Review thread: 12 Days of Christmas Sampler

[drinaldi84]

Decided to light up the P2 from the sampler the weekend before Xmas, also failed to post this review earlier. I was certainly itching to give this one a go, seeing the high praise on 24:24 listings and other FOH posts.

Pairing with green spot Irish whiskey. Part of why I went with this over some other options was I felt the light body, fruit, and biscuit-ey notes would let the cigar shine brightest. I also only had a few ounces left of this bottle and a little more room in the whiskey cabinet is never a bad thing, right?…

1st third: WOW. Roasted almonds rolled in chocolate. I haven’t had a cigar in a while with this much pronounced flavor. There’s a light spice in the finish I can’t put my finger on, but it’s pleasant. Flavors develop quickly into a buttered toast with a smattering of Nutella. Awesome start. 

2nd third: The smoke is viscous and coats the palate full of flavor. It’s medium+ body, and I’m loving every minute. Flavors have developed, and that spice I couldn’t figure out has more clearly revealed itself as cinnamon, maybe a shortbread cookie with a sprinkling of cinnamon. This quickly transitions into what I can best describe as a brioche French toast. There’s a butteriness about how the smoke leaves your palate after each draw, which is enhanced by that slight doughy/yeasty characteristic I have yet to find in any other cigar I’ve smoked. Delicious to this point. 

Pairing notes:  I didn’t have the highest of hopes for the pairing, and it was just average. The whiskey was excellent as expected, and the cigar too, was great, but together the two become average, oddly enough. I think this whiskey lacks body to stand up to the cigar, and the flavors of each just don't work well together, unfortunately. 

Final Third: the cigar does regress just a couple notches, as the flavors become a bit muddled and less pronounced. There is a touch of bitterness towards the very end. Can’t fault it too much, only a few weeks of rest to this point. 

Score: 93, even with the final third miscue. More than deserving of the top spot on the FOH 2021 list. I’m glad I was able to taste one for myself, and I’ll be in for a box or two of these very soon. 

[Nevrknow]

Poker night!

Decided to light up the JL from the sampler. No one get to excited. My reviews are now where near others but I’m a blatherer. Thanks @Ford2112 😂 I love that word now and will be using it going forward. Like colluder. ( improving my vocabulary) I think. Ok. Moving on.

I have a 2020 box that has been resting for awhile. ROTT ( I know I know, hush) did not impress me. It was OK. But this one from the sampler was as smooth as all get out. ( yes I talk this way).

Plenty of smoke with a subtle mouth feel that reminds me of much higher hyped cigars. This particular one just had that “thing”. Really struck a cord with me. 
 

Ash was over an inch each flick. Draw was smooth as silk. Like I said, my palette is no where near as refined but I loved this cigar.

I will add that from the following pics, the Zacapa 23 MAY have influenced my tastes, just a tad. 😂

Ok, blathering over. On to the pics. Maybe I made someone laugh. 😬

Or made them think about colluding. 😂

 

 

 

[Bijan]

Had the Connie 2 from the sampler.

Unfortunately it was underfilled. The initial flavours and the first 1/2 inch were that unique Upmann flavour (is it shortbread? is it tobacco and leather?) but not too sweet, tobacco and maybe cloves.

After that the underfilling caused the cigar to tunnel and I got mostly spicy ginger flavour for the rest of the cigar. Wasn't bad but not what I expect from a high quality upmann. Had to touch up regularly as the wrapper kept going out.

Only about 60 minutes due to underfilling.

[drinaldi84]

Went with the RASS from the sampler last night, the first evening without rain this week.  I was excited to give this one a try, as it will be the first Ramon Allones for me, and what a gorgeous wrapper on this one. Got about 5 weeks of rest on it and it’s been in the dry box for a little over 2 days. 

1st third:  Draw is perfect. Definitely pronounced flavors, but oddly light in terms of body/smoke viscosity. Getting lots of fruit, mostly red berries, with an interesting finish that leaves my palate feeling as though I took a sip from a glass of tannic red wine. Very different from any cigar I’ve had in recent memory. There’s also a fair amount of woody/Big Red gum (or insert your favorite cinnamon flavored candy here) cinnamon spice. 

2nd third:  A touch of sweetness emerges and there’s a beautiful cherry chocolate flavor that starts and ends abruptly. Flavors change to slightly sweet macerated mixed berries. It’s pleasant, but there’s a bit of bitterness in this third that lingers a bit on the finish. 

