Thursday, December 31, 2015

A quick revisit of some cigars previously reviewed but that I have not tried in years...

Consuegra Double Corona (Honduran version)

I have been smoking my way through a bundle of consuegras, the first time in about 10 years. These are the original Honduran blend, with Honduran wrappers and binders and a fill of DR, Nicaraguan, and Honduran tobaccos.  They are seconds to Hoyo de Monterrey, Punch, Bolivar, Flor de A. Allones, and El Rey del Mundo.

As expected, they are all over the map.  Some have smoked and tasted like their name-brand counterparts, excellent smokes all around.  Others have had construction and burn issues.  Taste has been consistently medium-to-full bodied with moderate spice. Several have burned very quickly while a few have lasted an hour or more.

JR Alternatives-Rocky Patel Edge Toro

Several years ago these were rumored to be made at the same factory as the "real" Rocky Patel Edge.  They still taste like I remember.  This bundle has a year of aging.  Excellent cigars that taste just like I remember the originals. Better than the RP Edge Counterfeits sold by Cigars International.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Padron 1964 Anniversary Series

Size: 6 x 52 (Belicoso)
Tobacco: Nicaraguan Puro
Price: $20

My 40th birthday turned out to be a lot of fun.  We began at Steve’s house with a glass of Wild Turkey 17 Year.  Smooth, but not a whisky any of us would recommend in the future.

We drove to the Madison Hotel in downtown Memphis for drinks at the rooftop bar.  It was an unseasonably warm night for December, and we had the roof all to ourselves. Two glasses of Talisker and a breathtaking view of the bridge and the Mississippi River.

Dinner at Itta Beena over the B.B. King Blues Club. The Spanish wine was superb.  I ordered the salmon, but should have gone with the lamb.

I wish could have appreciated the nuances of this cigar more fully.  But by the time Steve bought me this Padron 1964, I was already five drinks in.  There was a time when that would have been no big deal.  However, since I lost 30 pounds earlier this year, I just cannot hold the strong stuff like I used to.  I was hardly fit to walk the streets.

Even so, this was a phenomenal cigar. Flawless construction and burn.  Creamy smoke that seemed to dance in your mouth. It began with earthy oak flavors, then ever-so-gradually picked up spice and pepper. By the end, it was almost like a strong corojo with hints of fruit.

I will definitely try this cigar again, hopefully next time with a clearer head.


By the way, Michelle and I ended the night back at the Madison Hotel, then headed to Brother Juniper’s for breakfast the next morning. I had the “Lamb and the Garden Omelet”, which is an omelet stuffed with lamb, feta cheese, mozzarella, spinach, and tomatoes.  
Gran Habano 'VL' Maduro
Size: 6.1 x 52 (Belicoso)
Wrapper: Habano Oscuro
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
Price: $8

I smoked this cigar during the first half of the 2015 SEC Championship Game.  A group of us were gathered at Shaun’s house to award the annual SEC Pick ‘Em trophy (an engraved flask) to Rick Hall. 

Alabama 29, Florida 15.  It was the first time in 17 years a team won back-to-straight conference titles. Roll Tide!

The cigar was tasty with deep coffee flavors and a sweet-tangy aroma.  It was a cold windy day, which is the best time to enjoy a heavy maduro. Unfortunately, the burn that day was horrible with a spiraling canoe that I just could not correct. It might have been the weather, but my victory cigar (a La Gloria Cubana Miami) did not have this problem.

Due to the poor construction, I will probably not try this cigar again.