Gift Review – My Father No. 4

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the My Father No. 4, given to me by my good friends at 10-7ha back in January of this year.

Vitola: Lancero
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 7 1/2”
Ring Gauge: 38
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Body: Medium-to-Full
MSRP: $10.43

Blended by Jaime Garcia as a tribute to his father ‘Don Pepin’, it features a Habano seed Ecuadorian wrapper and a skillfully executed triple cap. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88 (Feb, 2009). As I stated in my previous review on the No.1 (robusto) perhaps the greatest significance of this new blend is it’s containing the new filler tobacco grown by the Garcias on their own farm in Nicaragua.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a glass of Scotch whiskey.

As was the case with the robusto, this was a specimen of the skill that few possess, like the Garcias do. The wrapper was gorgeous, the roll exhibited expert-level quality (more difficult with lanceros) and crowned with a perfect, pig-tail triple cap.

The draw was just a bit firm, which I find somewhat more appropriate for lanceros as a good limiter to keeping their slender ring gage from overheating. The burn was picture perfect the entire time, though I would liked to have seen thicker smoke come through. The ash was uniform and lightly shaded, but not as stable as others I’ve seen; perhaps a product of the smaller ring gage.

The flavor started out of spicy earth, then mellowed to toasty, with an underlying white pepper. In the second half, leather dominated, culminating in a cayenne and wood ending.

My rating for the My Father No. 4 is 89. An excellent cigar.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 15 pts (100% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

My final impression is of a cigar that was a great performer, was medium body in the first half, medium-to-full in the second half, and rallied to a complex ending.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Cohiba Black – Part 4

This is the fourth and final in a 4-Part Series of reviews dedicated to exploring a single cigar size across each of the Cohiba brands offered by General Cigar. It’s been our pleasure to sample robustos from all four Cohiba lines.

This extensive survey was made possible by Victoria McKee, Director of Public Relations at General Cigar Company.

Featured this last time is the Cohiba Black Tubo Crystal, a robusto we received from General Cigar back in May of this year.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5 1/2”
Ring Gauge: 50
Filler: Dominican (Piloto Cubano)
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Strength: Medium
MSRP: $117.52 (box of 8)
Average online price: $76

Produced at the General Cigar Dominicana factory, the Cohiba Black features one of the darkest looking wrappers we’ve seen, in crystal tubes, in boxes of 8. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 86 (Aug, 2007).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) seven of our club’s members took part in the tasting survey for this review.
A few of these Black robustos did exhibit inconsistencies in roll quality, such as tight draw or the occasional soft spot found under the cigar’s wrapper. In fact, an overly-tight draw was attributed to five of our eight samples. Combustion faired a little better with only about half the cigars burning erratically. Fortunately, the quality of smoke was not grossly affected by the tight draws and the ash produced was actually somewhat impressive.

The flavors were hard to pin down for some of our tasters, with several noting that distinction was difficult or that the notes were monochromatic at times. Some described it simply as: toasty, woody, peppery, or favorably “dark & rich”. Others found a bit more definition, such as spicy hot coco or tannic initially - mellowing to a smooth alder plank.

Ultimately, this seemed to be a case in which a few of us really liked it, while the remainder were not quite there. For those among us, perhaps further study is the remedy we need.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Cohiba Black Robusto is 86. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

Again, we should be reminded that ratings in the mid-to-upper eighties are not insignificant and that consumers should not rush to dismiss such scoring. It is our good fortune today, as cigar lovers, that there is such an abundance of high-earning cigars out there to choose from - thus enabling us to be so discriminating.

SUMMARY
The Cohiba Club awards the following ratings to the four Cohiba robustos:
89 for the Cohiba (Classic) Robusto.
84 for the Cohiba Puro Dominicana Robusto.
85 for the Cohiba Extra Vigoroso Robusto.
86 for the Cohiba Black Robusto.

The standard Cohiba line has beat out its bretheren in tastings conducted by our club members. This is certainly not the outcome that many of us would have predicted. Of course, you don’t have to take our word for it. Next time you’re in your local B&M, pick up a bunch and conduct a brand tasting of your own.

We are grateful to General Cigar for giving us the opportunity to conduct this tasting survey of all their Cohibas. We learned a lot about their cigars in the process and we urge you to do the same.

Visit Cigar World to learn more about General Cigar’s product lines.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Herf 27 – Smoking Chickens

September 6th, 2009 - Seattle, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Bruce, Patrick, John D. (our host), Peter, and Pat (remotely from PA - pictured right). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a good cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group tasting' following dinner.

The eight of us in Seattle were treated to a smoked chicken extravaganza, served up by our skilled host John D. His mammoth outdoor smoker had us all salivating as several whole chickens emerged from it’s cavernous walls. Alongside was fresh homemade cornbread, baked potatoes & sweet potatoes, and a luscious green salad.

After thoroughly stuffing ourselves with as much smoked chicken as we could hold, it was time to do a little smoking of our own, so we retired out to John’s back patio to conduct the cigar tasting session and continue the evening’s relaxation and camaraderie.

Our selection for this herf was the 601 Maduro Toro, the blue-label. A well-built looking robusto with a triple-seam cap and measuring 6 1/4 inches long by a hefty 54 ring guage. It’s a Pepin-blend made in Nicaragua and goes for around $9. This 601was Cigar of the Week back on July 6th. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 91 (Jun, 2009).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting.

The gentle box press had everyone interested right off the bat. The dark, chocolaty color of the Nicaraguan maduro wrapper makes you almost want to take a bite.

The draw varied a bit among our cigars; a couple were a bit tight, and a couple seemed a little loose. Likewise, a few required multiple touch-ups to keep the burn in check as the evening went along. The quantity of smoke produced and the quality of the ash could have been a little better as well.

Everyone agreed it was not as spicy, initially, as other Pepin blends we’d had. It’s pleasant smoothness was appreciated as we moved past the first inch. Flavor impressions ranged from vanilla bean, to leather, to a touch of bitterness toward the end.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the 601 Maduro Toro is 86. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

Ultimately, a couple guys said they’d buy more, while a few said they wouldn’t. See for yourself, this 601 is worth a try for sure.

See you at the next herf, October 4th.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Alec Bradley Tempus Genesis

by club member Patrick

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Alec Bradley Tempus Genesis.

Vitola: Corona

Origin: Honduras

Length: 5 ½”

Ring Gauge: 42

Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras

Binder: Indonesia

Wrapper: Honduran Criollo ‘98

Strength: Medium-to-Full

Price: $6.00

Produced for Alec Bradley at the Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas, it features a medium-brown Honduran wrapper that is very unintimidating and inviting. The Corona shape is a bit smaller than my normal preference, but it’s roll quality and style made me feel quickly at home with it. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 90 (Aug, 2008).
Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar on a sunny day while occasionally sipping a Diet Pepsi.

An almost perfect roll job, save for two tiny spots on the wrapper where it looks like one of the leaves had either come unglued or been scuffed ever so slighty.

The draw on the cigar was almost flawless – just tight enough to let me know that the filler had been packed in, without being so tight that it would make me break out in a sweat. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more smoke, but it was not a significant enough issue to raise a stink about. Warm, nutty flavors became most noticeable both at the start and towards the half-way point, moving into a lighter, toastier direction. What seemed to be headed for a heavier, meatier cigar turned much lighter in the second half. There was a slight return to a nutty flavor – visions of warm chestnuts came to mind as I rounded the corner for home on the Genesis. A burnout just shy of the label and a bit of a harsher taste failed to wrap up an otherwise enjoyable cigar, although it appears it may have been just a rough patch that I hit, as an enjoyable, creamy smoke appeared in the final draws. Lasting notes of a slighty salted caramel stayed with me after I’d finished the cigar.

My rating for the Alec Bradley Tempus Genesis is 86.

Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts ( 93% of the points possible)

II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)

III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)

IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

Overall, an enjoyable cigar, one that I would return to although not in this current size. The Centurion , with a slightly larger ring gauge and a long, 7” length, seemed to expose more of the better qualities of this cigar, which has consistently earned good marks. While starting strong, the remainder of the ride wasn’t as fulfilling as I had hoped. There was a brief moment of bitterness that disappointed me, and the cigar never exposed me to some of the flavor notes that I seemed to remember from other sizes of the same blend. A well-blended medium bodied cigar that should earn at least your consideration and a trial purchase, if not a few spaces in your humidor.