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

[randyshumaker]

Garcia my father Le Bijou gran Robusto
This is a beautiful cigar. Aces all around. Theres nothing bad i can say about it. Dark coffee,w pepper with floral notes. Its not my flavor but scored an 89 in my journal.

[SteveGriff]

Tonight's Smoke - Bolivar Coronas Extras

Monday night has meant Game of Thrones in the smoking room the past ten weeks. Tonight is the season finale, so it was time to kick back and watch the last episode for this year unfold. And what best way to watch such quality television is with a good drink and a Cuban Cigar?

I can't tell you enough how much I've gotten into this drama from HBO over the last two to three months. Game of Thrones is not forgiving for the characters who play a part in each episode. I'm not going to give much away for anyone who is only starting to watch the series, but just be prepared to get hooked and indulge yourself in the classic storytelling.



Anyhow, back to the primary subject of this blog post. Pairing Game of Thrones was a lovely Espresso with a Bolivar Coronas Extra. I've recently bought a box of these and I'm already smoking my way through them like there's no tomorrow. I'm loving the profile of this vitola; their not as strong as other Bolivars, such as the Petit Corona or the Belicosos Finos, but they do have a leathery kick, and they work well with a strong Espresso.



Along with the flavour profile, I really love the size of the Corona Extras vitola. They're long enough to last at least an hour, up until an hour and a half if you smoke them slowly and carefully enough. The Bolivar Petit Corona, although my all time favourite Cigar, is great for watching a forty minute episode, of lets say, Mad Men, but when you're sitting through almost an hour of Game of Thrones or any other sixty minute drama or movie, you want that Cigar to last just a little longer.
Bolivar Coronas Extras resting on top of a cup of Espresso

Possibly the best I've had from the box yet. 92 points.

[randyshumaker]

tat halloween special. bean notes,leather,but it had sugar n spice,nutmeg,and pumpkin. evthng nice

[MajorMajor]

I'm with Steve on the Boli CEs. Cab of 05s are smoking fantastic lately and the Mar07 cab is making major progress.

Steve, you've convinced me to have one right now!

[stickman]

Don Pepin Blue Label toro. It's amazing how wonderful the early releases of this stick are... and yet how disappointing subsequent batches have been.

[XsorXpire]

R & J LE 2007. My mate called me today and asked if i had any spare. Said they were so creamy and so yummy.
I told him "NO, I'm trying to get some age on them", but i had to try one.
Pepper. Pepper, Pepper and a little wood.
Slightly creamy in the last half, but pepper.

He wants to swap some H. Upman LE 2009.

I've only got ten left and can only hope they get better over the next couple years.
Maybe i should swap a couple...

[SteveGriff]

I'm with Steve on the Boli CEs. Cab of 05s are smoking fantastic lately and the Mar07 cab is making major progress.

Steve, you've convinced me to have one right now!

No worries - glad I swayed you towards the CE for your smoke of choice for the evening

For me tonight - not sure... thinking about maybe a Magnum 50

Steve

[cohibacal]

Cohiba siglo VI tubos SEP 10 box code .......very strong start full and bold ...... mellow a bit in the middle to show spice and coffee with hints of flowers and cinnamon......rich and lasting finish but still a yound cigar that has legs to grow tall and proud! 89 points


Then sparked up a Bespoke piramide custom roll ......very very rich start with chocolet and cinnamon flavors that just burst into your mouth.....each puff gets stronger and stronger but then mellows a bit twards the finish which is a little dull but should also get better with age as im guessing these are young smokes as well......90 points and very maduro 5 like !!!


Powersmoking another siglo III that came from the 2006 batch ive been lovin this week ...... so ready and just lovely to smoke as well as perfet to the eye as the nice rich brown wrapper just glistens with oils...... 2006 seems to be a hit for cohiba but these awesome smokes are ready to be savored right now ! 98 points ,would have been 100 but the slightly crooked burn took a couple away .........gonna fire up a Behike 56 next week and see how she stands up to these simply scrumptous cigars.

[SteveGriff]

Last Night's Smoke - H. Upmann Magnum 50

Along with my usual Thursday nights of Question Time and This Week, I’m pairing some The Balvenie Whiskey and a H. Upmann Magnum 50.



One of the ‘in’ Cigars at the moment amongst aficionados, the H. Upmann Magnum 50’s is big and loud. With two bands, this towering Double Robusto measures in at 6.3 inches and 50 ring gauge.

Originally released in 2005 as a limited edition, the Magnum 50 was re-introduced in 2008 as a regular production Cigar. A light to medium bodied smoke, this looks to be a great mid-afternoon herf smoke.



On the first puffs, there’s leathery, tobacco flavours. I was expecting a little more creaminess. I can detect some summery, butter and honey notes but only a little.

This Cigar gave me an hour and a half worth of smoking time.

I think this Cigar needs more time in the humidor. Mid-way through the Magnum 50, the flavours are still opening up. The leathery flavours are now opening up to include a peppery spice sensation. Only a little mind, I think this Cigar is meant to tease - seduce you it’s flavours only so slightly. There’s a tangy-ness here. Very interesting how the Cigars from the rest of the box will develop in the forthcoming years.



I would suggest trying to find boxes from the original 2008 release. I have found the ones I have smoked to be a little too young, the flavours have not ripen in maturity. I have tried one from 2009 and two or three from 2010 and their not quite ready yet. I would hasten to guess that there is still plenty of ageing potential with the 2008’s also.

If I were to score this, I would rate this around 88 or 89 points. The first third of the Cigar let itself down with it’s flat flavours. However, into the second third and onwards, the bouquet of flavours saved the day

Keep these in the back of the humidor for a few years. You won’t regret it.

[randyshumaker]

Sancho Panza Sancho. jan 2000
started out a lil dry with that sancho grassy flavor. it just started to warm up to toasted tobacco,then rich cocoa notes n the air and on my palate with delicate floral wood. with some salt. two thirds and dark bitter chocolate. it was delicate and complex with a long finish. to top it all off it isnt at its peak yet. already a classic. scored 96 in my journal. it paired well with a cup of kona

[randyshumaker]

I'm with Steve on the Boli CEs. Cab of 05s are smoking fantastic lately and the Mar07 cab is making major progress.

Steve, you've convinced me to have one right now!

i just got a cab mar 07 wasnt impressed not for bolivar

[randyshumaker]

Sancho Panza Sancho. jan 2000
started out a lil dry with that sancho grassy flavor. it just started to warm up to toasted tobacco,then rich cocoa notes n the air and on my palate with delicate floral wood. with some salt. two thirds and dark bitter chocolate. it was delicate and complex with a long finish. to top it all off it isnt at its peak yet. already a classic. scored 96 in my journal. it paired well with a cup of kona

the cocoa notes were amazing!!!

[cohibacal]

Cohiba Behike 56 from a three pack from the 2010 festival.......very creamy start and spicy in the middle.....tasty finish with lasting flavors of coffee and cream that just linger on the pallet.....this is the oldest Behike ive smoked at 18 months old and definently in its prime IMHO.....92 points

[orangedog]

Edmundo Dantes 109 - impeccable construction, flavor was very bready and woody... every now and then the Monte sweetness would fade in and out... those sweet notes really added the balance needed, but they weren't consistent enough. Had the sweetness been more consistent, I'd probably try to buy a handful of boxes of these... just not there, and definitely not at current pricing.

2008 Sir Winston - with a little bit more time, these will be awesome. Construction is great, flavors are strong, already smoking well after just 2 years. If you have the space, I don't see why you wouldn't want to have a box (or two, or three, or ten) sitting on the sidelines aging for later enjoyment.

[randyshumaker]

Edmundo Dantes 109 - impeccable construction, flavor was very bready and woody... every now and then the Monte sweetness would fade in and out... those sweet notes really added the balance needed, but they weren't consistent enough. Had the sweetness been more consistent, I'd probably try to buy a handful of boxes of these... just not there, and definitely not at current pricing.

2008 Sir Winston - with a little bit more time, these will be awesome. Construction is great, flavors are strong, already smoking well after just 2 years. If you have the space, I don't see why you wouldn't want to have a box (or two, or three, or ten) sitting on the sidelines aging for later enjoyment.

i agree!! the sir winston is a cigar of great quality always has been a classic in my book

[stickman]

Lots of love for H. Upmann recently. I like to see that (including the pictorial review by SteveGriff)! The Magnum 46 continues to be one of my faves.

Last night a Vegas Robaina Robusto Famoso. Very enjoyable.

[orangedog]

LGC Cuba RE: from 2009... way to young, it seemed. I'm not particularly versed in LGCs, but this one seemed like it was having an identity crisis, flavors were in and out, not melded together, and it exhibited youth. wasn't bad, just not really good. yet. maybe.

[stickman]

Man 'o War Puro Authentico. 5 x 42 I've had a number of these (at least 5 now), and they're consistently very, very good. This one wasn't packed as firmly as previous sticks, and thus it burned a little hotter, but if this is the worst I have to deal with in construction/consistency, I give this a no-brainer thumbs-up, especially considering I bought these at ~$4/stick. I've had at least one vitola of each of the Man o' War series except the Armada, and this is my favorite by far.

[XsorXpire]

Partagas 898 (Aug 09) Tried my first one from my first box today. Leather, mocha, chocolate and honey. Absolutely fantastic smoke. So good i bought another box.

[stickman]

La Aroma de Cuba Edición Especial No.5 - well-constructed, hassle-free, tasty smoke, with medium-bodied coffee and hazelnut. Nice.