Trinidad Habano Reserve Sligo VI

I am always on the look out for a great deal...on a great cigar. Unfortunately, most cigar producers are all too willing to look for the full market value of their tasty little products. Thankfully there are still a few to be found.

I am a huge admirer of the Habana Trinidad which was introduced into the U.S. out of the Dominican Republic in 1997 and purchased by Altadis in 2002. The Habana Reserve is currently produced in Honduras and is bolder than its Dominican counterpart.

I picked up the Sligo VI in a smoke shop simply because I couldn't believe a Trinidad (technically a TTT Trinidad) was selling for just over $6! The wrapper is a brownish gold without major veins or defects. I particularly like the rat tail which is a nice throw back to its Cuban roots. It is well constructed with a pre-light draw in the medium tight range and the foot was rich with hay and woods.

Once lit there is copious amounts of smoke which really fill your mouth with rich cedars and mildly sweet fruit and berries. It starts off medium bodied and slowly builds into a full bodied crescendo of cedar and peppery spice. The burn was even throughout and it never got harsh...even down to the nub. I would highly recommend this to any experienced smoker who likes rich Cuban flavor in an averaged priced cigar.

Wrapper: Ecuador
Filler: Hon/Nic
Binder: Nic
Rating: 92

Cohiba Black Robusto

It has been so long! I'd like to blame my long absence on my move (it was trans-Atlantic!) but truthfully I've had motivational problems as well. Fortunately I've still been smoking and keeping notes so I have a backlog of tasty gems to post.

The Cohiba line is another of the "same name, different country" cigars that has Cuban roots and, in this case, Dominican leaves. General Cigar owns this pricey name which is crafted under the watchful eye of Daniel Núñez. The Black line is a relatively recent extension and is waiting to knock your socks off.

This maduro (really an oscuro) is FULL bodied. It is chalked full of earth and wood with a mild bitterness for the first 1". It mellows with black pepper, wood and a detectable nuttiness which carries until the final 1/3. After about the 1/2 way mark it settles considerably with wood, pepper and a long creamy finish. I had an issue with the wrapper over the final 1.5" which was it's only construction flaw. Otherwise the draw and burn were even and it produced a firm, which ash.

This is not for the faint of heart...or the empty stomach. Make sure you drink something with a bit of substance to accompany it as well. I had a nice spicy Rioja but I'd say a full bodied California Cabernet or a glass of single malt Scotch would go nicely as well. Overall, it was more than I had anticipated, but once I got into the groove it was a pleasant smoking experience.

Wrapper: Conn
Filler: DR/Mex
Binder: DR
Rating: 90

Xikar Cutters

I normally reserve these posts for cigar reviews but I thought this worth sharing. I recently picked up the Xikar Mammoth X3 Cutter which is spend-a-mundo if you've ever taken the time to look (and I know you have). A website called Uptown Enterprises was a great find. They carry the Mammoth and Havana X3 cutters for $100 less than the Xikar site. If you're in the market look them up. Benard is their customer service rep. and was a great help to me.

Get an extra 5% off your entire order by entering MBH5OFF at checkout!

Trinidad Fundadores

As I've noted before, the Trinidad line out of Havana was marketed via mystery and intrigue with Castro himself originally denying that the Trinidad even existed. Now that the Trinidad has been on the market for over a decade it is being presented as a Habanos S.A. headliner along with their flagship Cohiba, with which is produced out of the El Laguito factory.

The Fundadores is one of the more recent sizes to be released. It comes in a flawless golden brown wrapper with the customary "rat tail" cap. The foot has a smooth woody smell and on this particular occasion the pre-light draw was quite tight.

Once lit the initial flavors are sweet mellow tobacco with notes of vanilla and toffee. As I got a couple of inches in the sweet flavors waned and some cedar overtones enveloped the tobacco core. By 1/2 way there was a bit of coffee to accompany the woody notes; however the draw was still uncomfortably tight, reducing the amount of smoke and no doubt the intensity of the flavor. This problem finally corrected at the 2/3 mark. At this point there was an increase in smoke and a rich peppery spice leading to a rich tobacco finish.

