Montecristo Edmundo

Montecristo Edmundo

5 3/8 × 52 Robusto

Made in Cuba

Drink: Diet Pepsi

Box date: Sept 09

In continuation of my great run at the Montecirsto line, I'm smoking a Edmundo.  I split a box of these with a co-worker, so it better be good.  I wasn't to worried.  I smoked the Petit Edmundo yesterday, and was expecting an identical experience, just a half hour longer.

I found the draw on this thing a little tight, and it opened up to a normal draw by the half way point.  The smoke is thick, and creamy, coating my mouth with flavour.

The flavours were the same as the PE, but far more mellow, and spread out.  You get the woodiness, and the earth kicks in after an inch or so.  By the half way point I then get the chocolate/cocoa flavour on the back my tongue.

This is not a powerful stick.  I usually can't take a robusto to the nub, but did it with ease here.  I loved the Bolivar Royal Corona, which is a little shorter then this, and couldn't finish it due to the strength.

Overall a really great smoke, and I'm happy I have a dozen of these waiting.  If I had to choose based on now smoking one of each, the PE would get the nod. The PE had a stronger flavour, which I got from start to finish.    Perhaps the PE would get equally as mellow with a year and half of age.

Another great Monte, I highly recommend. 

CAO Cameroon Box Pressed Robusto

CAO Cameroon - Box Pressed 

Robusto 5.5 x 50

Wrapper: West African Cameroon

Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan 

Paid: $11 CDN from local Holy Smokes (Loblaws Superstore) 

Drink: Diet Pepsi

Smoked this one a few days ago, and never got a chance to post about it.

I continue to try and find a Non-cuban I can love, and hold to call my own.  The box press is very cool looking, and feels great in the hand.  It has a rich chocolate aroma coming off the wrapper, and is very well made.

I clipped this one a little too much, and the draw was very loose, though as you'll see, I don't realize it till later.  I started smoking it, and it was really hot, and dry.  I went through half the cigar, and was getting no flavour.  Just bland smoke.  I was about to set this thing down, when I decided to change up how I smoked it.

I began to draw really slow.  This change up made a huge difference.  It was then that I realized that I opened it up to much, and/or was drawing to hard on it.  With the slow controlled draw I all of a sudden had a very sweet creamy flavour, that I would describe as caramel.  There was also a wood flavour in there too.

Shortly after the last third, I unfortunately had to walk away from this thing right as I was enjoying it.  I was just overwhelmed by it's strength, and had to go lay down.  I've never been that f*cked off a cigar.  I felt a huge weight in my stomach that lasted well into the next day.  I think the loose draw, mixed with a strong draw was my downfall.  It's said to be a medium strength cigar, but sure seemed very strong.

I really want to try this one again down the road with a slower/tighter draw, and really take it easy.  I think it may be a really good smoke, but perhaps not for a newer smoker.  I'll keep my eye out for a deal.

Montecristo No. 4

Montecristo No 4

5 × 42 

Made in Cuba
Paid: $15 CDN

Drink: Water

I can't believe this wasn't my first blog review.  I've had a several of these, and right now it's my go to cigar.  I ended up buying a box, dated OCT09, and while I don't know the box dates for the few I smoked before it, the experience has always been consistent.  That's part of the reason why I love them... No surprises.

These things are made great, and smoke great.   From start to finish I find you get a perfect balance and blend of earth, and wood.  It's never overwhelming.  As long as I keep my draw slow and smooth, on the exhale I  get the tasty aroma of the wrapper, mixed with a kinda chocolate/cocoa taste that just sites on the back of my tongue on the exhale.  Makes me salivate.

It doesn't produce a whole lot of thick smoke compared to a lot of other cigars, but the aroma is pleasant.

The only downside I consistently find with this cigar (and quite a few other Cubans), if I draw to fast, and let it burn to hot, it will get this bitter, varnish type flavour, that takes the place of the chocolaty taste I mentioned earlier.  Completely ruins the smoke.  I really have to take my time with it, and not ever rush it.

I think this is one of the best cigars I can recommend to a beginner, as its flavour is smooth, and the tobacco kick is mild.  You just can't go wrong here.

