Herf 49 – Garage Band

November 6th, 2011 – Woodway, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Joe, John L., Patrick (in AZ), Mark, John H., and Chris. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

It’s always a treat to sit down to an expertly-cooked meal prepared by club co-founder John. This knock-out meal was no exception. John attends to every detail with care and precision along the way. He served up sirloin tip roast with both blue cheese and horse radish sauces, joined by a wonderful rice dish and his wife’s favorite salad.

Our selection for this herf was the My Father Cedros Deluxe Cervantes. This beautiful Lonsdale is the creation of Jaime Garcia, son of the great Don Pepin Garcia. As the name suggests, the effective difference here from the regular My Father line, is the cedar sheath around the hybrid Ecuadorian Habano Rosado/Criollo wrapper. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 91 (Apr, 2011).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) our six tasters gathered out in John’s garage for the business part of this herf; along with @PHXCigarGuy doing his part in AZ.

What a good looking presentation this is; from the attractive My Father band, to the cedar shroud, to the expertly-applied triple cap. Removal of the cedar wrapping revealed a beautiful wrapper leaf. Two of our seven samples had some pretty large veins showing on the wrappers, but as club member Chris stated, "Great construction! Perfect in every way."  The cold draw was free enough and some of us got a bit of spice from it prior to lighting, while others did not.

Before we get to flavor, it’s worth noting that these were some of the best burning cigars that we’d seen in some time, despite a couple of them needing relights. No one complained about the draw either. This is a clear statement to us about the quality of manufacturing at the My Father tabacalera in Estelí. Some of the sticks displayed some pretty long ashes too.

This cigar’s flavor started out with the expected amount of pepper before moving on to wood. It was smooth through the middle portion before ramping up to a stronger ending. There didn’t seem to be significant flavor variations for us, but consistent is not always bad if it’s good flavors your talking about.

After throwing out the highest and lowest scores (Mark’s 84 and John’s 94) then averaging the remaining results, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the My Father Cedros Deluxe Cervantes is 89. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

This was a very well-like cigar by our group. It garnered much praise during the course of the evening. There may have been a couple hiccups along the way, but nothing that should deter you from trying this fine cigar if you haven’t already.

We’ll see you at the next herf, December 6th. It will be our 50^th! We’re really looking forward to this very special celebration.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Cigar Review – La Gloria Retro Especiale

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 Artesanos Retro Especiale ‘Club’.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Miami
Length: 5 ¾”
Ring Gauge: 47
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Binder: Mexican
Wrapper: Honduran Connecticut
Strength: Medium
Price: $7

Among the recent creations from Team La Gloria, this line features a natural, velvet-looking, Honduran-grown Connecticut wrapper. They are made at the El Credito Cigar Factory in Miami, FL.

From the manufacturer:

“The Honduran Connecticut wrapper accentuates the fillers and binders resulting in a very unique cigar with spicy nuances. The Artesanos Retro Especiale is a smoke to be savored by those who are passionate [about] authentic boutique cigars.”

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) club co-founders John & Fernand sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a glass of rum.

With a beautifully smooth wrapper and a well-executed cap at the head, it appeared very well-constructed. There were visible ridges running the length of it which we attributed to the pressed that it was shaped in prior to wrapper application, but who knows.

The cigar’s draw was very good, if just a bit on the firm side of the spectrum. The burn was pretty good for the most part, except both our cigars went out at about the same point; just after the start of the second third. Smoke output was sufficient and it’s texture was pleasing. The ash was not always stable, but at least it was uniform and intact before falling.

The flavor started out a tad strong, but quickly mellowed into a welcomed smoothness. We noted sensations similar to cedar, sandalwood, and ‘fortunately’ very brief notes of menthol/ammonia near the end of the second third. That last part aside, we enjoyed the flavors of the Retro Especial very much, overall.

Our averaged rating for the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale ‘Club’ is 85, a very good 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: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

All in all, a very enjoyable cigar that we recommend you try for yourself. Visit your local tobacconist and pick up a few!

