Herf 40 – SODO Surprise

December 5th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, John L., Patrick, John D., and John O. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

This herf actually began with a bit of a change in plans. Due to a last minute change in venue, we suddenly found ourselves herfing at Seattle’s private Vertigo Club. A pleasant surprise, indeed, thanks to club member and owner of J&J Cigars, John Ohm.

As we’ve done before at The Vertigo Club, this herf’s meal was potluck style – and boy did the guys deliver! We had pasta with a rich meaty marinara sauce, a three meat chili, sautéed shrimp, salad, garlic bread, wine, beers, cake, chocolates, Bourbon, and Scotch.

Our selection for this herf was the ultra-limited Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial, chosen to celebrate our 40th herf since The Cohiba Club’s founding back in the spring of ‘07. This short lancero features a blend similar to the original El Triunfador, but with a very special, very limited Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Made by Pete Johnson exclusively for John Ohm’s J&J Cigars in Seattle’s SODO district, it measures 6 inches by 38 ring gauge. The size itself was specifically requested by John as being a favorite of his and clearly this cigar’s existence serves as a visible tribute to Pete and John’s long friendship.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed in comfort following our lengthy, heavy meal. We can’t say enough about the enjoyment of gathering inside The Vertigo Club on a cold, rainy night in Seattle.

 

The superior craftsmanship of this beautiful cigar is the handy work of none other than Don Pepin Garcia’s My Father Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Most of our cigars were flawless. The attractive pigtail cap is such an eye-catcher, as is the toothy, dark CBM wrapper which has an inviting, sweet aroma. The wrapper had us further mystified when we noticed a glitter to it, when held under the right light. We surmised this to be the very secretion and subsequent crystallization of the leaf’s oils that marks the beginning of plume formation.

Once cut and lit, it didn’t take long for us to take note of the significant smoke output of this slender 38 ring gage cigar. In fact, these Corona Especials are great performers all the way around. The draw was superb on each and every one we had that night. The ash held pretty long for such a small ring as well. Burns were very even, though a few of us did need a relight or two toward the end of the 2nd third.

The flavors of this cigar are not all that intense, even somewhat subtle. One could certainly think of this as the lighter side of Tatuaje. The beginning is moderately bold with a wonderful espresso-like character for some, and cocoa for others in our group. Going forward, the smoothness was striking. The middle portion of the cigar was so easy going that we really found ourselves having to pay close attention to the subtle flavor changes. The final third offered the occasional meaty sensation balanced by a floral offset. The culmination left us with such a pleasant aftertaste of black tea, which was so clearly detectable, that several of us commented on it repeatedly.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial is 92. An outstanding cigar!
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

While certainly not a powerhouse, there’s plenty to like in this limited edition cigar, for everyone. What a shame only 200 boxes were made. Our six tasters rated the Tatuaje SODO so high, it now proudly holds a place in our top ten favorite cigars (as seen in the sidebar to the right).

What a treat to enjoy this fine cigar in the company of friends amidst the luxury of The Vertigo Club. An evening we’ll not soon forget.

Also, see the very thorough review by our friend Herman of 10-7ha.

See you at the next herf, January 2nd.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

--16dec10--  Finally, here's a few photos from Herf 40 at The Vertigo Club, courtesy of Cohiba Club co-founder Robert.







@PHXCigarGuy (L) and J&J Cigars owner John (R)


Cohiba Club charter member Joe


Cohiba Club co-founder John


Cohiba Club co-founder Fernand

Herf 39 – Maduros vs Mustangs

November 7th, 2010 – Sammamish, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Patrick (via Skype), Eric, and Brad. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Eric pulled out all the stops and prepared a knock-out sausage & vegetable soup, barbecue chicken breasts, broccoli, and salad. Robert & Joe provided the appetizers. There was no shortage of beverages; beer, spirits, and wine.

Our selection for this herf was the Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros. This Honduran puro features an all-Jamastran Corojo blend and measures 6 1/2 inches by 44 ring gauge. The Cetros holds a current published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 89 (Aug, 2010).

From the Camacho website:

The Camacho Corojo, a truly superb tasting and fully aged cigar, has a distinctive flavor recognized by cigar aficionados around the world.
Entirely handmade from selected vintage tobaccos, giving them their truly distinctive and superb flavor. This unique cigar boasts the only truly authentic Corojo wrapper, binder, and filler.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed in Eric’s back yard enjoying his new patio heater.

Our tasting panel appreciated the neat appearance and the high-quality looking roll of this lonsdale. There were no significant deductions to be made relative to it’s craftsmanship; a good, clean looking parejo shape.

The cigar’s performance was decent. Our six samples put out plenty of smoke. The draw was quite good across the board. Only one drew a little too fast. A few did have burn problems, needing touch-ups or relights. The ash seemed to be quite stable.

Earthy and woody tones seem to be the dominant flavors of this cigar. The transition would be characterized as a spicy beginning, a sweet mid-portion, and a stronger ending.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros is 85. A very good cigar.

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: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

This is a nice looking, fine performing cigar with ‘okay’ flavors. It’s medium strength and pleasant smoothness never overpowered anybody. We thought it enjoyable enough to recommend, but it’s not a ‘must-try’ in our book.

The bonus of the evening was getting to see Eric’s completed ’67 Mustang restoration project. The photos don’t do it justice. Well done, Eric!

See you at the next herf, December 5th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 38 – Barbecue Heaven

October 3rd, 2010 – Woodway, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Patrick, Bruce, Tom, John D., Peter, and Mark. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

The local guys were extremely pleased to have out-of-state-member Patrick (@PHXCigarGuy) in town to attend this herf in person. Also, joining us once again was occasional guest (and brother of our host) Mark, who is always a pleasure to have along.

Our capable host John L. prepared some of best smoked, pulled pork barbecue we’d ever tasted. He acted a little worried about his result as we took our seats, but there was no doubt in our minds, and on our palates, that he nailed it! The guys contributed with 3 kinds of coleslaw, a wonderful pea salad, corn bread, wine, and several other goodies that I can’t recall due to the food coma that I was thrown into.

Our selection for this herf was the Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos. Made for Pete Johnson at Don Pepin’s Tabacalera Cubana S.A., in Nicaragua. This corona gorda measures 5 5/8 inches by 46 ring gauge. What a great size it is; not too large, not intimidating in the least. It’s just small enough in the ring guage to get more influence from the wrapper too. The Hermosos holds a current published rating, from Cigar Aficionado, of 89 (Mar, 2007).

From the Tatuaje website:

Havana VI
A classic and traditional Cuban Style blend created by Pete Johnson. Blended in the style of the flavorful yet Medium-Bodied Cuban Cigars.
Cigars are rolled in Nicaragua using select Nicaraguan tobaccos and classic Cuban blending with a beautiful Cuban triple-cap.
Staying true to the pride of El Rey do Los Habanos.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we headed into John’s garage, protected from the rain and warm in the spirit of our camaraderie.

Perhaps it’s not the most attractive cigar you’ve seen recently, but it still speaks of quality craftsmanship, nonetheless. There’s a little roughness to the appearance. More of a ‘natural’ look than anything. There’s a bit of tooth to the texture as well as moderate veins visible.

These sticks performed well, with even burns, and only a couple of our ten samples showing a draw that required some effort. The ash was gorgeous, though it tended to depart without warning after it got about an inch long (who’s complaining).

The start was peppery, as you’d expect from Pepin’s Nicaraguan leaf, but not overtly so. This soon faded after about a half inch into it. The quality of the blend was evidenced by an appreciated smoothness. Through the first third there were periods of sweetness backed by an aromatic leather undertone. Into the second third, the leather gave way to wood and an earthy character which club co-founder and herf host John found reminiscent of mushroom. This pretty much summed up the developing changes in flavor. As we reached the closing phase, the final experience was merely an intensification of the above themes.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos is 87. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% 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)

To summarize, about half of us really liked it and the rest thought it was quite good, but not great. There’s plenty to like in this line. Great construction, easy flavors, simply a very pleasurable experience – and for a good price too! We definitely recommend you try it, if you haven’t already – or retry it if you have.

