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Cigar smokers?

S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by g-man:
Davidoff Yamasa- a very smooth, almost creamy? smoke. Feels like some powdered chocolate milk? but i dont recall anything else, but the mouthfeel on this was definitely one of the smoothest i can recall.

picked up at the davidoff store downtown

'Sounds about right to me. <thumbs-up> If they've got Sobremesa at Davidoff's (Sobremesa came out since I've been there), I'd recommend that as well, especially the vitola they call Cervantes Fino. Davidoff's is also big on Illusione, so they might have the Haut 10, which also outstanding. These are all world-class cigars. <thumbs-way-up>
S stickmanMember
So a couple of former NYC cops (Bill Ives and Jaun Cancel - pronounced can-SELL, teehee) created a company called Cubariqueño, and they named their first release Protocol. They've since come out with another cigar, Probable Cause, so the law enforcement theme is clear, but I haven't tried it yet. I tried the Protocol corona gorda, and I'm fairly impressed. [<$10/stick]

It started out rather sweet, with rich tobacco and a very floral aroma. Within an inch of ash, the flavor turned much more savory, with a great leather character and just a hint of bitterness - kinda' bay-leaf-like. Voluminous smoke from a gentle draw makes this easy to like. The last half wasn't as interesting as the beginning, and the overt sweetness of the first draws makes me wonder if there was a soft sugar used in the glue for the cap - this is much more common than you might think. Either way, I liked it, and if the rest of the cigar had delivered on the promises made by the first half, I would really recommend this highly. Still, it's a very nice, relaxing smoke worth trying, if you find them.

Fwiw, Cigar Federation named the lancero their #1 cigar of 2016, so maybe the lancero is even better.
G g-manMember
quote:
Originally posted by haggis:
quote:
Originally posted by g-man:
Davidoff Yamasa- a very smooth, almost creamy? smoke. Feels like some powdered chocolate milk? but i dont recall anything else, but the mouthfeel on this was definitely one of the smoothest i can recall.

picked up at the davidoff store downtown



g-man: what size was this? I believe it comes in 4 vitolas.


robusto
G g-manMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
quote:
Originally posted by g-man:
Davidoff Yamasa- a very smooth, almost creamy? smoke. Feels like some powdered chocolate milk? but i dont recall anything else, but the mouthfeel on this was definitely one of the smoothest i can recall.

picked up at the davidoff store downtown

'Sounds about right to me. <thumbs-up> If they've got Sobremesa at Davidoff's (Sobremesa came out since I've been there), I'd recommend that as well, especially the vitola they call Cervantes Fino. Davidoff's is also big on Illusione, so they might have the Haut 10, which also outstanding. These are all world-class cigars. <thumbs-way-up>


world-class price @ the davidoff store too
S stickmanMember
I'm just throwing this out there, for anyone who might be interested in chasing some hard-to-find, highly anticipated releases. Steve Saka (the guy who created Liga Privada for Drew Estate, as well as Sobremesa and Mi Querida for his own Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust) has released his first limited edition stick, Muestra de Saka Exclusivo, a 6x52 Nicaraguan puro. Muestra de Saka (essentially "Saka's Sample") will be the brand name; Exclusivo is the name given to this vitola/blend. Boxes of seven in individual coffins are in the $100 range, or you might find them as singles for ~$15/stick. Only 1,500 boxes of seven were produced, and Steve Saka has an army of fanboys, so these probably won't be available for long. (The source from which I obtained mine is already out.)

Warped Cigars is releasing another batch of its Flor del Valle Sky Flower. This is the 5.625x48 limited edition (with media tiempo leaf) of the regular Flor del Valle brand. The list of retailers seems much larger than in the past, so it's likely that the 2017 batch will be larger than those released the past two years. All Flor del Valles are Nicaraguan puros from the Aganorsa farms. They come in boxes of ten and are ~$12.50/stick. I personally think that the original Sky Flower (from 2015) is perhaps the best cigar Warped has ever released; the ones I got from 2016 were not as good, but still good enough that I'm seeking out this 2017 release. These are shipping now.

