What did you smoke today?...short and sweet review.

[stickman]

Catching up a bit...
My Father Corona - excellent little smoke; as good as the robusto, maybe better, which is a big compliment IMO.
Undercrown !Viva! (Corona Gorda) - doesn't really seem to be related to Liga Privada much at all IMHO; very dry and savory, but well done IMO.
Oliva Maduro 2011: better than the last one I tried; lots of coffee and leather, but it lacks some harmony IMHO.
Liga Privada UF-4: not as exotic as the original T52, and not as complete as an aged #9, though I enjoyed it better than I originally liked the 9 - maybe it will evolve into something as good. Starts off with a pleasant bitterness, but the beginning of the 2nd third had a really interesting toast, cinnamon, and burnt sugar character. Very full-bodied. A worthy LP IMO.
Cohiba Siglo VI ('08) - my expectations are so high with this stick, but this example didn't quite live up to hopes. Beginning was rather unremarkable; middle = more typical character with some grassy green tea flavors - decent at least; last 3rd = best, with a luxurious creamy fruit and spice character - kinda' saved the day. Will age some more to see what develops.

[JohnnyB]

Cohiba Behike 56. This was a near perfect cigar on my birthday 2 days ago. Although this will become better with age it was smooth,complex and so wonderful now. It was a great day that started with croissants and fruit and ended with Champagne and Brunello. In the middle there was Sun,Song,Cigars and Swimming .
Life is Good

[stickman]

Cohiba Behike 56. This was a near perfect cigar on my birthday 2 days ago. Although this will become better with age it was smooth,complex and so wonderful now...

Thanks for the update. I've tried only one and have only a handful from the original '10 release, so I'm trying to let mine age. The 2011 release of the BHK52 seems quite good, so I may buy some '11 56s as well.

[stickman]

Knowing that a re-purchase would likely be possible only for a short time, I've smoked through a box (one of each size) of Pete Johnson's Tatuaje Little Monsters (there are two of each in the box). If you enjoy smaller sticks, I highly recommend these. After a sample of just one, the Mini Mum (basically a short lonsdale or a long corona at 5 3/4 x 42) and the Baby Face (a short robusto at 4 3/8 x 50) are my favorites - both truly outstanding. The Frank Junior has an alluring smell unlit of a soapy floral character, but isn't quite as aromatic once lit - still really good. The Wolfie is smooth and enjoyable, and the Lil' Drac is my least favorite - a bit harsh. $75 for a box of 10 limited-edition cigars seems like a good deal to me, even for smaller sticks.

[bourbon]

Today it was a Bolivar Gold Medal from 2007---and I have to say this cigar needs another 5 years of aging at the least! Delicious but still edgy.

[bourbon]

Well, I am in New York City for the month of August and have not found a good place outdoors to enjoy a cigar that is not posted with anti-smoking notices--New York now feels like the most cigar un-friendly city in the United States. When I have some time I will head over to Lexington Bar and Books or maybe Davidoff on Madison.

[stickman]

Have you tried Paley Park on E 53rd? It's a privately owned public park, founded by William Paley, whose son is now the owner of La Palina cigars, and I'm pretty certain that it welcomes smokers.

[stickman]

Of what I've smoked recently, the real stand-out has been the Casa Magna Domus Magnus. The original Optimus (like a robusto plus) is still the best, but the Centuriones (short robusto) is also worth a try. It features a Jalapa wrapper, which is smoother and less peppery than a lot of what you get from Estelí.

[stickman]

I attended a Drew Estate/Joya de Nicaragua event last night, and while I was sad to find that I had missed out on the few boxes of Dirty Rat's they had available, I was pleased to try (on the recommendation of a friend) the new Cuenca y Blanco in a Corona Real vitola (5 1/2 x 46). I'd recommend giving these some time to settle, as I had a challenge keeping mine lit, but the flavors were nevertheless very smooth and savory in a medium-bodied structure. Definitely at least worth another try.

[stickman]

Just got back from Prague, a very smoker-friendly town, and lots of CCs available just about everywhere you go. The downside is that they are usually very young and over-humidified, IMHO. I did enjoy an outstanding Partagas 898 and a young but promising H. Upmann No.2. If you've never been to Prague, I can't recommend it highly enough.

[youngcollectorsf]

Nice, I went to Prague last year. Had to check out the El Bodeguita del Medio. Nice upstairs humidor. You can smoke a cigar anywhere in the restaurant. You actually felt like you were in Havana. I remember having a Mojito, some tapas, and a Cohiba Exquisito.

[bourbon]

Romeo y Julieta Cazadores from 2004. I was working my Boykin Spaniel in the field in preparation for pheasant season in Northern California.

[JohnnyB]

TRINIDAD ROBUSTO EXTRA: First time with this cigar. It's a big one! very smooth, subtle spicy flovors and a good draw. Was a beautiful smoke on a late afternoon as the leaves are changing here in Canada
Will age most of the rest.

[bourbon]

Worked late and needed the perfect cigar for the walk home from the office in the cool Northern California air...I chose a Partagas Short from a Cab of 50- from 2008. Delicious!

[stickman]

bourbon,
'Sounds like a nice walk! As JohnnyB allude to, there's something about this season that seems somehow congruent with enjoying an excellent cigar, no?

For my recent smokes, two stand out on opposite ends of the spectrum: an old stand-by Liga Privada #9 Robusto - very full-bodied, heavy, and decadent, and the new Quesada Jalapa Belicoso - very light on the palate, delicate, perfect for an English tea and cream. The Quesada is based on their Seleccion España (a different wrapper), but it's not quite as good, IMHO.

[bourbon]

Dear Stickman...

I could not agree more...the change to cooler weather and a good cigar go hand in hand...

Not familiar with the Quesada. Thanks for the tip. I am usually a full flavored kind of guy, but actually have been enjoying Hoyo de Monterreys from Havana for their light flavor. We have warm daytime temps in September in Northern California and I am digging the HdM's lighter flavor during the day. I save the stronger cigars for the cooler evenings. I will give the Quesada a try if I can find it while the days stay warmer.

On another note I just finished a treatise! in response to one of the forum members questions about where to buy Cuban cigars online and my computer froze and I lost it! Alas...for another day.

[stickman]

Dear Stickman...
...I am usually a full flavored kind of guy, but actually have been enjoying Hoyo de Monterreys from Havana for their light flavor. We have warm daytime temps in September in Northern California and I am digging the HdM's lighter flavor during the day....

On another note I just finished a treatise! in response to one of the forum members questions about where to buy Cuban cigars online and my computer froze and I lost it! Alas...for another day.

'Doh! 'Been there; 'sorry to hear of your loss.

Regarding the HdMs, the Epicure No.2 is a favorite of mine as well. As the temperature drops, my appetite for fuller-bodied sticks is growing. I've been enjoying the Liga Privada #9 Robusto, which seems only to improve with age.

[stickman]

Recently tried another Mini Mum from the Tatuaje Little Monsters box - wow! So unique, elegant, exotically citrusy, and wonderfully floral! Just wow. If you can still get your hands on them, I can't recommend this highly enough. If this were available by themselves, I'd buy multiple boxes!

Also just tried the Oliva V Melanio Robusto and loved it! Not as rich or full-bodied as a regular V, but it SO makes up for it in far greater nuance, and the smoke is downright creamy! If the Figurado is better (as I've read and heard), this is another one to buy up, if you can find them.

[bourbon]

A Vegas Robaina Familiar from 2000. I wish I could say that I loved it, but the flavor was off the mark like so many Havanas from the late 90's / first couple years of 2000. I had a similar experience with a Punch Corona from 1999 from last week. To make up for the my experience with the Vegas Robaina Familiar from 2000, I smoked an El Rey Del Mundo Demi Tasse (Entreactos) with a glass of champagne and I felt better.

[JohnnyB]

PARTAGAS SERIE D NO.4
Outstanding. Medium bodied with flavours of chocolate nuts cherries and lite pepper spice. Enjoyed this after a great steak diner at Queues de Cheval in Montreal. Aged Angus beef at its best. They let us light up after diner at the table(not sure if that's legal) Paired well with Armagnac.