If some is good, more is better, right?

Given to me by a friend attending a wedding here, who brought a bunch of loose CC’s with him.

It’s a bit rough looking, like well-worn leather, perhaps weary from all the travelling it’s done. It’s also a bit darker than the silky-smooth, golden brown wrappers of my 52’s. Unlit aroma does nothing special for me, but it rarely ever does unless I’m sticking my nose in a full box.

Once lit, the first few draws offer perfect resistance and smoke output is ideally plentiful as well, but I get muted flavors and a slight bitterness on the finish – making me think the cigar is young. Perhaps it’s not quite ready for prime time. Good thing I didn’t pay for it.

Then about 5 draws in, just when I was settling in for a mediocre experience, it comes on like a freight train: toasted caramel/graham cracker/brown sugar – whatever the kids are calling it these days. That classic Cohiba taste, with a long luxurious finish. I’ve just been upgraded to first class.

I’m not one to get specific with various tastes, probably because I haven’t developed the synapses in my brain that link the data from my palate that way. Plus, I don’t want to work that hard while I enjoy a cigar. I mainly employ the Meh/OK/Good/Great/Holy S**t! scale. This cigar is somewhere between Great and Holy S**t! The aroma is an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10.

I’m also not one to rate a cigar by thirds. I get that it’s convenient, but it seems too arbitrary. If it changes, I’ll let you know when. But it does not (thankfully). Honestly, this was one of the best cigars I’ve had. That’s largely because I absolutely love the Cohiba taste and aroma, and this stick had it in spades. I give it a 96, whatever that means.

Aloha!

Brad

This was purchased from a botl here on the boards thank you sir!

I've smoked one back when I received it after waiting 30 days and it was meh at best.

Not the case today, from 1st puff to last there was plenty of flavors from cedar, cream, a bit of spice, & tasty sweet tobacco flavor.

Burn was close to perfect had a couple of issues where relights were needed.

Burned slow and lots of smoke output, several times I kept saying out loud "damn this is a good cigar!"

I didn't time it, but it lasted for well over an hour at best, I smoked it in the pool with family and friends and that helped with the smoking enjoyment as well......sad I only have 3 left, but I will cherish each one.

Raring if I have to give one 8.5 out of 10.

Now for the pics.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

So @LordAnubis sent a few over and I thought I would try. 

Not entirely certain it counts as a regional, but it is exclusivo to a region per se.

Cold drawer is delightful with a hint of Madeira cake, but a touch on the easy side.

Burn is perfect.

The choicest tobacco was used for these.

Very floral. Huge smoke output. A touch above medium. Maybe medium to full in body.

Love the shape.

Love Khalil for sending them.

Gonna give it 93.5!

And use it for my sublime selfie too! Two birds one cigar. 

Sorry for the sideways shots but I have given up on tapatalk!

Paired it with a Guinness for what it's worth. 

This was purchased from a botl here on the boards thank you sir!

I've smoked one back when I received it after waiting 30 days and it was meh at best.

Not the case today, from 1st puff to last there was plenty of flavors from cedar, cream, a bit of spice, & tasty sweet tobacco flavor.

Burn was close to perfect had a couple of issues where relights were needed.

Burned slow and lots of smoke output, several times I kept saying out loud "damn this is a good cigar!"

I didn't time it, but it lasted for well over an hour at best, I smoked it in the pool with family and friends and that helped with the smoking enjoyment as well......sad I only have 3 left, but I will cherish each one.

Raring if I have to give one 8.5 out of 10.

Now for the pics.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

"The Diplonatico Bushido was created by PCC to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first Japanese citizen to visit Cuba. During the Keicho mission, samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga stopped in Cuba (then part of New Spain) on his way to the Vatican in Rome.

Vitola/Size 109 50 x 184 (7.2#)"  Quoted from Rob.

This was an amazing complex smoke!  It Is my #1 of the year for sure!

Even though these are "fresh" they are super approachable now.

The construction was flawless, the draw was perfect, the burn razor.

The first third had a slight pepper taste with a light coffee spine to it along with a toffee hint.

The end of the first and the start of the second has loads of crème and woodiness in a rich smooth thick smoke.