Since so many producers put out last year any blends they had in the works, fearing that new FDA rules would prevent them from doing so later, there aren't nearly as many new releases planned for this year. The above are two of the most highly anticipated by cigar nerds like me. If you're at all interested, now and the coming week or so will likely be the best window to obtain them. 'Hope this helps. Cool
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
stick...
I haven't smoked a cigar in 4 years this month. Just one of those things.

PH! Great to hear from you, brother. I have fond memories of the time we spent smoking fine cigars in fine company. But, if you've chosen a path that doesn't include tobacco, I say more power to you, my friend. If it helps, I can tell you that the Quesada España short robustos now are nowhere as good as the ones you and I enjoyed so much, way back when. Big Grin Wink
quote:
Your posts are almost as good as lighting one up. You should quit your day job. Wink
PH

Thank you! 'Very kind of you to say. I'm blessed to have such excellent work and pleasure as objects of my attention, and I'm cursed to be so infatuated with them.
Last edited by stickman
S stickmanMember
After being impressed with the Nomad Martial Law (so-named in protest of anticipated governmental regulations), I decided to seek out more cigars from Nomad, and I'm glad I did! The latest (to me) is the Nomad C-276 robusto (it's also available in several, classic vitolas) in a sharp box press. The name, C-276, is derived from C for Concepción, one of the volcanoes on Ometepe island, and 276 is the number of square kilometers of the island. They can be had for under $9, and I got mine for even less on special.

This is a cigar for cigar nerds... like me. In some ways it's more interesting than it is tasty, really, but for those willing to sit and ponder this stick, there are endless rewards. It starts with plenty of black pepper (which will recur intermittently throughout the cigar) and a dark chocolate that also has a touch of sweetness to it. Not far into the burn, a distinct mineral character arrives, and I'm reminded of volcanic soil, but I might be influenced by the suggestion of its name. Later I'm greeted with a bright citrus that almost has a wheatgrass bitterness to it. Later some tanginess like a port-wine steak sauce. More black pepper, but accompanied by a buttery smoothness. This cigar seems to be in constant transitions between unique flavors, many of them not at all associated with 'just tobacco.' The precision and balance of this cigar are exemplary, making such complexity possible. Bravo to Fred Rewy, the owner and blender of Nomad cigars. I wouldn't really recommend it to a beginning cigar smoker, but it's a perfect change-up to break the doldrums of the 'standard cigar,' for those willing to give it their full attention.
vinelousevinelouseMember
Well my Benigno arrived from Costa Rica in a well made wooden box with a metal closing clip which puts most cuban ones to shame. But who cares? We are not here to evaluate the packaging but rather the contents! I actually made an effort to remove the warning labels from the box which were the size of an advertising billboard on a major highway. Really necessary?! 2o minutes later (those Costa Ricans must use superglue) I finally could draw my attention to the inside.

All 10 cigars are individually wrapped in a rather thick cellophane and seemed to be in tip top shape. Felt well balanced in the hand and no soft or hard spots. The Marevas are size 42 and supposatly a middle of the run product for this producer. A quick research revealed that Don Benigno is Cuban origin and has a family history of worthy torcedoros and it shows.

The wrapper is smooth and thinly veined with a light to medium brown colour. Very well made. I used a double guillotine cutter and a quick check confirmed an effortless pull which did not diminish during the entire time. Lit with a match and achieved a prompt and even burn all along. Initially very smooth and mild notes. No harsh or scratchy roughness.

After about 15-20 minutes (first 1/3) my firmly formed ash felt off and I experienced some performance issues. It required 2-3 double pulls over the next 5 minutes to ensure it would stay lit. Once I crossed that hurdle I did not encounter anymore difficulties of similar kind. Wonder if that could have be a result of some filler inconsistency.
Removed the black/golden band to see how far I can push it. Risking a serious finger burn I abandoned my excursion about 70 minutes in. During the entire time it continued to deliver a very mild and smooth experience right till the end.

In anticipation of the mild affair I did not choose my customary single malt but rather a cuban rum which was an excellent choice. The aftertaste was noticeable and not unpleasant just confirming the quality of the wrapper being used.