Final third: The bitterness surprisingly dissipates, and those macerated berry and tannic red wine notes carry through to the nub. It was refreshing to have that bitterness drop out, and I found myself enjoying the flavors as much as the first third.

Score: 88/100. I think this cigar certainly would’ve benefitted from some more rest time, more so then the P2 and Punch Punch from the sampler. I enjoyed the flavors a lot, as they were unique to any other cigar I’ve had. I will definitely revisit another RASS soon, maybe after 3-6 months of rest on a ‘21 box I’ve recently received. 

[BlueRidgeFly]

1 hour ago, drinaldi84 said:

an interesting finish that leaves my palate feeling as though I took a sip from a glass of tannic red wine. Very different from any cigar I’ve had in recent memory

Maybe it’s peculiar to this crop, or just that I normally don’t smoke CCs this young, but I’m also getting this from the few 2021 I’ve had. It’s like a dryness to the smoke. 

[drinaldi84]

@BlueRidgeFly good to hear my taste buds aren’t completely crazy, haha. This year, I’ve smoked mostly young CC’s (3 yrs or less) and this is the first time I’ve detected that dry, tannic-like, flavor. I think you’re on to something, though, as I’ve only had a handful ‘21 examples. Will be interesting to see how it develops with age. 

[Shrimpchips]

First cigar from the sampler for me was the JLS2.  Have had a few JLS1s, but the 2 is new to me.  Construction looks perfect, draw was good, with the flavor of lightly fermented hay, hops and a smell I associate with aged tea. 
 

 Not sure if it’s because of the expectation for citrus notes as I’ve got seen described for #2s, but the most distinct character I got was something like a burnt citrus like a grilled lemon, wavering to a really deep marmalade, citrusy, bitter and slightly sweet.  Combined with a dry woody, toasted tobacco, I’m really liking this first JLS2.

Second third keeps the citrusy flavor, but it’s morphed into a more savory citrus, almost like roasting herbs, especially fresh rosemary.  Backbone remains a woody/tobacco.  The transition is nice, but I think I preferred the sweeter marmalade citrus.  
 

final third remains in the savory citrus/woody/tobacco profile. Definitely enjoyed it as a change of pace from a lot of partagas and bolivar I’ve been smoking lately.
 

final verdict: not something at the very top of my next box purchase list, but it’s definitely making the shortlist of things to keep an eye out for on 24:24.

 

 

[saltbox]

Have had one P2 so far and it seemed to need a lot more rest but was looking forward to this one to see how dry boxing may have helped. 2 weeks in the dry box now.

First third: opens right into a blast of flavor, with cedar, cream, baking spices, coffee, and a touch of brown sugar sweetness. The profile settles into a nice blend of savory spices, cedar, coffee, lightly salted nuts, and cream with a nice dark syrup sweetness.

Middle third: the flavors start to become less distinct and blend together. The spices have smoothed out and are less in your face.

Last third: not much evolution here, the flavors become more and more muddled. It's still extremely enjoyable, but it's hard to pick out any particular aspect of the overall profile. There are occasional floral notes on the retrohale that are nice.

Overall: quite tasty, definitely better than the other P2 I've had. The first third was especially amazing, and if my untouched box of PSP P2s can taste like that first third all the way through once they've gotten adequate rest, I'll be very very happy. 91/100

[saltbox]

Decided to follow up the P2 with the D4 in the afternoon to compare.

First third: opens with a light leather, cedar, and cream, which slowly picks up in body over the course of the third. Some savory spices come in after about a quarter inch. Surprisingly having some trouble keeping the cigar properly lit, which is a first for me out of the sampler cigars I've been dry boxing.

Middle third: cream, cedar, paprika and savory spices, light brown sugar sweetness. There's some peppery spice that has picked up quite a bit of strength.

Last third: more of the same. The burn issues continue to get worse despite my attempts to lightly correct and aid the burn line. The cigar is just too wet, leading to uneven burning and the need for constant puffing to keep the cherry going.

Overall: the flavors were alright but very muddled from the start. The cigar was just too wet which negatively affected everything from flavors to burn issues. 85/100

[Ford2112]

4 hours ago, philipl said:

Decided to follow up the P2 with the D4 in the afternoon to compare.

First third: opens with a light leather, cedar, and cream, which slowly picks up in body over the course of the third. Some savory spices come in after about a quarter inch. Surprisingly having some trouble keeping the cigar properly lit, which is a first for me out of the sampler cigars I've been dry boxing.