The final third had more pepper creep back in and it finally shows a touch of youth here.

95pts

I am really excited to see the evolution over the next 5 years, although it is going to be tough to keep my mitts off them.

Cheers!

All Powerful Bushido!!!

Magnificent & masterful! One of those cigars that you can't help but eulogise over after smoking it. When people speak of the "Cuban twang", this is the cigar they're talking about! Deep flavours of wood & spicy cream that has a subtle sweet undertone. Nutty, fruity & floral  with a white pepper tingle left on the finish. Strong & full in body, absolutely, but in a fantastically balanced & harmonious manner.

More often than not, when I light a cigar I'll sit & watch a film but this was different, it almost demanded that I put on some classical orchestral music, sit back & pay full attention to every draw! These are six years old now & have plenty of legs left in them yet! A 93/94 point cigar by anyone's measure!

Vitola: Hermosos No.4 / 48 x 127

Box Code: ULE JUL 14

Pre-light: Silky wrapper, with a slight musky, feral aroma.  Cold draw was clean tobacco; a little easier than I'd like. 

1st third: Right from the first draws, I'm getting Swiss roll, the sugar-coated ones.  Sweet, dense, mouth-coating smoke.  A little nuttiness on the retrohale.  I find myself wanting to chew the smoke. Very nice start.

2nd third: Good burn.  More pronounced chocolatey nuttiness now.  It's Nutella!  The sweetness now has a slight tang to it, reminding me of grape jelly, which comes and goes, and keeps me guessing. Solid medium body.

Last third: The sweetness has melded nicely with the darker choc nut flavours.  Smoking past the band, I get cookie dough. Burn has been straight and true throughout, and despite the easy draw there was no harshness towards the end.  Ends medium-bodied.

Final notes: I'm tickled by the associations with all those fattening, tooth-rotting things that I haven't had for ages, but evidently remember fondly.  A thoroughly enjoyable smoke for me.

Score: 93

Smoking time: 1 hr 15 min

Ambient humidity: 78% - 82%

Was gifted this cigar from a great BOTL in Switzerland.

Box code: unknown

Vitola: Britancias

Length: 137mm(5.4 inches) by 48

Pairing: Cuba libre

Ignition: 10:19pm

Cut: guillotine straight cut

Light: soft flame

Aroma at cold was cedar sweetness and touch of leather

First third started off mild to medium body. Beautiful aroma. Coffee and leather. Not much of the classic RA fruity sweetness.

Second third picked up in strength and body. To medium. Started to get a few waves of that fruit cake note. And a few hits of pepper. Some harshness. The draw was a little firm causing me to draw a little more than I would like so it got a little hot. Decided to clip a little more off which opened things up perfectly. I let it sit for a while to cool.

Final third became full in flavour and got more of that nice RA fruitiness character. Would have liked to nub this but it started to get a little too hot.

These have some room for improvement no doubt.
Finished at 11:39pm.

Score: 91

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Vitola: Campanas 52 x 140

Box Code: Unknown.  From handful of assorted singles I grabbed from a local B&M.

Pre-light: This sports an attractive wrapper which does not veer too much into the darker EL-esque territory.  Feels well-packed to the touch.  I use a guillotine cut at a slight angle.  Cold draw has just the right resistance for me; very clean on the cold draw, with a faint vanillin note; no feral or barnyard notes.

1st third: The dominant impression on the initial draws is a strong astringency, almost a walnut, rancio-like note.  After half a dozen draws, cream starts to emerge.  This builds very slowly through the first third, along with faint floral and cocoa notes.  There is plenty of smoke, dense in appearance but leaves the palate clean.  Burn is steady and straight.  Body is below medium at this point. Decent start.

2nd third: On the second third, the astringency fades and the cream takes centre stage.  Double cream, in fact, with sweetness on the finish.  The floral note is stronger now - honeysuckle? The smoke is still dense, and the ash is very firm.  I don't like to be stressed about ash falling on my lap, so I typically encourage ashfall with test taps - quite a hefty knock was required for this one.  Body is still below medium, but it seems to me that the cigar is struggling to stake its ground.

