Herf 31 – Welcome Back, Jak!

January 3rd, 2010 – Snoqualmie, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Bruce, Patrick (remotely), Peter, John D., and Daniel (10-7ha). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Seven of the nine of us had dinner at Jak’s in Issaquah on the way to the herf. If you’ve never visited this house of beef, you are missing out on one of the true pleasures in life; ranking right up there with cigars, naturally. Just walking through the door virtually guaranties you one of the best meat experiences you may ever encounter. Best of all, you will leave with not only your appetite fully satiated, but also your wallet mostly intact. The popular dish of the night was their signature Cowboy Rib-Eye with Potato Pancakes. Incredible!

Our selection for this herf was the Xikar HC Habano Colorado Belicoso. This figurado was our Cigar of the Week back on December 7th. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for the HC is 92 (June, 2009). With dinner behind us, it was time to head down the freeway a few exits to Snoqualmie Casino.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we settled in at Lit Lounge to begin this tasting, enjoying the respite from the cold weather herfs we’d been having during the previous months.

Upon initial examination of these HCs, a few of us immediately notice cracked wappers. Most were about an inch long and near the foot. The texture was toothy, velvety with a very nice roll quality featuring a skillfully tapered head. The veins that did jump out at us were moderate at worst. Only a couple of our nine samples were without flaws, unfortunately, which leaves one wondering about the state of Xikar’s quality control.

Most of these cigars drew and burned pretty well. A couple, however, drew too tight and needed continuous touch-ups or even re-lights. The quality of smoke and ash varied considerably, with some producing little or thin smoke along with ash that flaked and fell without warning. About half performed beautifully while the others were pretty poor.

The flavors were mild and enjoyable to start off, with very easy-going, mostly woody flavors. The first third seems to have faired the best, ultimately, with smooth, creamy impressions across our group of nine tasters. Some of us began to sense a little driness through the middle. A couple of us found slight notes of chocolate or vanilla bean, but not much more. The latter portion of these sticks seemed to get a little bitter for most of us. The common theme that resulted for our group was one of being underwhelmed. It just didn’t give us enough in the flavor department to consider trying it again.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the HC Habano Colorado Belicoso is 80. A good, but not great, 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: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

At the end of the night our experience with this cigar was a bit off from the 92 awarded by CA. Actually, in all honesty, a couple of us did have that experience, but the majority did not. Most of us were left wanting more. Still, a very enjoyable evening spent in the company of friends! What's not to like.

Many thanks to Josh and his staff at Lit Lounge for catering to our every need! The humidor showcases many fine brands and the bar is well-stocked. You’ll be greeted with a friendly face and every effort will be made to ensure your comfort.

See you at the next herf, February 7th.

Photo credit to Daniel of 10-7ha.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf Cigar of the Year for 2009

Here at The Cohiba Club, we do our COTY at little differently. Instead of arbitrarily picking what we think is the the best cigar from the vast number of available prospects, we make our selection from the cigars jointly enjoyed at our herfs, held during the past calendar year.

For this past year, that means we went back and looked at the results from Herfs 20 through 30. Yes, that's only eleven herfs for the last 12 months. We weren't able to hold one in July because too many members were out-of-town for the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The cigars considered for 2009 were as follows (with our ratings for each):

Casa Magna Gran Toro (88) – herf 20
Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Lancero (83) – herf 21
Oliva Serie V Lancero a score (85) – herf 21
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Legend Challenger (82) – herf 22
Vegas Cubanas Robusto (89) – herf 22
LG Diez 2008 Chisel Puro (88) – herf 23
Pinar Del Río Habano Sun-Grown Double-Corona (83) – herf 24
Cabaiguan Guapos Junior (90) – herf 25
Rocky Patel Decade Robusto (93) – herf 26
601 Maduro Toro (86) – herf 27
Don Carlos No. 3 (88) – herf 28
Ambos Mundos Habano Robusto (84) – herf 29
Padilla Signature 1932 Torpedo (89) – herf 30

That's 13 cigars for 11 herfs because, as you can see, two of the herfs (21 & 22) featured two cigars pitted against each other in a blind tasting format.

After much deliberation, the winning cigar chosen by the club's founders is...









This cigar won not just because of it's high rating of 93 (averaged from our group of tasters at herf #26, but also because on looking back upon what we thought of that Decade, it was plainly obvious to us that there simply weren't many deductions one could make of that cigar. Thus it was unanimous that our Cigar of the Year is the Rocky Patel Decade Robusto. A great cigar indeed, and if you haven't tried one yet, get crackin'.