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 48 – Back To The Fall

October 2, 2011 – Sammamish, WA

by club co-founder John

In attendance were host Robert, John L., Patrick (in AZ via Skype), Bruce, and Peter. Per our monthly ritual, we gathered to enjoy the chosen cigar after a home-cooked meal…

…and what a meal it was! Our host and co-founder Robert had awakened at 0500 to start smoking….no not the cigars, but two spice rubbed pork shoulders. Slow cooked, smoked, and basted with a sweet apple concoction, they came out extraordinarily well; juicy smoky, flavorful, and falling-apart good. Along with the spicy bean salad, slaw, and garlic bread, they set the stage for our first Fall herf of the year.

True to form, our NW Fall weather provided a rainy and cool evening, but we were well sheltered on Robert’s back porch as we settled down to try our selection of the month; the Tabacos Baez Serie H Monarcas. This is another in the long line of Garcia Family Cigars from Nicaragua. It is constructed with Nicaraguan Cuban seed filler, Nicaraguan binder and with Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.

Following CA’s 4-part rating system (Appearance, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) our 4 tasters in Seattle enjoyed and rated this month’s selection. Patrick couldn’t get a hold of one in Phoenix by herf-time and settled for a Fuente instead, but still appreciated the camaraderie of the evening with friends.

True to form, this Don Pepin cigar was well-executed with a nice sheen and well-made cap. It was firm with slightly prominent veins. The draw was great with few burn issues in the first half. Two of the tasters thought that the draw and smoke volume, though initially great, later fell-off towards the second-half. The ash, on the other hand, was flawless.

The flavors were relatively mild, but tasty nonetheless. We noted browned butter and slightly woody & sweet tones with some initial hints of vanilla thinning out towards the end. It was a good medium strength cigar without too much spice.

After throwing out the highest and lowest scores then averaging the remaining, The Cohiba Club’s official rating for the Tabacos Baez Serie H Monarcas is 83, a “very good” cigar according to our rating system.

Here’s the points breakdown:
I. Appearance and Construction: 14.5 pts (96% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 20.5 (80% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21.5 (86% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression : 26.5 (76% of the points possible)

We were not blown away by this cigar, as we have been with many of the other Pepin offerings. It did, however, appear to be a well made, smooth, and easy smoke with no major flaws, and with a good milder flavor profile that some of you will certainly enjoy.

We’ll see you at the next herf, November 6th.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 47 – Full House

August 7th, 2011 – Seattle, WA

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

Wow, what a turnout! We haven’t had a crew this large in quite some time; perhaps a testament to the mastery that our host John has over his backyard smoker, the ‘Smoke Vault’. As he’s done before, he once again served up the most mouth-watering smoked chicken you can find in Seattle. At one point, one of the birds actually squirted across his kitchen as John cut into it! With loads of complimentary side-dishes and plenty of ales to wash it all down, it was one meal that’s hard to forget.

Our selection for this herf was the Toraño Single Region Serie Jalapa Churchill. Though it’s made in Honduras by Toraño Family Cigar Co., the contents of this 7x50 beast are all-Nicaraguan, from the Jalapa Valley to be exact (hence the name). The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 92 (Feb, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“One Region, One Farm, One Fine Cigar. Single Region - Serie Jalapa features a blend of tobacco from the El Estero Farm in Jalapa, Nicaragua. This small farm which is located in the northern most growing province of Nicaragua is irrigated by a natural stream which has run through the property for centuries. The mineral rich water from this stream together with the soil which is a mix of sand and red clay, have enabled this farm to grow some of the finest and most aromatic tobacco in the world.

The tobacco is rich and flavourful, yet smooth and elegant and features a very distinctive sweetness - characteristics which are consistent with tobacco grown in Jalapa. Enjoy this rich, layered smoke which imparts a truly luscious flavor. “

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) our ten tasters, plus @PHXCigarGuy via Skype (pictured right) gathered out on John’s back patio enjoying the pleasant evening and the camaraderie that came along with it.