Last third: The astringency creeps back, and the body ticks up to medium.  Stronger cocoa now, and almonds.  Still creamy, still sweet.  Burn and draw still spot on, with no touch-ups required.  Even near the end, it wasn't smoking hot and there was no harshness on the palate.

Final notes: I found it pleasant enough, and no more than that. For an LE, and for a Punch, I had hoped for a little more complexity than ebb and flow. (This was the second one I've had in a month, with similar tasting notes). 

Score: 88

Smoking time: 1 hr 25 min

Ambient humidity: 76% - 82%

Dimensions: 60 x 7"

Date Released: July 14, 2013

Blend: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras

Binder: Costa Rica

Wrapper: Ecuador

Background: I should start by acknowledging that this review isn't likely to garner much interest from a group of avowed Habanophiles, but whenever I have the opportunity to smoke something rare or unusual, I like to take notes and pictures and work up a review. Especially so in this case, since I've long been a big fan of Graycliff. They've certainly released some obscenely priced garbage over the years, but when Avelino Lara was still rolling Elegantes, there were few non-Cubans better - at any price. I've always had a box of the original Red Label in my humidor.

The story on the John Howard Graysmith is that it's rolled with vintage leaves that date to the founding of the company, and that these cigars are rolled entirely by hand without the use of molds, so each one is unique. They come in two varieties, the Buccaneer (torpedo) and Cannon (parejo). I opted for the Buccaneer since a 60RG parejo is a little too much for me; the tapered head makes the Buccaneer much more approachable. 

Appearance and Aroma: This large, rustic cigar won't win any points for beauty. It's roughly shaped, with an uncut foot and a fine, leathery, chocolate-colored wrapper (the darkest of the three samples, and nearly maduro in appearance). The cold aroma is mild and has a baking spice sweetness. I dropped this one when taking it out of the humidor and cracked the wrapper near the middle (I have got to stop doing that), so I'm unsure of how that will affect it's performance.

I like the idea behind the band on the JHG; it's unique and fitting for the concept. But the execution of that idea is a little lackluster. There's very little embossing and the printing looks slightly cheap. That's disappointing considering how classic and elegant the standard Graycliff bands are. Also, the shape of the skull causes the band to protrude from the tapered head, so the edges keep snagging on things as I move the cigar around in my hand.

I've paired this with a latte made with Kimodo Dragon dark roast whole bean coffee, freshly ground.

First Third: The ragged foot lights easily, and once lit, the early draw is very loose as the burn moves through the open foot, but as the burn line approaches the wrapper it remains perfectly even and produces a flaky white ash; my uneven light corrects itself without intervention. The draw firms up soon afterward. The initial profile is strong and full of pepper and baking spice - clove and nutmeg. The aroma is pungent, but nutty and woody. That early strength really hits the palate hard; the flavors are nice, but heavy.

Second Third: At the beginning of the second third, some of that characteristic Graycliff earthy peat flavor emerges, along with a sweet floral note. This is layered over the peppery base. Subsequently, the flavors meld and mellow, the pepper plateaus, and a pleasant toasted cedar and light floral flavor emerges. The performance has remained very good, despite the cracked wrapper. I'm impressed that this level of construction was accomplished without molds.

Final Third: By the end of the second third/beginning of the final third, the cedar profile rounds out and becomes sweeter, and the baking spice notes from the cold aroma reappear. In the final third, some bitterness emerges, or perhaps it's left over on the palate from the long finish as the flavors lose some heaviness.

Summary: Total smoking time was one hour and 45 minutes.The dark roast latte pairing works perfectly, as the strong earthy profile in each compliments the other. This is a far fuller-bodied cigar than I'm generally used to, and certainly fuller than anything I've had from Graycliff. The peaty notes I usually get from the Costa Rican tobacco are muted here. This is definitely a departure for the marca. It is, however, an impressively well-made and complex smoke. The full body isn't one dimensional, and there's plenty of variety and evolution of flavors and aromas throughout; the middle portion is really remarkable. I'm looking forward to letting the other two rest for a good long time and only pulling them out on special occasions (this will not be a regular smoke at $29 each). Despite the aged tobacco and the four years since release, the spine of the cigar makes me optimistic that a little more age will encourage some consistency in the development of the flavors.