Honorable Mention goes to:

Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Lancero (herf 21)
Cabaiguan Guapos Junior (herf 25)
Padilla Signature 1932 Torpedo [1st Gen., by Pepin] (herf 30)

All great cigars, deserving of our praise. What a great year of cigars, 2009. One can only imagine the year of great cigars ahead.

2010, here we come! We can't wait to see what you've got in store for us...

Herf 30 – Braving the Cold

December 6th, 2009 – Shoreline, WA

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

The seven of us in Shoreline dined on smoked pork roast, wasabi coleslaw, garlic-cheese grits, green beans & shallots seared in soy sauce, tequila sweet potatoes, and a mixed green salad. Once dinner ended it was time to brave the cold huddled under the patio heater and do our best in the sub-freezing outdoors.

Our selection for this herf was the Padilla Signature 1932 Torpedo. Though no longer made by Don Pepin Garcia, since 2008, we were lucky to obtain these first generation smokes. The Robusto version of the Padilla ‘32 was our Cigar of the Week back on November 9th. The previous Cigar Aficionado rating for the Pepin-made Torpedo was 92 (May, 2007).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while enjoying a few microbrews, Aberlour Scotch whiskey, Crown Royal, and eventually (as we got colder) some piping-hot cider, spiked with a little Captain Morgan’s Tattoo.

The texture and appearance was pretty rough on many of our cigars, with bumpy veins clearly visible. In fact, the Appearance and Construction category earned the lowest percentage of points possible, 87%. The roll quality seemed well-crafted due to it’s beautiful torpedo shape and a fine draw.

Most burned really well producing very pleasant smoke and some of the longest ashes we’ve seen this year, as is evident in these photos. In contrast to texture and appearance, the scoring for smoking characteristics came in highest, earning 92% of the points possible.

The flavors were instantly enjoyable; no bitterness or harshness whatsoever (or at any point, for that matter). The initial tastes led off with gentle cedar, but we were prepared for the intensity to ramp up quickly. That increase never materialized. Instead, what we got was a very nice, mild-to-medium cigar with mellow flavors; not particularly discernable, but definitely enjoyable nonetheless.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Padilla Signature 1932 Torpedo is 89. 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: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

In the end, the flavor profile just wasn’t very complex. We all agreed that it was a smooth and easy smokin’ cigar, but some of us were left wanting a tad more. Still, 89 is not too shabby. We do recommend you pick up a couple the next time you want a break from full-bodied sticks.

It should be noted that one cigar did emit a glob of bitter tar at about the halfway point, but this appeared to be an isolated incident. Unfortunately, it meant the end of the ride for that particular taster.

Thanks to J & J Cigars for giving us such a good deal on these cigars!

See you at the next herf, January 3rd.

.

Photo credit to club co-founder Robert.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Avo No. 2

by club charter member Pat

This is the final in series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Avo No. 2.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 6”
Ring Gauge: 50
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Strength: Medium
Price: $162.95 (box of 25)

Inspired by legendary, Armenian jazz legend Avo Uvezian, this brand is produced by OK Cigar Corp. It features a beautiful Ecuadorian wrapper and a reliable parejo shape.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I conducted this tasting back in July.

The appearance on this cigar was a not quite up to the usual Avo standards. There was a pretty large ridge visible under the wrapper leaf and unfortunately, the sample I received had a crack at the foot.

The cigar drew pretty well, but had a little more resistance than I would have preferred. It did burn pretty well too. The smoke started out thin, but luckily improved by the half-way point.

This cigar began very smooth. A gentle spice eased in at around the end of the first third, something like nutmeg, but subtle. While never getting all that complex, it was easy smokin’ and pleasurable all the way through.

My rating for the Avo No. 2 is 83.
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: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

The Avo brand is a very good cigar that I recommend you try.

Thanks again to Cigars Direct for allowing me to try this very interesting cigar!

© 2009 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Sol Cubano Maduro Torpedo

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 Sol Cubano Maduro Torpedo sent to us back in May of this year.

Vitola: Torpedo

Origin: Nicaragua

Length: 6.5”

Ring Gauge: 50

Filler: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Strength: Medium

Price: $69.95 for a box of 25

This Sol Cubano features a dark, Nicaraguan wrapper and a rustic torpedo shape. It’s produced by Oliva for Abdel (A.J.) Fernandez, the Cuban expatriate who, like Don Pepin Garcia, travelled to Nicaragua to start his own cigar business. AJ is considered a master blender of tobacco, having studied under the renowned Cuban tobacco grower Alejandro Robaina.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I began the tasting. As usual I rated this cigar while enjoying some Aberlour 12 year old scotch (neat).

The Sol Cubano “Cuban Sun” had a pleasant pre-draw aroma that reminded me of silage, that sweet summer barnyard smell of straw and feed. The appearance was a little rough, with some wrinkles in the wrapper and a slightly dry look.

The initial 1/3 was smoothed out after a rather uneven start. The flavors of leather and impression of silage continued.

The second third was also smooth tasting, pleasant enough, with consistent flavor. I usually don’t mind touching up an uneven burn if the taste is there, but this got a little annoying.

The final third didn’t last, that nice leather and a little hint of cocoa flavor gave way to harshness and ended up tasting ashy. Perhaps it was the repeated touching up to keep the burn even.

My rating for the Sol Cubano Maduro is 78.

Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 11 pts (73% of the points possible)

II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)

III. Smoking Characteristics: 17 pts (68% of the points possible)

IV. Overall Impression: 27 pts (77% of the points possible)

Though my scoring may seem a little tough, I did like this cigar (except the burn). It produced big mouthfuls of smoke and a good strong ash. The flavor was good, and that’s what really counts for me. Consistent taste in the first and second thirds, and you know, for under three dollars you can easily just put it down if the flavor goes away. I’ll try another one and see if it burns a little more even next time.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 29 – John’s Garage

November 1st, 2009 – Woodway, WA

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

The seven of us were treated to a feast; John’s Asian Ribs were heavy, hearty, and dripping with a sweet Asian sauce. On the side were salad, potatoes, and some piping hot rolls made by John’s lovely bride. With several guys absent, there was plenty to go ‘round and even more left over. We wasted no time in tearing through this meal and were soon ready to head out to John’s garage in short order.

Our selection for this herf was the Ambos Mundos Habano Robusto, also referred to as the No. 1, or ‘white label’ in contrast to it’s Ecuadorian wrapped brother, clad in a red band (the No.2). This Nicaraguan puro is a slightly rustic looking parejo measuring 5 inches long by a 50 ring guage. It contains no short filler, like that seen in the Series P (both Tatuaje products) but still goes for around $5 due to it’s B & C grade leaves. The Toro version of this Ambos Mundos was Cigar of the Week back on September 14th.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while enjoying fine home brewed IPA and also a little single malt Scotch whiskey.

Probably half of our robustos displayed rough veins, stain spots, or even cracks in a few cases. The cigars did not seem densely packed and this was reflected in easy draws amongst the lot. Most burned pretty evenly and the quantity of smoke produced was impressive, as were the long, stable ashes that we observed.

The flavors were instantly enjoyable; no bitterness, rather sweet. Warm spices were noted; like clove, cinnamon, and eventually something a bit chocolaty. The strength was mild enough to escape comment, perhaps mostly medium. Back in June, Cigarfan (at Keepers of the Flame) nailed it with this summary, “The Habano reminds me of some of Pepin’s milder offerings, but with less complexity.”

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Ambos Mundos Habano Robusto is 84. A very good cigar.

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: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

It must be stated that this is a better cigar than an 84 might suggest. The rustic appearance and minor damage brought down our average a bit. The loose draws may have taken away from the ‘premium’ expectation. The flavors were clearly pleasant and the lower price point was certainly welcomed by our group of tasters. The Ambos Mundos is definitely worth trying, if you haven’t already.

Thanks to J & J Cigars for giving us such a good deal on these cigars!

See you at the next herf, December 6th.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Diamond Crown No. 4 Maduro

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 Diamond Crown Robusto No. 4 Maduro, given to us back in the Spring of 2009.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5 ½”
Ring Gauge: 54
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Strength: mild-to-medium
Price: $148.95 (box of 15)

Produced by Tabacalera A.Fuente y Cia. for the Newman Family, it features a dark, rich looking Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and leaves some of which have five years of age on them.

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

The beautiful dark wrapper gave pre-light aromas of clove, while the foot smelled of cedar. The draw was a bit firm for my liking, but it certainly didn’t interfere with the burn which was stellar through the entire experience. In fact, it was one of the best burning cigars I’ve seen. The smoke was a bit thin, undoubtedly a product of the tight draw. The ash was quite strong, never falling, and requiring a bit of effort to ‘break off’ now & then.