Middle third: cream, cedar, paprika and savory spices, light brown sugar sweetness. There's some peppery spice that has picked up quite a bit of strength.

Last third: more of the same. The burn issues continue to get worse despite my attempts to lightly correct and aid the burn line. The cigar is just too wet, leading to uneven burning and the need for constant puffing to keep the cherry going.

Overall: the flavors were alright but very muddled from the start. The cigar was just too wet which negatively affected everything from flavors to burn issues. 85/100

I smoked a PSP2 from the sampler yesterday evening that was terrible,underfilled. Not at all like the one I had earlier in the year that rocked my socks off. I had to pitch this one halfway through. It went from ok on the first inch to unsmokable and it wasn't coming back.. I'm letting the rest of the sampler rest until summer at the earliest.

[saltbox]

2 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

I smoked a PSP2 from the sampler yesterday evening that was terrible,underfilled. Not at all like the one I had earlier in the year that rocked my socks off. I had to pitch this one halfway through. It went from ok on the first inch to unsmokable and it wasn't coming back.. I'm letting the rest of the sampler rest until summer at the earliest.

Yep, I pulled all the regular production from the sampler to smoke but set aside the SC Harimau, Punch 8-9-8, and CoRo to rest for much longer before smoking.

[saltbox]

Nearing the end of what I set aside from the sampler to smoke with a little over two weeks dry boxing now.

First third: opens up with cream chocolate and hay. The draw is a bit loose and the cigar seems to be burning a bit hot and harsh, with some dry peppery spice on the palate. The profile turns away from those standard Montecristo notes, with shortbread and only a touch of cocoa taking over the profile, not unlike the No. 1 from earlier.

Middle third: shortbread, almond nuttiness, and the faintest hint of cocoa powder. The base of the profile has turned away from creaminess and towards an almost dry and tannic texture.

Last third: at this point, I don't taste much other than dry almonds, through to the end.

Overall: Could be too much time in the dry box, could be that the Monte chocolate notes don't do so well with the expedited drying out in a dry box, but I wasn't impressed by the Monte 1 or 2 in my sampler. I've been smoking out of a UTL MAY 19 box that has been stunning, and this was just disappointing. Given the consistency between the No. 1 and 2 in the sampler, I'm inclined to blame it on the lack of rest and/or the dry boxing as opposed to the cigars themselves. 83/100

[BlueRidgeFly]

Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 from the FoH Christmas Sampler. I'm probably the only person on the FoH planet who hasn't smoked one of these. Had my first JL a couple weeks ago, a No. 1. I need to know if I should acquire a billion of these, so...

Cold draw is cake and quality tobacco. Nice sheen on the wrapper, color is colorado rosado or so.

First third... Right away, somewhat better than that JL 1 I had. Toasted leaf, some Partagas-like spice, a slight cake-y sweetness, faint firewood (don't think that's my fire). Good start.

Has that same dry quality to the smoke as the last JL 1 (also mentioned by @drinaldi84 above). Can't say I dislike it, but definitely a contrast to the excellent D4 last week, and the creaminess found in Hoyos, etc. It's different. Construction is perfect, burn line nearly dead straight. Perfect draw too.

Starts to drizzle, barely. It's been a legit drought around here the past six weeks at least, with tiny bits of rain the past few days. We need water badly. Hopefully it will hold off for another hour, though.

Based on the 1.25 JLs I've had in my life now, they would not be on my short list. But many minutes and puffs to go with this one...

Second third... Wavy burn. All of that ash holding on strong... gone now. Quick touch with the single flame Jetline (I love single flame lighters, and this one in particular -- inexpensive, reliable, never even think about it until it's empty).

Dry, woody note, still has an almost-but-not-quite cinnamon spice, slight biscuit. Another puff, some olives, almost tangy, and black pepper. If these Cuban robustos were not all so close in price -- i.e. if this one were a little cheaper -- I'd buy more of these.

Crap... its actually raining now. To the front porch I go...

Final third... Rain subsides, back at the fire. Savory and vegetal now. Reminds me of the 2018 D4s I have here in some ways. It's had some interesting shifts. A little ammonia off and on near the end. Not quite going to get an hour from this. Wrapper getting a little stubborn with its burn. These slight knocks all likely due to the drizzle earlier. Relight.... wow, big puff of smoke, better, tastier.

No doubt this is a little young.