Would I buy and smoke it again? Absolutely! It has its place when you are looking for a nonchalant tete a tete or like to offer a cigar to someone who would like to start to explore the wide world of cigars. I will definitively seek out some of their other products with a bit fuller body and deeper flavour.
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by VINELOUSE:
Well my Benigno arrived from Costa Rica...
The Marevas are size 42 and supposatly a middle of the run product for this producer...

I'm note sure I understand what you mean by "middle of the run product."
quote:
...Initially very smooth and mild notes. No harsh or scratchy roughness.... During the entire time it continued to deliver a very mild and smooth experience right till the end...

'Sounds consistent with their reputation. Thanks for the notes.
S stickmanMember
I've been so impressed with the Crux cigars I've tried, that I ventured further with the Crux Guild toro and robusto. It's not a flawed cigar by any means, but it's certainly my least favorite so far. Fuller bodied and more intense than the Crux Classic (which I think is excellent), this seems to lose the balance and refinement that has so enamored me to the others. Plenty of coffee, nut, and pepper, but there are a myriad of other sticks that deliver this with much more interesting secondary notes and better balance, IMHO.
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
I'm just throwing this out there, for anyone who might be interested in chasing some hard-to-find, highly anticipated releases... Muestra de Saka Exclusivo, a 6x52 Nicaraguan puro... Flor del Valle Sky Flower...

Add to the list a new release of Black Label Trading Co. Bishops Blend. IMHO, the 2016 release was the best cigar they've released yet, balancing intense maduro flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, and licorice with subtler notes of a mild sweetness, barnyard, and barbecued brisket. It was my co-#1 of 2016, and as I've been revisiting my '16 favorites, I've been putting this one off, because they're so precious to me, thinking they'd never be made again. Well, here's a shot to get more. BLTC usually does batches (correction): There will be 300 boxes of 20 for each size, robusto and corona larga (twice as much production as the original release). One of the best places to look will be the Cigar Federation store.
Last edited by stickman
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by Rothko:
This is a wine website, right?
Razz
Just kidding. It's great to see such enthusiasm.

Misappropriated energy: it's the story of my life, brother! Big Grin Wink

Seriously, I'm happy to just post here. Have you been to any cigar websites? I don't care to disparage anyone, so I'll just let it suffice to say that I'm not interested.
haggishaggisMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
quote:
Originally posted by haggis:
I will, indeed, post notes. If they arrive this week (and they should), next week is looking very favorable with respect to weather. So, I hope for a nice evening outdoors.

Depending on how they were stored before shipping, they may need more time in your humidor to show their best. I don't want to discourage you from trying it though, so give one a shot and go from there. Good luck; I'm rooting for you! Big Grin


My 5-pack arrived this afternoon, packed with a 69% Boveda pack. I'll rest them, as you suggested, for a while before lighting up. Thanks for the recommendation (I hope!) Cool
S stickmanMember
I don't normally choose such large-ring-gauge cigars, but with the My Father The Judge, a box-pressed 6x56, I didn't have a choice (a 5x60 is also available). They've recently released a 'Toro Fino' at a mere 6x52, but it wasn't available, when I purchased my sample.

What stands out to me about this stick is that it's not all that taxing on the palate, despite its undeniably full body and full flavors. Plenty of black pepper (no surprise, coming from Pepin), creamy chocolate, hints of caramel, and a very toasty final third. Not wildly complex, but tasty and certainly not disappointing. If you like large ring gauges, and you're looking for a cut above average in a no-fuss smoke, this might just fit the bill, and the ~$11 price tag isn't unreasonable, IMHO. For me, there are so many cigars with this general profile, that I'm not planning to add it to my stash.
S stickmanMember
Expecting to be able to get more with a newly announced re-release, I revisited the Black Label Trading Co. Bishops Blend corona gorda, my co-favorite cigar for 2016. In short, this stick was on point - an outstanding performance! Very similar to previous notes: lots of black licorice, black pepper, and herbal character up front on this stick, but quickly spiced fudge (absolutely delicious!) becomes the focal point, with a remarkably floral aroma for this type of flavor profile. Nice supporting earthiness and coffee with constantly recurring licorice, as well as spicy beef and brown sugar in this particular stick. I love the finesse (especially olfactory) married to luxurious richness. The unique combination of both CT and PA broadleaf filler leaves makes for an incredible stick! There are lots of cigars made with this general profile (more than a few by BLTC themselves), but none better, and precious few with anywhere near this level of complexity and detail. Easily my favorite BLTC cigar - evarrr, and it remains my co-favorite release from 2016. The new batch should be arriving in stores any day now, and it gets my absolute highest recommendation!
haggishaggisMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
quote:
Originally posted by haggis:
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
I've continued to have good luck with the Flor de las Antillas, but it doesn't seem to me like a candidate for long-term aging. If it were me, I'd plan to smoke those sooner than later, just fwiw...
Steve Saka has some interesting views on this, but I've already said more than you may want to hear. Roll Eyes Big Grin