Initially, the Churchill appeared to be very well-made. The long parejo shape looked true and uniform with fine veins. The wrapper color was nice too. Some of the guys referred to their cigar’s coloring as ‘two-tone’, having a wrapper and cap of dark and light colors. The closer we looked the more flaws we found; tiny holes, tears, and cracks. We couldn’t help but suspect that the wrapper was more delicate than usual, perhaps causing it to be abnormally fragile.

Most everyone agreed that the draw was perfect right off the bat – a great start to a cigar that we had looked forward to trying. It didn’t take long, however, for many of us to notice burn discrepancies. For the most part, smoke output was pretty good, but the number of relights required became ridiculous – nine for one of us, seven for another, and five or six for a few more guys. The ash wasn’t the most stable we’d seen, but ok for most of us. In addition to the burn problem, about half of them displayed splitting or unraveling.

The flavor started out with a slight sweetness and hints of mild spices (“like cinnamon” said one taster in Seattle, as well as our man in Phoenix) before turning to straw or mild wood through the first-third. A couple guys noted a bread-like or ‘doughy’ character in there somewhere. Eventually, a few of the guys would later describe their samples as monotonous, bland, and lacking complexity. The best we could take away from the second-third was that the cigar was ‘consistent’. The final third resulted simply in increased strength for some of our tasters, but a bitter, charred ending for a few others.

After throwing out the highest and lowest (a ‘90’ and a ‘67’) then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Toraño Single Region Serie Jalapa Churchill is 81, which sounds unusually low these days, but is still considered a ‘very good’ cigar according to this rating system.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 19 pts (76% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

We had high hopes for this cigar going in, but it did not live up to our expectations, nor our quality standards. In the final evaluation, nine of our eleven tasters rated this cigar below 85; not exactly a glowing endorsement. Nevertheless, each of us should decide for ourselves. So with that in mind, go out and get one of your own. See if you agree with us.

We’ll see you at the next herf, October 2nd.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 46 – Cajun Delight

June 5th, 2011 – Edmonds, WA

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

For those who remember Burk’s Café in Ballard, we had a little taste of it last Sunday night. Herf co-hosts Peter and Bruce served up a fabulous jambalaya from the very recipe given to Peter by Terry "Burk" Burkhardt, owner of the cajun/creole restaurant that closed in the Fall of 2004. The chicken, shrimp, and andouille were shrouded in succulent rice and spicy Cajun sauce that were to die for! Well done gentlemen. Joe contributed with a crisp green salad that simply vanished, and finally, Robert’s buttery pound cake polished off what little room was left.

Our selection for this herf was the LFD Air Bender Villano. Yes, our second lancero in a row, it’s made in the Dominican Republic by Tabacalera La Flor S.A. This slender 7.5x38 La Flor features a gorgeous Ecuadorian wrapper and a perfectly twisted little pigtail cap. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 90 (Dec, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“As the name suggests, the Air Benders are intense, sophisticated, and powerful.“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we convened out on Bruce’s back deck enjoying the pleasant evening and the camaraderie that came along with it.

For most of us, this was our first Air Bender. It was plain to see that Litto Gomez has very skilled rollers producing these gems. All seven of our samples were flawless, with one exception. The cap on Bruce’s Villano displayed a striking color difference, much lighter than the rest of the wrapper, and also a small crack further down in the mid-section which fortunately didn’t interfere with performance.

The lowest scoring category was Smoking Characteristics. The draw was pretty good. About half of them were a bit firm, but that may be preferable when considering smaller ring gauge cigars. They burned well, though a few of us did re-light a few times through the 2^nd third. The smoke output was just right and the ash was very pretty, though somewhat prone to falling a little earlier than we’re used to (we’re guessing that in this case it was due to the smaller diameter).