Score: 52.8th percentile
 

Great construction on this cigar. A few tiny vibrant green spots on this cigar (a bit like an electric candela)

Aroma cold is an odd one, very clean and pungent, without being strong in any way. Cant put my finger on it

Draw is classic degree of resistance, no problems. a weird stickiness on the head. Ken I believe has mentioned this on SLR DC's.

1st third. Lots of signs this is going to form some signature vintage mint hits, in the future. Very light body, many have commented that this is the ultimate cigar to be paired with champagne, I think the reason for this, is that it's core profile is just starting to show it's hand. That sweet tangerine aroma you get off fresh bakers yeast, is at the centre of this cigars character. 

2nd third, A very slight brioche bread like character coming though, but it's not buttery in any way, its far too clean for that. The cigar is very opulent but not in a cream-bomb nature, it's super refined and almost mineral.  Some have picked an effervescent quality in Monte 4-2 (lemonade) or Monsdales (coke)  This is like a mineral water with tangerine and a bit of mint.  I couldn't ever imagine a blender could be this ingenious if they intentionally wanted to pair this cigar with champagne, but the result would work very well indeed.

Final 3rd, This has amped up, but in the same register. there is zero finish to this cigar, it's so clean. This is not an oil driven cigar, it's very much in the De Dieux concept, lots of dry tanic qualities, but strangely not really any wood present. 

I think this cigar is going to be a bit of an enigma in the future. I think the mint and tangerine is going to ramp up, and it has the quality tobacco and balance to become one of the biggest hitters out there, for those who like a light aromatic smokes 

Dimensions: 5" x 52

Box Code: ULA NOV 13

Box Number: 1643/2000

Purchased: November 2016; A la Civette; Paris, FR

I picked up a single on my first day in Paris last fall, and smoked it while lounging on the steps outside of Shakespeare and Co. with a coffee and a tattered old copy of "A Movable Feast." It was one of the most enjoyable smoking experiences I've had in a long while. This belicoso was so remarkable, I had to stop by and pick up a box before we left.

After opening four boxes (most of which appeared over-humidified, some with significant mould), I found a good looking box. Toothy, earthy colorado wrappers with a bit of visible oil. Some variation in construction though.  

Pre-light: This particular single has a few cosmetic flaws, but the construction feels firm and consistent. The cold draw is easy and open, and produces a fresh, sweet tobacco and precise cinnamon note, almost like the aroma of a pipe blend. 

First third: It takes flame readily; the draw is full, producing a good amount of cool smoke. A fine white ash follows. The combustion starts slightly uneven, but corrects itself early on. The initial flavor is full of nutmeg and cinnamon notes over a bready, brioche kind of base. My favorite aspect of this smoke might be the spicy cinnamon note that recurs in the aroma; I could linger around that days ...

Second third: The sweet baking spice flavors dissipate a little, and a woody, earthy character develops. There's just a bare hint of something like peat moss in there that I can't quite put my finger on. The finish is a bit short, but never acrid. The burn requires a bit of a touch up, but I chalk that up to less-than-ideal circulation in my humidor than to any construction flaw.

Final third: The sweet baking spices return, but sharper and more intense. They're something like clove and molasses now, and the aroma takes on a more pungent, leathery profile. But that sweetness is still there - definitely my favorite part. Smokes cool well past the band; hard to put down!

Summary: Despite only having had a handful of these, they've become one of my favorite smokes. Although it's on the mild side of medium-bodied, it's never one-dimensional or uninteresting. The flavors and aromas are rich and evolve beautifully over the course of just less than an hour. Since I've only got a single box, I'll have to ration these; but I'm already plotting when I can dip into this box again. 

