Herf 35 – Thanksgiving in June

June 6th, 2010 – Edmonds, WA

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

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

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

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

From the manufacturer’s website:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

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

See you at the next herf, August 1st.

Photo credit to Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Gift Review – Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso

by club member Patrick

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

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

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

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a modified dark n’ stormy – ginger beer with Sailor Jerry spiced rum in place of the Gosling’s black rum.

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

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

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

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

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

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Punch Upper Cut Grand Corona

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

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

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

From the manufacturer’s website:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 34 – Shelter From The Storm

May 2nd, 2010 – Shoreline, WA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

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

See you at the next herf, June 6th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – La Escepción Batet

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

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

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

From the manufacturer’s website:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Coronado Corona Especial

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our averaged rating for the Coronado by La Flor ‘Corona Especial’is 85.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

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

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

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

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Gift Review – Padron 3000

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

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

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

From the manufacturer’s website:

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 33 – The Other World

March 7th, 2010 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Bruce, Tom, 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 Richmond Beach dined on hickory & mesquite-smoked pork shoulder, three kinds of cole slaw, two types of cornbread muffins (with honey-butter), jalapeño poppers, and a rich chocolate cake for dessert. Wow! Well done to all who contributed.

Our cigar selection for this herf was the Ambos Mundos Sumatra No.2 Robusto. We previously enjoyed the white label (the No.1) at Herf 29. This red label was our Cigar of the Week back on January 18th. The current published rating for the Ambos Mundos red label robusto is 91 (Mar, 2009).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while also enjoying some winter ale, Canadian whiskey, and a couple very special treats; Sam Adams Utopias, a generous gift courtesy of club member Tom. John H. was kind enough to bring along his hard-to-find pear brandy for us to taste as well. It's Godet Poire au Cognac from La Rochelle, France. Amazing!

Also, taking part in this review were club members Patrick (in AZ) and John D. Though not able to attend the herf, they did take the time to conduct their tastings individually and submit their scores within a couple days of our gathering.

While the cigar's first impression is somewhat nondescript, a closer look reveals a pretty well-crafted roll. There were a few prominent veins as well as some surface roughness, but nothing major. It's a generally good-looking, sturdy cigar.

Most of these cigars drew wonderfully, though one was too loose and a couple were just a tad tight. The cigars performed quite well with pretty even burns and adequate smoke production. Even the ash was remarkably stable and uniform, which was great to see considering the reported use of B & C grade Tatuaje leaves in these sticks.

There was a spicy beginning that had everyone sit up and take notice, perhaps lasting for the first half inch. Soon we were given plenty of wood & leather to ponder. Our nine tasters described flavors in the middle portion like toasty in a 'bready' or toasted-grain sort of way; pleasant. There was even an acidic sweetness, something like a plum – just a hint anyway. Also, maybe a bit of anise was detected as well. The ending portion transitioned to a stronger, but savory character.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Ambos Mundos No.2 robusto 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: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

Right off the bat it was apparent that our group of tasters preferred this Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapped Ambos Mundos over the Nicaraguan Habano wrapped sibling we sampled back in November.

Most of our tasters left the herf determined to buy more of these red label robustos. In fact, at the time of this writing, at least one of them already has reported doing so.

Thanks to John of J&J Cigars for giving us such a good deal on these sticks.

See you at the next herf, May 2nd.

© 2010 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 – Toraño 50 Year Robusto

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at J&J Cigars. Featured this time is the Toraño Exodus 1959 50 Years Robusto.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5”
Ring Gauge: 50
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca S.G.
Strength: Medium
Price: $7.50

Produced at the STG factory in Estelí, it features the new copper colored band and a dark, rich, and somewhat rough-looking Brazilian wrapper. The current Cigar Insider rating for it is 88 (Oct, 2009).

From the Toraño website:

“Who would have thought the Castro brothers would outlive the Soviet Union and eight U.S. presidencies, and be able to hijack a culture and people for five decades?” The speaker is Charlie Toraño, president of the fourth-generation Toraño family’s premium tobacco and cigar business. “We created our Exodus line of premium cigars to remind smokers of the hardship inflicted by Cuba’s Marxist communist regime, especially its exile of the world-renowned tobacco and cigar families, including ours. As expatriated Cubans, we have triumphed both as a people and as creators of a new cigar industry in the different countries where we all settled. That triumph is worth celebrating and we do so in our new cigar for 2009 ... Exodus 50 Years.”

Three of us took part in this review; club co-founders Robert & Fernand and club member Tom. As is our usual method, we followed Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

First appearance, with the new copper band, is very pleasing. The dark color and toothy texture of the Brazilian wrapper is enticing. Roll quality appeared pretty good, but unfortunately, one of our sample drew too fast while another was too tight (though it did improve for a brief period through middle portion of the stick). The success of burn seemed to coincide perfectly with the degree of draw. The fast cigar burned great and the tight cigar didn’t burn well. The quantity of smoke produced fell along those same lines as well. The ash was of a light-grey color and very stable; actually needing to be ‘broken off’ at times.

