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

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

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

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