The flavor started out like smooth wood. About an inch into it, leather was hinting every so slightly. The mild profile had me intrigued having mostly enjoyed stronger cigars lately. Later a gentle spice teased me a bit as well. At one point I even had hints of dark berries. In the end, I found it a little dry on the finish, occasionally metallic. Finally, it warmed to a dry, slightly bitter, conclusion which left me feeling like I needed to try more, one of these days.

My rating for the Diamond Crown No. 4 Maduro is 86.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 15 pts (100% 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)

Thanks to Cigars Direct for giving us the opportunity to try this cigar. Give the Diamond Crown maduro a try.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Gran Habano No. 5 Corojo

by club co-founder John

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Gran Habano No. 5 Corojo, sent to us back in the Spring of 2009.

Vitola: Churchill
Origin: Honduras
Length: 7”
Ring Gauge: 48
Filler: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico
Binder: Ecuador
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to full bodied
Cost: $71.95 (Box of 20)

Produced by Gran Habano, it features a dark, rich looking Nicaraguan wrapper in a hefty Churchill shape. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 90 (Aug, 2006).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a the champagne of beers, …that’s right a cold can of Miller. I know, I know, it’s not the fancy libation you had expected, but I was camping with my buddies… so give a guy a break!

This cigar was a really well constructed Churchill; flawless wrapper, few minor blemishes, and a nice firm roll. The smoking characteristics almost matched the appearance. It produced thick mouthfuls of smoke with a long ash (dark) and only just slightly too tight of a draw

The flavors were bold and interesting and kept coming on; first licorice and cedar with full-strength and taste, and finally a hint of manure/silage during the second half (I never would have thought that I would appreciate a hint of horse apple in a cigar, but it really was tasty and rich!).

My rating for the Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Churchill is 88.

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: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

Overall, this was a really good cigar, a nice long, rich smoke, and great for the price!

Thanks again to Cigars Direct for giving us the opportunity to try this stick. Fortunately, they’re a bargain, so don’t hesitate to find out for yourself.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 28 – Meat Lover’s Paradise II

October 4th, 2009 – Woodway, WA

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

The seven of us were treated to Tom’s famous smoked meats, a meat-lover’s extravaganza that we’d been looking forward to for many weeks. Tom smoked beef & pork loin all afternoon and went the extra mile to include side dishes of a chopped salad along with his mother’s secret recipe creamed rice with mushrooms. Outrageous!

At various times throughout the meal all you could hear were either moans of ecstasy or the soft silence of focused chewing. After packin’ away the meat and washing it down with a wonderfully bold syrah supplied by club member Peter, it was time to begin the cigar tasting session and continue the evening’s relaxation and camaraderie.

Our selection for this herf was the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 3, a finely-crafted little corona measuring 5 1/2 inches long by a 44 ring guage. It contains tobaccos aged for up to ten years and goes for around $9. This Don Carlos was Cigar of the Week back on August 24th. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 90 (May, 2009).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while enjoying a little Yamazaki whiskey, 12-year, brought by club member Patrick.

Fine Fuente craftsmanship is instantly apparent upon first examination. A few of these coronas did have slight rough spots or traces of excess wrapper gum, but the roll quality was uniform and attractive across the board.

Likewise, the draw was very good across our seven cigars. Only a couple burned a bit uneven, most of them burned beautifully. The quantity of smoke produced was impressive for cigar of this size and to see how the ash held together had everyone commenting.

Now regarding flavor, we’re not exactly known for the most ‘flowery’ of descriptions (like some nationally-recognized publications) but this time we had more difficulty than usual discerning identifiable tasting notes. Initially, there may have been a soft spice, but all we got following that was woody, toasty, pleasant tobacco flavor. We all liked it, just couldn’t relate it to any comparable flavors. Intensity did ramp up a bit toward the ending, but should be categorized firmly in the medium body range.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Don Carlos No. 3 is 88. An excellent cigar.

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: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

All in all, a well-liked, well-made cigar that’s easy smokin’ – not to mention a great performer! Pick some up and see for yourself.

See you at the next herf, November 1st.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Gift Review – My Father No. 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Cohiba Black – Part 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Herf 27 – Smoking Chickens

September 6th, 2009 - Seattle, WA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See you at the next herf, October 4th.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.