The Trinidad is ultra complex, rich in flavor and easy on the eyes. Despite being rolled by some of Cuba's most accomplished Torcedores, it still suffers from a bit of inconsistancy regarding construction. That is its only flaw. Even still, one heck of a cigar!

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

Partagas Serie P No. 2

Last week I was on holiday in Spain, the largest importer of Havana cigars, so needless to say, I have a couple of new entries. The first is the Partagas Serie P No. 2, a fairly large cigar by Cuban standards and one that packs plenty of punch.

It comes wrapped in a nice darkish EMS leaf from the Vuelta Abajo region. The foot was thick with woody and tobacco smells and the pre-light draw was nice and firm. Once lit it provides the expected Partagas full bodied tobacco that nearly overwhelms the subtle nut and cedar notes. By half way there is a noticeable black pepper spice that caries the smoke in to the final 1/3 where the tobacco core firmly reclaims the position as the major player in this rich full bodied smoke, and caries to the end with a bit of spice.

The construction was excellent and the aroma was potent, so much so that the band has smelled up my entire dossier! My only complaint here was that at times that flavor was a little too full and came off a bit harsh. This is no doubt a matter of taste and many others have seen this as a benefit. This is a great cigar and one that I think could be even better with a bit of aging.

Wrapper: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Rating: 92

CAO Brazilia Lambada

I recently picked up a CAO Brazilia Lambada as part of a sampler. CAO has really never done anything for me as I've gone through a number of their lines without being impressed.

It does come wrapped in a nice dark, woody Brazilian leaf. There were a few large veins and it had a lack of oily sheen. The pre-light draw was nice and firm and the foot had a bit of an earthy stench to be honest.

Once lit it did produce copious amounts of smoke and a full earthy flavor. After about 1.5" it took on a more woody core with earthy notes. By 1/2 way it had swapped back but did so with what can only be described as bitter coffee overtones. Fortunately that didn't last long (or this would be the end of my review) and the mellow woods began to come to the forefront and it had a bit of spice on the finish.

The burn was uneven for much of the smoke despite several efforts to correct it. It finally evened out in the final 1/3 on its own. The ash was light gray and firm and it did have a good draw. All in all the construction was below average and the flavor was something I'd generally avoid. Despite some out there in the cigar blogosphere raving about CAOs, I'm going to have to say that this one went the way of my general experience and was a below average smoke.

Wrapper: Brazil
Filler: Nic
Binder: Nic
Rating: 87

TTT Trinidad Robusto

The Dominican Trinidad was birthed out of an American market for one of Cuba's most sought after cigars. That detail alone can prompt a bit of skepticism but the Trinidad doesn't rest on its laurels.

The Trinidad Robusto maduro comes wrapped in a dark, almost burnt looking, woody Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. The contrasting golden band gives it an elegant appearance. The flavors are melded perfectly with a cedar core and notes of sweet fruits and a bit of spice. This complex mix of flavors was consistent throughout the smoke and was complimented by a rich woody aroma. The construction was nearly perfect with a nice firm draw and packed white ash. A couple of wobbles in the burn are to be expected with this guy but they'll self correct without affecting the flavor.

This is a very pleasant smoke with rounded complexity and a smooth cool burn. I was happy to see that this Trinidad was more than just a name on a stick. You won't be disappointed.

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

Casa Magna Colorado Robusto

The Casa Magna Robusto was a feat of economics. Named the cigar of the year in 2008, it came in at under $6. There probably hasn't been that kind of demand for a #1 cigar ever. Consequently most of the big suppliers don't carry it and there are nearly always limits on the number you can buy when you do find it.