Flavor? Wow, what a start. These Air Benders really had our attention for the first ¾ inch. When they say ‘intense’, they mean it. It was almost a bit much for our guys who prefer medium strength cigars, but once things settled down, it was all good. There were familiar dark, rich flavors through the bulk of the experience, such as espresso, bitter chocolate, and the like. The surprise for us, however, would be in the final third. Instead of ramping up in strength, perhaps equivalent to the beginning, it stayed smooth – a welcome surprise indeed.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Villano is 89. 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: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

While the start may have been strong, it wasn’t a turn-off. The Villano is bold without being overpowering. Give one a try, you won’t be disappointed. Craftsmanship, such as we saw in this sleek lancero, is rarely exceeded.

See you at the next herf, August 7th.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 45 – It’s What’s for Dinner

May 1st, 2011 – Woodway, WA

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

It’s always a real treat when we’re fortunate enough to herf at Tom’s house. He’s our club’s undisputed grillmaster. This man can do things with Kingsford that most backyard ‘chefs’ only dream about. The New York Strips that we enjoyed at this herf were incredible, and Tom knows how to lay on the side dishes too; baked potatoes asparagus, and garlic bread (all complimented with a delicious cabernet).

Our selection for this herf was the La Aroma de Cuba Lancero. This beautiful panatela is distributed by Ashton, but produced by Don Pepin’s My Father Cigars in Nicaragua. It features a dark, rich looking Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a tasteful pigtail cap, and one of the more attractive bands out there. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 91 (Dec, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“We are very proud to introduce to you the new and improved La Aroma de Cuba! Now handmade in Nicaragua by Pepin Garcia, the new LADC features gorgeous chocolaty Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers and a rich, spicy blend of Nicarguan tobaccos. For the past 18 months, we have been working very closely with the Garcia family to bring this new cigar to fruition. We believe we have successfully improved the flavor and quality of the cigar without compromising the richness and spiciness that loyal LADC smokers have relished for years.“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed out on Tom’s back patio for a clear but crisp evening with friends.

This was a cigar that several of us had been hoping would eventually get selected for a herf and those guys finally got their wish. The appearance and roll quality was a little lower than some of us would have expected, seeing as how this was a Pepin product. That said, lanceros are among the more difficult cigars to roll. The scoring has the final word, however, and our seven tasters gave this cigar 80% of the points possible for category one.

A decent performer, these cigars drew well. Only a couple were too fast, which corresponds to the number of comments regarding loosely-packed rolls. The burn was great for most of us, while a few did need relights around the mid-point. The smoke output was noteworthy for a cigar of diminutive diameter. Admittedly, a cigar’s ash has little to do with it’s smoking enjoyment, but it can impact the experience in subtle ways. As it happens, that was where the most derogatory comments were heard.

Several of us attributed the peppery or spicy flavor characteristic we found to Don Pepin Garcia. There were little complaints in the flavor department, as we have come to expect with most of the products put out by ‘El Maestro’. The mid-section mellowed nicely, along the lines of a pepper-to-wood flavor transition. The ending was similar to the beginning, but that was ok by us, as it was pleasurable both times around.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the La Aroma de Cuba Lancero is 87. An ‘excellent’ cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% 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: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

This is an easy recommendation for us to make. It may not be the most complex cigar out there, but any fan of Don Pepin’s work will feel like an old friend has stopped by for a visit. Invite him to your next cigar outing and you won’t be disappointed.

See you at the next herf, June 5th.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 44 – The Ol’ Stand-By

April 3rd, 2011 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, John L., Bruce, Peter, and Patrick (in AZ 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.

A last-minute venue change led us to turn to Jersey’s sports bar in Shoreline for our customary pre-herf dinner. Every one of us was quite pleased with our meals of steaks, burgers, and sliders; all washed down with fine ales and cocktails. Jersey’s is tops on our list of fall-back locations when plans fall through. Soon we were well-fed and on our way to light up on Fernand’s back patio.

Our selection for this herf was the Gran Habano Corojo #5 Gran Robusto. This ample corona gorda measures 6 by 54. Made in Honduras, it features a four-country blend from Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. The ‘Gran Robusto’ holds a past published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 83 (Aug, 2004).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“Gran Habano Corojo #5 is the strongest blend in the Gran Habano profile. The filler consists of Costa Rican and Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos with a Costa Rican binder all held together by a noticeably red, flawless Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper. The combination produces rich, full-bodied flavors for a veteran cigar smoker.“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we sat down to rate this very affordable cigar. At four bucks each, the price was a welcomed break for our wallets.

This was a cigar that several of us had seen hanging around for years, but had never tried. The appearance and roll quality was a little lower than we are accustomed to seeing. There were some lumps & bumps, soft spots, and some moderate veining.

It didn’t take long to begin hearing complaints amongst our seven herf attendees with regard to poor performance; tight draw, poor burn, relights, thin smoke, etc. It was hard to stay optimistic as this looked like it was going to be a challenging hour or so. A couple of the cigars pulled through and ended up performing just fine, but most did not.

There just wasn’t much for us in the flavor department. While some of the guys simply described it as mild, others reported it starting out ok, but then just dropping off. Most of us agreed on it lacking in both body and flavor. Uninteresting, was the consensus.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Gran Habano Corojo #5 Gran Robusto is 78. A ‘good’ cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 19 pts (76% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 27 pts (77% of the points possible)

As club member Patrick said, “it’s certainly smokeable.” True, but it’s also unremarkable. It’s hard for us to recommend it based on the above scoring. If you’re looking for a budget stick, however, maybe the best we can say is – see for yourself if you agree with us that this is one example of getting what you pay for.

See you at the next herf, May 1st.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 43 – Joe Delivers

March 6th, 2011 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Tom, and Patrick (in AZ 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 four of us meeting for dinner at Fernand’s house were in for a real treat, courtesy of club charter member Joe, or rather his lovely wife. The day before, she had thrown a 40^th birthday bash for him which included a bounty of ribs and the customary side dishes. They were left with so much food that they needed help getting rid of it all. Far be it from The Cohiba Club to not help a BOTL in need.

Our selection for this herf was the Viaje Oro Fuerza. This attractive robusto is a Nicaraguan puro (all-Nicaraguan leaves). The ‘fuerza’ holds a current published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 88 (Aug, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“Viaje is a boutique cigar company specializing in the small batch approach to cigar making. Viaje represents the idea that quality is better than Quantity. That small is better than big. That few are better than many.

Why small batch? Well, here are many reasons. Quality, consistency, and most importantly, this is where I get my inspiration. If you enjoy mass produced cigars, you are in the wrong place. We use tobacco sparingly to execute our vision of what a cigar should look and taste like. Viaje represents the boutique in every sense of the word. This is what I enjoy, this is what I provide, and this is my promise. Join us in the revolution against mediocrity.“

On the ‘Oro’ line in particular:

“Hand-crafted in the Raices Cubanas factory, this Nicaraguan puro is a full bodied cigar with a select Corojo99 wrapper surrounding Nicaraguan double binders and a blend of Nicaraguan grade "A" long fillers which make for a rich, complex smoke. Viaje Oro is rolled in the classic Cuban tradition finished with a Cuban triple cap.”

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we gathered under Fernand’s back deck to begin the herf. Also taking part in this tasting, on their own, were club co-founder John, charter member Patrick, and club member Bruce.

Admittedly a new cigar to us, we went into this experience with little preconceived notions about Viaje. Simply put, it’s a good looking cigar. We liked the band and the yellow foot-ribbon. The wrapper was dark and rich looking, with a nice healthy sheen to it. There’s a little veining, but nothing excessive. One of our eight samples had a damaged wrapper which was just starting to unravel, but clearly this was not the norm.

The roll quality was quite good with each cigar feeling firm and substantial. It’s a nice hefty robusto which feels good in the hand. The cold draws were all sufficient and offering sensations of chocolate and savory spices.

Every one of these sticks drew great! That’s something we can’t say very often. Usually, you get a couple that are a bit ‘off’, but that was not the case with these Fuerzas. We wish we could say the same about the burn, unfortunately. A few burned well, but at least half of them exhibited some kind of burn difficulty. A couple were so problematic, as to require multiple relights. The smoke output was pretty good, for the most part, and the ash was so-so in both color and stability, but we don’t eat it, so who cares.

Now for flavor: Some of the guys preferred the initial taste profile, perhaps the first inch or two. Others preferred the middle over the first third. The tasting notes didn’t really refer to any discernable flavors worth noting. What some of the guys called ‘consistent’ others described as lacking in complexity.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Viaje Oro Fuerza is 85. A very good, but not 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: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

We really wanted to like this cigar, but burn problems detracted from the experience enough to affect not only our scores, but also our likelihood of buying more Fuerzas. Nevertheless, we do hope you try it for yourself. We’ll be on the lookout for other Viaje products as we continue to try new blends and enjoy the good times that come along with them.

See you at the next herf, April 3rd.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 42 – Post Game Show

February 6th, 2011 – Woodway, WA

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

Four of us met for dinner at Scott’s Bar & Grill in nearby Edmonds. This was a great venue for watching the Superbowl on their many screens and of course, Scott’s dinner did not disappoint.

Our selection for this herf was the Drew Estate Liga Privada T52 Stalk-Cut Robusto. This hefty robusto features a Connecticut-grown, stalk-cut, Habano wrapper. The robusto holds a current published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 88 (Feb, 2010).

Excerpted from a blog post by Jonathon Drew:

“We stumbled upon a farm that was growing a very unique looking “Stalk Cut Tobacco.” After a few hours of inspection, we were impressed, but we tried to keep our composure, as this beautiful leaf had the exact color and thickness qualities that we had been flying all over the damn world looking for. Other brokers had loved the tobacco, but they didn’t want to pay the high price which is required to grow it the right way. Needless to say, we spent a pretty penny, but damn it is worth it. All this, just for the wrapper leaf!“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we soon convened in John’s garage to begin the herf. Also taking part in this tasting, on their own, were club members Bruce and Patrick (in AZ).

There was great anticipation starting out, given the appearance of this cigar. As you can see by the breakdown in scoring, and the points we awarded for Category I, this is one beautiful specimen. Seldom does the tally of our combined ratings result in a perfect 100% in any one category, but this cigar’s good looks and construction earned it. The wrapper gleams with a perfect texture and a seductive sheen that almost makes your mouth water just looking at it.

The roll quality is true and uniform exhibiting a firm, densely-packed handful of premium leaves. What a pleasant aroma we found on the wrapper, rich and sweet, which gave the impression of extensive fermentation.

Mostly everyone found pleasant draws from their cigars. One was a bit firm, another a bit loose, the rest perfect. About half of our seven burned well, the rest needed the occasional touch-up or re-light. The smoke output was ridiculous. Thick clouds poured forth from the tasters mouths filling the room (the garage) to a soft haze. The ash was nothing to write home about, pretty ugly really, but arguably inconsequential.

Honestly, we expected these sticks to be quite strong. The wrapper’s rich appearance and fully-packed roll had us thinking we were soon to be bowled over. Surprisingly, they weren’t all that strong. Sure, there was a moderate blast of power following the start-up, but it quickly mellowed and we settled into the first third. The sensation was predominately woody, maybe a little meaty. Ultimately, there wasn’t much more to report. There were no further significant flavor changes. Fortunately, it stayed smooth throughout for most of us, never getting harsh. It was a somewhat creamy, easy going smoke. Only one of our tasting panel commented on it getting bitter and a few of the guys even categorized it as rather mild.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Drew Estate Liga Privada T52 is 87. 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: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)

IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

In summary, this is a pretty easy going cigar which could have been a little more interesting.  Certainly well made, it was mostly consistent from beginning to end. We definitely recommend folks experience it for themselves.  As for us, we’ll be on the lookout for more offerings from Drew Estate.

See you at the next herf, March 6th.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 41 – Cowboy Favorite

January 2^nd, 2011 – Snoqualmie, WA
by club co-founder John

In attendance were Robert, Joe, Bruce, and John.  Patrick submitted his score from AZ.

We met up Jan 2^nd for our third annual herf combo at Jak’s Steakhouse in Issaquah for dinner, followed by cigars at the luxurious smoking room, Lit Cigar Lounge, inside Snoqualmie Casino.  This time we chose for our monthly herf tasting the CAO La Traviata Favorito.

To start the night off right, we had drinks and all enjoyed Jak’s tasty 21 oz “Cowboy Ribeye”, then drove up to Lit Lounge, where we were greeted by the knowledgeable and gracious cigar steward, Narong, known to us from our visits to The Vertigo Club in Seattle.

Narong supplied us with our chosen smoke from the ample walk-in humidor at Lit. The football game was winding down as we lit up and we soon had plenty of room to settle down at our table, waited on by server Jenny to supply our libations for the night. Lit has a well-stocked bar, a number comfortable leather loungers and tables, and a casual but upscale atmosphere.  This CAO La Traviata, with natural wrapper, was a 5 ½ x 52 petit belicoso.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Colorado
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: DR, Nicaraguan

We settled in to enjoy and rate the CAO following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

This was a well-built, attractive, and precisely rolled torpedo with an oily sheen and no visible imperfections. It was firm with no soft spots. It had great draw, almost too easy, and produced a very good volume of smoke.

Two out of the five cigars had minimal burn issues, going out and requiring a re-light once. The smoke was cool but too dry tasting for some of us.

Mild leather and some silage tastes were noted, with the consensus being that the flavors were not that striking and were somewhat monotone. The overall impression was that this was a good smoke but not great or inspiring. The flavors were just not that interesting and the texture of the smoke too dry.

After throwing out the highest and lowest scores, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club’s official rating for the CAO La Traviata Favorito is 85.

The scoring breakdown is a follows:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (85% of the points possible)

This was another great herf, our 3^rd at Lit Lounge - with a good, but not great, cigar.

See you at the next herf, February 6^th.

Photo credit to club co-founder Robert.

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf Cigar of the Year for 2010

As we explained last year, here at The Cohiba Club, we do our COTY at little differently.  We make our selection from the cigars jointly enjoyed at our herfs, held during the past calendar year.
So again we’ve gone back and looked at the results from Herfs 31 through 40.

We weren't able to hold one April or July because of too many members being out-of-town for Spring Break and the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The cigars considered for 2010 were as follows (with our ratings for each):

HC Habano Colorado Belicoso (80) – herf 31

Illusione Epernay La Ferme (90) – herf 32

Ambos Mundos No.2 robusto (89) – herf 33

Padilla Series ’68 Lancero (87) – herf 34

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Perfecto (86) – herf 35

Nub Maduro 460 (89) – herf 36

A.Fuente Rosado SG Magnum R54 (87) – herf 37

Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos (87) – herf 38

Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros (85) – herf 39

Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial (92) – herf 40

The scores pretty much tell the story for this past year.  The 92, 90, and and a pair of 89’s stand out above the rest.

There’s no denying that Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje El Triunfador (SODO edition) reigned supreme for us in 2010.

This choice comes with the caveat that we recognize it’s limited availability will make it unattainable for so many lovers of the leaf out there.  This was a one-time run of only 200 boxes – limited to say the least.  In the end, you can’t argue with success and this cigar was just too good for us not to award it our pick for the year.

Congrats to Pete Johnson and John Ohm for producing and inspiring our Herf Cigar of the Year!

Second place goes to the Illusione Epernay La Ferme which we enjoyed very much at herf 32 at The Vertigo Club.

Third place goes to the Ambos Mundos No.2, also by Pete Johnson, that we enjoyed at herf 33.

Honorable Mention goes to:

Nub Maduro 460

Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos

All great cigars, deserving of our praise and your examination. What great cigars 2010 brought!

Here’s to future herfs!

© 2011 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved