rate 91

“Partagas D #4”

I got a box of 10 dated 09/2009 a few months ago and a couple of tubos dated 06/2009, just for comparison. The tubos had lots of lovely flavors from the start but the sticks, out of the box, was a bit green/mossy. Now, five months later, it is time to open the torch again.

This is just a really creamy smoke with sweet spicy and earthy flavours. Hints of chocolate on the draw, pepper on the tongue and roasted coffee in the aftertaste. After the first inch the sweetness becomes more sour. The pepper gets stronger and the coffee become more dominant in the aftertaste. The smoke is thick with a nutty scent. A medium-full body with an even burn.

With more aging this will be the perfect cigar. Rated side by side with the Bolivar RC. The limited editions #1 and #2 are just the top of the line from Partagas, but as a regular production cigar, the #4 is a strong contender. I rate it 91.

“Cohiba Exquisitos”

A lovely roasted start in both taste and scent. Alot of coffee/espresso notes with a blend of vanilla and pepper in this Petit Palma vitola.

Vanilla on the draw, coffee/pepper on the tongue, espresso/fruit in the aftertaste and espresso in the scent. An overall full bodied espresso smoke with a lovely sweet roasted nuance. Perfect in the company of friends after an outdoor barbecue grilling. I rate it 91 from a box dated 10/2007.

“Padron Serie 1926 #1 Maduro”

Licorice, vanilla, pepper, coffee and heavy toasted leather. This  cigar is a complex full bodied spicy smoke. This cigar is truly a powerhouse of taste and it demeands your full attention or it will burn your tongue. Very oily, allmost to much. At the end it stays primary on the sour coffee side moving in to strong espresso with hints of sweet vanilla and bitter pepper in moderations. A lovely spicy smoke which is not for the faint hearted. I was impressed with the white ash and the crisp even burn, delivering a thick gorges smoke. Rate 91.