Nearly at the death, has a tanginess and yes, olives I'm tasting, and some butter cookie. Bizarre sounding combo, but tasty. Dry, slightly astringent smoke. Otherwise, if someone had handed me this without a band, I might have guessed it was an OK D4, especially the last third.

Into the coals goes the nub. I'd almost give this a 90, but it's a solid 89. Definitely see these improving with some months down. Pretty good overall 👍

[BlueRidgeFly]

Montecristo No. 2 from the 2021 FoH Christmas Sampler. My final cigar in 2021.

Gorgeous wrapper, just look at it. If you removed the band, you could convince anyone it's a P2. Smells absolutely amazing, like chocolate cake, leather, and honey. Perfect draw.

First third... Blast of strong coffee and cocoa right away. Wow. Draw tightens, clip a little more. Backbone of solid wood, touch of black pepper. Bold. I've never had a Monte 2 this young. It could use some time to mellow. But damn... this is good! Makes me worry it's going to turn into some strong mongrel near the end. We'll see. But so far, ****ing good! Rich. Burning like crap, but whatever. Lots of oil and tar buildup at the top. Will be clipping this more before the finale.

Flock of wild turkeys scratching around down the hill in the woods. I sneak closer and spot them, ten at least. No way they can see more than my hat, but they know I'm here now and they shuffle off quickly.

Second third... Slow burn, several touch ups required. Tunneling a little. Addition of some toffee, otherwise not much has changed. Over medium body. The mongrel I'm anticipating ain't here yet. A very good cigar. This is probably prototypical, how a Monte 2 should be.

Midpoint... Rich cake, spicy cocoa, smooth. Wrapper burning too slowly, though, have to keep touching it up. Should have dry boxed it. Once going, though, it adds considerably to the profile.

Based on the first half, I'd grab a box of these and let them age a bit. Looking forward to smoking more of the 2019s I have.

Final third... Bona fide milk chocolate now. This is often elusive in Montes for me, but my favorite Montes have it. Combined with the rustic undertones of wood and slight roughness of a young one, it's compelling. Reminds me of the last 2019 Especiale No. 2 I had.

At the end... Vegetal funk, some mongrel and more nicotine but it's not bad, combines with the rest of it well, in fact. And when I clip off another sliver, that roughness disappears. Still rich and I'll say lovely at the end.

I'd give this a 91-92, with upside. Wasn't as ready or good as the D4 from this sampler, nor as good as my last two year old P2, but this was solid.

For anyone who has the Christmas sampler and has not yet tried the Monte 2 from it, dry box it. There's enough richness here that it should hold up, and burn better.

[Boxer31]

Punch Punch -  2021 xmas sampler. lit this one yesterday. 12/16/21

A lot of cedar/wood and tobacco aroma.  Draw was on point. After lighting, more cedar/wood/tobacco and now a sweet cream taste appearing. Next third, cedar remained up front but getting a sweet spice flavor.  another 20+ min getting diff spice now creamy bbq sauce and wood which stays to end.  I have had mixed results with Punch last couple years, but this was a good one 90.

[Boxer31]

Partagàs P2 - 2021 Xmas sampler

First cigar of the new year!!!

Aroma- leather wood earth

Draw - little light, bready, earth, forest/wood

First third- sweet & salty spice , earth and mushroom

Second third - sweetness drops a bit, tasting coffee and cinnamon.

Last third - more bread, maybe almond danish and some cinnamon   

Just an overall good taste.

[Boxer31]

Punch 898 PCC Regional - 2021 Xmas sampler 1/2/22

Aroma leather, cedar, earth

Draw - sweet tobacco, cedar, peanut

First third - salty peanuts, wood and maybe a little coffee. A lot of smoke and aroma is very pleasing. Salty peanuts disappeared and some bitter coffee flavor came in.  bland rest of the first third

The bitter coffee was only flavor rest of the cigar. Really wish the salty peanuts, cedar and wood flavor kept and this would have been excellent.  I have a box of these from ’19 think will keep them hidden for a while longer.

[saltbox]

This might be the darkest Hoyo I've ever smoked. The last of my dry box experiment run, with 18 days now.

First third: opens with the characteristic Hoyo cream and cedar, but there's a bit of a chestnut starchiness in the background and the typical ginger spices are much more subdued than normal. I've had quite a few Rio Seco's now and this one is by far the least spiced. A touch of creamy chocolate appears for a short bit towards the end of the third but fades away.

Middle third: cream, cedar, and a bit of forest floor that reminds me of some of the ELs I've had in the past. The spices are still quite lowkey.

Last third: more of the same. The spices do pick up towards the end, but the draw has tightened up. Rain is coming in, so the ambient humidity may be to blame for that.

Overall: enjoyable smoke but missing that real kick of ginger spice that makes the Rio Seco such a fun smoke. This one had less of what makes the Rio Seco and tasted more like a generic Hoyo. 85/100

[MrBirdman]

Partagas P2

This is my first P2 - not a huge fan of torpedos in general - but this intrigued me enough to consider buying a quarter box down the line. 

1st Third: Open is just under medium, coffee and some spices, but more to the sweeter spices than a typical Partagas. Nice twang too  

2nd Third: Same as above, but the richness and intensity increases as the torpedo burns down. Best way I can describe it is Partagas, just richer and minus any bready notes (autocorrect kept making that “breast notes.” Dirty bastard).

Last Third: Now the hotness and youth begin to show, but worse it starts going out. Rather than struggle beyond two relights in the cold, I set it down here  

Overall: Not bad for a young cigar with only 30 days rest. Probably could have used another day of dry boxing (with a 35% ambient RH I rarely do more than one in the winter). 

87

 

[MrBirdman]

Montecristo No.1

A classic, one I love. This was a good example. 

1st Third: Remarkably mild to start off, in both body and flavor. Just a hint of coffee really, without much richness.

 

2nd Third: Here is where the cigar, like most longer formats, truly comes into its own. The flavors have gradually intensified, coffee, high-cocoa milk chocolate, with a dash of cream. Well balanced, still below Monte 4 levels of flavor but with greater refinement. I kept comparing the development and flavor to a Monte Especial, just with more cream and less intensity, class, and elegance. It still has that rougher Monte edge that characterizes the 3, 4 & 5. 

Last Third: The coffee note intensity has consistently built throughout and eventually becomes too bitter, around the time the other flavors fall apart into a youthfully hot cauldron. With another year this will be elegance down to the last puff. 

For now, a 91, with a point or two upside. 

[MossybackR]

I’ve enjoyed seeing the reviews and photos of all those who’ve tasted the Christmas sampler. I’ve been hesitant because of the lack of aging but decided to try the PSD4, since I’d received a box from a 24:24 last year 😁. Too late to join the contest, so no photos, but it was smokeable without any of the usual draw problems. However, I noticed a small “gouge” near the head of the cigar that created minor worries for me but that didn’t create a big problem. The cigar really started to come through some of the rich, robust flavors that I like. I’m looking forward to more of these and the rest of the Sampler this year.

[Ford2112]

Well I had to do one last Christmas Sampler ,it called to me. Le hoyo de Rio seco. It's smelled so woodsy lol. Pre light draw was perfect. Just a bit of resistance. The draw gave me some cedar and tobacco . 

 

1st 3rd. Wow! Wasn't expecting the creamy- ness! Having never smoked a Rio Seco I had no idea what to expect. Perfect draw. Just under medium body. LOTS of flavor! I got a lot of wood and earth,and cream! 

 

2nd third.  Impeccable construction.  Razor sharp burn . Killer ash. The cream stayed with the cigar along with the cedar notes,joined by some spice. Even though I can taste young tobacco,there are no edges. So far very enjoyable smoke. The ring guage is big for me not gonna lie. Maybe my only complaint.

 

Final third. After the ash dropped the burn got a bit crooked but only for a bit. It's hunid here right now so I won't dock it any points. Cream has somewhat given way to spice,cedar prevalent throughout.  I have a few of these sitting in the humidor. I'll revisit in 6 months . 

 

92/100. Great cigar!

[Chucko8]

Delved into the punch punch tonight. The feel of it offered no soft spots and wrapper looks very inviting. Straight cut light it up and away we go.

Straight up I get toasted nuts along with a Chinese five spice and cedar note. As it progresses a cream aspect comes into play with a touch of sweetness. Great start!

Into the 2nd third and the flavours from the first are still there though the cream sweet has increased and some cocoa coffee notes join the party. Paired it up with Pale Ale that I throughly enjoy and the stone fruit notes in it accompanied the cigar well for my tastes.

Final part sees the sweet die down and coffee flavour becomes darker as does the roasted nut. Burn through our has been top notch and all in all I’d say this is up there with the best punch punch I’ve had the pleasure of. 91