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.

I just got back from Tampa, where I was track chair for the SAP-Centric Conference this year. I spent Saturday afternoon strolling through Ybor City in search of good cigar shops.

Ybor City Plus cigars
Size: 4.0 x 52 (torpedito)
Price: $5

After a delicious chicken paella at The Columbian Restaurant , I wandered to Ybor City Plus to watch a lady hand-rolling cigars. (Actually, the binder and fillers had already been completed; she was just applying the wrapper with a pigtail cap). I bought a fresh torpedito , which was mild-to-medium in body with a pleasant dense and doughy taste. Despite being a little wet, it smoked well and lasted a good 45 minutes.




Cain by Oliva
Size: 6 x 50 (torpedo)
Tobacco: Nicaraguan puro
Price: $7

Having been sufficiently primed with a heavy meal and a light starter cigar, I then ventured down 7th Avenue to King Corona and decided to try the new Cain “straight ligero” I’ve been hearing about. I wanted strong – and boy oh boy, this cigar delivered in head-spinning, sweat-inducing, heart-palpitating style. It lacked the excellent flavors of the regular Oliva lines: Series G, Series O, and Series V. In taste, it was much like a Camacho Coroylar Puro or 5 Vegas Cask Strength. The aroma was sweet and sharp through the nose. The blend is predicated on delivering raw strength without a lot of spice or earth. It lasted for a good two hours and completely overwhelmed the hoppy Ybor Gold lager I paired with it.

El Sol Parejos 6X Sumatra
Size: 6 x 50
Tobacco: Nicaraguan puro
Price: $4.50

I enjoyed this cigar on Thursday evening, after dinner, sitting on the bay watching ships come to port. Mild, slightly sweet on the tongue. Easy draw. Lasted about about 90 minutes.



King Corona Ybor Handmades
Size: 7 x 48
Tobacco: Nicaragua and Ecuador
Price: $3.50

I bought a couple of these during my trip but waited to smoke them with Shaun at the drive-in with our wives. The movie (Why Did I Get Married Too?) wasn't very good, but the cigars, though mild, were flavorful and slow-burning. In fact, mine lasted the full two hours. When I finally tossed it to take a concession break between the double feature, there was still an inch left! Very well constructed.