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

Herf 40 – SODO Surprise

December 5th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, John L., Patrick, John D., and John O. 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 actually began with a bit of a change in plans. Due to a last minute change in venue, we suddenly found ourselves herfing at Seattle’s private Vertigo Club. A pleasant surprise, indeed, thanks to club member and owner of J&J Cigars, John Ohm.

As we’ve done before at The Vertigo Club, this herf’s meal was potluck style – and boy did the guys deliver! We had pasta with a rich meaty marinara sauce, a three meat chili, sautéed shrimp, salad, garlic bread, wine, beers, cake, chocolates, Bourbon, and Scotch.

Our selection for this herf was the ultra-limited Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial, chosen to celebrate our 40th herf since The Cohiba Club’s founding back in the spring of ‘07. This short lancero features a blend similar to the original El Triunfador, but with a very special, very limited Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Made by Pete Johnson exclusively for John Ohm’s J&J Cigars in Seattle’s SODO district, it measures 6 inches by 38 ring gauge. The size itself was specifically requested by John as being a favorite of his and clearly this cigar’s existence serves as a visible tribute to Pete and John’s long friendship.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed in comfort following our lengthy, heavy meal. We can’t say enough about the enjoyment of gathering inside The Vertigo Club on a cold, rainy night in Seattle.

 

The superior craftsmanship of this beautiful cigar is the handy work of none other than Don Pepin Garcia’s My Father Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Most of our cigars were flawless. The attractive pigtail cap is such an eye-catcher, as is the toothy, dark CBM wrapper which has an inviting, sweet aroma. The wrapper had us further mystified when we noticed a glitter to it, when held under the right light. We surmised this to be the very secretion and subsequent crystallization of the leaf’s oils that marks the beginning of plume formation.

Once cut and lit, it didn’t take long for us to take note of the significant smoke output of this slender 38 ring gage cigar. In fact, these Corona Especials are great performers all the way around. The draw was superb on each and every one we had that night. The ash held pretty long for such a small ring as well. Burns were very even, though a few of us did need a relight or two toward the end of the 2nd third.

The flavors of this cigar are not all that intense, even somewhat subtle. One could certainly think of this as the lighter side of Tatuaje. The beginning is moderately bold with a wonderful espresso-like character for some, and cocoa for others in our group. Going forward, the smoothness was striking. The middle portion of the cigar was so easy going that we really found ourselves having to pay close attention to the subtle flavor changes. The final third offered the occasional meaty sensation balanced by a floral offset. The culmination left us with such a pleasant aftertaste of black tea, which was so clearly detectable, that several of us commented on it repeatedly.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial is 92. An outstanding cigar!
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% 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: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

While certainly not a powerhouse, there’s plenty to like in this limited edition cigar, for everyone. What a shame only 200 boxes were made. Our six tasters rated the Tatuaje SODO so high, it now proudly holds a place in our top ten favorite cigars (as seen in the sidebar to the right).

What a treat to enjoy this fine cigar in the company of friends amidst the luxury of The Vertigo Club. An evening we’ll not soon forget.

Also, see the very thorough review by our friend Herman of 10-7ha.

See you at the next herf, January 2nd.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

--16dec10--  Finally, here's a few photos from Herf 40 at The Vertigo Club, courtesy of Cohiba Club co-founder Robert.







@PHXCigarGuy (L) and J&J Cigars owner John (R)


Cohiba Club charter member Joe


Cohiba Club co-founder John


Cohiba Club co-founder Fernand

Herf 39 – Maduros vs Mustangs

November 7th, 2010 – Sammamish, WA

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

Eric pulled out all the stops and prepared a knock-out sausage & vegetable soup, barbecue chicken breasts, broccoli, and salad. Robert & Joe provided the appetizers. There was no shortage of beverages; beer, spirits, and wine.

Our selection for this herf was the Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros. This Honduran puro features an all-Jamastran Corojo blend and measures 6 1/2 inches by 44 ring gauge. The Cetros holds a current published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 89 (Aug, 2010).

