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

Gift Review – Tatuaje Black

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserve, given to me by John at J&J Cigars back in November of ‘09.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5 5/8”
Ring Gauge: 46
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Nicaraguan (binder leaf)
Strength: Full
Price: $13

Produced by Don Pepin Garcia for Pete Johnson, it features a Nicaraguan wrapper (said to be binder leaf) with a rough texture and a rustic appeal that’s strangely enticing. The uncut foot was a first for me and it also gives the impression that you’re about to experience something quite different and at the same time very special.

I scored this cigar following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

The pointed head is so intriguing that it’s hard to cut it off, though the sense of anticipation forces one to make quick work of it. The rough wrapper and sturdy parejo shape combine to give a sense of solid construction and strength even before you’ve smelled or tasted it. One detraction, visually, was that the wrapper was a bit dry looking, perhaps a byproduct of it being from binder stock.

Unfortunately, my sample drew rather tight, but I was optimistic nonetheless. This thing starts out strong, as most every reviewer has described before me. Through the middle portion I enjoyed a sweet wood, like a black walnut. This later gave way to a tannic period during which I struggled with burn problems. The final third rallied with a savory richness that I found very appealing.

The quantity of smoke produced varied at times but was lacking more so than I would have liked. I also found the ash a little unstable, as it fell early in the first third; though that did improve later.

My rating for the Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserve Corona Gorda is 89.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 17 pts (68% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

As you can see by my scoring in the category of Smoking Characteristics, the experience was hindered significantly by the poor draw and burn. This is in stark contrast to the very pleasurable time spent recently with the Black Tubos that I acquired this past December.

Thanks again, John, for this very generous gift!

© 2010 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute (Churchill)

by club co-founder Fernand

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Ashton Estate Sun Grown “20 Year Salute”.

Vitola: Churchill
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 6 ¾”
Ring Gauge: 49
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Sun Grown Rosado (from D.R.)
Strength: Med.-Full
Price: $29.95

Made By: Tabaclera A. Fuente y Cia. and distributed by Ashton Distributors Inc., it features a dark, rich looking Dominican rosado wrapper grown on the Chateau de la Fuente farm and used exclusively on this cigar! The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88 (from Oct, 2008).

The Ashton ESG churchill is named “20 Year Salute” in celebration of Ashton’s twenty-year history of growth and success. Blended by Carlito Fuente for Ashton owner Robert Levin, it’s considered a ‘special occasion’ cigar comprised of rare tobaccos; hence the limited quantities.

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 pint glass of home-brewed winter ale made by club member Joe.

With a beautiful matte sheen and moderate veins, this Ashton appeared very well-constructed. The pre-light draw gave only the essence of graham cracker. To my great satisfaction, it drew (and subsequently burned) perfectly, so clearly roll quality was excellent. This cigar produced tons of luscious smoke though I found the ash to be a little less stable than I typically like to see and it had a mild tendency to flake around its perimeter, just a bit.

The flavor was initially a mild, soothing leather. Very refined and easy going. I found it to be of mild-to-medium strength through the first third. Into the middle third, the flavor warmed to a smoked-pepper sort of character. Finally, it culminated in a meaty, savory strength that was heading firmly into the medium-to-full range.

My rating for the Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute is 92.
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: 24 pts (96% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

All in all, a great cigar smoking experience and I’m grateful to Cigars Direct for providing me with the opportunity to enjoy this rare and masterfully executed cigar.

Pictured from left to right: myself (happily conducting this review) joined by fellow club members Tom, Pat, and Joe.

Click on images to enlarge.

.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Cigar Review - Arturo Fuente Añejo Reserva No. 50

by club co-founder Robert

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Arturo Fuente Añejo Reserva No. 50, given to us in November of 2008.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5 ¼”
Ring Gauge: 50
Filler: Dom. Rep. (said to contain a mix of Don Carlos, Hemingway, and Opus X filler leaf)
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Strength: Medium to full
Price: $20.95

(click on images below to enlarge)

Produced by Tabacalera A.Fuente y Cia, it had an amazing, near-black maduro wrapper of Connecticut Broadleaf. The unique slightly tapered shape was very attractive. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for the Añejo Reserva No. 50 (from Nov, 2007) is 89.

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

Due to my business trip to the outskirts of Shanghai China, the cheap scotch was the best choice available. It gave me a challenge to enjoy the cigar and tune out the scotch, so I quickly gave up on the drink and concentrated on the cigar.

Even though I knew well the excellence of the Arturo Fuente brand, I was still impressed by the flawless wrapper and the fantastic sweet smell from a wrapper that was aged for five years (of which 6 to 8 months was spent in cognac barrels).

It roasted and lit easily, the aromas were sweet and tempting. It was difficult to be patient and not just fire it up and puff away. The first taste was sugary sweet on my lips, and the draw was very good. As the sweetness faded I enjoyed the thick mouthfuls of smoke and it brought flavors of anise and a hint fruit. Later a coffee flavor came aboard with just a slight bitterness.

Again, the high reputation of such a renowned Fuente cigar almost made me search and nitpick for issues – I found none. The burn was even, and the ash was white and it hung on tenaciously. The flavor slowly increased throughout its length but never got pronounced. Just writing this review makes me want to try another one.

My rating for the Arturo Fuente Añejo 50 is 87.

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: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

Thank you Cigars Direct for the chance to review this cigar, I’ll be keeping an eye out for these.

Thanks to Vitolas.net for some of the background information herein.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Casa Fuente Cigars Revisited

Excerpted from "Desert Leaf " by Aaron Sigmond

The Casa Fuente cigar from A. Fuente -- exclusive in more ways than one. (click image to enlarge)

For most Fuente cigar enthusiasts, a visit to Las Vegas would be incomplete without venturing over to the world's only Casa Fuente, a trip itself incomplete without smoking at least one (one box, that is) of their favorite Casa Fuente "house" cigar.

What's more, the cigar is sold exclusively at the cigar bar and boutique; they don’t accept Web or phone orders. As managing partner Michael Frey told me when Casa Fuente first opened: "You either need to come here and buy them yourself, or have a friend in Vegas if you want the Casa Fuente cigars. Period. If not, then you're out of luck."

With a Cameroon wrapper and Dominican binder and filler, the cigar continues in the tradition of the Don Carlos and Ashton Heritage lines, albeit with some unique taste notes. It may take a little doing to get your hands on these sticks, but since they are available in a full seven sizes, once you do, there's most assuredly a size for you.

Belicoso fino: $23

Robusto: $21

Corona Gorda: $18

Double Robusto: $22

Churchill: $25

Double Corona: $28

Pyramid: $26

Credit to Cigar Report Daily

Next Time You're in Vegas (Part 1)

Pick up some of these cigars for me!

Cigar name: Casa Fuente cigars

aka: "Casa's"

Wrapper: Cameroon

Binder: unknown

Filler: Casa Fuente blend (tweaked Opus X blend)

Released: 2005

Quantity: limited to Casa Fuente

The Casa Fuente cigars are sold only at the Casa Fuente store (a joint venture of Robert Levin from Holts and the Fuentes), located in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.The blend originally started out as an Opus X blend, but was changed somewhat from that initial profile. It boasts a Cameroon wrapper grown from the original Cameroon seeds planted by Rick Meerapfel.

Credit to Vitolas.net

(click on image to enlarge)

Take it from the Robb Report:
Best Of The Best 2006: Extraordinarily Exclusive

Richard Carleton Hacker

06/01/2006
Smoking the Casa Fuente is as enjoyable as visiting the cigar’s namesake boutique and lounge, which the Fuente family opened in 2005 at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The contents of the Cameroon leaf–wrapped blend remain a secret, but the cigar has a familiar mellow taste and peppery undercurrent that suggest the tobaccos likely come from the same Château de la Fuente farm as the leaf used in the highly acclaimed OpusX.

“We have people who fly into Las Vegas and come directly here with a shopping list of the sizes they want,” says Casa Fuente manager Michael Fayerverger. “Then, very often, they’ll get right back on the plane without ever stopping at a casino.”

After tasting the cigar, few of our panelists would dare question the value of such a trip.

--Robb Report

In case you're wondering, yes, I have smoked one. That's why I'm longing for more!

In Part 2, next week, I'll focus on the store itself.