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.