Por Larraenga Petit Panatenella

Por Larraenga Petit Panatenella

5 × 36
Made in Cuba
Paid: $4

I've smoked quite a few of these since I started smoking cigars.  With a price tag that can usually be found for less then $5, they are a great value.  My understanding is they used to be machine made cigars untill 2002, and are now hand rolled.

I find a slightly different experience every time I smoke one, but I've never had a bad one.

This cigar had a nice floral flavour, mixed with wood, and some mild earth.  I find these three flavours are always common to this cigars profile, and it's just a matter of which combination and strength you see the flavours that will vary.

Smoking time is usually about 30-45 minutes, and the last inch will get acidic due to heat.  They do have some strength to them also, probably in the medium range for the size.

I highly recommend these cigars.  In my opinion you can't go wrong.  I keep them around for an everyday smoke, and their so cheap you don't feel guilty turfing it if you have to.

CAO La Traviata Devino

CAO La Travata Devino

5 x 50 Robusto

Made in Mexico          
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Cameroon

Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Drink: Diet Pepsi with Jack Daniels

I have the Radiante (Toro) sitting in my humidor, but was gifted this Devino (Robusto), and thought I would try this one first, as I find cigars with a Cameroon binder to be on the strong side.  Adding to the strength it's supposed to have two different ligero fillers, one from Nicarauaga and Dominican Republic

It has a nice barnyard pre-light aroma.  The wrapper is very oily, and shiny.  This cigar 'looks' good, but I have been fooled by that many times.

Right off the bat, I'm pummeled by pepper.  Caused a few sneezing attacks.  Less then an inch in the pepper settles down, and I get a predominant nutty flavour which is delicious.  Every now and then I get some strong leather added in.  I like leather in my sticks, but in this case I wish it wasn't.  The nutty flavour is that good.

The flavour is consistent from start to finish.  On the whole I found the cigar quite dry, despite reviews of it having a creaminess.  Usually when I have Jack Daniels with a cigar it enhances any creamy flavours, but it just wasn't there for me.  I also did get some ammonia from it, but not enough to take away from my overall enjoyment.

The ash was also very flaky, not taking much to jar the ash off, or chunks to flake off.

It's labeled as strong in strength, and I would agree.  By the half way point I was feeling it, and really took my time on the second half.  I would have liked to nub it, but was feeling overwhelmed.  Glad I didn't reach for the larger Radiante stick.

A very good cigar, that I would recommend, but maybe not for someone new, unless you're prepared to not smoke the whole thing.

Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles Robusto

Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles

5 x 50 Robusto

Made in Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99

Binder:  Nicaragua

Filler:  Nicaragua

Paid: Gifted

I was really excited to smoke this.  I have quite a few Tatuaje/Pepin sticks now, and have heard nothing but good things.  

This cigar has some strong flavour to it.  It was very consistent from start to finish.  I get this strong wood flavour, and used coffee grinds.  There is also some nuts mixed in the exhale.  A lot of pepper on the exhale.

This cigar was not all that smooth, and had an ammonia harshness to it that made retro-haling difficult, especially with how peppery it is.  That's too bad, because the wood, coffee, and nuts were really pronounced, but would get flushed out by the harshness.  

I found this cigar really strong, which also detracted from my enjoyment of it.  Kind of gave me a headache by the half way point.

The ash was pretty white, and held on good.  Burn was also fantastic.  Nice slow even line.

I have one more of these that looks like its from a different batch based on the band being a little faded.   I will certainly revisit this stick down the road, and hopefully not get the harshness, and be able to handle the strength.

Cusano Habano Sun Grown LXI Robusto

Cusano Habano Sun Grown LXI

5 x 50 Robusto

Made in Domincan Republic

Wrapper: Dominican Sun Grown Ecuadorian Habano

Binder:  Dominican Sun Grown Ecuadorian Habano

Filler:  Dominican Ligero

Paid: $12 CDN from Cigar Studio

The first third I get a creamy sweet floral, with slight wood flavour.  Not bad, but certainly nothing special.  I think the wood is what detracts from it.

I saw some reviews that also noted cherry, and I usually call BS when I hear flavours like that.  By the second third the wood disappears, but at the end of the exhale I do get a cherry flavour in there now.  Quite a surprise.   The aroma also has a very sweet vanilla.  This is turning out to be a really good smoke.

This cigar did leave an acidic aftertaste on the tongue, that wasn't overpowering, and bordered on pleasent for some reason.  I usually don't like that taste.

The ash was pure white, but flaked off very easy, and never held for more then a half inch.  The smoke is really thick, and white. It's pretty strong, on the medium to full power end, and definitely full bodied.  I found the best way to smoke this, and get all the flavour was to NOT to retrohale.  As I exhaled, I would slightly breath the smoke in the nose, and would get the vanilla added.

If you read the above, you would think I'm going to conclude this was a great smoke, and highly recommend it.  Not the case.  I had huge burn issues.  This thing went out constantly.  The last half was brutal.  It went out almost every few puffs.  I walked away from the last inch, because I was so annoyed, despite enjoying the flavours.

Almost every review I read, I think every review I read, notes similar burn issues.  It's not a case of it being too wet either.  This thing spent a few months in my desktop humidor which sits at 58-60% RH.  

I would say try this cigar, and hope you don't get the burn issues, and enjoy what this stick has to offer, but I would not buy a box.  I might get a few, I they could be had for a couple of dollars.

Partagas Series D No. 4

Partagas Series D No. 4

6 1/8 × 52 Robusto
Made in Cuba
Paid: Gifted
Drink: Jack Daniels, and Diet Pepsi

After smoking the Partagas Series P No. 2 yesterday, I knew this would be my next cigar.

My cigar had abou a 3/4 inch split in the foot, that caused it to start off with a wonky burn.

I notice that the flavour is consistent with a Partagas cigar.  This one had a definitive floral flavour, and lots of pepper.  It isn't nearly as sweet as the P2, so I think that's why I'm not getting that kind of vanilla flavour mixed with the floral.  I hardly detect any wood to it either.  It also leaves a nice subtle cream flavour on the tongue.

By the second third, the pepper dies off, and it's really relaxing to sit back, and enjoy the smoke.  The aroma it gives off is very pleasant. 

While not as strong, or full flavoured as a P2, still a very good quality smoke, and great switch up from the Montecristo Edmundo's that I usually go to when I want to relax and smoke a Cuban robusto.  

One little annoyance was a little to much glue on the band that tore open the wrapper on the last third causing it to unravel. Had to be careful with from there out.

Partagas Series P No. 2

Partagas Series P No. 2

6 1/8 × 52 Pyramid
Made in Cuba
Paid: $27 CDN
Drink: Jack Daniels, and Diet Pepsi

I reached for my last Montecristo No.2, and thought I would save it, and instead give the Partagas Series P No.2 a shot.  I've heard so many good things, and was curious.  I also heard good things about the Diplomatico No.2 which was OK, but not rivaling the Monte #2.

I lit this up, and my mind was blown.  The first half was an amazing very sweet woody, slight earth, and creamy flavour that I went back and forth on, deciding if it was floral, or vanilla. Just delicious.  The second half changed up a bit, getting less woody, but continuing with the floral/vanilla, and some nutty taste's sprinkled in.  The whole cigar is rich, and smooth.

A lot of reviews state this is not a beginner smoke, and describe it as overwhelming, or strong.  Was not the case here.  Definitely medium strength, and full of flavour.  Very similar to the Partagas Mille Fleur, just exponentially flavour filled.

This cigar really WOWed me.  If this one cigar sample is the consistent experience you get, then this cigar certainly rivals the Monte #2, and perhaps bests it.  I have a Series D No.4, that I can't wait to try.

I'm definitely getting more of these, and would absolutely get a box if I get more of the same.

Diplomatico No. 2

Diplomatico No. 2

6 1/8 × 52
Made in Cuba
Paid: $20 CDN
Drink: Jack Daniels, and Diet Pepsi

I haven't smoked a Cuban in awhile, after a tear trying to find some Non-Cuban sticks I like.  Needed the break, and contemplated a Montecristo Edumndo.  Reached for this one after a recent post comparing the Montecrsito No. 2 and the Diplomatico No. 2.  I have a few Monte 2's under my belt, and absolutely love that cigar.  This is supposed to be a cheaper alternative, that many prefer over the Monte.

The construction is good, but seems ever so sub par to a Monte 2 with veins, and bumps in the wrapper.    I love the feel of a pyramid in the hand.

I get a good amount of earth, but this cigar also has a nutty flavour to it, which I'm not sure I get with the Monte.  Very smooth.  Burned like a champ.

The taste, while similar to a Monte 2, is not as full.  The flavour profile seems more like a Guantanamera brand cigar (Cheap), minus the horrid construction, and draw issues.  Overall I can't say anything bad about it.

I'll make this comparison.  It's like drinking Coke, or Pepsi, or any other name brand product, and then going out and buying the no name brand.  Even though their marketing it as cola, it just doesn't taste like the real thing.  If these were significantly cheaper, like a no name, I would consider it an alternative, but I'm pretty sure this was only a couple bucks cheaper then a Monte 2.