rate 89

This Regata is a unique figurado not made in any other Habano brand. It follows the tradition of the brand’s most iconic size the Montecristo Nº2 but takes only around half an hour to enjoy. The Montecristo flavor is primarily bitter oak with a spicy backbone. But this is my first Open Series cigar and I’m excited to taste if they are anything like it’s Montecristo siblings.

A beautiful figurado with a wonderful thick smoke and a great draw. There is a lovely sweet fruit on the draw, tea on the tongue, a wonderful oaky aftertaste and a sweet nutty scent. In short, a light bodied sweet fruit/oak smoke. I rate it 89 from a box date dec 2009.

This is the last of a box dated 11/2007. The best San Cristóbal is definitely the Anniversary Series which has become a regular prodution with the release of the Oficios, Muralla and Mercaderes.

This is a lovely dry medium bodied smoke, with an even burn. There is some citrus on the draw, leather on the tongue, oak in the aftertaste and cedar/almond in the scent. There are small nuances of fruit, coffee and pepper in moderations. I rate it 89.

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.