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.

OK, first the bad news:

JR Cigars has increased the price of a bundle of JR Alternatives by $5. So now, with shipping, the JR Montecristo #2 costs me $1.45 and the JR Punch Double Corona is $1.35. Still small potatoes compared to retail prices, but with a baby on the way and Michelle's impending unemployment, I'm pinching pennies like never before.

Now, the good news: I bought a bundle of 25 Consuegras, which are very high quality seconds from the makers of Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, El Rey del Mundo, and JR Ultimates.

Mild, almost to the point of blandness sometimes, but they smoke very cool and very long. I did notice some variability; that some cigars were smokier than others, and some more flavorful.

At this price, they are probably one of the best cigar bargains on the market.

Tonight, Let’s first talk about size:

For me, the perfect size of a "big" cigar is between 6 and 6.5" in length with a ring size of 50 (roughly the dimensions of the Montecristo #2). I call these my ballgame cigars because you can nurse them through a basketball game or at least half a football game. I’ve had good cigars that were larger (like a Punch Double Corona), but after a while even the good ones can become overkill.

A medium cigar should be about 5.5" in length, with a ring size of 44. These last 30-45 minutes and are perfect when you’re grilling chicken in the backyard. Examples of these are the Riata 400 series, the Fuente Breva Royale, and just about anything in the "corona" size.

But I am still looking for my "halftime cigar", something that tastes good and lasts less than 20 minutes. I don’t like cigarellos because they’re too small and taste like cigarettes. I’m thinking about trying some petite coronas or petite panatelas. I haven’t bought any yet but I’d like to try the JR Ultimate Habinito, Partagas Black Pronto, and Aristoff Cigarito.

Another possibility would be Consuegra No. 9 Rothschild –although they may be a tad too big. (Consuegras are the bundled segundos and production overruns made at the Villazon factory in Honduras - the makers of Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, El Rey del Mundo, JR Ultimates, etc.)

Now, on to the reviews:



1) Guantanamera Habana

My friend Anthony smuggled a few of these small Cuban cigars back from his vacation in Mexico. Although it was not a change-your-world cigar, it did share many of the characteristics of good Cubans: a slow cool burn; a mild relaxing flavor; and very little excess smoke.

2) Arturo Fuente Breva Royale
Size: 5.5" by 42
Price: $1.90

Nothing too fancy about this one, except it had a very nice golden brown wrapper. Very smooth, but it also committed two cigar sins: the second half burned too hot and bits of tobacco leaf flaked off into my mouth.


















3) Riata 400
Size: 4.5" by 44
Price: $0.80

These are tagged as "the best selling bundled Honduran cigar". They are made with medium filler leaves, rather than long filler. I’m about half way through the bundle of 20 I ordered. A very average cigar, but at a great price. They are well constructed, burn slowly, and don’t get too hot. Not bad tasting, although there is nothing particularly distinctive about them.

I should note that I ran across one bad apple, though – a hopelessly plugged cigar that wouldn’t draw and tasted downright foul. It was the only mar on an otherwise terrific night of tournament poker (I came in 1st place out of 50 at the Fox & Hound Pub).