Partagas Mille Fleurs

Partagas Mille Fleurs 
Petite Corona 5 1/8 x 42
Made in Cuba
Paid: $10 CDN from Cigar Studio (February Special)
Drink: Diet Pepsi


Lit this one up today, on a whim.  Wasn't planning on smoking but found myself with some down time so I grabbed this Partagas, as I have yet to try anything from the brand yet.

On a side note, this cigar is a corona, don't know why a 42 gauge cigar over 5" is deemed Petite.  Yet they call a 4" x 42 cigar petite as well.  Whatever, its a size I enjoy all the time.

It lit, and burnt great, and the pre-light aroma, like with the majority of Cubans was nice.  The construction felt, and looked good..

The taste is a different with this one.  The dominant flavour was a rich woodiness that I couldn't pin down to a specific wood.  It didn't have a remote hint of earth, that I find almost guaranteed in Cubans.

Now I had read a few reviews before lighting up, and quite a few mentioned a floral taste.  Not sure if the name 'Fleur' influences that, and in turn influenced my own taste; but I actually did get a hint of what I would describe as light floral taste.  If I didn't read that going in, I'm not sure I would have picked up on it, or if I just made it up, as it was in my mind.

I found it to be mild to medium strength.  Nice rich creamy smoke.

This was a decent smoke.  If I could find them by the box for significantly less then the $10 a stick I paid, I would certainly consider getting a box, or splitting with someone.

Alec Bradley Family Blend

Alec Bradley Family Blend 
Robusto 5.5 x 50
Wrapper: Honduras CriolloBinder: Indonesia Embetunado
Filler: Jalapa, Nicaragua, Trojes, Honduras
Paid: $11 CDN from local B&M  (Cigars for You - I think)
Drink: Diet Pepsi

I have been excited to smoke this for awhile.  The construction is great with the added pigtail.  What got me most excited was the pre-light aroma.  With a beautiful aroma of strong leather, slight chocolate, and tobacco, I would often take this cigar out just to hold, and smell.  It lit well, and the burn was pretty good, but thats where it ends.

From start to finish, this smoke was really bland.  Quite the disappointment.  Other then a slight earthiness, I got nothing else.  If there is one thing I have begun to learn, it's the pre-light aroma has absolutely nothing to do with the flavor once lit.


This cigar seemed to burn really hot, and fast.  Due to its size, I really took my time with it, but it always had a bright amber.  I think this also caused it to be a really dry smoke, constantly drying out my mouth.


It was about a medium strength cigar, and I put it down with about an inch or so left.  Just too flavorless, and hot.

Montecristo No. 2

Montecristo No.2

6 1/8 × 52

Made in Cuba
Paid: $22 CDN from local B&M.

Drink: Spiced rum, and cola.

I've smoked a few cigars since my last review that I have notes, but have not yet posted.  I smoked this cigar tonight, and couldn't wait.  I had to post right away while it was fresh in my mind.  What a great cigar.  The best cigar I've smoked to date.

I've been wanting to smoke this cigar for awhile, but was a bit worried, as I get pretty buzzed off a robusto size, and was unsure if I could handle a cigar of this size, and enjoy it.  Not quite the case here. While I was feeling the nicotine by the end, the overall experience was amazing.

The size is perfect.  It rolls around in the hand with a natural fit.  Great construction, and draw.  It does not quite give off the thick smoke I would expect from a cigar like this, but who cares.

This Monte #2 was so smooth, and earthy from start to finish.  It had a very slight ammonia scent by the half way point, but very subtle.  Overall, start to finish the flavor was consistant, and left not even a trace of aftertaste in the mouth.

The burn was amazing.  It canoed slightly in the middle, but corrected itself when I set it down for a couple of minutes.  I don't know what else to say about this cigar.  I hope this is the common experience for the vitola.

Hopefully I can get back to the place I bought it from soon, and check the box date, to buy a box with close to the same date.

Cohiba Siglo II

Cohiba Siglo II

5" × 42

Made in Cuba
Paid: $17 CDN from local B&M.  Just cracked open the box for me.

Drink: Diet Pepsi

After trying my first Cohiba last night, the Panetela, I was very excited to get this one lit.

Once again, the construction is perfect.  The draw is great, and smoke is very creamy.  This cigar pretty much gave me the same experience as the Panetela.  The taste is identical, of rich tobacco, leathery flavour, though the Panetela seemed to have a stronger flavour.  The same spice was left on the tip of my tongue when it was finished.  The only addition was that of wood to the profile.  Again, no harshness, or ammonia at all.

