Spring is in the air and days are already longer, it’s time to get out for a smoke under The Drake Hotel rooftop heaters.
Planning a casual get together to chat and have a smoke. We are getting together this Sunday, March 8th 2009, 6 PM (until late night) at The Drake Hotel heated rooftop located at 1150 QUEEN STREET W. TORONTO ONTARIO M6J 1J3.
I will also bring some extra cigars from my own humidor (on the house) for those of us who don’t have any cigars or like to experience Nicaraguan stogies, the Don Pepin Garcia black label Robusto and Tatuaje Serie P Corona Gorda.
The Drake Hotel Website:
http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/ Google map
Price: $40
Size: 5.6 x 46 (Corona Gorda)
Package: CAB of 25
Box Date: GSO FEB 07
Paired with: Coffee
As you all know by now, Cohiba is one of my favorate brands and what is better than Siglo IV to enjoy in today’s beatiful sunny day on the rooftop. I smoke these cigars when I know I have enought time to relax and appreciate the silky tatse and never smoke it if I know I have to rush it or lay it down half done. I dont specially when its cold outside since it tend to affect the taste and makes it bitter. Anyhow, this cigar has exactly 2 years of age and comes from a Cab of 25.
Pre-light:
Upon inspection I found a little crack on the foot but nothing problematic. Cigar looked amazing and upon clipping I got a decent draw just a little towards the tight side. Cold draw was very aromatic before lighting.
First third: Cigar started really full body more like a bolivar with that full finish balanced with silky tobbaco flavor and a touch of sweetness. I am delighted everytime to see the balance between power and delicate flavor. Most dominent flavor was faint cohiba grassy taste with lots of body. Such a nice balance.
Second third: Cigar continued to burn razor sharp and produced good amount of smoke. I could not stop my self from constantly puffing away as its complex taste is very addictive and you want more and more. My warm coffee was complementing the full body flavors and at this point I was really enjoying it.
Final third: At this point cigar was picking up on body and became fuller with every puff. Burn was still great and Cohiba’s silky/grassy flavor was still coming through without any bitterness or harshness.
Conclusion: As always, I think Cohiba Siglo IV is the one of the best cigars out of this line and never fails to deliver. Its a pricey cigar but it always satisfies if you love the Cohiba’s unique grassy flavor. Corona gorda feels natural in your hand and smoke time is about 45 minutes. I think its nice delicacy for a special occasion. If you haven’t tried one do your palette a favor and buy a single. As far as aging goes all Cohibas become great in 5 years. Remember, five years of rest, brings out the best.
Happy Smoking!
By the way here my ugly winter ashtray which I cleaned up today.
Price: $26
Size: 6 x 52 (Pyramid)
Package: Tubos
Paired with: Ice water
It has been a few weeks I was eying Partagas Serie P No.2 Tubo which was given to me back in November at Cuban Relief effort charity event. This cigar is the same Partagas Serie P No.2 which has been just packaged in tubos boxes of 10 in 2008. Technically the first ever pyramid to go into tubo. I don’t have exact production date but my guesstimate would be mid 2008.
Pre-light: After opening the tubo and enjoying the beautiful tobacco aroma mixed with cedar, quick inspection showed a great 10/10 construction with beautiful dark chocolate wrapper. Just the foot was a little soft where I always gently squeeze to ensure proper humidity before lighting up as dry cigars tend to bother my pallet.
First third: I clipped the cigar with my Xikar cutter and got perfect draw. Upon easy lighting it started with explosion of flavors which were creamy, woodsy, Cuban tobacco and some spice. It was a delight. Medium body and very complex.
Second third: Cigar continued to produce pleasant flavors with great burn. Every puff produced lots of smoke, rich with creamy flavors and spices. At this point woodsy flavor was picking up.
Final third: I was smoking outside and didn’t get to fully enjoy the final third but all flavors from the first third were present with some added spice which made it really hard to let go but I had to with 17 KM per hour wind in minus zone.
Conclusion: I absolutely love this cigar and I wish I would have purchased a couple of boxes from initial release for aging. I think the tight tubos seal which has cedar lining inside creates ultimate aging environment for any cigar. I recommend this cigar if you like full flavor mild Cuban cigars.
Remeber, five years of rest, brings out the best.
Price: $16
Size: 4/5 x 36 (Cadetes)
Package: Tubos
Paired with: Ice water
After a long break from smoking cigars in Toronto’s cold winter I decided to visit my desktop humidor for a little treat and came across H.Upmann Coronas Junior Tubo. When opened the tube, I was greeted with amazing Cuban tobacco aroma which was pleasent and sweet. These cigars come in boxes of 25 of tubos and this particular cigar was a gift from a friend who went to Playa Del Carman’s La Casa Del Habanos store so I don’t have exact production date but I assume it was rolled mid 2008.
Pre-light: Cigar construction was excellent and cap clipped with no problem. I did not feel any spongy areas and the draw was good and a bit towards the loose side.
First third: Cigar started really nice with even burn and I was getting trademark H.Upmann sweet taste with each puff. I was getting allot of white smoke and cigar showed some good consistency all along the first third. Most noticeable flavors were toasted/sweet coffee with some cedar coming through. medium body.
Second third:
Burn started to go off a little and with one correction everything was back to normal. I was getting same flavors as first third which was mostly sweet coffee and some cedar and at this point little floral taste was coming in and out with every puff.
Final third: At this point cigar was becoming more medium to full. Flavors were mostly cedar and sweetness with some strength which made it very pleasant. I continued puffing until I reached the band and it was time to let it rest and die.
Conclusion:
I think overall this is a nice little cigar with delicious flavors and enough strength to leave you fully satisfied. This was my last H.Upmann Coronas Junior Tubos, but I will definitely pick one up if I come across it in any cigar shop. I totally recommend trying one if you are looking for true Cuban flavor which does not break the bank but and make sure you let it rest before smoking as they age really well in tubes. As always, I say, five years of rest, brings out the best.
Price: $38
Size: 5 x 50 (Robusto)
Box: Cab of 25 - SEP 06
Paired with: Ice water
After smoking all sorts of different cigars in the past few weeks I decided to go back to my favorite cigar, the king of all robustos the Cohiba Robusto as I missed the grassy, bean flavor and creamy taste of Cohiba. Picked this cigar from a cab of 25 which is almost 2 years old and paired it with ice water which is my usual cigar drink.
Pre-light:
Construction was 10 out of 10 and the foot was packed. cap clipped nicely but unfortunately the draw was a bit tight but nothing problematic.
First third:
Cigar started with even light and burn line was razor sharp. Initial couple of puffs were bitter which this is a very well known character of Cohiba Robusto when it starts up. Bitter taste went away quickly and the cigar produced a good amount of white smoke and I was getting Cohiba grassy taste with a little bean undertones.
Second Third:
Cigar continued to burn evenly and the ash held nicely. Very solid ash which I could have guess from the construction. It continued to coat my mouth with grassy flavor combined with bean and creamy smoke. Some floral taste was coming through as well.
Final third: At this phase I was really enjoying this smooth cigar with all the flavor that was noticeable in first and second third with some added pepper and strength which made a nice finish on the cigar. Cigar Ash fell on its own and thankfully didn’t make a big mess but it held nicely all the way to the final third.
Conclusion:
Once again I am very happy with this cigar as it always comes out very reliable and predictable delivering a smooth luxury smoke that I can have anytime of the day. Everyone knows I always recommend this cigar even though price a bit high compared to our Cuban robustos but it always delivers a great experience for a special occasion.
Happy smoking!
Price: $22
Size: 52 x 5/5 (Camapana - Not a Piramide)
Box: Cab of 25
Paired with: Ice water
It has been a long time since I smoked this cigar. Initially when I tried this cigar few years back for the first time I really became a big fan of the smooth yet peppery taste and I remember that I smoked half a box in a week in summertime. After that I quickly lost my interest as I found this cigar very one dimensional and one of those cigars that do not require any attention. Construction is really well and the draw shows the same quality. This cigar has a smooth taste mixed with pepper and some tasty Cuban tobacco flavor which almost stays the same throughout the cigar. You don’t notice too much change and the burn is kind of OK and not straight at times which you will notice in the pictures below. Here are the pictures from first, second and final third.
Overall I think Bolivar Belicosos Finos is an OK cigar and in terms of enjoyment its nothing close to Bolivar Royal Corona or even Bolivar Petit Corona.
Happy smoking.
Tonight after a rainy day here in Toronto I decided to smoke the single cigar I purchased from La Casa Del Habano (LCDH) store in Yorkville Ave in Toronto. Juan Lopez Seleccion No 2 is a less known Cuban cigar and not as famous as Cohibas and Montecristos which are Cuban flagship brands. I got this cigar after seeing high ratings in cigar magazine and also being suggested by a friend who recently purchased a box. Price for a single was $19.00.
Last week when I walked into the LCDH humidor in Yorkville and asked for this cigar they showed me a box from ENE 07 (January 07) which had great looking cigars. All cigars looked dark, packed foot with excellent construction. I picked one and actually clipped it in the store to make sure I would not have a draw problem. As expected from the looks of the cigar the draw was great with little resistance.
Tonight I paired this cigar with a cup of coffee which I think brought out allot of great flavors. Burn was good and cigar started with explosion of flavors with mostly floral undertones at the first third. Second third was woodsy with little spice but continued to be a very enjoyable cigar. I must admit the most enjoyable part of smoking this cigar was the ash which held throughout the 45 minute and I never had to ash it, even once.
I highly recommend this cigar if you like Robusto size and have not tried any of the Juan Lopez line of cigar. Not sure how much of aging potential this cigar has but again this is one of the Cuban cigars out there that smokes well out of the box.
This video review is for Montecristo Sublime Limited Edition 2008, the picture-perfect cigar with oily wrapper, flawless construction which delivers the true Cuban complexity and flavors. This time I tried something new and made this video black/white to resolve the lighting problems. In this video I go over most of the 2008 new releases from Cuba and how they performed compared to Montecristo Sublime Limited Edition 2008.
Enjoy.
Price: $14
Size: 42 x 5 (Marevas/Petit Corona)
Box: Cab of 50
Paired with: Warm Coffee
Por Larranaga Petit Corona is arguably one of the best Cuban Petit Coronas which offers great quality, balance and value. This little stick like all Por Larranagas ages extremely well and you can notice its progress month over month. Tonight I decided to review this cigar while walking in the park enjoying the first snow of the year in Toronto and sipping on a nice warm coffee.
Pre-light:
Construction is flawless and the cap clips very clean. Triple cap held really nice and very visible. Draw was perfect and offered the right amount of resistance before the torch.
First Third:
Cigar toasted evenly and started very flavorful but in the mild range. Great amount of smoke was coming through with each puff. I immediately tasted sweetness mixed with some woody undertone and burn continued to be perfect.
Second Third: Burn was going great and now I was getting real Cuban tobacco taste combined with sweetness and woodsy flavors were slowly fading away and getting replaced with a touch of black pepper.
Final Third: Burn was going off a little bit due to the wind and snow blowing away but cigar kept correcting its own mistakes and continued to show its might as an excellent Cuban cigar. By this point I was getting toasty sweetness and good amount of pepper. It was really hard to put this cigar down as I kept wanting more.
Conclusion: I think Por Larranaga Petit Corona is a delicious everyday smoke which can work for you anytime of the day. Its a great morning cigar or just for relaxing after a hectic day at work. I strongly recommend this cigar for beginners or seasoned smokers. This cigar is great out of the box but I still recommend aging them as they perform much better with few years of age. Happy smoking.
What a night. A room full of cigar lovers, Cuban relief effort supporters and best of all four new excellent 2008 releases to smoke. Cuban Hurricane Relief Dinner Event was held in Toronto as a private event for $250 per person. The event started with everyone receiving a warm welcome at the door and a box containing three limited edition cigars and one new release for 2008. Cigars were: Cuaba Pyramid 2008, Montecristo Sublime 2008, Partagas Serie D No. 5 and Serie P No.2 Tubo.
It was really nice to smoke indoors with so many aficiniados who are together for the same cause. I met a few CigarBunch.com website fans. It was really nice to spend sometime with them talking cigars and nothing but cigars.
There was a silent auction held for everyone to put down their name and price they are willing to pay. Few interesting items which you will see in the video was a box of 25 Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109s and Montecristo B, 100th anniversary humidor with 50 cigars.
One other interesting item was 2008 Habanos Festival cigar sampler box.
Click here to view a short video of the silent auction
After silent auction was closed Stuart one of the CigarBunch.com fans and a true aficioniado was the lucky winner of Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109s. Congratulations.
Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109
This event was one of best cigar events held in Toronto with the help and support of most cigar stores in Toronto. I hope we can make a change even though small with Cuban hurricane relief efforts.
