2008

This cigar has a wonderful set of unique flavors, and really is, in a league of its own. The first puff just hits you with a salty spicy aroma, reminiscing of raw licorice, it’s soo good it’s addictive. It’s similar to the Montecristo flavor profile, but with a rich creamy nuance. This might be the ultimate poker cigar.

There is almond on the draw, licorice on the tongue, sweet cedar in the scent and oak in the aftertaste with a hint of coffee and toast in moderations. This is a lovely light-medium bodied cigar on the spicy flavor spectrum. I rate it 93 from a box dated 02/2008.

A bit of a meaty start, a bit bland, but turns into a strong espresso, cocoa, chocolate smoke with the most amazing smell from the wrapper. How can this small cigar have so much power, really a full bodied maduro.

Cocoa on the draw, espresso on the tongue/aftertaste and a chocolate scent. It’s not a complex demi-corona but full on earthy flavors. I rate it 94 from a box dated 02/2008. A must for any humidor. A true apéritif!

This cigar is referred to as the king of kings. The best of the best. But I must admit that the entire Siglo line from Cohiba has never been a favorite of mine. I think that the price is to high, relative to the quality of the smoke. And in the case of this Cañonazo it is about to get interesting…

As with most Cohiba cigars, it starts out with a kick of pepper and toast. The first third is a vegetal symfony of floral almost fruity notes and wet grass. A lovely mix of citrus and pepper on the spicy side. There is milk on the draw, fruit on the tongue, a floral/green-pepper aftertaste and a sweet chocolate scent.

The second third brought on some wood, cedar and toasted notes. A medium bodied cigar. I rate it 90 from a box dated 07/2008.

The Vegas Rabaina has allways been a favorite brand of mine. It is a brand on the medium earthy and spicy side of the flavor spectrum. A perfect after-noon or apéritif cigar if you like strong cigars for a main course.

A delicious salty wrapper. The first puff is nutty and with lots of coffee flavors. A bit of cocoa on the draw and some caramel and pepper in the aftertaste. There is a scent of honey and lovely roasted coffee which is really dominating in this smoke.

A medium bodied smoke and primarily the flavors stays on the sour side through the entire smoke ranging from coffee to caramel to burnt. For me, the robusto size is a perfect length and makes a good 40 minutes smoke. I rate it 90 from a box dated 07/2008.

The Belicosos, a beautiful shape in a short format. I really like the Bolivar brand, but this Belicosos Finos is not one of my favorites. Yes, it is good, but there are many nominees and this one doesn’t take the gold.

This is a classic woody smoke with lots of oak and cedar notes. The cedar is present on the draw, pepper on the tongue and oak in the aftertaste. There are small hints if citrus and sweet cedar in moderations. There is not much complexity going on and stays on the bitter/salty side mainly through the entire smoke. It ends on a toasty note and a bit dissy. I rate it 89 from a box dated 10/2008.

My precious, my true love… This is really one of the best. At the time, this is my absolute favorite smoke. It is sweet, it is bitter, it is sour and it is salty in an exquisite blend of delight. It is a symphony of flavors and there are no room for faulty strings. It well bring your taste buds into submission, and with ease, bring the aroma to your attention. With a little age it will weaken your knees.

From the first puff it brings on a sweet roasted blend of espresso, cocoa and almond. There is chocolate in the draw, sweet roasted espresso/caramel on the tongue, espresso in the aftertaste and a mixture of earthy scents. A medium bodied cigar and really the essence of earthy flavors. It is the perfect middle child between the sweet older Genios and the strong younger Secretos. I rate it 95 from a box dated 10/2008.

A christmas gift from my father, a box of Partagas D #5. Covered in a beautiful silky dark wrapper, so smooth and mouth watering, without any flaw.

Full on citrus and pepper in this short robusto. A relative young smoke proving the be the stronger sibling in the D family. I am reminded of the flavours in Bolivar Royal Corona, but with a fierce force.

There is coffee on the draw, pepper/citrus/salt on the tongue, espresso in the aftertaste, heavy salt on the lips and roasted cocoa/leather in the scent. In generel a full bodied spicy cigar, but watch out for the sudden burst of toast and burnt notes. Buy a box, put it to rest for 2 more years and enjoy. This is an interesting salty alternative to the Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos. I rate it 90 from a box dated 08/2008. Thanks Dad!

These beautiful shaped and gorgeous dark maduro cigars have been resting in my humidor for a couple of months. Basking side by side with the Cohiba Pyramidas EL 2006. Two masterpieces from cuba. Today I wanted to take it for a ride and se if it was worth using space in the humidor for the next many years of aging.

From pre-lidt to the first puffs, this is a very smooth smoke. Very floral/vegetal. Medium fruit to full floral with a bit of cedar and vanilla. Very sweet maduro taste. The first inch is burning straight with white ash and the flavours are released heavyli in a thick cloud. This is still a young cigar but is allready tasting great. With some aging this will be a perfect desert cigar for a special event. I will rate it 92.

The Partagas brand is a true favorite of mine and when in doubt, Partagas! The D #4 and the P #2 is just some of the best premium cigar on the market if your are looking for a smooth spicy/earthy cigar. It’s a shame that D #1 and D #2 are limited editions (2003/2004). I am so wishing for them to be regular production cigars.

I like the pyramidas, it’s a great shape and makes a good hour go by in the company of a fine smoke. And the best of the best pyramidas is surely this Partagas P #2 from 06/2008.

First puff delivers coffe, pepper, milk and hazelnut. A wonderful creamy/earthy start. Second puff transform this cigar into what it’s really about, heavy on coffee, almost espresso, with lots of pepper and almond. There is almond on the draw, pepper on the tongue, espresso in the aftertaste and cocoa in the scent. An overall creamy/earthy bitter, sour and in moderations, a sweet smoke in a full body. I will rate it 92.