spanish tobacco company, Altadis in 2000 has meant that the appreciation for long-and-skinny cigars, such as the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, amongst cigar enthusiasts can either sway towards sentimental idealism or over-rated insipidness. So, fast forward twenty years and the Petit Corona and Robusto have been replaced by the Petit Robusto as the quintessential Habanos cigar and every new release cigar is 50 ring gauge or over. Is there an art to appreciating a 32 or 33 ring gauge cigar? I believe there is.

With long-and-skinnies such as the LGC No.4 and the Por Larranaga Montecarlos it is imperative to savour the smoke more than normal; one really has to slow down when smoking these cigars, in my opinion. It's far too easy to lose the subtlety of flavours if the cigar burns too hot, and you can end up with a bland and/or bitter smoking experience.

In the case of the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4, it can be a complex cigar with an array of contrasting flavours ranging from savoury to sweet to spicy. This LGC No.4 started off fruity, with a lemon-type citrus which I quite liked and soon settled to combine with some wood, almond nut and a creaminess in its texture from the middle of the first third onwards. It was simply sensational as these are the type of flavours I look for in a LGC No.4 when I smoke one.

I have to admit, upon reflection, that I am biased towards being effusive in praise about this cigar, in general. However, when these smoke like this one today, the accolades are justified.

[99call]

On 9/26/2021 at 11:37 AM, JohnS said:

I bought this box for $US72 and in my mind that still represents, by far, the greatest return in smoking pleasure for the price over the last two-and-a-half years I've gone through with this box. I'm elated (yet sentimental) that I have only 3 sticks left!

Well said @JohnS, for me that sweet spot period of time where;

PLMC =       $US72

QDOCC=     $US140

RGPC=        $US120

LGCMd2's+ $US150

God, if only I could turn back time, it felt like it would be this way forever.....how wrong I was.  I did manage to hoard a few boxes of all, but nowhere near enough.    I'm glad prices on PLMC are still reasonable. and yes maybe THE best bang for buck cigar out there. I cant think of worthy contenders. 

[99call]

18 hours ago, JohnS said:

If my last Nudies N1 Lancero was somewhere in the vicinity of 94 or 95 points, then this one was around 89 to 90

I'm finding this.  My bundle of N1 are a mix of high scoring, very accurate Partagas connie series clones, with a big dollop of buttermint placed on top, and the others are a little erratic, overly tannic and frustrating, not bad cigars but your just wanting them to hop up to where the others in the bundle are. 

When they're on though!  jeeese!..... they truly shine a light on how vacant a hole HSA have left in their gourmet blending. 

[JohnS]

7 hours ago, 99call said:

God, if only I could turn back time, it felt like it would be this way forever.....how wrong I was.  I did manage to hoard a few boxes of all, but nowhere near enough.    I'm glad prices on PLMC are still reasonable. and yes maybe THE best bang for buck cigar out there. I cant think of worthy contenders. 

Let's not start on the prices of Cohiba stock in say...2015. I'm glad I stocked up around then. I guess currently one has to look out for specials which spell out a good deal where they can. If you're diligent enough they can be found, even in the present period where the Covid pandemic has caused a supply issue.

[Fuzz]

On 9/26/2021 at 11:23 AM, JohnS said:

Nudies N1 Lancero

For those of you unfamiliar with the Nudies releases, the Nudies N1 Lancero was blended with the intention of replicating the 2010 discontinued Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1. The Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 was a lancero size with 38 ring gauge by 192 mm (or 7½ inches) in length dimensions, which the Nudies N1 Lancero shares.

I thought the flavour profile was meant to be a blend between a SdC#1 and SdC#2? Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

[JohnS]

1 minute ago, Fuzz said:

I thought the flavour profile was meant to be a blend between a SdC#1 and SdC#2? Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

Actually, I think you are right. 👍