See you at the next herf, November 7th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Cigar Review – La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at General Cigar. Featured this time is the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3 given to us back in April of this year.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 4 1/2”
Ring Gauge: 56
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sumatra
Strength: Medium
Price: $5.75

Produced in the Dominican Republic by El Credito B.V., it features a dark, rich looking Sumatra-seed wrapper grown in Ecuador. This short robusto holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 92 (June, 2010).

From the manufacturer’s website:

Renowned for its beefy ring gauges and full-flavored taste, La Gloria Cubana Serie R is one of the El Credito Cigar Factory’s hottest-selling offerings.
Serie R boasts an amazing spiciness and powerful, refined flavor which comes from a proprietary blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. When balanced with a Nicaraguan binder and a wonderfully aged Ecuadoran wrapper (Connecticut Broadleaf wraps the Maduro cigars), La Gloria Cubana Serie R’s exquisite taste captures a place in the smoking repertoires of today’s tenured smokers who demand the ultimate in flavor.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) club co-founders Robert and John smoked and rated the two samples sent to us.













Both Robert and John appreciated the impeccable roll quality. The short presentation was uniquely alluring in its own way. The foot revealed layers of leaf individually discernable, suggesting that bunching was moderately loose. The cap was deftly applied and the band was attractive too.

The draw started out pretty easy; border-line on too easy. The burn did waver slightly as it went, but wow did this cigar put out tons of thick smoke. John remarked, “It was a still night, I exhaled a cloud of smoke that slowly drifted off...and held together for 50 feet!” The ash was solid and white. The only performance detriment was a re-light at one point.

There was a nice floral character initially, as well as a little vanilla; mellow with soft spices. Toward the middle, there was a sense of cafe au lait with a slight cinamon finish. Some woody notes joined the party too. The ending ramped to a spicy cedar.

Our averaged rating for the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3 is 91.
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: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

Overall a very nice smoke that came across as relatively mild at times. Nice progressive flavor changes, voluminous amounts of smoke, and a welcomed smoothness.

Thanks again to General Cigar for providing us the opportunity to sample these tasty cigars. What a treat!

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 37 - Magnum Chickens

September 5th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Robert, Joe, Patrick (in AZ via Skype), Tom, John D., and Brad. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Once again, as he did back at herf #27, host John fed the guys his famous mesquite-smoked chickens this time featuring a secret Memphis rub. The guys brought a bevy of appetizers to feast on before the cavernous smoker was cracked open. John also threw in some previously-smoked salmon, as well as salad & buttermilk biscuits and all was complete for a memorable feast.

Our selection for this herf was the Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R54. Made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A. Fuente y. Cia., it measures 6 ¼ inches by 54 ring gauge. This corona gorda is a nice, hearty-looking handful with a subtle, light-brown, Ecuadorian wrapper that exudes a sense of mild strength. The R54 holds a current published rating, from Cigar Aficionado, of 87 (Jan, 2010). It should be noted that the other two vitolas in this line did receive higher ratings from CA.

According to David Savona:

Carlos Fuente Jr. launched the line in December [of 2009] as a trio made with old Ecuadoran Sumatra wrappers, grown by the Olivas in Tampa, Florida. Fuente said the leaves were eight to 10 years old.
"We set those wrappers aside when we first created the Sun Grown line," he said. These wrappers are not only old, but are from much lower on the plant, the second and third primings, than the traditional primings that he has used in the past.
The three original sizes are Vitola Fifty-Two, which measures five inches by 52 ring gauge, Vitola Fifty-Four, 6 1/4 inches long by 54 ring, and Vitola Fifty-Six, 5 5/8 by 56.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we undertook this tasting at John’s new house, seated out on his back deck, overlooking Lake Washington.

What a handsome looking cigar, both the band and the wrapper. As you can tell by the 93% awarded in the Appearance and Construction category, this is one nice looking and well-made stick. Hats off to Carlito on a job well done.

It’s a pretty good performing cigar too. The norm was a steady, even burn and a long bright ash bearing its own visual appeal. Plentiful smoke output was also appreciated among our cigar tasters. A couple didn’t burn so well, but hopefully those were mere anomalies.

The start is mild. The most reported identifiable flavor among our group was nuts. Some almond, some chestnut – or simply roasted nuts, generally speaking. Mid-way, things sweeten-up a bit. It was subtle, like a blonde clover honey and somewhat intermittent. Patrick detected something a little clearer, butterscotch, he thought. A pleasant sense of white pepper was barely noticeable later on, in the latter third, along with some leather.

This was a nice break from the fuller-bodied cigars we’ve been enjoying this year. A couple of us found it too mild (lacking distinction) but still, it’s worth experiencing the subtlety of flavors and ease with which you can pass the time in relaxation with this mellow blend.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the A.Fuente Rosado SG Magnum R54 is 87. 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: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

A very nice cigar which we recommend for beginners or those just wishing to try the lighter side of Arturo Fuente. Pick up a few at your local tobacconist, if you can find them, that is.

See you at the next herf, October 3rd.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 36 – Ribs on Steroids

August 1st, 2010 – Edmonds, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Pat, Patrick (in AZ), John D., Brad, and special guest Brandon (via Skype along with Patrick in Arizona). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Herf host Joe took this opportunity to perfect his budding skills in the art of smoking ribs in his backyard barbecue grill. After reviewing various recommended techniques online, he conducted a trial run the weekend prior to this herf. On this past Sunday, he was ready. His preparations clearly paid off in a big way and the lucky recipients were the club members in attendance. These ribs (purchased at Double DD Meats) were huge and perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. Robert brought the perfect sidekick for these sweet, savory ribs; his famous wasabi cole slaw, which added just the right balance to this decadent meal.

Our selection for this herf was the Nub Maduro 460. Measuring at 4x60, they pack a lot of tobacco into a small package. The make-up features a dark Brazilian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. Though we chose the straight parejo vitola, the torpedo version holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 87 (Oct, 2009).

From the manufacturer’s website:

A favorite among smokers, the Maduro’s Brazillian wrapper is known for its rich, dark chocolate appearance and flavor. Rolled as a Nub, the maduro offers a full-bodied, but mellow smoke with notes of mocha.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting seated out on Joe’s back deck facing a gorgeous Puget Sound sunset. Joining us via Skype (as usual) was our club member Patrick in Phoenix. Coming to us live from the Prop 201 Club at Fumar Cigars, Patrick had Brandon, the retail manager of Fumar, along for this herf as well.

The Nubs immediately elicited a reaction from the club members. Admittedly, it was about time we’d had this cigar as one of our monthly herf sticks. Even harder to belive, most of our club members had not gotten around to trying one yet. The appearance of these sticks faired pretty well, as did roll quality – a nice compact unit, but not so tight to spoil the draw.

The very dark Brazilian wrapper led the way with it’s bitter chocolate profile which is exactly what most of us detected in the early phases. Most of us agreed on primary notes of bitter dark chocolate, with minor proportions of vanilla bean, raisin, coffee, and the occasional mix of tannic spices. Not exactly the most complex flavor profile we’ve had lately, but pleasing nonetheless. Different for sure!

About an inch into the burn, is where things got interesting. For a couple of the guys, their wrappers burst revealing binders that may have had a little too much give to them. Fortunately for the rest of us, our cigars burned along happily with no hiccups whatsoever. Burn, draw, and smoke production were non-eventful for most of our eight samples. Sure, there was the occasional touch-up, and later a few relights among the group, but that was the worst of it. A couple bad sticks aside, performance was pretty consistent, for the most part. Club charter member Joe, our host for the evening, even managed to stand his on its ash long enough for Club co-founder Robert to snap a picture of it.

The strength hardly got above medium. Starting out, there were hints that it may intensify, but it definitely settled from the middle portion on toward the end, never ramping up really.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Nub Maduro 460 is 89. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

All in all a very nice cigar which we have no hesitation to recommend. Pick some up soon from your local tobacconist.

See you at the next herf, September 5th.