     Rafael González 88 - Edición Regional Asia Pacifico 2016 (SOM Dic 2016) 

Vitola: Británicas Extra (48 ring gauge x 137 mm or 5.4 inches)

Introduction: I had the opportunity to sample this newly-released Regional Edition cigar this week with Trevor Leask, the founder of Cuban Cigar Website, as I'm on vacation. There has been some outstanding PCC (Pacific Cigar Company) Asia-Pacific Regional Edition releases such as the Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos, the Por Larranaga Encantos and the Diplomaticos Bushidos to name a few, and this release saw much demand from our members when it became available late last month. The reason? Perhaps it was the cigar-aficionado friendly vitola, a Británicas Extra at under 50/64ths of an inch ring gauge, perhaps it was the fact that it was only the second Rafael Gonzalez Regional Edition release other than the 2013 German Petit Piramides, perhaps it was its availability in a 10-count box, or perhaps it was just because, as far as Regional Editions go, it was just so different in comparison to others.

Aroma and Cold Draw: I found the aroma unlike the typical cocoa-rich, refined barnyard one gets with Limited Edition releases, rather this was very light and had more of a natural grass/hay aroma, so to speak. My cold draw was similarly very mild, but I was happy to sense the Rafael Gonzalez cocoa prior to lighting.

First Third: In comparison to the PMS Abr 2015 box of Rafael Gonzalez Perlas I've been enjoying the past month or so (oh my, I've already gone through half a box!), the initial puffs were similarly very, very good, alas, the Rafael Gonzalez 88 was more refined, more milder. There were distinctive notes of cocoa and a floral sweetness, and a 'breadiness' in its spine (or core). Trevor found his peppery through the nose at first, but this settled for him. In contrast, my retrohale was very easy, no strong spice through the nose at all. In fact, this cigar was very mild through the nose for such a young cigar.

Second Third: At this point, I felt that the strength picked up a little and the flavours were less distinctive. Perhaps a little light leather or nut combined with the cocoa.

Final Third: During the final third, both Trevor and I remarked how non-descript the cigar had become. This wasn't a bad thing mind you, rather, the flavours we were able to delineate in the first half of the cigar were now much less definitive.

Conclusion: I felt after smoking this that this cigar deserves some time down to properly blend. I spoke to El Pres (Rob) today to wish him well in regards to his health and the upcoming deciding State of Origin Rugby League game next week, and he was able to enlighten me in regards to my thoughts on this cigar in relation to the Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra, which was deleted in 2010. A little nut, a subtle refinedness and a reminder that PCC aim for their Regional Edition blends to develop with age, and I have no doubt that this will come into its own in the future.

If you are expecting a powerhouse cigar, full of flavour, like recent Limited Editions, understand that this is the antithesis of that. Mild and subtle, the Rafael Gonzalez 88 is the type of cigar that will reward you for patience and is an homage to refinement and subtlety. I look forward to Ken and Rob's upcoming Video Review of this cigar, as they will be able to offer a fuller comparison to previous Rafael Gonzalez vitolas now deleted. In the meantime, below are some forum and video links to the Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra for your discernment. 

Partagas Seleccion Privada - Edición Limitada 2014 (OPG Dic 2014) 

Vitola: Magnum 50 (50 ring gauge x 160 mm or 6.3 inches)

Introduction:  I've been meaning to visit this cigar for some time now, perhaps as much as 12 months. So why did I put it off for so long, and why has this Limited Edition cigar flown 'under-the-radar' lately? Certainly you rated it highly. A recent thread below discussed the two best Limited Editions of the past three years and the Partagas Seleccion Privada got many of your votes.

Heck, it even got my vote! (Okay, I've sampled the H.Upmann Magnum 56 since then and so it's hard to just choose two.)

Aroma and Cold Draw: Typical of Limited Edition releases, the aroma was refined yet strong. The wrapper was a distinctive rosado 'red'. My cold draw instantly told me that this was going to be flavoursome, I could detect pepper even before I lit the cigar.

First Third: The very first puff indicated Partagas DNA, oh boy, this was full of flavour. Coffee, sourdough, some leather and pepper, this was like a mild-medium Partagas Serie D No.4 with about 3 or 4 years of age on it. There was also good pepper through the nose and excellent amounts of smoke per puff.

 Second Third: This was by far the most enjoyable part of the cigar, this is where I want the cigar to be in the next two to three years throughout its length. By now the pepper had died off, retrohaling was more smooth, and the coffee and sourdough spine one gets from a quality Partagas Lusitania was what I savoured.

Final Third: During the final third, I encountered the standard dominant 'toasted tobacco' one finds in a cigar that shows obvious signs that it's still peaking. Still, I had no problem smoking it down, but it wasn't as brilliant as the first two-thirds.

Conclusion: If you have a box of this 2014 Limited Edition cigar resting, now is the time to start sampling it in my view. It's incredible to find Ken and Rob's views on this cigar in December 2014 are simply so 'spot-on' two-and-a-half years later! The 'Christmas cake' richness, the Partagas marca characteristics, the exhortation to re-visit these sometime in 2017.

As for me, I have a box resting away which I desire to peak further, perhaps I'll visit in another year or two, sampling one per six months. In the meantime, I think I'll sample my other single in my home humidor sometime in 2018. Below are some links to some other excellent reviews on this fine cigar...

I've decided to post my 2016 Xmas Sampler Review in the Review Section for future reference purposes. It was originally posted in February this year in the 'Daily Smoke' thread...

Cigars I've smoked lately... The 2016 Xmas Sampler (dedicated to our dear friend @Hurltim)

Did you happen to pick up El Pres' 2016 Xmas Sampler? These cigars represent Rob's most consistent quality cigars for 2016. I smoked through these fine cigars during my January vacation time, on my own, watching sport, watching movies and sometimes in the fine company of some other dear fellow cigar enthusiasts. I promised Hurltim I'll review these when done, but as February is a busy month in Australian work life culture (as a result of everyone returning from leave en masse!), I've finally been able to find some time to share my findings! Firstly, below are the 13 cigars included...

They are, from left to right, Diplomaticos Bushido, Diplomatico No.2, Bolivar Coronas Gigantes, Partagas Lusitanias, Montecristo No.1, Fonseca No.1, H.Upmann Magnum 56 LE 2015, Ramon Allones Club Allones LE 2015, Punch Punch, Bolivar Belicosos Finos, San Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerza, Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince and Cohiba Robustos. My review will follow in chronological order...

1. Ramon Allones Club Allones LE 2015 (SOM Dic 15)

I decided to start off with the 'powerhouses', the most full-bodied of the lot. I smoked this and the BBF watching the Boxing Day Cricket Test, which is traditionally Australia's most watched and attended event of the sporting summer. The Australian cricket captain, Steve Smith and leading bowler, Mitchell Starc were hitting runs aplenty on this day of the test, and it was exciting to watch Australia comeback to bowl Pakistan out and win the game. This cigar was so strong, much stronger than other RACA I've had. It had the traditional stewed profile that I enjoy in Ramon Allones, but the nicotine buzz of this wore me out by the late afternoon.

2. Bolivar Belicosos Finos (TOR May 16)

So, by the time lit this in the early afternoon I was somewhat feeling a little drowsy, on account of the strong Ramon Allones Club Allones LE I had earlier and the warm weather of this particular Sydney afternoon. I thing I enjoy about BBF's are when they have an element of cream to them, alas, no such luck here. It had typical flavours associated with this vitola such as earthiness, leather, sour dough spine dipped in coffee and dark chocolate. Still, I hold hope for the next BBF I smoke!

3. H.Upmann Magnum 56 LE 2015 (MEG Mar 16)

This is the special cigar I decided to have on New Year's Day this year. I made a Brandy Alexander for myself and my wife, and together with my standard long black espresso coffee, this cigar was one of the highlights of my summer! What can I say in regards to accolades about the H.Upmann Magnum 56? Smoke aplenty, mild chocolate (like all limited editions, eh?), toasted tobacco, licorice and so beautifully refined. Yes, I wish it wasn't 56 ring gauge, but I used my Credo 3-in-1 punch cutter again on this and 'sipped' it from the back. 95 minutes of pure joy and yes, I gladly nubbed it...look below!

4. Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince (TOR Jun 16)

When I smoked this on the 3rd of January, little did I know that I would be saying goodbye to a dear friend. Why, oh why did I not get more boxes? Oh well, I'll live with what I have and I'll try to get some more this year, if I can. Still, I'm in disbelief in regards to this fine cigar being deleted in 2017. Rob mentioned in his tasting notes the following,..cream, cedar, bitter cooking chocolate and black coffee. This description is about spot on for me. My recommendation for all Le Hoyo line HdM, is to age them. If you enjoy them young, try to smoke through half a box, and rest what's left for a minimum 5 years. That combination of cream and cedar, when aged, is just so ineffable. Some of you will know what I mean.

5. Punch Punch (ALO Mar 16)

Did you get yourself a 50 cab of these recently? Well, I certainly hope you did. The Punch Punch will be around in 2018, but only in 25 dress boxes, there's something nostalgic about this in 50 cabs that this cigar deserves. Again, I very much enjoyed this, cream, leather, spice...just Punch at its finest, and how surprised was I on account of its youthfulness? I wish there were two of these in the sampler!

6. Diplomaticos No.2 (TOS Mar 16)

This was the very best of all the cigars I smoked from the Xmas Sampler. Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Sourdough...just 100 minutes of sweet joy that I hope Habanos S.A can replicate for this cigar for sometime. If you've put this away, or are smoking through some TOS 15/16 Diplomaticos No.2 currently, you are truly fortunate!

7. San Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerza (TOS Mar 16)

Cocoa, coffee, molasses and sweetbread...this is quintessential San Cristobal de La Habana. This is a marca I absolutely adore because I'm a sweet tooth. This cigar was very, very good and I was well-satisfied, but it goes to show how good the Punch Punch and Diplomaticos No.2 were on this day for me to rate those vitolas higher.

8. Cohiba Robustos (ETP Jun 16)

This, and the next two cigars, I enjoyed in the company of some fine Sydney Friends of Habanos members at a get together at my house. Again, it was a warm Sunday summer's day, but this Robusto was still distinctively Cohiba, with that combination of grass/hay, honey, citrus and cream we all know and love.

9. Fonseca No.1 (UME Mar 15)

Apparently this cigar has been deleted a few years ago, but it just seems to go into production now and then ever since the announcement. Wood, floral notes, soft marshmallow and very, very mild. This is suitable for a change of pace. Construction on this was outstanding!

10. Montecristo No.1 (BUM Abr 15)

How good is it to have this Lonsdale cigar smoking this well? This was the third cigar of our get together and I think I saved the best for last! Montecristo cocoa, cream and leather in a 1 and 3/4 hours smoke. I don't think I have these often enough!

11. Diplomaticos Bushido (TOS Oct 15)

This is an incredibly special Asia Pacifico Regional Edition release. You know this from the very fact that the cigar is tapered at the head, a Numero 109, a vitola saved for the very best cigars. And, this is one of those cigars so deserving of that praise. I saved this for a get together with Trevor and Alex to discuss Cuban Cigar Website on a mid-week day in January. Unfortunately, the day was extremely hot, over 100°F (38°C). Still, I savoured that Diplomaticos sourdough and cinnamon goodness, and the fine, fine company!

12. Partagas Lusitanias (OBM Jun 16)

I can't remember the last time I had a double corona, but after having this, I made sure to pick up a box from a 24:24 sale soon after. I found this like a milder Partagas Shorts...mild, smooth spice, coffee and sourdough. It went for 2 hours and 5 minutes and after I finished it I wanted to light one up immediately thereafter!

13. Bolivar Coronas Gigantes (PUR Mar 16)

I smoked this watching 'La La Land' with my wife and boy did this cigar send me there. Oh what a pity it's being deleted, and even though Bolivar is not favourite marca on account of the earthiness in its profile, still, I can appreciate the spice, coffee and toasted tobacco spine. How apt I should end the Sampler series on this cigar. Farewell BCG...you will be long remembered!

Vegas Robaina XV Aniversario: 2012 Canadian Regional Edition.

Vital Stats: 54 x 164 (6.5") Sublimes/Double Robusto

Cold notes:

Excellent construction. Not very oily. Passes the "pinch" test. Definitely ready to smoke. Milk chocolate wrapper. Slight veins. Solid construction.

Aroma at cold is cocoa powder. Cinnamon and nutmeg.

Start time 2:55PM

First third

Toasty tobacco on the light. Good draw lots of smoke. Coffee. Smooth. Dirty grey ash. Tannic notes. Dry tobacco. Short finish on each draw. Flaky ash.

Lovely summer day. Smoking in irony as this is one freedom that keeps dwindling. Nice hit of nutmeg. Subtle cocoa undertones. I don’t smoke many VR's. I really love the Unicos. I had a putrid Don Alejandro last winter. That stick brought shame to his name. My wife was sitting with me and even she remarked how bad it stank. That it didn't have a nice aroma to it. I one day hope to smoke a better sample. The Classico is a good smoke as well. Slight tannic note. Some sweet tobacco. Still mixed with some tannins. Windy day but my deck is immune. I can smoke in peace.

Very mild body so far. Smooth and relaxing but no wow factor yet. These are young but they should be made with some good tobaccos. The cigar sings in blue white smoke. Lots of it. A swig of fizzy wager to clean the palate . Cocoa showing its face now. Slight pepper finish on the subsequent draws. Body is now more on the medium side.

Second third

Some sweet bread notes. Reminiscent of a Fundadores. Ash falls off to cap off some cocoa. The wife joins me with a pack of Prartagas Chicos. .

Tannic again. Toasty tobacco. Hint of mint. Nice. Floral finish on the draw. More cocoa. Getting interesting now. Some wind chimes are going off at the condo across from me and they are grating on my nerves. Sounds like church bells in the distance. More toasty tobacco. Smoke billows out profusely . Some herbal sweet notes.

Toasty tobacco. Herbs are back. Nutmeg. Herbal. Getting a bit boring. This is my second one since release. Not doing a great job of impressing me. Lots of toasty tobacco, dry finish. The Chicos I've lit and re-lit for my wife had more taste. I expect more out of a sublime format. Vegetal notes now. Ash falls off as i lay down the cigar. A few cocoa puffs keep my interest. Second third ends with some promise.

Final third.

A nit more tannic. Bitter cocoa I'd say. Another swig of water to prep the taste buds. Ash falls off as i remove the re band. Cocoa again. Better. The cigar has remained mild/medium throughout. Sad.

Lots of toasty tobacco over the next few draws. Still loads of smoke. Finish is slightly peppery. Slight bean flavour emerges. Earthy notes. Slightly salty. Slight improvements but a little too late. Mint returns. Coffee on the next draw. Pepper on the finish. I take the R band off. Strong bean flavor emerges. Some strength is showing. Pepper finish more pronounced. I finish a drink of water. Cocoa is left over. Toasty tobacco, coffee grounds now. Very VR like, at least to me in terms of profile.

Herbal notes swing this right around. More floral notes follow. A good sweet chocolate pops up. More cocoa. Beans. More cocoa, toasty tobacco. The strength has slowly crept up. It took over 70% of the cigar to get there though. The next few draws are nutmeg, slightly on the spicy side. Pepper lingers on the back of the tongue. I take a drink to wash the palate. The carbonation seems to activate some flavours.

Earthy. Laid back cigar, just like us Canadians. Sweetness returns. Mocha flavours. Toasty tobacco again. Slight coffee finish. I've nubbed the cigar. Enjoyable, but not remarkable.

Score : 87

Finish time: 4:30PM

Conclusions:

Gorgeous looking cigar but an underachieving one. My first sampling was better. That cigar had far more dimension but even still it was not as enjoyable to me as a VR Unico. It's been a few months since I first tried it, so this second one was going to be interesting I thought. Sadly, it wasn't. Now, with that said, this cigar was still very enjoyable. It was mild/medium and very smooth. It's an easy cigar to enjoy for a few hours. I'm hoping this was a bad sample from the box. To me many of the Candian RE's have either been excellent. (RA Super Allones, Unicos for instance) or just "good" Bolivar Simones, VR Petit Robusto) This Vegas Robaina XV Aniversario is still relatively young. I'll let these rest for another year and revisit them later. I do hope they can live up to their namesake and really become something special.

Join Rob and Ken on deck for a look back at the Por Larranaga 2008 Asia Pacific Regional.