I bought a few and and insisted on smoking all of them before I weighed in with my opinion. I had the same experience with all 3 which makes this easier. Aesthetically it is something to behold. The colorado wrapper with reddish brown hues has a nice oily sheen. It was a bit lumpy with veins which gave it a rugged look balancing the soft beauty of the wrapper. The foot smelled of hay and coffee and the pre-light draw was a little tight but still nice. The initial flavors were quite complex with wood at the core with notes of dried fruits and coffee and hints of nuts. By 1/3 of the smoke the draw tightened and the wood undertone took on an earthy character while coffee and fruit persisted. At 1/2 way cedar notes prevailed and continued until the end. The finish was smooth and mellow. The aroma was full and woody and the ash was firm and light gray. There were a few points where it burned uneven and the draw could have been loosened up which I think limited my appreciation of the flavor. Smoking a cigar should be relaxing, not work.

I suppose I expected more from the "cigar of the year" but perhaps it was my expectation that let me down. It is lovely to look at and had nice complexity in flavor but the real disappointment was with the construction. Overall still great value and worth picking up when they can be found. Just don't expect too much.

Wrapper: Nic
Filler: Nic
Binder: Nic
Rating: 91

Oliva Serie V Belicoso

My updates have been on hold as I've been away on a working/holiday for the last couple of weeks. The holiday end was especially nice because I was with my committed cigar smoking buddies lighting up...well, lets just say often. I had a couple of real gems come out of that week that I'll be posting over the next few weeks. First off will be the cream of the crop as far as I was concerned.

This was the Oliva Serie V Belicoso. Oliva has an excellent line of cigars that are all reasonably priced. Of course I had to give this cigar a try since it was in the top 5 cigars of 2009. I've become a little weary about picking cigars based on Cigar Aficionado's ratings as I am generally expecting to have my world changed and then am desperately disappointed. More on some of those at a later date.

The Oliva was no such disappointment. Its chocolate brown wrapper was the oiliest I have seen. It gave off a spicy cedar aroma pre-light and had a nice firm draw. Upon lighting it produced copious amounts of smoke and had a very smooth cedary core with a mild spice. Notes of coffee and chocolate picked up in the initial 1/3 and carried through to the very end. By mid smoke the cedar had taken on a toasty character and it had a nice spicy finish. The aroma was wood and rich tobacco. The construction was flawless.

This is a wonderful cigar that absolutely will be a center piece in any humidor. My only regret is that I didn't buy more of these.

Wrapper: Nic
Filler: Nic
Binder: Nic
Rating: 93

Rocky Patel Connecticut Toro

As Rocky Patel continues to add to his ever expanding line of cigars there are some of the originals that are worth revisiting. The Connecticut is an often overlooked delight in Rocky's humidor.

This toro has a silky golden Connecticut shade grown wrapper with a mild cedary smell. The overall feel of the cigar is good with no obvious construction flaws. The draw has medium firmness and the foot smelled of wood and hay.

The initial flavors were mild cedar and nuts. The burn was even with a gray semi-firm ash that held for about an inch before dropping off. The flavor picked up a bit around the halfway mark with more woods and a slight earth undertone while the smoke became creamy and closer to medium bodied. It had a nice mellow finish with more creamy toasted nuts and a warm pleasant ending. The aroma was, like the cigar, mild and woody.

This wouldn't be classed as a complex, thought provoking smoke, but it's mild bodied smooth flavors work well after a light meal or for a smoke early in the day. As always, the construction was excellent and the price is right.

Wrapper: Conn
Filler: Nic, DR
Binder: Nic
Rating: 88

El Rey del Mundo Oscuro Robusto

The El Rey del Mundo Oscuro Robust just might be that cigar that I would smoke should I be allowed only one more cigar in my life. El Rey, which by the way has the best name in cigars, is unabashedly bold and flavorful and very reasonably priced. Almost every time I am buying cigars in bulk I'm throwing in some of these. I'd buy boxes if my humidor was bigger but se la vie.

Upon removing tissue paper I was left gazing at the a dark, oily Ecuadorian wrapper. After I snapped out of it I checked the cigar and found it to be firm without any evidence of soft spots or defects. The cigar itself had very little smell and my mouth was watering at this point so I gave it the snip and fired her up. Once lit this cigar starts off with tons of flavor. There are woods and rich coffee notes. The draw was a little tight but it never hurts to work a little for what you want! There was rich voluminous smoke and a tight white ash.

As I worked my way through the cigar I found hints of black pepper and a medium spice that gave a nice warmth to the smoke. By the end of the cigar I felt my whole mouth warmed and there was a bold resurgence of the coffee bean flavor.

The robusto is a great size for this cigar. You get a nice ring size to cool the smoke a bit giving you the full appreciation of the flavors. Even so, it is a bit of a kick in the face, but I'm in to that sort of thing. If you like full bodied cigars and haven't smoked on of these then get on it!

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

La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial #5

The first I had heard about La Aroma de Cuba was when a friend told me he had stumbled upon them in the local tobacconist shop last Spring. The next thing I know they are listed in the Cigar Aficionado top 10! Well, this I had to try. I picked up 5 of the Edicion Especial #5's and could barely give them a week in the humidor to tuck in and see what all the fuss was about.

The cigar has a nice medium brown wrapper that is a bit on the veiny side and has a nice sheen of oil. The smell is compost and hay but nothing that would put you off. The pre-light draw was on the light side and it remained so throughout the smoke. There was still adequate smoke to appreciate some of the subtle nuances but the only bad thing I can say about the construction is that it could have been tighter.

The first few puffs were a little rough but that quickly gave way to a deep earth that was on the full side of medium bodied. By 1" in it had picked up some hardwood notes and a hint of toasted nuts. I know a lot of people seem to call this a cedary cigar but I think if you can distinguish the flavors it is more of a hard oak with nutty overtones. At the 1/3 mark the solid earthy core had come back with a vengeance and a mild spice seemed to linger on the tongue. The final 1/3 mellowed a bit with some tobacco and coffee beans. The aroma was quite nice because it was subtle woods with a bit of sweetness, almost like maple.

I really didn't know how complex this cigar was until I reviewed my notes afterward. I can see it being a little overpowering for anyone not looking to pick through the flavors or a novice smoker. It is really a great smoke for a quiet evening at the end of the week. Kind of clears the mind.

Wrapper: Sun Grown Ecuadorian
Filler: Nic
Binder: Nic
Rating: 92

Punch Magnum

The Punch brand cigar is a bit iconic but in some ways under appreciated as so many "super-premium" cigars have hit the market and pushed the founding brands to the way side. I think Punch will always carry with it a faithful following of salty old cigar smokers who appreciate the meat and potatoes of a good smoke. For over 40 years now the Punch line has been rolled in Honduras and has branched out into several different blends.

This Punch Magnum is a whopper at 5.25 x 54. The wrapper was a bit uneven and blotchy and really not much to look at. It had a nice firm feel to it but the pre-light draw felt a little loose. Once the foot was firmly aflame I found the draw to tighten up a bit which was nice. The initial flavors were a bit muddled but I could pick out a few hard woods with a tobacco underbelly. After about the first 1/2" it began to settle and a peppery flavor began to emerge. Initially it was just pepper in flavor, but it began to build to a nice spicy pepper by mid-smoke. As I neared the final 1" it mellowed a bit to reveal the earthy woods that drifted in and out throughout the entire cigar. The construction was good and didn't require any additional work. The aroma was quite bold but still enjoyable.

I really enjoy the classics and this is a classic full bodied Honduran. I know that it is cool nowadays to smoke fancy brands like Gurkha and CAO, but sometimes you need to reacquaint yourself with an old friend.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Hon, DR, Nic
Binder: Conn
Rating: 91

Partagas Black Bravo

The Partagas Black is just 1 blend in one of the most extensive cigar brands on the planet. Partagas is one of the original Cuban names, and one of many who fled when Castro led his communist revolution to overthrow the Cuban government. Now Partagas has made its home next door in the Dominican Republic and produces some of the finest cigars on the market.

The Black label is a prime example of that fact. This Bravo measures 4.5 x 54 and is a perfect size for this blend. The sun-grown medio tempo wrapper is left to age on the plant in the Connecticut river valley. It is black, oily and has some texture from large veins. I found the construction to be excellent with an even, firm draw and burn. The ash came out white and firm giving it an attractive contrast to the body of the cigar.

I had difficulty pinning down the flavors but found a few different notes floating around. The most prominent was an earthy pepper. There was some toasted nuts on the tip of my tongue that came and went during the smoke. The finish was a bit creamy and added a warmth to the mouth.

Partagas is one of those reliable brands. The Black label was an excellent full bodied smoke. I would absolutely recommend giving it a shot for yourself. As for me, I'll be doing my best to pace myself.

Wrapper: Conn
Filler: Nic, DR
Binder: DR
Rating: 92

Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Toro

Rocky Patel has become a master in the cigar industry to the point where at least one of his blends seems to pop up in the top 25 cigars of the year on an annual basis. The Vintage lines are quintessential RP and top class smokes for a great price.

This Vintage 1990 toro sports a rich chocolaty brown box pressed 12yr old Honduran wrapper. The cigar starts out with mild woods and cocoa beans. Within the first 2" a mild spice developed and held until about mid-way through the smoke. The woody flavor began to take on a more cedar character and some floral notes were evident in the aroma. The flavors were quite consistent from this point on and even mellowed a bit as neared the head. It had a nice light gray, compact ash and I was able to do an ash stand after about 1 1/2". Good times!

The construction was a little disappointing as it burned wobbly a couple of times but to its credit didn't require any touch ups. The draw was quite good and the overall quality of the cigar was excellent. Despite the Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, it would be classified as a medium bodied smoke, though I would consider it to be on the mellow side of medium bodied. I would highly recommend the Vintage series and although the '92 is my favorite of the two, I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to get my hands on one of these.

Wapper: Hon
Filler: Nic, DR
Binder: Nic
Rating: 90

La Gloria Cubana Corona Gorda

The La Gloria Cubana is (what seems to me anyway) one of a few brands that is rolled in the continental U.S., although it is also produced in the Dominican Republic. I purchased this Corona Gorda in a 5 pack which has become my preference in buying cigars nowadays.

The wrapper was medium brown with a few veins and no obvious blemishes. It lit up well with an easy draw. The first few puffs were a bit harsh but it quickly settled down to provide a very rich, toasty tobacco and cedar flavor. There was a bit of leather and spice that developed by 1/3 of the way in. Those flavors carried through almost to the head. By mid smoke it had moved more toward a full bodied smoke but was never overwhelming. The aroma was equally as rich and it produced an adequate amount of smoke. Construction-wise, it did burn uneven once but was easily corrected. Otherwise I had no complaints.

I found this cigar to be a smoke not to be taken lightly...at least not after a light meal. It was rich and a bit aggressive but never felt out of control. I really enjoyed this cigar, especially in this size.

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: Nic, DR
Binder: DR
Rating: 90

5 Vegas Classic 55

The 5 Vegas cigar is part of the greater Don "Pepin" Garcia line of cigars. This cigar was the first in a line of now 7 different 5 Vegas blends. It has been consistently praised by aficionados and is so reasonably priced it has become one of my favorite "everyday" smokes.

This was the 5 Vegas Classic 55. It comes box pressed and at 5 x 55 is a hefty cigar. It has a medium brown wrapper with a clean head. The draw and burn are very smooth and even amongst the entire box I purchased. It lit up quickly and evenly and immediately put off huge plumes of smoke. I would have expected a good deal of smoke from a cigar with a ring gauge of 55 but this was a bit surprising. I found the main flavor to be hearty earth with some hard woods. A mild spice kicked in about 1/3 of the way in and carried down to about the final inch before tapering off. It ended with a mellow, almost cedary flavor.

The aroma was mild and I'd say the cigar overall was medium bodied. There isn't a great deal of complexity and the flavor isn't going to knock your socks off but it is consistent, well balanced and you can't ignore the price. This is a great cigar for having friends over who aren't regular smokers. You can pass them out without cringing that they won't appreciate the subtle nuances in flavor and construction (or price!) but you will hear everyone comment on how smooth and enjoyable the smoke was.

Wrapper: Sumatra
Filler: Nic, DR
Binder: Nic
Rating: 88

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