Photo credit to club co-founder Robert.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 35 – Thanksgiving in June

June 6th, 2010 – Edmonds, WA

First off, we must admit our failing to properly document the event with any photos. I’ll admit to being fully surprised (and horrified) the day after this herf upon realizing that we were left with no pics to show for it. This oversight, however, does not diminish from the fact that this was a fantastic herf. Read on to find out why.

Taking part were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Pat (in PA), Bruce, Patrick (in AZ), Eric, John D., John H, and Tom K. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Herf host Bruce found himself with a big, plump turkey needing to be eaten, so suddenly the 'Thanksgiving' theme was set for this potluck-style dinner. Joe added sausage stuffing, John H brought corn and basil-parmesan potatoes, and Robert made a pumpkin cheesecake. What a feast! Of course, many fine spirits were brought to be shared as well.

Our selection for this herf was the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Perfecto. This big 6x60 is a Nicaraguan puro and holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 90 (June, 2009).

From the manufacturer’s website:

Antaño in Spanish means "yesteryear" a name that is a tribute to the Joya de Nicaragua cigar of the 70's when the brand became one of the favorite smokes in the American market.
This is a full bodied cigar made with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco. The shiny Colorado wrapper and the complexity of its blend give a very distinctive personality to this cigar, created to satisfy the most exigent smoker who looks for a robust cigar, rich in taste and aroma. Antaño 1970 actually is one of the favorite full bodied cigars in the world and is a symbol of the true Nicaraguan puro. For us, Antaño represents the toil of our people, the fruit of our beloved fields, and ultimately, it is a reflection of our souls.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while gathered ‘round Bruce’s outdoor fire pit. Also joining us for the evening was Bruce’s son Tom, who was a real pleasure to have along and experience this thing we call a ‘herf’ for his first time.

At first sight, no one could believe the girth of these sticks. The cigar looks like it means business and several guys suspected it was going to be a strong one. The rustic wrapper appeared capably applied, with a nice chocolate-brown color and a pleasing aroma to it. As club member Patrick put it, “a beast to behold, but a beauty in the hand.” It should be noted that a few of the cigars did display excess adhesive on the surface of the wrapper leaf, which became more visible as the cigar warmed.

Most of our eleven cigars drew just fine and burned pretty well too. Soon however, we noticed a funny thing happening. We were hardly getting any smoke from it. The flavors seemed enjoyable enough, but it was hard to tell for quite a while, at least for the first half.

Fortunately, the second half brought improved smoke output, and likewise, the richness and identities of the flavors started to become more clear. Some roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes came through. Later, there was also some smoked meat in there too. The aroma in the air coming off this cigar was just wonderful. Certainly, the quality and skillful aging of the tobaccos is evident.

The strength never got out of hand, right down to the end. A couple of the guys were left wanting more, while overall, most of us were surprised that it wasn’t a more potent smoke than the large size suggested it might be.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Perfecto is 86. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% 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: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

Almost of every one of us agreed to try more cigars from the Antaño 1970 line. There was enough in the flavor department to pique everyone’s interest and thanks the improved performance in the 2nd half, which salvaged the experience, the cigar became very well liked by our group of eleven tasters.

See you at the next herf, August 1st.

Photo credit to Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Gift Review – Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso

by club member Patrick

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso, given to me by club founder Fernand back in March of this year.

Vitola: Belicoso
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5 1/4”
Ring Gauge: 52
Filler: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Grown/Natural
Strength: Mild
MSRP: $200 (box of 25)

Produced by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., it features a very light Connecticut natural wrapper and a well executed belicoso shape. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 87 (Jun, 2006).

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 modified dark n’ stormy – ginger beer with Sailor Jerry spiced rum in place of the Gosling’s black rum.

A very attractive light colored cigar, the Ashton Cabinet begged to be selected from the humidor as it stood out against its darker leafed brethren. With a nearly perfect Connecticut wrapper, the quality of the Fuente company’s rollers was readily apparent, with a firm but not overly hard texture and only the smallest of blemishes and veins present.

Technically, the cigar is top-notch. While I started with a single clip of the head using a double-bladed guillotine, I opted for a second cut about halfway through which really opened up the airflow and gave the smoke some added volume, both of which weren’t necessary but were certainly appreciated in my enjoyment of this cigar. The ash clung tight for over an inch twice throughout the cigar, and seemed to easily turn an almost perfect white. I took this stick right down to the nub without a single technical flaw.

Keeping in line with its mild flavor profile, the first two thirds of the cigar bring some light woodsy notes, as well as the occasional graham cracker or wheat cracker taste – certainly present but not overpowering, and easy to see why both are generally consumed with something on them as opposed to by themselves. The final third delivers a bigger punch of flavor, with some notes reminiscent of Champagne and Prosecco coming through, followed by a nuttier and smokier finish that I would have loved to see present throughout more of the cigar, hence my desire to get every last puff out of it.

My rating for the Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso is 89.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 out of 15 pts (93.3% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 out of 25 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 24 out of 25 pts (96% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 out of 35 pts (85.7% of the points possible)

The Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso is a thoroughly enjoyable cigar, if a bit mild for my taste. Price not an issue, this is a pick for the fan of milder cigars, or for those new to cigars and looking for an introduction from a gentler taste perspective. Considering price however, this cigar seems to push the higher limit that most new to cigars would seem to tolerate, although cigar veterans might not object to paying for Fuente’s quality of work provided it fits their taste preferences. It certainly earned its Ashton mark of quality and would be a welcomed smoke in the future.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Punch Upper Cut Grand Corona

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at General Cigar. Featured this time is the Punch Upper Cut Grand Corona.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Honduras
Length: 6”
Ring Gauge: 45
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Strength: Medium
Price: $6.49

Produced by Honduras American Tobacco, it features a dark, rich looking Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and the much-anticipated Ometepe filler. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88 (Oct, 2009). We had previously reviewed another cigar containing Ometepe leaf from General Cigar, the La Escepción, check it out here.

From the manufacturer’s website:

An offspring of the Punch “Election” promotion, the blend created for Upper Cut by Punch is the direct result of a national taste test. Using this feedback, General Cigar’s elite new product development team in Honduras married the classic, rich taste of Punch with Nicaraguan spice to produce this alluring, medium-bodied smoke that peppers the palate with an array of complex flavors.

Dressed in a silky Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper and framed with a Nicaraguan binder, Upper Cut’s Nicaraguan blend commands attention, for it features the unique flavor of Ometepe tobacco cultivated exclusively for General Cigar in limited quantity.

Our club’s three co-founders (John, Robert, Fernand) comprised this scoring panel, and as usual, followed CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

A rich, earthy aroma prior lighting had us eager to start things off without delay. Also, the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper displayed a beautiful sheen and texture, despite some moderate veins and a few minor bumps. The roll quality of this slender parejo appeared true and uniform.

This cigar turned out to be a great performer. Our three samples all offered clean draws that delivered ample mouthfuls of delicious smoke which our tasters described as creamy and silky. These burned great too; touch-ups were a rarity and we were able to enjoy the sticks free of any effort to keep them going. Not much to report regarding the ash; it held on for a bit and had a compact, uniform appearance.

Robert thought it came across smoother than the La Escepción we reviewed previously. Fernand found the mid-portion very easy-going with an herbal sweetness. There were a couple brief periods of sharpness in the final third, but never enough to spoil it. John summarized his experience as, “Rich vanilla latte flavor, finishing with a hint of sandalwood.”

Our averaged rating for the Punch Upper Cut Grand Corona is 90.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 24 pts (96% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

An intriguing cigar to say the least. There’s something about that Ometepe leaf, perhaps. One apiece simply wasn’t enough, we’ll have to try more and we suggest you do the same.

Thanks to General Cigar for allowing us to sample this new blend.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 34 – Shelter From The Storm

May 2nd, 2010 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Tom, John D. and Patrick (via Skype). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

The five of us in Shoreline met at Tom’s house for dinner. Anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of tasting Tom’s famous smoked meats know full-well what an incredible treat this was. Tom’s never let us down, and naturally, he came through once again. His smoked beef and pork loin were moist, tender, full of flavor. What else would we have needed… Oh, there were some great side dishes; asparagus, soup, chips, salsa, bread, dip – but come on - the meat!

