State of the Humidor - Jan 2011

New cigars to try in 2011: Tampa Sweetheart #85 (second to Fuente 8-5-8), Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte

Last cigar of 2010: OpusX
First cigar of 2011: CAO America

Best (new) cigar of 2010: Ashton ESG Churchill
Worst (new) cigar of 2010: Hand-rolled Guatemalans

New cigars I tried in 2010, that I would purchase again in the future: King Corona Ybor Handmades, El Sol Parejos 6X Sumatra, Cain by Oliva, Ybor City Plus, 5 Vegas Cask Strength, Don Pepin Series JJ, Cohiba Robusto (Cuban), Padilla Signature 1932, Private Stock, La Flor de Murias, Ashton ESG,

New cigars I tried in 2010, that I would not purchase again: Tio Pepe, Padilla Habano, Patel Brothers, Calle Ocho, Bucanero Red, G.A.R. by George Rico, Perdomo Lot 23, Quesada Tributo

My goal is to reduce my capacity to 2 humidors--a large one for 1-2 years' box aging and another for current smokes. Right now, I'm running 4 humidors, and here is an approximate listing of their contents from memory:

Box of La Herencia Cubana
Box of Flor de Allones
Box of Padilla Hybrid
Box of Boardwalk
Box of Saint Luis Rey
Box of CI Legends-Graycliff
Box of Gran Habano #5 Pyramid
Bundle of Calle Ocho
Bundle of Perdomo Slow-Aged
Bundle of JR Alternative - La Gloria Cubana
Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet (partial box)
5 Vegas Miami (partial box)
Omar Ortez Originals (partial box)
Don Kiki Brown Label (partial box)
Ramon Allones Reserve (partial box)
Tio Pepe (partial bundle)
Montecristo Media Noche (5-pack)
La Gloria Cubana Wavell (5-pack)
Bahia Blue (5-pack)
Gran Habano #1 (singles)
Punch Champion (single)
Fuente 8-5-8 Sungrown (single)
Leon Jimines (single)
RP Corojo (single)
Carlos Torano 1916 (single)

I've also converted the top tray of my large humidor into what I call the Lost Sticks Cemetary. I save the last cigar from each box and put it in this tray for long-term aging, just to see how some sticks will hold up for 3-5 years.

One interesting experiment to note is that the last two Ramon Allones Reserves I smoked were extremely bitter. Since the first few I smoked were excellent, I am pretty sure this is an indication these cigars are "turning". This happened to me years ago with a box, but I didn't know what was happening, so I just assumed the cigars weren't any good and I wasted them as 2nd-cigars-of-the-night or gave them to nonsmoking friends who couldn't tell the difference. This time, I'm letting the rest of the box age patiently, and I am excited about trying them again this summer.

CIGAR REVIEWS FROM NCL CRUISE:


1. Hand-rolled Guatemalans





During the cruise, I got sick and was quarantined for two days in my room, so I completely missed the horseback riding excursion in Guatemala. When I was finally released from captivity, my friends had bought one of these beauties for me.

I hate to pan a gift, but truthfully it tasted like smoking grass clippings from the backyard. This is not an exaggeration. I should have stayed in my room.







2. Cohiba (Cuban)
Most memorable cigar of the trip. I’ve reviewed Cuban Cohibas before. This was a robusto that Steve Laster gifted to me. Definitely stronger than the larger Cuban Cohibas I’ve had. More spice, less earth. Reminiscent of the Cuban RyJ Romeo #2
Mike Gross gave me back in '06.









3. Don Pepin Serie JJ

Size: 5 x 50
Tobacco: Nicaraguan puro
Price: $7-8

I’ve said it before. Pepin makes great cigars, but they almost all taste the same.

The Natural is hardly distinguishable the Cuban Classic. Burst of pepper at beginning and end.

The Maduro is slightly more tame. i.e., the burst of pepper is not quite as strong. Similar to Pepin’s 5 Vegas Miami blend. This is the cigar that precipitated my 2-day illness, but I'm blaming it on the lobster, not the smoke.

Update 8-22-10: Cigars Direct sent me a Don Pepin Series JJ Maduro robusto shortly after I wrote my original review. It was, again, a very memorable cigar. The second time around, I picked up more pronounced leather flavor underneath the pepper spice.


4. 5 Vegas Cask Strength

Size: 6 x 52
Ring: 52
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: ~$6.75 each

Corojo wrapper. All ligero fillers.

I smoked this a while ago, and I should have taken better notes. Here is what I remember: A very strong cigar. Not spicy, per se, but strong . Consume with scotch or bourbon (no ice). Don't attempt it with American beer.

It's been a year and half since I updated my cigar blog. There's a very good reason for this: In late August 2003, I purchased two Cuban Montecristo #2 cigars from a vendor in Jamaica ($7 ea). I smoked them on the top deck of the Carnival Conquest cruise ship, and I knew instantly that my searching was over. I had found the perfect cigar: perfect taste, perfect size, lasted over an hour and the cigar never faltered or grew hot. It became my standard--and no other has even come close to topping it.

I abandoned the blog, because there was nothing else to say.

Of course, you can't buy those treasured delights in the States, unless you are willing to break the law and (more importantly) shell out $50 for each one. So, over the past 18 months, I've mainly stuck with brands I already knew. There have been a few excursions into the unknown, most noticeably:

1) A Davidoff, purchased in Amsterdam, smoked during a boat ride down the River Seine in Paris.

2) A Cuban Cohiba (from the same Jamaican vendor) that did not live up to its billing. It had been improperly stored and even a few weeks in my humidor couldn't do anything for it.

3) An eight-inch behemoth from Romeo Y Julieta, smoked while watching the 2005 Sugar Bowl with friends.

4) A box of Elvis Presley cigars, hand rolled in Honduras, given to me by a Tennessee fan I met while watching the AL-TENN game at a local hangout.

5) A box of $1 JR Alternatives (Punch Double Corona), that tasted--and perhaps were--exactly like the "real" thing. Easily the best cigar value I've ever found. Usually, the JR Alternatives are just excess inventory from the manufacturer, sans the pretty packaging.

6) 3 more Cuban Montecristo #2's, smuggled back from Mexico by a friend. This time I shared with both Anthony (who is becoming as hooked on this hobby as I am) and Donnie Taylor, who waxed poetic, agreeing it was the best cigar he's ever had and made a standing offer to pay up to $500 dollars if I can get him a box.

But mostly, it was the same old, same old:

• The occasional Onyx Reserve (now $3.75 at JR Cigars)
• Arturo Fuentes (Double Chateau, Curly Head Deluxe)
• Montecristo (Afriques, when I can afford them, which is not often)
• Macanudos (they all taste the same)
• Two bad experiences with H. Uppmans and El Rey del Mundos.

But I've come back to the blog now, because more and more frequently I find myself in the cigar stores or online at JR Cigars, wondering Have I tried this brand before? Did I like it?

So, the blog will no longer record my pursuit for the perfect cigar. Instead, I will only add to it when I try new ones and want to record my impressions and opinions.

Cigar Review: Cohiba Extra Viejo XV 550
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Size: 50 x 5 inches
Style: Robusto

This is a limited production cigar, using select tobacco that is aged longer than normal.

A very smooth, decent tasting cigar. No gumminess on the end. Mild odor. Good draw. Lasted over 45 minutes, and did not become too hot or gain a harsh flavor as it burned. However, at over $8, I did not think this cigar was a bargain. I prefer the richer taste of the Onxy Reserves or even the heavier tastes of the Bering Robustos. However, this Cohiba did have a sturdier construction and more consistency than those brands.