San cristoba De La Habana Muralla (Cuba)

This is a very special cigar for me since I bought it from LCDH in Prague last April and I had been saving it since then for a special occasion smoke.

This occasion did not arrive so I thought this was as good time as any to light up this big torpedo!

This one was from a box dated '06 and almost four years of age can do wonders on a cigar like this one.

Appearance

Big and impressive cigar. Well constructed with good oils and a lovely milk coffee wrapper.

Smooth with just one big vein running down the length of the cigar but other than this nothing else.

The foot gives off a delicate leather aroma with some dried flowers.

Cut and cold draw

Easy cut with the Xikar tool.

Draw is easy with some resistance and before lighting it gives nutty and leathery flavors.

First third

After toasting the foot with a torch to the point where the cigar was completely lit I started puffing.

First impression is is that despite the large size of the Muralla draw is easy with a perfect resistance.

Toasted nuts and i think I'm tasting dry flowers??

Tastes are very refined and subtle and leave you wondering how this will evolve..

I would say that it is a medium bodied smoke but flavor seems to be so complex that it really makes you feel complete.

What amazes me is how clean and fresh it leaves the palette after each puff.

Although this is a big cigar draw is effortless and burn line is razor sharp. Ash is holding well at least for an inch.

Very smooth and very complex!!

Getting closer to the second third and the Muralla has now turned leathery but not “in your face”.

Everything is balanced, like the cigar trying to say” I am going to give you a great smoking experience!!”.

Second third

Into the second third and things are going great

Construction- Perfect

Burn – Perfect

Flavor – fantastic

Smooth,complex with a gentle development and constant surprises. Half way into it and the cigar has opened up.

Draw is perfect and floods the mouth with tons of tons of leather this time accompanied with cocoa undertones. Nice cool smoke, clear and gentle but still makes you feel like having a stake dinner!!

Ash is holding for at least two inches before dropping it into the ashtray( wife doesn't like accidents).

I decided to pair it with some coffee but I think that some cold lemon water will be perfect to taste

the flavor without anything getting in the way.

Third and last part

On the last third the cigar has picked up in body and now is on the lighter side of full.

Taste has changed once again and now is spicy, I think nutmeg, with a creamy feeling to it.

An inch and a half before the end and a solid tobacco taste takes the stage for the finish.

This cigar is a true kaleidoscope of flavors.

Definitely a cigar for any smoker but i think it will be better appreciated by a seasoned smoker since some smoking experience will help shorting out the flavors and the complexity of this Cuban beauty.

I don't want it to end but I am burning my fingers with the nub. I wish it was longer!!

Final thoughts

This is one of those wow cigars and not just a smoke.

It's a cigar that takes you for a journey, both physically with its ever-changing flavors but also mentally!!

It is a reward, a window to a place where “good life” is a reality hidden in little things.

I am sure these cigars will age beautifully( unfortunately I don't have any left) and become a classic.

I might sound like I'm exaggerating with this one but it has been very long since I last smoked such a great cigar.

One last word about Prague; It is a beautiful city, romantic, with a Bohemian atmosphere like no place else.

People a friendly and smoking cigars is not a problem since you can smoke your stick of choice anywhere you want and there is a La Casa Del Habanos very close to the main square of the old town.

Padilla Series '68 Robusto

For quite a while now I wanted to try a cigar from Padilla.

These were Don Pepin Garcia creations but some time now E.Padilla moved the production of his cigars from Nicaragua to Honduras.

Unfortunately I've never had the chance to try one so the samples from Honduras are the only available.

Looks

This robusto looks like a well made cigar. With a perfect round cap, no apparent vains, good oils wearing a gorgeous milk chocolate brown wrapper.

I have to say at this point that it feels a little light in the hand. We shall see....

Cut and cold draw

Upon cutting the cigar what stroke me the most was the contrast between the wrapper and the unusually dark filler.

The cigar smells earthy with a light hint of cocoa.

Cold draw is sweet but somehow loose witch is a bit warring for me.

First third

First puffs into the cigar and a harsh taste hits me from the burning tobacco.

It feels like smoking a dried out cigar, although it has been kept in 69% RH for three weeks now. We will see how it progresses.

An inch and a half into it and the initial harsh taste evolved into a pure tobacco flavor with a hint of spice when blowing smoke through the nose.

Good burn rate but the draw is still loose.

Towards the second third and the Padilla has picked up in body and now spice is more intense but non overwhelming.

To be honest I was a little disappointed with this cigar at the beginning.

Second third

Second third started big on spice.

The cigar at the half point bloomed and its worthy of its good name.

Burn rate is very good , although I would prefer the draw a bit tighter.

Despite its draw issues it never got harsh(not again) or hot but a real flavor bomb!!

Third part

Clear spice is the dominant flavor with a hint of coffee bean and cinnamon.

Good complexity and great construction. Some black cherry is also present in the background.

Although this is not a DPG creation, moving the production to Honduras, in my opinion, did not really affected the signature flavor of Padilla cigars; not for the '68 line.

It wasn't hard to nub this robusto and although the draw was loose, witch in my opinion was the only flaw on this cigar, it never got hot, harsh or bitter.

Over all great!!

Final thoughts

Great construction for a cigar with a great price point, $100 per box and I think that if you can keep them in your humi they have some potentials.

This can be a great every day cigar for smokers who like this kind of spicy medium to full bodied smokes.

Illusione 888 ( churchill)

One of the hottest brands in the market for some time now is Dion Giolito's “Illusione”.

I was trying to get my hands on a box of these just to see what the fuss is all about and finally I was given the chance when I received a box of “888”

Illusione cigars have strange names like 888,88, f9, hl and many more, but we can go over these some other time.

So lets get down to the review of these beauties.

Appearance

This is a great looking churchill with a dark brown wrapper. It feels firm to the touch without soft spots and no apparent veins. Good oils and looks very tempting.

It smells like leather and coffee.

Cut and cold draw

The cutting of the cigar was easy since the wrapper is not fragile.

On the cold draw the flavor you get is mostly coffee with some leather undertones.

First third

The 888 starts big with coffee and leather. Some black cherry is also noted but very faint.

After some puffs, maybe an inch into it , it turns into a spice bomb and this is even more evident when blowing the cigar out of the nose.

It feels creamy on the palette and the flavor lingers for a very long time. Very rich and balanced, draws very well with a perfect amount of resistance.

The burn is even but the ash looks a bit weak but not flaky.

This is a full bodied-full flavored cigar with a very unique taste.

Second third

Just into the second third and the cigar has finally settled down a bit. Now the cigar has turned leathery. Spice is still present in the background and some bitter chocolate notes start to arise.

The burn rate is good and razor sharp.

Almost close to the half point and now coffee is once again the dominant flavor, witch is a nice change after all this spice-leather-black cherry flood of the first half.

It gives my taste buds a chance to “recover”.

Third and last part

The third part of the 888 is filled with creamy spice. Nice, smooth and not even when there is only 1 ½ of an inch left did it get hot or harsh.

I just wish all cigars were that consistent!

Final thoughts

Illusiones are great cigars. Rich, smooth with a decadent feel to them.

Full bodied but balanced these are cigars that will age well, if you can resist them that is!

Not cheap but definitely worth their money

Coronado by La Flor double corona (2006)

This weeks cigar is one of the few cigars I've ever smoked that are worth the hype around them.

Coronado by La Flor Dominicana are one of the best creations coming out of Litto Gomez's blending lab.

After keeping few sticks in my humidor for three years I thought it was about time to go over them once again and share some of my thoughts.

Appearance

This is a big beautiful cigar!

It has a great construction with a lovely milk chocolate brown wrapper. No big veins are apparent and the cigar has a nice oily, soft but not fragile feeling to it.

Cut and cold draw

Cutting the cigar was not a problem and the Palio cigar cutter went through it without any resistance.

Cold draw is not easy but this is something you need in such big cigar in order to avoid burning hot and ruining the taste of this double corona. Cold taste give a nice spicy sweet taste.

First third

After toasting the cigar for some seconds, lighting it took just one puff!

Loads of light cocoa and coffee come into the mouth. Draw has the same amount of resistance so it looks like a slow burning cigar.

Full bodied and strong flavors but never harsh or overwhelming. It feels smooth on the palette and the taste of it lasts for what it seams for ever.

Ash is holding well, without flakes, and the burning line is totally straight.

Half way into the first third and leather emerges. Leather and a pure tobacco taste;two characteristics one would expect from one of Litto's cigars but coffee undertones are still alive.

Second third

Into the second third and the cigar has picked up in body considerably but without a hint of harshness. Maybe keeping it in the humidor for three years has something to do with it!!

Been as full bodied as it is, this cigar must be smoked at a slow pace so it stays cool. Burn line is spot on .

Consistent flavor and perfect construction makes this cigar a treat for any full bodied cigar smoker.

At this point leather is accompanied by a strong spicy taste, witch is even more eminent when blowing smoke through the nose( don't do it if you haven't been used in smoking strong cigars)!

Third and last part

This cigar, despite of its age, still packs a great deal of power.

Getting into the final third, leather taste is still strong but now the initial cocoa flavor is back and the combination is fantastic.

Burn is perfect, draw is ideal and smoke is been produced in large volume.

The ever evolving tastes are a challenge for my taste buds, so complex but at the same time smooth and so long lasting and fulfilling that you don't need to draw more than one puffs per minute.

That makes it a good two hours smoke!

Final thoughts

Once again I would like to say that this is maybe one of the few cigar that are worth the hype around their name.

No wonder it was awarded with the title of “ No 2 cigar of the year 2006 “ by CA magazine.

Litto Gomez is one of the most innovative cigar blenders in the world right now and his creations are very popular among full bodied cigar enthusiasts around the world.

This is one of the best cigars he has ever made and aging them is certainly worth it.

So much power and so much flavor with maybe 10 years on them...........Sounds tempting to me!

Christmas Eve cigar (Padron 80th maduro)

Padron 80^th perfecto maduro is in my opinion one of the best cigars in the market right now, although they are not available all the time are a real treat if you can find them.

I have been keeping in my aging humidor some boxes of these dark beauties for special occasions cigars, since their price does not allow me to smoke them on an every day basis no matter how much I would love to.

The cigar i am going to review comes from the first release one year ago, so it has some aging on it!

Appearence

This is a fantastic cigar measuring 6 ¾ x 54 and has a box pressed perfecto shape that makes it even more appealing to the eye.

It feels very well constructed to the touch, without soft spots and the wrapper has a beautiful oily shine on it. It looks like it has some “bite” on it and it doesn't feel fragile to the touch.

Cut and cold draw

Cutting a perfecto can be done in two ways; some people like cutting it from both sides, hear and foot.

They say that by removing a small part of the foot helps the cigar to “open up” easier.

I decided to cut just the head off since I remember from the first time I smoked this cigar that “opening up” was not a problem!

Once cut the cold draw was easy, maybe it felt like a bit loose for such a big cigar.

Cold draw brought to my mouth taste of leather, coffee and very strong tobacco.

Very promising...

Light and first third

Lighting the cigar was very easy, although I took it slow toasting the foot first since I didn't want to heat it up too fast, risking a cracked wrapper.

Once lit the cigar started with a strong leather flavor, producing tons of smoke.

Very tasty, strong with a full body and divine taste.

The burn line is very fine and also even, so no need for touch ups!!

After in inch into the P80 the initial flavor has changed into a peppery coffee taste, strong but very balanced.

Padrons are known to make great cigars and P80 was made to celebrate the birth day of the patriarch of the family J. O. Padron so quality is superb!

The loose cold draw is now just perfect so no fear of over heating.

Second Third

More than thirty minutes after the first light and this perfect is burning perfect!!

loads of tasty smoke on the palette and in the air.

The cigar now gives off a creamy cocoa spicy taste that seams to never leave the palette. Fantastic!

Burn rate is medium but it feels like fast since I don't want to end this smoke.

Balance and consistency are the main features of this top end smoke. It has picked up in body but this is something expected from a Padron cigar.

Now black cherry taste is present along with a nutmeg hint on the after taste. Very complex smoke even for the most experienced smoker.

Third and last part

The 80^th anniversary is a fabulous smoke and the same complex character keeps on going on this last third too.

Although it is only 1 ½ of an inch from the finish it hasn't got hot or harsh. This is a cigar you dont want to put down in the ashtray.

Close to the end and leather is back and strong but with loads of pepper.

It has been almost two hours and sadly I have to let it die in dignity.

Overall impressions

Padron 80^th is a novelty smoke but that's not just it.

It is a prize! It is one of these little things that make an ordinary day special, let alone if this day is Christmas Eve. Then it's even better.

It might not be cheap($30 per stick) but it is one of these boxes worth having for special occasions.

Aging potentials are big, but Padrons use aged tobacco so smoking the cigar young is no problem.

I wonder how these cigars are going to taste like in two or three years and I know many of you have the same question.

My Father Belicoso by D.P. Garcia

My Father cigars are one of the latest creations of the Garcia family and in particular Jamie Garcia, who created this blend to honor his father Pepin.

Word has it that they are been produced in small quantities in the family's new factory in Nicaragua.

My father Belicoso is a nice looking cigar. It feels tight to the touch firm rolled,without soft spots wearing an oily brown wrapper.

Cut and cold draw

Cutting the pointy head of the cigar was an easy task for Xikar's cigar tool. Taking some cold draws the first taste that comes to the mouth is light coffee with a nice cream feeling to it.

First third

After lighting the cigar and getting into the first quarter inch of it a wonderful leather taste emerges

smooth and balanced.

Very light spice, pepper and nutmeg are present on the background!

Draw is tight but not hard and the burn line is a bit uneven with no need for touchups so far.

Smoke production is not to big but the produced smoke is very tasty and pleasant without been offensive to people around me.

Flavor profile os very similar to a cuban Ramon Allones Specially Selected I had some time ago.

The Pepins really pay tribute to their Cuban heritage once again with this cigar.

Burn rate is slow. Body is medium to full with a progressing leather taste as it's been smoked towards the second third.

Second third

Into the second third and it is obvious that this is a very well constructed and consistent cigar.

It has opened up. The draw now is a little easier but still has this welcome resistance.

Leather has taken one step back and now the most characteristic “Pepin” flavor has taken the main stage. That's right PEPPER!! Not too intense but very clear.

Burn rate is still relatively slow and burn line has corrected itself into razor sharp.

Ash is holding very well and although the cigar is close to its last third there is no need to use the ashtray.

Third and last part

On this last part of the cigar flavor has turned into creamy spice with intense tones of coffee beans and cinnamon. Very complex!

The cigar has picked up in body but never out of balance.

Blowing smoke through the nose is now a little harder, but doing it gives a very strong peppery taste.

That is very appealing to those who love bold full bodied cigars with spicy taste.

The flavor lasts long on the palette, leaving a nice creamy feeling.

Nubbin this belicoso is not hard since this is a very delicious cigar

Over all impassions

I love all Pepin creations and this is no exemption.

I would definitely buy some more of these cigars. They might no be cheap but they are so good that they are worth it!!!

Opus X Perfection X ( 2007 )

Opus X is one of the most controversial cigar bands out there right now. Many say there is nothing more to it but a marketing strategy, others believe that Opus x deserve the hype.

One thing is beyond any doubt, Opus X are one of the best cigars available and a well aged X is one of the most rewarding smoke.

Appearance and Pre light   

This cigar looks beautiful. The wrapper has an oily shine on it and the brown reddish color is very appealing to the eye.

The constriction is impeccable and there are no soft spots when feeling the cigar with the fingers.

Cut and cold draw 

The head of the cigar was easy to be removed using my Palio cutter.

Cold draw had a perfect amount  of resistance giving strong cinnamon, spice and dry nut taste.

First third

First half inch into the cigar and strong taste of nuts is present along with some espresso notes that are not clear yet.

The burn line is thin and sharp and the Perfection X produces vast amounts of smoke.

Draw resistance is spot on, not to tight not very loose so the cigar is burning cool.

I had been  resting this cigar in my humidor since May 2007 at 65 F- 65% RH and although Perfection X is said to be one of the strongest cigars of the Opus family.

Still after this R & R time there is a smoothness in this cigar that really amazes me!

Second third 

35 minutes after the first light and into the second third.

The taste of this stick is fantastic. Taste of nuts is still present but not as strong as before. Now leather is the dominant taste. Leather and the cinnamon taste I found on the cold draw. Finally this cigar NOW is an Opus X.

Its picking up in body and the volume of smoke is still very big.

At this point some burn issues have occurred but nothing the cigar did not corrected itself after some puffs.

Third and last part.

Perfection X into the third part and cinnamon and coffee beans are now very much alive.

Blowing smoke from the nostrils gives a full blast of strong leather and pepper.

This is definitely NOT a cigar for the faint hearted.

Very smooth and balanced but still has that kick in the ass of its youth. The taste goes on and on on the palette. Fantastic!!

Getting to the end of the cigar all i can think of is how great this cigar is. These are wonderful smokes right out of the box, but even better if you allow them to rest for some years.

Rich, bold but also smooth with an almost decadent taste and feel to them.

If only I could get more!!

All I hope for is to have the patience to age the ones I own for some more years.

It looks like a decade is  a very realistic approach...