From the Camacho website:

The Camacho Corojo, a truly superb tasting and fully aged cigar, has a distinctive flavor recognized by cigar aficionados around the world.
Entirely handmade from selected vintage tobaccos, giving them their truly distinctive and superb flavor. This unique cigar boasts the only truly authentic Corojo wrapper, binder, and filler.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed in Eric’s back yard enjoying his new patio heater.

Our tasting panel appreciated the neat appearance and the high-quality looking roll of this lonsdale. There were no significant deductions to be made relative to it’s craftsmanship; a good, clean looking parejo shape.

The cigar’s performance was decent. Our six samples put out plenty of smoke. The draw was quite good across the board. Only one drew a little too fast. A few did have burn problems, needing touch-ups or relights. The ash seemed to be quite stable.

Earthy and woody tones seem to be the dominant flavors of this cigar. The transition would be characterized as a spicy beginning, a sweet mid-portion, and a stronger ending.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros is 85. A very good cigar.

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: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

This is a nice looking, fine performing cigar with ‘okay’ flavors. It’s medium strength and pleasant smoothness never overpowered anybody. We thought it enjoyable enough to recommend, but it’s not a ‘must-try’ in our book.

The bonus of the evening was getting to see Eric’s completed ’67 Mustang restoration project. The photos don’t do it justice. Well done, Eric!

See you at the next herf, December 5th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 38 – Barbecue Heaven

October 3rd, 2010 – Woodway, WA

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

The local guys were extremely pleased to have out-of-state-member Patrick (@PHXCigarGuy) in town to attend this herf in person. Also, joining us once again was occasional guest (and brother of our host) Mark, who is always a pleasure to have along.

Our capable host John L. prepared some of best smoked, pulled pork barbecue we’d ever tasted. He acted a little worried about his result as we took our seats, but there was no doubt in our minds, and on our palates, that he nailed it! The guys contributed with 3 kinds of coleslaw, a wonderful pea salad, corn bread, wine, and several other goodies that I can’t recall due to the food coma that I was thrown into.

Our selection for this herf was the Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos. Made for Pete Johnson at Don Pepin’s Tabacalera Cubana S.A., in Nicaragua. This corona gorda measures 5 5/8 inches by 46 ring gauge. What a great size it is; not too large, not intimidating in the least. It’s just small enough in the ring guage to get more influence from the wrapper too. The Hermosos holds a current published rating, from Cigar Aficionado, of 89 (Mar, 2007).

From the Tatuaje website:

Havana VI
A classic and traditional Cuban Style blend created by Pete Johnson. Blended in the style of the flavorful yet Medium-Bodied Cuban Cigars.
Cigars are rolled in Nicaragua using select Nicaraguan tobaccos and classic Cuban blending with a beautiful Cuban triple-cap.
Staying true to the pride of El Rey do Los Habanos.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we headed into John’s garage, protected from the rain and warm in the spirit of our camaraderie.

Perhaps it’s not the most attractive cigar you’ve seen recently, but it still speaks of quality craftsmanship, nonetheless. There’s a little roughness to the appearance. More of a ‘natural’ look than anything. There’s a bit of tooth to the texture as well as moderate veins visible.

These sticks performed well, with even burns, and only a couple of our ten samples showing a draw that required some effort. The ash was gorgeous, though it tended to depart without warning after it got about an inch long (who’s complaining).

The start was peppery, as you’d expect from Pepin’s Nicaraguan leaf, but not overtly so. This soon faded after about a half inch into it. The quality of the blend was evidenced by an appreciated smoothness. Through the first third there were periods of sweetness backed by an aromatic leather undertone. Into the second third, the leather gave way to wood and an earthy character which club co-founder and herf host John found reminiscent of mushroom. This pretty much summed up the developing changes in flavor. As we reached the closing phase, the final experience was merely an intensification of the above themes.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos 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)

To summarize, about half of us really liked it and the rest thought it was quite good, but not great. There’s plenty to like in this line. Great construction, easy flavors, simply a very pleasurable experience – and for a good price too! We definitely recommend you try it, if you haven’t already – or retry it if you have.