Thanks for the feedback and the commentary. It's all very useful. Never too much!!
I'll put the "My Father" at the top of the playlist for when the weather here is more conducive to a smoke. Much obliged.

Excellent. I'll be curious to hear about how it performed. The blend for FdlA is so smooth, I never bothered to age any; I'd just buy a stick at the cigar shop/bar and smoke a 'fresh one.' Fwiw, the new Maduro wrapped version recently got a stellar review from Phil Kohn (kohnhed.com); he's got a pretty eccentric delivery, but I think his palate and knowledge are exemplary, and he reviews sticks that others avoid or ignore altogether.


This afternoon was FINALLY cigar weather here! Sunny and mid-70s. Great day to get some yardwork done, then relax with a glass of something and a cigar. I decided to give on of these FdlAs a whirl. MUCH better than my notes on previous sticks suggest. (I bought mine in March 2013 for $8.99 each, if that matters to anyone.)

The first third was amazing. Almost sweet, with some nice pepper. The second third was more peaty. Not sure if that's the descriptor I'm really looking for, but I was itching for a shot or two of Lagavulin. Had a nice rum already poured that was more than adequate.

The one feature of this cigar that I do not like is that the draw is way too easy. The upside is that it holds a light and has a great burn. On the other hand the final third is just too hot. I had to stub it, as I have had to do with others FdlAs and other cigars with a similar draw.

CA gave this 96pts at the time of my purchase. No way. Halfwheel came in at 82pts. Ouch. I'm in the upper 80s for the first 2/3, and much lower for the final third.

I have one left and think these will not suffer at all with more time in the humidor.
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by haggis:
... I decided to give on of these FdlAs a whirl. MUCH better than my notes on previous sticks suggest...
The first third was amazing. Almost sweet, with some nice pepper. The second third was more peaty...
The one feature of this cigar that I do not like is that the draw is way too easy. The upside is that it holds a light and has a great burn. On the other hand the final third is just too hot...

Thanks for the notes; 'sounds pretty consistent with my experience with this stick, and I appreciate the read on how they perform with a bit of age on them. <thumbs-up>
S stickmanMember
After witnessing Cigar Federation's March Madness tournament, I just had to try the Jas Sum Kral Red Knight in its original vitola, a 6x52 toro (it has also been released in lancero, lonsdale, and robusto sizes) ~$10. It's got an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Mexican San Andrés binder, and the filler is undisclosed. Lots of dried wheat, intermittent blasts of pepper, and an overall woody character. In the latter portions of the stick, there's a nice mix of nuts and earthiness, but the dominant impression comes from a strong menthol core. Discrete menthol can help to freshen up a cigar with a heavy profile, but this was a bit too dominant for my taste, and my sample didn't show a hint of sweetness at any point. The overall impression borders on austere, not unlike a very young, old-school Barolo. I plan to age these, hoping for better balance.

The Red Knight was the winner of the tournament, essentially a crowd-voted #1 of 2016. Wow. Not only do I not think that this is a viable 'best cigar of 2016'; I don't think it's even the best cigar made by Jas Sum Kral. I much prefer the Crna Nok (I have no idea what it means) ~$11, featuring a CT Broadleaf wrapper, Mexican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. What jumps out to me is a sharp, licorice-laced, maple syrup, punctuating a dark chocolate core - quite tasty! Excellent construction, fairly aromatic, and well-balanced. A definite winner in my book... but still no #1.

My first impressions of Jas Sum Kral: I love the packaging (very regal, detailed band, and fivers are shipped in an attractive, card-stock box), I really like the construction (rolled by Noel Rojas's factory), I don't care for the brazen attitude (his motto is, "Boutique as F-*k" Roll Eyes ), and I absolutely hate the website (animated 'reviews' mean that everything beneath them constantly shifts, while you're trying to read, and clicking on an item to get more information automatically adds it to your cart). This may be the hot ticket for the "gotta' have the latest sparkly" segment of the boutique cigar world, and I think this is a brand worth watching, but anything beyond that just seems like hype at this point IMO.
haggishaggisMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
After witnessing Cigar Federation's March Madness tournament, I just had to try the Jas Sum Kral Red Knight in its original vitola, a 6x52 toro (it has also been released in lancero, lonsdale, and robusto sizes) ~$10. It's got an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Mexican San Andrés binder, and the filler is undisclosed. Lots of dried wheat, intermittent blasts of pepper, and an overall woody character. In the latter portions of the stick, there's a nice mix of nuts and earthiness, but the dominant impression comes from a strong menthol core. Discrete menthol can help to freshen up a cigar with a heavy profile, but this was a bit too dominant for my taste, and my sample didn't show a hint of sweetness at any point. The overall impression borders on austere, not unlike a very young, old-school Barolo. I plan to age these, hoping for better balance.

The Red Knight was the winner of the tournament, essentially a crowd-voted #1 of 2016. Wow. Not only do I not think that this is a viable 'best cigar of 2016'; I don't think it's even the best cigar made by Jas Sum Kral. I much prefer the Crna Nok (I have no idea what it means) ~$11, featuring a CT Broadleaf wrapper, Mexican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. What jumps out to me is a sharp, licorice-laced, maple syrup, punctuating a dark chocolate core - quite tasty! Excellent construction, fairly aromatic, and well-balanced. A definite winner in my book... but still no #1.

My first impressions of Jas Sum Kral: I love the packaging (very regal, detailed band, and fivers are shipped in an attractive, card-stock box), I really like the construction (rolled by Noel Rojas's factory), I don't care for the brazen attitude (his motto is, "Boutique as F-*k" Roll Eyes ), and I absolutely hate the website (animated 'reviews' mean that everything beneath them constantly shifts, while you're trying to read, and clicking on an item to get more information automatically adds it to your cart). This may be the hot ticket for the "gotta' have the latest sparkly" segment of the boutique cigar world, and I think this is a brand worth watching, but anything beyond that just seems like hype at this point IMO.


Great comments. And the hype extends to the name "Jas Sum Kral," which apparently is Macedonian for "I am King."
S stickmanMember
After a long-awaited, delayed release (plus a couple weeks for these to settle in my humidor), the All Out Kings, a collaboration between Drew Estate and Caldwell, is now available. The band shows a crown, grabbed by three hands - those of Jonathan Drew and Willy Herrera of Drew Estate and Robert Caldwell. I can't help wondering if the name was chosen in order to ceate the acronym, AOK.

Despite featuring Drew Estate's unique, stalk-cut (rather the picking the leaves in the normal sequence, the entire stalk is cut and fermented intact) CT Broadleaf wrapper, also found on their T52 cigar, this cigar strikes me as more Caldwell than Drew. The opening is the most flavorful part of the cigar, with lots of tangy, spicy gingerbread. While there is some intermittent sweetness, most of the rest of the cigar is based on a more neutral, minerally, caramel cream impression. It reminds me a lot of the Caldwell Yellow Cake, minus the sweetness. I tried the robusto, called Smash, and the corona gorda, called Give Me Your Lunch Money (- marketing, Roll Eyes), and they're very similar. Despite the vitola names, it's actually a fairly medium-bodied cigar. Like the T52, the cigar emits a lot of smoke, even when at rest.

If you're a big Caldwell fan, you'll probably really like this. Myself, I have yet to be wowed by any Caldwell sticks, and at nearly $16 for the Smash robusto, for me this is a pass.
S stickmanMember
I've sung its praises previously, but the latest Nomad Martial Law was easily the best one yet - such a fantastic balance of sharp and round, smooth profiles. Sneaky power and palate-clinging flavors mean this is not for those seeking a clean, medium-bodied cigar, but what it offers in complexity is phenomenal! Trying to describe the diversity of flavors offered in this stick is akin to trying to describe the colors in a prism: focusing on one color/flavor distorts the over-all impression, but attempting to describe them all dilutes the distinctness of each. This is only achievable with the most impeccable balance. Easily in the top three cigars I've had in 2017, so far. Paired perfectly with a Coke and Mexican vanilla, while working on an arrangement of Pat Metheny's "The First Circle." I was in heaven!

Now for the rest of the story... $12 and hard to find. Plus, that razor's edge balance means that some sticks don't show as well. I've had three so far: 1) Outstanding and promising, 2) not nearly as good; made me wonder if I misjudged, 3) this one - phenomenal! Kinda' like a wine, which depends on very finely tuned balance. When they're off, meh; when they're on, wow!
Last edited by stickman
S stickmanMember
Another opportunity to try one of my precious few sticks from our favorite, nearby island: this time a San Cristobal de La Habana in a 5 1/2 x 50 vitola, called La Fuerza. This marca is relatively young by island standards, being founded in 1999 to celebrate the millennium. Its name honors the original name of the capital city, and the vitola, La Fuerza, doesn't refer to the strength of the stick (the cigar is essentially the opposite of forceful), but rather is named after one of the fortresses, built in the 16th century as part of the Spanish empire.

This was my only sample of this cigar, so I don't have a box code on it, but I know that it had at least 9 years of age on it. Happily it showed all the maturity one could hope for without any sign of decline. Extremely well balanced, savory flavors of grilled bread (it reminded me of my grandmother's homemade bread) - somewhat yeasty, dried wheat, and cream. The middle third went somewhat reticent, but the final third was the best part of the stick, smelling like toasted marshmallow, but tasting like vanilla custard and biscotti. The draw was perfect, and overall this was just a really nice, relaxing, pleasant cigar with just enough complexity to be interesting without being demanding. Hats off to 'em.
haggishaggisMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
Another opportunity to try one of my precious few sticks from our favorite, nearby island: this time a San Cristobal de La Habana in a 5 1/2 x 50 vitola, called La Fuerza. This marca is relatively young by island standards, being founded in 1999 to celebrate the millennium. Its name honors the original name of the capital city, and the vitola, La Fuerza, doesn't refer to the strength of the stick (the cigar is essentially the opposite of forceful), but rather is named after one of the fortresses, built in the 16th century as part of the Spanish empire.

This was my only sample of this cigar, so I don't have a box code on it, but I know that it had at least 9 years of age on it. Happily it showed all the maturity one could hope for without any sign of decline. Extremely well balanced, savory flavors of grilled bread (it reminded me of my grandmother's homemade bread) - somewhat yeasty, dried wheat, and cream. The middle third went somewhat reticent, but the final third was the best part of the stick, smelling like toasted marshmallow, but tasting like vanilla custard and biscotti. The draw was perfect, and overall this was just a really nice, relaxing, pleasant cigar with just enough complexity to be interesting without being demanding. Hats off to 'em.


When I'm in Geneva in June, I'm going to search these out. Thanks for the great review!
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by patespo1:
Thread drift; Stickman, did you happen to call into the Howard Stern show last week? One of the callers gave the name Stickman when he called in. Just curious.

It wasn't me. I didn't think much about the moniker, when I first took it on (I've grown attached since), but it seems to be pretty common - it actually caused some tension on another board.

Ironically, 'stickman' seems to have connotations in several of my pursuits, and colleagues in each area may be misled, thinking that I chose the name because of that pursuit. Fwiw, my original purpose in choosing the name, stickman, had nothing to do with cigars. Go figure. Cool
Last edited by stickman
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by haggis:
When I'm in Geneva in June, I'm going to search these out. Thanks for the great review!

Excellent! And thanks for the kind words. I don't know what kind of shops Geneva has, but if you can find any that sell cigars with some age on them (or even a shop that happens to have a particularly avid/knowledgeable proprietor, who can point out the aged sticks), that would be my first priority... and for a couple reasons.

Very few CC's (Cohiba Siglo VI and Ramon Allones Specially Selected, being notable exceptions, in my humble experience) seem to show their best without legit aging. Secondly, the Cuban cigar industry seems to have been in a bit of a funk in the last couple years. I'm no CC expert, but even I have heard plenty to give me pause - Nicaraguan industry leaders have mentioned the 'rut' that Cuba is currently in, Cuban industry officials have made statements assuring that essentially 'the difficulties are behind them,' many of the top level sticks haven't even been produced recently (good luck finding a legit BHK or Siglo these days), and this thread's godfather, marcb7, has indicated as much in his own statements.

Yadda, yadda... the suggestion boils down to: I think it's wiser to prioritize age over name brand, if at all possible. 'Sorry to be so long-winded; 'just trying to give actionable information, that I hope you won't regret.
haggishaggisMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
quote:
Originally posted by haggis:
When I'm in Geneva in June, I'm going to search these out. Thanks for the great review!

Excellent! And thanks for the kind words. I don't know what kind of shops Geneva has, but if you can find any that sell cigars with some age on them (or even a shop that happens to have a particularly avid/knowledgeable proprietor, who can point out the aged sticks), that would be my first priority... and for a couple reasons.

Very few CC's (Cohiba Siglo VI and Ramon Allones Specially Selected, being notable exceptions, in my humble experience) seem to show their best without legit aging. Secondly, the Cuban cigar industry seems to have been in a bit of a funk in the last couple years. I'm no CC expert, but even I have heard plenty to give me pause - Nicaraguan industry leaders have mentioned the 'rut' that Cuba is currently in, Cuban industry officials have made statements assuring that essentially 'the difficulties are behind them,' many of the top level sticks haven't even been produced recently (good luck finding a legit BHK or Siglo these days), and this thread's godfather, marcb7, has indicated as much in his own statements.

Yadda, yadda... the suggestion boils down to: I think it's wiser to prioritize age over name brand, if at all possible. 'Sorry to be so long-winded; 'just trying to give actionable information, that I hope you won't regret.


Great advice. I did check around a Gesto Cigars seems to be the best bet in terms of variety of brands and inventory of aged cigars. DonCigarro is one that my Swiss nephew likes, but they seem to charge a good bit more.

Should I have a chance to do some shopping (and with my schedule there and the fact that Mrs. H is coming along for the ride that might be a challenge), I will definitely report back.
S stickmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by stickman:
...I've long been a fan of Dion Giolito (owner and blender of Illusione), but the cigars he's released in the most recent years seem to me to be perhaps his best. The ~eccj~ 20th from 2015, the Haut 10 from 2016, and the Singularé Kadosh, which has just become available into 2017 all get my highest recommendation...

Add to the list the Illusione Cigares Privé Corojo, originally a line of small-batch, store-exclusives, now a regular line. I tried the 5x52 (gentle box-press), and it was fantastic! I love complexity in a cigar, and this has it in spades! From a bed of peanut and cream-of-wheat rise intermittent notes of sharp, black pepper and clove, a sweet red-fruit flavor (almost like stewed raspberries - delicious!!!), and a baking-spice profile not unlike Chinese Five Spice. Fairly medium-bodied, maybe medium + at the end, and excellent construction make for a cigar that should have wide appeal. I intend to get more!

'Sorry; I keep forgetting to add: ~$8. An absolute steal!
Last edited by stickman
S stickmanMember
I'd be remiss, if I did not give a shout-out to the fellas at smallbatchcigar.com. I recently ordered more Illusione Haut 10, as smallbatchcigar had an offer for 25% off all Illusione cigars (getting an outstanding $16 stick for $12 = winning!). After I placed the order, they called apologetically explaining that their stock had run out, so my shipment would be delayed... 4 days. Considering that I intend to stash these away for months, 4 days was no big deal, but they included a free Avo Improvisation 2017 - a limited edition, $18, 6x60 cigar from the year of his death. Not a bad comp, considering the virtually nonexistent inconvenience to me. Thumbs way up to them!
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