Very nice cigar from start to finish, though I expected more in the way of flavour.  That may be due to how young the cigar was.  Definitely a medium strength cigar, that needs to be taken slowly to avoid getting overwhelmed by the tobacco.  I will try, and get my hands on several of these to put away and age.

In my opinion, as a new cigar smoker, I would recommend these to others new to cigars.  You won't be turned off.

Cohiba Panetela

Cohiba Panetela

4½" × 26

Made in Cuba
Paid: $9 CDN

Drink: Water

I set out with the intent to smoke a Siglo II, but already smoked a Bolivar Corona Junior today, and decided to grab this one instead, as I didn't want to over due it.

This is my first Cohiba, and I am very impressed.  The construction is flawless.  It lights, and burns flawless.  Everything about this smoke was flawless.  The draw seemed a little tight near the beginning, but opened up quickly. 

The flavour was a nice, smooth, rich leathery-tobacco.  I have never had a cigar that tasted like this.  Very distinct.  Not even a hint of harshness, despite it smoking so fast, and being a very small vitola. In the end, it left a nice taste of spice and sweetness on the front of my tongue.

I have one more of these, but don't think I'll buy anymore, only because it's to small.  It felt like it had a 15 minute smoke time at best.  Great smoke, just not enough of it.  Plus the price is a little steep for such a short smoke.

  

To date, this is the best cigar I've had.  I don't know what else to say.  I now understand why the Cohiba is the pinnacle of cigars.  I can't wait to try Cohiba's other cigars.  I would recommend this to any beginner.

Casa Magna Colorado Pikito

Casa Magna Colorado 
Pikito 4 3/4 x 42
Made in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Paid: $9 CDN
Age: Purchased late 2010 from the Cigar Studio.
Drink: Ice Water & Diet Pepsi

Bought this a couple months ago on the recommendation of my local cigar store, with the tag of being Cigar Aficionados 2008 Cigar of the Year .

The First Two Thirds
Very smooth.  I was told it's a medium to full strength, but it came across as mild.  I had no problem taking in deep long draws, and got very subtle peppery sensations in the nose on the exhale.  Overall I got a mild woody, and sweet flavour, but it was for the most part bland, and unexciting.

Gave off nice thick smoke, but the burn was pretty uneven, and I made numerous corrections.  The draw was also very tight.  Twice I got the cutters out, and opened it up a little more, but it didn't seem to help much.

For the most part uneventful, and I was left very unimpressed.

The Final Third
This is what made the cigar a happy ending.  For the first time I actually tasted subtle, very sweet caramel tastes every few draws.  I've never had that taste in any cigar, EVER!!!  I was very excited.  The lingering smoke also turned very sweet with a caramel aroma.  I ran to my small powder bathroom, and hot boxed myself for a bit to fully enjoy it.

This was also my undoing.  By the very end I was really feeling the nicotine, as I was drawing to quickly to re-experience the caramel flavours.  I never had a sick feeling, but went to bed shortly after.  I woke up the next morning with a hang-over type headache, deep in the center of my eyeballs.  I've never had this happen before, and not sure if I can attribute it to the cigar.

Overall
I was happy to finally taste a caramel flavour in a cigar.  If the whole cigar was like that I would do my best to obtain this cigar in quantity.  For now I'm going to go by another pikito, and the Robusto version, and let it sit in my humidor, and revisit this cigar again next summer perhaps.  Maybe age will make it even better.

My Cigar Smoking Credentials

Practically None.  I'm in my mid thirties, and never smoked a cigarette in my life, other then a drag here or there in my teens... to see what my friends were enjoying so much.  It disgusted me (and still does to this day).

I started smoking cigars about a year ago, mostly local brands purchased from the Dominican Republic, like Santa Ana, Vista Real, and Noris.  In total I have smoked less then 50 cigars in total.  Now that my supply of cigars from the DR have run low, I have begun purchasing cigars from local humidors in the Greater Toronto Area.  I've bought based on their recommendations, reviews read online, and price. (Cigars are disgustingly expensive in Canada.  Cohiba BHK 52's and Padron No. 45 are selling in the $100 range).

My hope is my experiences will be useful to other new comers to the hobby from someone who is not a connoisseur, or expert, as I have found my experiences vastly different from those who do regular reviews.

Enjoy