See you at the next herf, November 7th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Cigar Review – La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3

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 Serie R No. 3 given to us back in April of this year.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 4 1/2”
Ring Gauge: 56
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sumatra
Strength: Medium
Price: $5.75

Produced in the Dominican Republic by El Credito B.V., it features a dark, rich looking Sumatra-seed wrapper grown in Ecuador. This short robusto holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 92 (June, 2010).

From the manufacturer’s website:

Renowned for its beefy ring gauges and full-flavored taste, La Gloria Cubana Serie R is one of the El Credito Cigar Factory’s hottest-selling offerings.
Serie R boasts an amazing spiciness and powerful, refined flavor which comes from a proprietary blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. When balanced with a Nicaraguan binder and a wonderfully aged Ecuadoran wrapper (Connecticut Broadleaf wraps the Maduro cigars), La Gloria Cubana Serie R’s exquisite taste captures a place in the smoking repertoires of today’s tenured smokers who demand the ultimate in flavor.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) club co-founders Robert and John smoked and rated the two samples sent to us.













Both Robert and John appreciated the impeccable roll quality. The short presentation was uniquely alluring in its own way. The foot revealed layers of leaf individually discernable, suggesting that bunching was moderately loose. The cap was deftly applied and the band was attractive too.

The draw started out pretty easy; border-line on too easy. The burn did waver slightly as it went, but wow did this cigar put out tons of thick smoke. John remarked, “It was a still night, I exhaled a cloud of smoke that slowly drifted off...and held together for 50 feet!” The ash was solid and white. The only performance detriment was a re-light at one point.

There was a nice floral character initially, as well as a little vanilla; mellow with soft spices. Toward the middle, there was a sense of cafe au lait with a slight cinamon finish. Some woody notes joined the party too. The ending ramped to a spicy cedar.

Our averaged rating for the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3 is 91.
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: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

Overall a very nice smoke that came across as relatively mild at times. Nice progressive flavor changes, voluminous amounts of smoke, and a welcomed smoothness.

Thanks again to General Cigar for providing us the opportunity to sample these tasty cigars. What a treat!

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 37 - Magnum Chickens

September 5th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

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

Once again, as he did back at herf #27, host John fed the guys his famous mesquite-smoked chickens this time featuring a secret Memphis rub. The guys brought a bevy of appetizers to feast on before the cavernous smoker was cracked open. John also threw in some previously-smoked salmon, as well as salad & buttermilk biscuits and all was complete for a memorable feast.

Our selection for this herf was the Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R54. Made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A. Fuente y. Cia., it measures 6 ¼ inches by 54 ring gauge. This corona gorda is a nice, hearty-looking handful with a subtle, light-brown, Ecuadorian wrapper that exudes a sense of mild strength. The R54 holds a current published rating, from Cigar Aficionado, of 87 (Jan, 2010). It should be noted that the other two vitolas in this line did receive higher ratings from CA.

According to David Savona:

Carlos Fuente Jr. launched the line in December [of 2009] as a trio made with old Ecuadoran Sumatra wrappers, grown by the Olivas in Tampa, Florida. Fuente said the leaves were eight to 10 years old.
"We set those wrappers aside when we first created the Sun Grown line," he said. These wrappers are not only old, but are from much lower on the plant, the second and third primings, than the traditional primings that he has used in the past.
The three original sizes are Vitola Fifty-Two, which measures five inches by 52 ring gauge, Vitola Fifty-Four, 6 1/4 inches long by 54 ring, and Vitola Fifty-Six, 5 5/8 by 56.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we undertook this tasting at John’s new house, seated out on his back deck, overlooking Lake Washington.

What a handsome looking cigar, both the band and the wrapper. As you can tell by the 93% awarded in the Appearance and Construction category, this is one nice looking and well-made stick. Hats off to Carlito on a job well done.

It’s a pretty good performing cigar too. The norm was a steady, even burn and a long bright ash bearing its own visual appeal. Plentiful smoke output was also appreciated among our cigar tasters. A couple didn’t burn so well, but hopefully those were mere anomalies.