Our cigar selection for this herf was the Padilla Series ’68 Lancero. This long, lean lancero is made at Tabacalera Flores in Honduras. The current published rating for the Series ’68 Lancero is 88 (Feb, 2008).

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relocated down the road a mile to the shelter of Fernand’s covered patio for the tasting; thus avoiding the gusty winds that were raging in Tom’s back yard. Various brown spirits and ales were enjoyed during the course of the evening, along with plenty of camaraderie in the company of good friends.

Everyone of us was immediately pleased to be having a lancero at this herf because it’s not a vitola that we see a lot at these monthly get-togethers. Prominent veins were the primary visual distraction from an otherwise very nice looking cigar. As lanceros are reported to be among the more difficult shapes to roll, Mr. Padilla’s tabaqueros get some kudos here for crafting such well-formed cigars. It should be said, however, that one of our samples did have quite a bend to it; merely a visual oddity with no other impact.

Most of these cigars drew wonderfully, only one was a bit firm. The smoke put out by these ‘68’s was surprising for such a narrow ring gauge cigar (7x38). The burn was where we did have some problem, unfortunately. Several of the cigars would go out quickly, without warning – and not due to having been put down for very long either. Most of us had to relight multiple times through the mid-section, going into the final third.

Flavors were pleasant soon after clipping and lighting. What a smooth, easy start to it, quite mild at first. The aroma coming off the lit foot was very enticing; mild herbs & spices. Some of the tastes we experienced throughout the smoke were of tea and almond. As a few of our group has become accustomed to stronger flavor profiles, they were left wanting a little more in the flavor department.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Padilla Series ’68 Lancero is 87. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% 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)

An enjoyable cigar, to say the least. Everybody left the evening having enjoyed these lanceros very much. Aside from the couple burn issues (not staying lit) they were very easy smokin’ with something for everyone.

See you at the next herf, June 6th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – La Escepción Batet

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at General Cigar. Featured this time is the La Escepción “Batet”.

Vitola: Figurado
Origin: Honduras
Length: 5”
Ring Gauge: 54
Filler: Nicaraguan, Ometepe
Binder: Ometepe
Wrapper: Honduran Habano Talango
Strength: Medium
Price: $5.39

The cigar is produced at the Honduras American Tabaco S. A. factory in Cofradia, Honduras. It’s blend features the much talked about Ometepe leaves; fruits of the rich volcanic soil found on the island of Ometepe, located in vast Lake Nicaragua.

From the manufacturer’s website:

La Escepción was once a Cuban brand that stood in the shadows of Hoyo de Monterrey. Today, General Cigar is proud to unveil a wholly-new expression of this storied brand by honoring its full-flavored tradition.

La Escepción debuts with an entirely new set of distinctions, for this bold ensemble was developed in accordance with national consumer feedback and features tobacco exclusive to General Cigar.

Boasting the world’s first Ometepe binder, La Escepción is handcrafted in Honduras and boasts a unique blend of proprietary Nicaraguan tobaccos. Enveloped in lustrous Honduran Habano Talanga, this medium-bodied collection offers a modern take on the brand, with an intriguingly rich, bold flavor and model construction that is evident at the first glance.

Taking part in this review were the club’s three co-founders (John, Robert, Fernand). As is our usual method, we followed Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

Right off the bat, we were struck by the convenient size of this stocky little cigar (which I liken more to a belicoso than a torpedo). Just right for a warm spring afternoon, not too big, not intimidating. Up close, it’s not without its share of imperfections; some surface roughness, veins, bumps and the occasional spot or blemish. There’s still something appealing throughout all that – something ‘natural’ about it.

The draw was very nice across all three of our samples. The burn was fantastic as well, some of the best we’ve seen in a long time (love a cigar that burns trouble-free). The quantity of smoke produced was plentiful and comfortable. The ash held long, didn’t flake much and gave an impression of quality leaves.