The Toraño 50 Year was milder than we expected, at the start. The flavor improved over time; started creamy and cool. We categorize it as mild-to-medium for the first half. There were nice coffee-woody notes along the way. Later it became stronger up to the end, where Robert found that a black cherry sweetness really kicked in. Tom & Fernand, on the other hand, found their samples finishing instead with a cedar-like sweetness.

Our averaged rating for the Toraño Exodus 1959 50 Years Robusto is 85.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

All in all, a very good cigar. One of our tasters felt that got better as it smoked. None of us found it hot or harsh and it had nice flavor transitions. We all agreed it’s worth going back for more.

Thanks again to John at J&J Cigars for giving us the opportunity to enjoy and review this fine cigar.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 32 - The Vertigo Effect

February 7th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Patrick (remotely), John O., 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.

This herf marked our first (hopefully of many) to be held at The Vertigo Club. Clubmember, and official club tobacconist, John (also a Vertigo member) was kind enough to host is there for this splendid evening.

The dining portion of this herf differed from our usual approach. Instead of one of us hosting a home-cooked meal or dining out together at a local restaurant, we each brought hors d'œuvres to The Vertigo Club, potluck style.

Our selection for this herf was the Illusione Epernay La Ferme. This robusto was our Cigar of the Week back on December 21st. Recently named the #19 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado, the La Ferme holds a current published rating of 92 (Dec, 2009).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while also enjoying some Elysian winter ale and Aberlour Scotch whiskey.

Upon initial examination of these Epernay’s looked beautiful; few defects noted. The wrapper texture was smooth and uniform, with skillfully applied caps and only the slightest bumps or rough veins detected. Typical Illusione quality shone through in this attractive example of how cigars premium should be crafted.

Most of these cigars drew and burned pretty well. A couple drew a little tight and a couple burned a little crooked. Most of us had to perform a re-light or two along the middle portion and into the final third, but it wasn’t enough to be a nuisance.

The flavors were mild and enjoyable right off the bat. Floral notes and pleasant, woody flavors dominated with subtle complexities abundant to keep things interesting through the first third. The middle third saw things simplify a bit, which one of our tasters described as monotone. Fortunately, the final third brought back some richness and complexity that once again brought our attention back to this very captivating blend. A few of us did record brief periods of a slightly bitter, citrus sort of character that was not dominant, and fortunately gave way to eventual savory and rich.

The volume of smoke produced sufficient, for the most part. We would liked to have seen the ash a bit more stable, but in all honesty, that’s being a bit picky.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Illusione Epernay La Ferme is 90. An outstanding cigar.

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

What an easy recommendation to make. This cigar was never overpowering, making it an alluring choice for fans of mild-to-medium strength sticks. Anyone yet to experience an Epernay should add this to their ‘must-try’ list.

Thanks to John of J&J Cigars for giving us such a good deal on these sticks and for hosting us in an unparalleled environment as The Vertigo Club. It was truly a pleasure!

See you at the next herf, March 7th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Gift Review – CAO Criollo Conquistador

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the CAO Criollo “Conquistador”, given to me by club Charter member Pat back in December of ‘08.

Vitola: Figurado
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 6 1/8"
Ring Gauge: 52
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
MSRP: $8.85

Produced by CAO International of Nashville, this Nicaraguan puro features a dark, rich looking Cuban-seed wrapper and a skillfully tapered torpedo shape. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88 (June, 2004).

As is typical with our reviews, I followed CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression). In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that I actually conducted this tasting back in October of ‘09. The holiday season has been busy so I’m just getting around to this posting.

With a severe conical-shaped head, it appeared very well-shaped. The wrapper was toothy like a coarse sandpaper. Unfortunately, there were some unsightly ridges beneath the wrapper. The draw was a little firm for my liking, but manageable. The ability of this cigar to burn is where things soon went downhill. Also the smoke produced was a bit thin, undoubtedly due to the firm draw.

The flavor started out woody and sweet like hickory chips then it changed to a slightly more pungent cedar with a bit of silage (fermented grain). The second half showed stages of bitterness.

Getting back to the burn, it was nothing short of atrocious. The constant relighting and coaxing was an incredible drag.

My rating for the CAO Criollo Conquistador is 78.
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: 27 pts (77% of the points possible)

All in all, a very demanding effort just to keep the cigar going; which really hurt the experience. Too bad because there was definitely some complexity to the flavors which probably warrant a second try.

Thanks Pat, for the Christmas gift!

© 2010 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.