The start is mild. The most reported identifiable flavor among our group was nuts. Some almond, some chestnut – or simply roasted nuts, generally speaking. Mid-way, things sweeten-up a bit. It was subtle, like a blonde clover honey and somewhat intermittent. Patrick detected something a little clearer, butterscotch, he thought. A pleasant sense of white pepper was barely noticeable later on, in the latter third, along with some leather.

This was a nice break from the fuller-bodied cigars we’ve been enjoying this year. A couple of us found it too mild (lacking distinction) but still, it’s worth experiencing the subtlety of flavors and ease with which you can pass the time in relaxation with this mellow blend.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the A.Fuente Rosado SG Magnum R54 is 87. 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: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

A very nice cigar which we recommend for beginners or those just wishing to try the lighter side of Arturo Fuente. Pick up a few at your local tobacconist, if you can find them, that is.

See you at the next herf, October 3rd.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 36 – Ribs on Steroids

August 1st, 2010 – Edmonds, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Pat, Patrick (in AZ), John D., Brad, and special guest Brandon (via Skype along with Patrick in Arizona). 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 Joe took this opportunity to perfect his budding skills in the art of smoking ribs in his backyard barbecue grill. After reviewing various recommended techniques online, he conducted a trial run the weekend prior to this herf. On this past Sunday, he was ready. His preparations clearly paid off in a big way and the lucky recipients were the club members in attendance. These ribs (purchased at Double DD Meats) were huge and perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. Robert brought the perfect sidekick for these sweet, savory ribs; his famous wasabi cole slaw, which added just the right balance to this decadent meal.

Our selection for this herf was the Nub Maduro 460. Measuring at 4x60, they pack a lot of tobacco into a small package. The make-up features a dark Brazilian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. Though we chose the straight parejo vitola, the torpedo version holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 87 (Oct, 2009).

From the manufacturer’s website:

A favorite among smokers, the Maduro’s Brazillian wrapper is known for its rich, dark chocolate appearance and flavor. Rolled as a Nub, the maduro offers a full-bodied, but mellow smoke with notes of mocha.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting seated out on Joe’s back deck facing a gorgeous Puget Sound sunset. Joining us via Skype (as usual) was our club member Patrick in Phoenix. Coming to us live from the Prop 201 Club at Fumar Cigars, Patrick had Brandon, the retail manager of Fumar, along for this herf as well.

The Nubs immediately elicited a reaction from the club members. Admittedly, it was about time we’d had this cigar as one of our monthly herf sticks. Even harder to belive, most of our club members had not gotten around to trying one yet. The appearance of these sticks faired pretty well, as did roll quality – a nice compact unit, but not so tight to spoil the draw.

The very dark Brazilian wrapper led the way with it’s bitter chocolate profile which is exactly what most of us detected in the early phases. Most of us agreed on primary notes of bitter dark chocolate, with minor proportions of vanilla bean, raisin, coffee, and the occasional mix of tannic spices. Not exactly the most complex flavor profile we’ve had lately, but pleasing nonetheless. Different for sure!

About an inch into the burn, is where things got interesting. For a couple of the guys, their wrappers burst revealing binders that may have had a little too much give to them. Fortunately for the rest of us, our cigars burned along happily with no hiccups whatsoever. Burn, draw, and smoke production were non-eventful for most of our eight samples. Sure, there was the occasional touch-up, and later a few relights among the group, but that was the worst of it. A couple bad sticks aside, performance was pretty consistent, for the most part. Club charter member Joe, our host for the evening, even managed to stand his on its ash long enough for Club co-founder Robert to snap a picture of it.

The strength hardly got above medium. Starting out, there were hints that it may intensify, but it definitely settled from the middle portion on toward the end, never ramping up really.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Nub Maduro 460 is 89. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

All in all a very nice cigar which we have no hesitation to recommend. Pick some up soon from your local tobacconist.

See you at the next herf, September 5th.

Photo credit to club co-founder Robert.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved