El Rey del Mundo Choix de L'Epoque

This El Rey is a special edition released by Habanos S.A. in 2009. It is part of the El Rey del Mundo Choix de L'Epoque that was made especially for the U.K. market. It was a short stocky little fella weighing in at 4 3/8 x 52. I am a big fan of the Honduran El Reys and really, what could be better than the original?

This cigar lit up and burned quite well. The draw was smooth, yet firm, showing off its overall construction. The flavors where very mild and subtle with mostly soft woods and floral notes. It was very consistent in that department and carried the mellow flavors right to the very end. The aroma was nice, but not very rich. It had a gray flaky ash that held together for nearly an inch.

One of the things I like about the El Rey brand is that you typically know that your are in for a bold, no messing around, punch in the mouth. This was completely the opposite and caught me a bit off guard. I kept waiting around for something to happen that never did. Once I accepted that I had bought a cigar that my wife would easily handle I quite enjoyed it. It is a beautiful cigar to look at, and why shouldn't it be...this is El Rey's little sister.

Wrapper: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Rating: 89

Trinidad Coloniales

The Trinidad line of cigars has a somewhat shady history. It was officially launched in 1998 in Mexico and Canada and was unofficially aimed at the American market. Prior to that it was known as the "Diplomatico Trinidad" and was rumored to be made especially for Fidel Castro to be given to visiting diplomats and other special guests. Castro disputes this fact, but the rumors live on.

The Coloniales is one of four new sizes that was released in November of 2003 as a limited release, followed worldwide release including Europe. I picked this up in a small tobacco shop in Wales for the bargain price of 12.90 Sterling. It has a nice medium brown wrapper with the traditional "pig-tail" cap. The construction was flawless, giving it a smooth even draw and burn. It was the most complex cigar I've had the pleasure of smoking. It had smooth Cuban tobacco base with alternating coffee and cocoa notes. It finished with mild pepper spice and some earth tones. The aroma was rich and creamy.

This is truly and exceptional cigar, one that I wished could go on and on. If you ever come across one of these, ignore the price and put it away for a special occasion...or a quiet Tuesday evening.

Wrapper: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Rating: 94

H. Upmann 1844

H. Upmann is one of the oldest cigar brands in the industry and can trace it's heritage back to 1844. Following the revolution and nationalization the tobacco industry in Cuba, Upmann's makers moved to the Dominican Republic and continued the brand (although H. Upmann is still a staple in the Cuban market).

This toro came in a sampler that I bought last fall and has been patiently waiting in my humidor since then. It has a nice JAVA wrapper covered in a cedar sleeve that only compliments the aging process. It had a firm draw and produced a light gray compact ash. My first few puffs were exceptionally sweet full of cocoa over a cedar core. The sweetness subsided a bit to reveal nutty notes with the woody base of the flavor continuing throughout. The final 1/3 mellowed even further revealing a smooth mild finish.

The aroma was rich with copious amounts of smoke. This cigar is really a model of full flavored mild cigars.

Wrapper: DR
Filler: DR, Brazil
Binder: DR
Rating: 89

Rocky Patel Sun Grown

Rocky Patel has become one of my favorite cigar producers. I have only found one cigar that comes from Patel (Vigilante which I'll review at some point) that I didn't like. The RP Sun Grown is one of those that you are guaranteed to love.

I picked up the Torpedo 6 x 52. It has a chocolate brown oily wrapper that stands in perfect contrast to the bright red double bands that label it. The draw and burn were impeccable and it left a firm white ash. Initially the flavors were earthy, with nutty notes and a sweet after taste. It soon became quite bold with a mild spice about 1/3 of the way in. I was surprised to find that for the last inch and a half it changed again to become woody with a hint pepper. The aroma was full and rich. It was so nice I caught myself slowly releasing the smoke so I could enjoy it as it passed my nose.

This cigar was a real treat and one of the highlights of Rocky Patel's line.

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: DR, Nic
Binder: Nic
Rating: 92

H. Upmann Connoisseur #50

H. Upmann, despite being one of the oldest and most respected brands, has always been hit and miss for me. It is likely just my specific taste and experience but I don't find many that I really like. The Connoisseur #50 toro is one that I did really enjoy.

This one was wrapped in a beautiful dark brown vintage 1996 Connecticut broadleaf. It smoked flawlessly due to the construction that Upmann is known for. The flavor was consistant with an earthy undertone with sweet nutty notes regularly filling out the smoke. The aroma was excellent and rich and woody. Although I generally appreciate a cigar that evolves, this was a very enjoyable, smooth, medium bodied smoke.

Wrapper: Conn
Filler: DR
Binder: DR
Rating: 91

Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur #3

This Hoyo is listed as a medium bodied cigar but I found it to be quite bold. It was a Toro (6.12 x 50) wrapped in a beautiful oily Connecticut shade wrapper and was well constructed. It burned even throughout with a flaky white ash. The aroma was rich and spicy while the flavors were woody with a distinctive pepper in the background. The foundation I found to be that of full bodied tobacco. It ended in the final 3rd with a bit of spice.

I was a little disappointed that this cigar wasn't as smooth as I anticipated. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it, I think I it just didn't meet my expectations. All around a very good smoke that would be great following a nice hearty meat dish with a bit of pepper and garlic.

Wrapper: Conn
Filler: DR/Hon/Nic
Binder: Conn
Rating: 88