The flavor started out with just a nice, basic tobacco essence. Then came notes of vanilla and leather. There was also something of a mildly acidic sweetness, like dried apricot perhaps. One of us got a pretty solid sense of charred meat, like well-done barbecue. It was never bitter or tannic; smooth all the way down.

Our averaged rating for the La Escepción Batet is 88.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

We were very pleased to get to experience the Ometepe tobacco. What a nice medium-bodied experience. We do recommend you stop by your local tobacconist to try these.

Thanks again to General Cigar Co. for giving us the opportunity to taste these unique cigars.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Coronado Corona Especial

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at J&J Cigars. Featured this time is the Coronado by La Flor ‘Corona Especial’.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Length: 5 ¾”
Ring Gauge: 47
Filler: Dominican Sumatra and Piloto Cubano
Binder: Dominican Corojo
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Price: $8.10

This beautiful cigar is produced in the D.R. at Tabacalera La Flor under the watchful eye of Litto Gomez. It features a Habano-seed Sun-Grown Nicaraguan wrapper and a filler/binder blend grown at the LFD farm in La Canela, D.R. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 92 (Oct, 2007).

The three samples for this review were scored by club co-founders John & Fernand and club member Patrick. As is our usual method, we followed CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

With a light, milk-chocolate brown wrapper cloaking an elegant roll, the only visual detractions may have been a few minor veins and noticeable ridges & bumps. Two of the cigars drew just fine, but one was way too tight at first. Fortunately, it improved as it went. The quantity of smoke produced was sufficient, but not remarkable. The ash tended to fall sooner than we’re used to, though it wasn’t a hindrance to the experience.

As often happens, we all found different flavors in this cigar. John noticed leather, anise, and dark chocolate. Fernand found a grassy start, followed by black tea, and later a savory mid-section. Patrick detected a cocoa powder entry, then breads & grains, and even a little roasted marshmallow to cap it all off. One thing’s for sure, there’s likely to be something in this cigar’s flavor profile for everybody. In the end, the Flavor category is where our highest marks were scored.

Our averaged rating for the Coronado by La Flor ‘Corona Especial’is 85.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% 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)

This cigar doesn’t disappoint. For us, it seems, the performance aspects appear to be holding it back a bit. Incidentally, we have enjoyed other vitolas from this line before. In fact, one of those still resides among our Top Ten list (see the sidebar to the right).

Bottom Line: You won’t be sad you gave this brand a try, if you haven’t already.

Thanks to John at J&J Cigars in Shoreline for giving us the opportunity to review this very enjoyable cigar.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Gift Review – Padron 3000

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Padron Series 3000, given to me by my friend Mike-C back in April of ‘09.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5 ½”
Ring Gauge: 52
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua (natural)
Strength: medium-to full
MSRP: $123.50 for a box of 26

Produced by Padrón Cigars Inc., it features a dark, rich looking Nicaraguan wrapper and a sturdy parejo shape. The most recent Cigar Insider rating for it is 89 (Jun, 2007).

From the manufacturer’s website:

Founded in 1964 and evolving throughout our history, the Padrón™ line today consists of fifteen medium-to full-bodied, long-filler cigars ranging from Panetelas to the large “A” size Magnum. All tobacco in this line is sun-grown habano that is aged for a minimum of two-and-one-half years. Every cigar in this line is available in natural and maduro wrapper. This line offers exceptional quality and value.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I had two cigars from the gifted sampler, about two weeks apart.

No-nonsense is the name of the game with these Padron Series cigars. Sure it’s rustic looking, but you know what you’re getting and pretty much what to expect. The draw was quite easy on both and they also had trouble staying lit in the second half. I appreciated the quantity of smoke produced, but found the ash a little unstable and gnarly looking.

The flavor was initially woody with just a mild, pleasant spice up front. I found it to be of mild-to-medium strength through the first third. One had a period of dryness on the palate during the middle portion. Both cigars alternated between sweet & savory with something like molasses during the final third.

After averaging the two scorecards, my rating for the Padron Series 3000 is 81.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 11 pts (73% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

As 80-89 is defined as Very Good to Excellent, it’s easy to agree that this is still a very good cigar, despite a rating like 81 that appears to be comparatively low.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.