Thanks Lee. This is a very aromatic cigar but don't have as much as the Cohiba Behike. Behike is always a better cigar IMPO, specially with $5 difference with 80th.
Lee.mcglynn:
Great review! These are in my top of all time I think. Haven't had a behike yet but these are damn well worth every penny! They are pricey but very good and I loved the nutty flavores! Thanks for a great review and reminding us how good these are!
Great reviews! I think the 1926 80th is the first cigar in this entire thread that I actually own, lol. This thread is where I come to get my cigar porn fix
Thank you for your kind words Sir. I am glad to know that you enjoy reading my reviews.
bigharpoon:
Great reviews! I think the 1926 80th is the first cigar in this entire thread that I actually own, lol. This thread is where I come to get my cigar porn fix
Thanks Lee. This is a very aromatic cigar but don't have as much as the Cohiba Behike. Behike is always a better cigar IMPO, specially with $5 difference with 80th.
Lee.mcglynn:
Great review! These are in my top of all time I think. Haven't had a behike yet but these are damn well worth every penny! They are pricey but very good and I loved the nutty flavores! Thanks for a great review and reminding us how good these are!
well unless you can get them cheaper. behikes I have no way to know on that one though.
I don't know any store where they offer sale on Padron.
phobicsquirrel:
rzaman:
Thanks Lee. This is a very aromatic cigar but don't have as much as the Cohiba Behike. Behike is always a better cigar IMPO, specially with $5 difference with 80th.
Lee.mcglynn:
Great review! These are in my top of all time I think. Haven't had a behike yet but these are damn well worth every penny! They are pricey but very good and I loved the nutty flavores! Thanks for a great review and reminding us how good these are!
well unless you can get them cheaper. behikes I have no way to know on that one though.
I don't know any store where they offer sale on Padron.
phobicsquirrel:
rzaman:
Thanks Lee. This is a very aromatic cigar but don't have as much as the Cohiba Behike. Behike is always a better cigar IMPO, specially with $5 difference with 80th.
Lee.mcglynn:
Great review! These are in my top of all time I think. Haven't had a behike yet but these are damn well worth every penny! They are pricey but very good and I loved the nutty flavores! Thanks for a great review and reminding us how good these are!
well unless you can get them cheaper. behikes I have no way to know on that one though.
Trust me I wish I could get the behikes but oh well being stuck with padron isn't bad IMO lol. But yeah I get them for a ok price I guess but def not a sale price!!
Padron 80th is my favorite cigar. I was gifted a box 2 1/2 years ago, and my first 80th was the best cigar I've ever had. I just finished the last 2 at the end of August on my honeymoon, and they were phenomenal - although I surprisingly liked them slightly more without the extra couple years of age. I've had a few Padron 1926 that were almost as good as the 80th, but not quite on the same level.
As for price, I think the best I've seen is about $25/cigar. I haven't found any below that threshold.
Padron 80th is my favorite cigar. I was gifted a box 2 1/2 years ago, and my first 80th was the best cigar I've ever had. I just finished the last 2 at the end of August on my honeymoon, and they were phenomenal - although I surprisingly liked them slightly more without the extra couple years of age. I've had a few Padron 1926 that were almost as good as the 80th, but not quite on the same level.
As for price, I think the best I've seen is about $25/cigar. I haven't found any below that threshold.
yeah padrons really shine with a year on them any more and they lose something any less and they can be a tad harsh
Cigar simply mellow out with aging. When cigar mellow out a bit, it is easier to feel anf enjoy the complex flavors and aroma. Cigar releases ammonia with aging, it is a natural occurrence as tobacco ferments. Aging also allows a cigar to mingle the flavors and aroma. Not all the cigars are good for aging but Padron is.
Lee.mcglynn:
Unthought_Known:
Padron 80th is my favorite cigar. I was gifted a box 2 1/2 years ago, and my first 80th was the best cigar I've ever had. I just finished the last 2 at the end of August on my honeymoon, and they were phenomenal - although I surprisingly liked them slightly more without the extra couple years of age. I've had a few Padron 1926 that were almost as good as the 80th, but not quite on the same level.
As for price, I think the best I've seen is about $25/cigar. I haven't found any below that threshold.
yeah padrons really shine with a year on them any more and they lose something any less and they can be a tad harsh
Rip,
Just wanted to say that even though every person's palate is different, just the reviews you provide are just amazing to read. I have smoked a few of the cigars you have reviewed and I've read them while I smoked. Again going to my first sentence, the cigar is different yet so alike. Your reviews have helped me notice some flavors that I never picked up before, and its just fantastic! The padron 80th, I do have 2 resting and it looks like I will be lighting one up and re-reading your review while doing so! Thanks again for the detailed review! Look forward to the next one.
Hi Shawn, I am very happy to know that my reviews help you to identify the flavor and aroma of a cigar. I sincerely appreciate your kind words. Thanks, Rip
zeebra:
Rip,
Just wanted to say that even though every person's palate is different, just the reviews you provide are just amazing to read. I have smoked a few of the cigars you have reviewed and I've read them while I smoked. Again going to my first sentence, the cigar is different yet so alike. Your reviews have helped me notice some flavors that I never picked up before, and its just fantastic! The padron 80th, I do have 2 resting and it looks like I will be lighting one up and re-reading your review while doing so! Thanks again for the detailed review! Look forward to the next one.
The Davidoff Puro d'Oro offers an unparalleled palate stimulation that delivers a very distinguished taste. The dark oily Davidoff Yamasa Wrapper imparts a subtle dominance and complexity to the medium bodied blend of select aged Dominican tobaccos. These Dominican puros are crafted with a traditional pigtail cap and an elegantly embossed golden band at the foot. Like the original Davidoff packaging of the 1940s, the cigars are boxed in 25-cigar wheels, wrapped with a white silk ribbon. It comes with four different shapes- Gigantes, Eminentes, Deliciosos and Magnificos. The Puro d'Oro has a wrapper grown by Davidoff maker Henke Kelner in Yamasá, an area of the Dominican Republic north of the capital city of Santo Domingo and far from Santiago and its surrounding tobacco fields. This cigar was released in 2010.[Source: Cigar aficionado and Davidoff website]
The wrapper is very dark reddish brown with a rustic look with smaller veins. It has a smooth feel but the surface is little bumpy, solid look, heavy and feels good in hand. The Yamasa wrapper has a nice, shiny and oily appearance. The wrapper has a mild and sweet grassy scent. The cold draw is easy but not loose. The flavor profile is a combination of cedar, leather, raisin, earth, nutty but more like cashew nut kind of creaminess, mild aromatic herbs, chocolate espresso, butterscotch, peppery with distinctive sweet-spicy clove kind of flavor and aroma. Overall, has a very rich, creamy, thick smoke with perfect draw with little uneven burn. Yamasa wrapper is full of oil and wet and this is the reason why the burn is little uneven. It is a medium to full bodied cigar. This is a 100% Dominican Puro. Wrapper: Dominican Yamasa
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican 1/3: It starts with aromatic spicy herbs flavor with distinctive cedar, sweet raisin, and nutty notes. Interesting start - the notes are more complex and noticeable than the flavor. The spiciness has also the harshness which is not enjoyable at all. Retrohale is challenging because of the overpowering spicy harshness. Within 5-6 puffs the harshness softens up and the smoke became more smooth, thick and creamy. The top of my tongue can feel the straight black peppery spiciness; the middle of my tongue can feel the thick, creamy texture with above flavor and aromas. The back of my tongue has the tobacco harshness. I am also feeling strong espresso bean flavor with distinctive earthy, sweet leathery, black peppery notes at the back. Good complexity with long finish but harshness is still there. I am retrohaling it but stop at the half way for the overpowering harsh and spiciness. This cigar needs aging though it got a full one year age in my humidor. The reason I am still trying to retrohale because the spiciness through the nose has a nice sweet-earthy-musty zing which is kind of interesting. It is a medium bodied at this stage. 2/3: The cigar mellowed out a lot at this stage but a mild harshness is still there. Interestingly the creamy smoke is more round and thick with more nuttiness (like the cashewnut-peanut butter thickness and flavor). This element is very enjoyable at this stage with distinctive chocolate espresso, butterscotch flavors and mild aromatic herbs aroma at the back. The finish is peppery-spicy and long. I am able to retrohale at this stage and enjoying the sweet raising, earthy underlying notes. The sweet-earthy-musty-medium spiciness through the nose is very enjoyable. I am beginning to like it. It is very complex at this stage. I had to touch up four times to keep the burn straight. This is the weakness of the oily, wet Yamasa wrapper. I can close my eyes and can identify Yamasa wrapper for its distinctive aromas through the nose. This is what makes this cigar so unique. I have to say the touch up part is little annoying. It is full bodied now but very rich in flavor, aroma and complexity. It releases a lot of smoke which has a nice aesthetic feeling. Another good part of this cigar is to feel the aromatic oily, zesty texture of the smoke. The tingling feeling is medium but the tobacco bitterness at the back of my tongue with mild harshness is little disappointing. I am drinking a lot of water to keep it clean. Final/3: At this stage, the cigar flavor and aroma profile has the combination of 1/3 and 2/3 stage. The dominant flavor is distinctive clove spiciness with raisin like sweetness. The espresso coffee flavor is weak but the cedar, peppery spiciness are more noticeable with a mild anise note at the back-very nice! Again, the complexity is very interesting. It is quiet smooth, buttery and creamy and the sweet-mild spiciness through the nose is very enjoyable. The medium tingling feeling is gone but it is very rich and complex. The finish scaled down to medium. The harshness is almost gone and retrohaling is pleasant.
Final thought: Overall, this is very good cigar but not like any other Davidoff cigar. I cannot say that this is a top line Davidoff cigar. I will not buy a box but will always keep 5-10 sticks in my humidor for aging and see how it performs with longer aging. This cigar has a unique taste. Henke Kelner wanted to make a good Dominican puro and I believe he successfully did it.
I just had this same stick this afternoon, was 14 months old. I some burnt wood or charcoal tastes the first 10 draws or so but then it's was smooth sailing. Thanks for the detailed review I'll have to start reading your thoughts. But the profile was right up my alley, I'm a sucker for sweetness and anise.
i really liked this cigar when i smoked it. im not sure if it matters with davidoff but the one i had was about a month after it was released. I dont remember any harsh but i do remember the "sweet-earthy-musty-medium spiciness" that you mentioned was through the nose. i agree that it isnt my favorite Davidoff and wouldnt buy a box but i have a few in the humidor and intend to replace as i smoke them.
i really liked this cigar when i smoked it. im not sure if it matters with davidoff but the one i had was about a month after it was released. I dont remember any harsh but i do remember the "sweet-earthy-musty-medium spiciness" that you mentioned was through the nose. i agree that it isnt my favorite Davidoff and wouldnt buy a box but i have a few in the humidor and intend to replace as i smoke them.
I think mine was a fluke, the taste was reminiscent of hitting a less combustable stem-heavy region on a stick where you get mostly hot air burnt taste. Just scary to get this horrid flavor for the first ten puffs the first time sampling the stick. This, the col claro, and the mellinium Are my only attempts at davidoff and they were all quite different and tasty, I guess I am avoiding the more mild ones
Montecristo is the best known and probably the most appreciated and popular brand of Habanos throughout the world. It forms the benchmark for many Habanos smokers against which other brands are judged. The name comes from the hero of Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel "The Count of Montecristo", which was a favorite story among the Torcedores ( Cigar Makers) at the factory in Havana where it was founded in 1935. Today the range, which was originally composed of a narrow assortment strictly numbered from 1 to 5, covers every level of the cigar enthusiasts’ needs from the majestic Montecristo A to the tiny Joyita. In 2009, for the first time, born in Montecristo a new line: Montecristo Open, which incorporates 4 new vitolas on the brand: Eagle (54 x 150 mm), Regata (46 x 135mm), Master (50 x 124 mm) and Junior (38 x 110mm), designed to satisfy all Montecristo lovers as well as to welcome the new generations who enjoy the pleasures of living “alfresco”. Montecristo’s perfectly balanced blend is created exclusively with selected leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, home of the finest tobaccos in the world. It’s distinctive medium to full flavor and distinguished aroma appeal equally to both new and experienced smokers. [Source: Casa Del Habano] This cigar is a iconic Cuban puro for its consistency, rich flavor and draw. In 2008 Cigar Aficionado rated this beauty with 94 points. The pyramid shaped cigar is very simple looking with an as usual simple brown color Montecristo band. This is one of the most complex, flavorful regular cigar in Cuban portfolio IMPO. You simply cannot go wrong with it. The wrapper color is light chocolate with slight veins to it. There is no aesthetic beauty but that does not undermine the taste and flavor of the cigar. The wrapper has a dry woody, earthy and slight musty scent. The flavor profile is very rich with a combination of oak, earthy-musty, cloves, cardamom, roasted almond, sweet fruity, coco, milk chocolate, vanilla, delicate super mild white pepper spiciness aroma at the back. The cigar is completely smooth, creamy, buttery and round. The draw and burn is more than perfect. The one I am smoking is 2009 release and it mellowed out completely. The rich complex flavors and aroma, perfect balance and finish are simply extra ordinary. It is a straight medium-full bodied cigar without any harshness. Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba 1/3: It starts with delicate oak, sweet- musty earth aroma and distinctive coca, milk chocolate, vanilla flavors with roasted almond aroma at the back. What a rich, lush and aromatic start! I am retrohaling from the first puff and enjoying the delicate super mild white pepper spiciness through the nose. The top of my tongue has slight sweet-spiciness; the middle of my tongue is full of creamy, buttery, round texture with the above flavors and aroma. The back of my tongue has no aftertaste. The smoke is simply rich, clean and with long finish. A perfect start! 2/3: The 1/3 flavor and aroma profile is still there. I am also detecting some new elements to it. It has a smoked almond flavor at the front. I can also detect clove, cardamom and sweet aromatic fruitiness to it. The richness of the smoke is so flavorful that tells me how much Cuban regular cigar quality improved lately. There is also a nice vanilla-fruit cake element to it. It is simply full of flavors and aroma. The top of my tongue as well as the back of my tongue is clean. All the flavors and aroma are in the middle of my tongue with creamy, buttery texture. With two and half years of age, the cigar improved dramatically. What a striking complex richness with impeccable draw and burn. I am really enjoying retrohaling because if the delicate super mild white pepper spiciness through the nose is very pleasant. The spiciness through the nose is little stronger at this stage but this element adds extra fun to the smoke. The sweet after taste in each puff is very enjoyable. I am also detecting some sweet-leather, cafe latte flavors. I don't know what else I can ask from a cigar at this stage. I am also having the tingling feeling inside my mouth. It is simply amazing! Final/3: The cigar picked little more strength at this stage from medium to medium-full but it is still super smooth, creamy and round. The milk chocolate, vanilla, rich smoked almond, coco flavors are more dominant with clove-cardamom, rich medium aromatic sweet fruitiness at the back but very distintive. The back of my tongue has a slight coffee bean sweet- bitterness which is a very pleasant feeling. This is a perfect cigar and I simply cannot say how good it is. The delicate white pepper spiciness though the nose is stronger but somehow it adds more fun to the smoke. During the entire time of smoking I did not feel any harshness. This is a perfect example, how a spicy cigar can be so smooth and rich without any harshness. I can feel the tingling feeling all over my mouth. I had couple of Montecrsito Gran Reserva Consecha 2005 but I cannot tell which one I like the most the Grand Reserva 2005 or this aged Montecrsto no. 2 from 2009. Perhaps, I need to smoke another Gran Reserva soon to compare.
Final thought: The Montecristo no. 2 was in my top ten Cuban cigar list now I do not hesitate to put it in my top five Cuban cigar list. This cigar is really that good. Every single cent is worth. I am definitely going to order more boxes for aging though I have two boxes right now. This is 2009 release and I need to smoke from 2010 and 2011 release to see the difference. I know some of you are thinking how I compare this with Behike, Cohiba 1966 and Montecristo Gran Reserva Consecha 2005. Well, this cigar lack one element and that is the strong Cuban signature aromatic sweet-fruity-flowery aroma but that does not undermine its unique taste. This is my new one of the top favorite Cuban cigar...period.
Montecristo no. 4 is the most popular Cuban cigar on earth. Casa Del Habano calls is Big Mac of Montecristo. They produce this cigar from 20-25 million sticks annually. There is no other cigan brand in the world come close to Monti 4 in terms of sells.
danielzreyes:
Monte #2 is one of my all time fav smokes. I had the #4 tonight.
Great review, as always. I was gifted a #2 and have been greatly looking forward to it. Your review has heightened my anticipation even more, thank you!
It is possible that this is one of the greatest offerings from Alec Bradley Fine and Rare cigars, a company which was founded in 1996 by Alan Rubin. The company firmly believes that being concerned with mass production is not how a fine cigar should be made. They do, however, believe that staying focused on the production of an exceptional product for their consumers is their only priority. This attention to detail keeps them on the cutting edge in the premiere tobacco market. These smokes were one of two lines that were presented to the public in 2011. Seven different tobaccos make up the filler. The binders are dually combined from Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The wrapper originates from the Trojes farm in Honduras. The result is a completely unique type of blend that when bundled together delivers a one of a kind stick to the smokers who love a complex cigar. In August of 2010, a small team of rollers at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras produced a cigar with 10 different tobaccos in the overall blend. They didn’t know it at the time, but it was to be named Fine & Rare, and this new brand from Alec Bradley Cigar Co. As far as brand owner Alan Rubin is concerned, this is the only cigar with a 10-tobacco blend. It consists of a Honduran wrapper from the Trojes farm, dual Honduran and Nicaraguan binders and a filler blend that he hasn’t disclosed. Only 1,111 boxes of the Fine & Rare have been produced, each numbered cigar bearing the signatures of Rubin and company vice president Ralph Montero, as well as the project manager, roller and buncher. “Since we were only able to make 1,111 boxes, we thought it would be fun to release the cigars on 11-11-11,” said Rubin. While one thousand of these 1,111 boxes contain ten Toros each, there are a hundred 20-count boxes that come with 10 Toros and 10 Torpedos. The remaining 11 boxes will be reserved for charity—30-count packages holding 10 Toros, 10 Torpedos and 10 Perfectos. [Source: Cigar Aficionado and other on-line sources] It is a Toro size cigar. The wrapper color is dark brown with some oily sheen to it; the veins are visible and rough. It feels solid and heavy in hand. The band is very long with the information of production date and year, name of the rollers, supervisor and approver Alan Rubin. It also said weekly quantity produced 6000; first issue 1000 boxes in 2011. It has a triple caps. The wrapper has woody, leathery scents. The foot has a sweet coffee and earthy scents. The flavor profile is combination of sweet-tangy fruity, spice, cedar, nutty, leather, earth, cocoa, coffee flavors with lots of upfront black peppery note through the nose. It has some harshness to it. Overall it has a perfect burn with some tightness to the draw. The overall complexity is medium with long finish. The cigar is medium to full and at the 2/3 and final/3 it is bold. The packaging is very impressive. Ten cigars come in a beautifully crafted wooden box. They lines up nicely individually in a curved tray so they do not get any pressure and stay intact. I have to say that one of the best presentation in the cigar world. Wrapper: Honduran from Trojes farm
Binder: Nicaragua and Honduran
Filler: Seven different varities from unknown sources 1/3: it starts with a blast of spiciness, cedar, sweet-tangy fruity, cocoa, leather, distinctive coffee flavors with a creamy nutty aroma at the back. The black peppery note through the nose is little harsh and not enjoyable. However, impressive flavor and aroma profile at start. The top of my tongue can feel the sweet-spicy zing, the middle of my tongue can feel the thick and lunch smoke, the back of my tongue can feel the unpleasant tobacco harshness to it. The strength is spicy medium. It is a complex start with long finish. I already have the tingling feeling in my mouth but at the same time the back of my tongue and throat hurts with harsh edge of the tobacco. Overall, it is a good start but not so impressive. It has a similarity with Liga Privada T52. However, the complexity and finish is same as T52 but not overly complex. Usually, I like to retrohale but I had to stop because of the harshness. Also the black pepper note through the nose is also overpowering. The draw is little tight at the end of 1/3 stage. However, the flavor and aroma profile is quiet rich and the finish is pretty long. 2/3: The cigar spiciness is more subtle at this stage and black pepper through the nose softens up a little which is allowing me to start retrohale again. The smoke is smoother, buttery and lush. I would consider it as a improvement. The draw is also getting little easier now. The tangy fruitiness is more than sweet fruitiness. In fact, I can detect a nice and soothing lemony flavor at the back. Here the cigar gets one extra point in complexity scale. The new flavor is the freshly roasted coffee bean with 1/3 flavors and aroma. The top of my tongue can feel the spiciness; the middle of my tongue can feel the thick and lush smoke with more distinctive roasted coffee, fruity, nutty flavors and some earthy, sweet leathery notes at the back. The back of my tongue still has the touch of harshness but less than 1/3 stage. The tingling feeling is gone. The cigar became one dimensional. I am not getting anything new. The best part is the lemony twist shield around the above flavors and aroma. However, at the same time, the black pepper spiciness through the nose is more tolerable. Overall, I am little disappointing but not bad. The strength is full bodied and bold. I believe some people like it very much at this stage and I understand that. I can feel that lots of Nicaraguan ligeros are in it from Estelí (spicy) and Jalapa (sweet) in the blend. To me the strength is overpowering and more viso leaf will improve the blend. Smokers who liked full bodied, bold and Liga Privada kind of profile may enjoy this more than me. I enjoy more balanced, complex cigar. At the end of 2/3 it is getting more smoother and strong black pepper though the nose is becoming more pleasant. Final/3: The draw is slightly tight again which is very annoying. When a full bodied cigar has tight draw, the bitterness hit the tongue unpleasantly. The top and back of my tongue can feel it. The flavor profile is not easy to break down because of the boldness of the cigar. However, the nicotine of this cigar is giving me a little headache. I had a full launch and my stomach is not empty. I am also feeling dry mouth more often as a result I am drinking water more frequently. It also helps me to clean the bitterness in my mouth. I am losing my interest and going to stop smoking the cigar. The flavor and aroma profile is boring and one dimensional at the same time. At this stage the cigar is all about strength and boldness. I cannot take it any longer.
Final thought: You do not need to be an expert to say the name of this cigar is full of hype. Even Liga Privada is a better cigar. I am not impressed at all. I do like some full bodied and bold cigar like Viaje Oro Reserve #5 2010 or Zino Davidoff Crown Series Emperor Edition 2010 but the smoothness, balance, complexity makes the difference not only the overpowering strength. I am utterly disappointed. If you haven't had the chance to smoke it then trust me you haven't miss anything. Even AB's other cigars- Prensado, Tempus, Black Market, Family blends are better than this. It is not a bad cigar but simply overhyped. If you like bold, spicy and can tolerate the tight draw please go for it.
Comments
As for price, I think the best I've seen is about $25/cigar. I haven't found any below that threshold.
Just wanted to say that even though every person's palate is different, just the reviews you provide are just amazing to read. I have smoked a few of the cigars you have reviewed and I've read them while I smoked. Again going to my first sentence, the cigar is different yet so alike. Your reviews have helped me notice some flavors that I never picked up before, and its just fantastic! The padron 80th, I do have 2 resting and it looks like I will be lighting one up and re-reading your review while doing so! Thanks again for the detailed review! Look forward to the next one.
Z
The Davidoff Puro d'Oro offers an unparalleled palate stimulation that delivers a very distinguished taste. The dark oily Davidoff Yamasa Wrapper imparts a subtle dominance and complexity to the medium bodied blend of select aged Dominican tobaccos. These Dominican puros are crafted with a traditional pigtail cap and an elegantly embossed golden band at the foot. Like the original Davidoff packaging of the 1940s, the cigars are boxed in 25-cigar wheels, wrapped with a white silk ribbon. It comes with four different shapes- Gigantes, Eminentes, Deliciosos and Magnificos. The Puro d'Oro has a wrapper grown by Davidoff maker Henke Kelner in Yamasá, an area of the Dominican Republic north of the capital city of Santo Domingo and far from Santiago and its surrounding tobacco fields. This cigar was released in 2010.[Source: Cigar aficionado and Davidoff website]
The wrapper is very dark reddish brown with a rustic look with smaller veins. It has a smooth feel but the surface is little bumpy, solid look, heavy and feels good in hand. The Yamasa wrapper has a nice, shiny and oily appearance. The wrapper has a mild and sweet grassy scent. The cold draw is easy but not loose. The flavor profile is a combination of cedar, leather, raisin, earth, nutty but more like cashew nut kind of creaminess, mild aromatic herbs, chocolate espresso, butterscotch, peppery with distinctive sweet-spicy clove kind of flavor and aroma. Overall, has a very rich, creamy, thick smoke with perfect draw with little uneven burn. Yamasa wrapper is full of oil and wet and this is the reason why the burn is little uneven. It is a medium to full bodied cigar. This is a 100% Dominican Puro.
Wrapper: Dominican Yamasa
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
1/3: It starts with aromatic spicy herbs flavor with distinctive cedar, sweet raisin, and nutty notes. Interesting start - the notes are more complex and noticeable than the flavor. The spiciness has also the harshness which is not enjoyable at all. Retrohale is challenging because of the overpowering spicy harshness. Within 5-6 puffs the harshness softens up and the smoke became more smooth, thick and creamy. The top of my tongue can feel the straight black peppery spiciness; the middle of my tongue can feel the thick, creamy texture with above flavor and aromas. The back of my tongue has the tobacco harshness. I am also feeling strong espresso bean flavor with distinctive earthy, sweet leathery, black peppery notes at the back. Good complexity with long finish but harshness is still there. I am retrohaling it but stop at the half way for the overpowering harsh and spiciness. This cigar needs aging though it got a full one year age in my humidor. The reason I am still trying to retrohale because the spiciness through the nose has a nice sweet-earthy-musty zing which is kind of interesting. It is a medium bodied at this stage.
2/3: The cigar mellowed out a lot at this stage but a mild harshness is still there. Interestingly the creamy smoke is more round and thick with more nuttiness (like the cashewnut-peanut butter thickness and flavor). This element is very enjoyable at this stage with distinctive chocolate espresso, butterscotch flavors and mild aromatic herbs aroma at the back. The finish is peppery-spicy and long. I am able to retrohale at this stage and enjoying the sweet raising, earthy underlying notes. The sweet-earthy-musty-medium spiciness through the nose is very enjoyable. I am beginning to like it. It is very complex at this stage. I had to touch up four times to keep the burn straight. This is the weakness of the oily, wet Yamasa wrapper. I can close my eyes and can identify Yamasa wrapper for its distinctive aromas through the nose. This is what makes this cigar so unique. I have to say the touch up part is little annoying. It is full bodied now but very rich in flavor, aroma and complexity. It releases a lot of smoke which has a nice aesthetic feeling. Another good part of this cigar is to feel the aromatic oily, zesty texture of the smoke. The tingling feeling is medium but the tobacco bitterness at the back of my tongue with mild harshness is little disappointing. I am drinking a lot of water to keep it clean.
Final/3: At this stage, the cigar flavor and aroma profile has the combination of 1/3 and 2/3 stage. The dominant flavor is distinctive clove spiciness with raisin like sweetness. The espresso coffee flavor is weak but the cedar, peppery spiciness are more noticeable with a mild anise note at the back-very nice! Again, the complexity is very interesting. It is quiet smooth, buttery and creamy and the sweet-mild spiciness through the nose is very enjoyable. The medium tingling feeling is gone but it is very rich and complex. The finish scaled down to medium. The harshness is almost gone and retrohaling is pleasant.
Final thought: Overall, this is very good cigar but not like any other Davidoff cigar. I cannot say that this is a top line Davidoff cigar. I will not buy a box but will always keep 5-10 sticks in my humidor for aging and see how it performs with longer aging. This cigar has a unique taste. Henke Kelner wanted to make a good Dominican puro and I believe he successfully did it.
Montecristo is the best known and probably the most appreciated and popular brand of Habanos throughout the world. It forms the benchmark for many Habanos smokers against which other brands are judged. The name comes from the hero of Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel "The Count of Montecristo", which was a favorite story among the Torcedores ( Cigar Makers) at the factory in Havana where it was founded in 1935. Today the range, which was originally composed of a narrow assortment strictly numbered from 1 to 5, covers every level of the cigar enthusiasts’ needs from the majestic Montecristo A to the tiny Joyita. In 2009, for the first time, born in Montecristo a new line: Montecristo Open, which incorporates 4 new vitolas on the brand: Eagle (54 x 150 mm), Regata (46 x 135mm), Master (50 x 124 mm) and Junior (38 x 110mm), designed to satisfy all Montecristo lovers as well as to welcome the new generations who enjoy the pleasures of living “alfresco”. Montecristo’s perfectly balanced blend is created exclusively with selected leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, home of the finest tobaccos in the world. It’s distinctive medium to full flavor and distinguished aroma appeal equally to both new and experienced smokers. [Source: Casa Del Habano]
This cigar is a iconic Cuban puro for its consistency, rich flavor and draw. In 2008 Cigar Aficionado rated this beauty with 94 points. The pyramid shaped cigar is very simple looking with an as usual simple brown color Montecristo band. This is one of the most complex, flavorful regular cigar in Cuban portfolio IMPO. You simply cannot go wrong with it. The wrapper color is light chocolate with slight veins to it. There is no aesthetic beauty but that does not undermine the taste and flavor of the cigar. The wrapper has a dry woody, earthy and slight musty scent. The flavor profile is very rich with a combination of oak, earthy-musty, cloves, cardamom, roasted almond, sweet fruity, coco, milk chocolate, vanilla, delicate super mild white pepper spiciness aroma at the back. The cigar is completely smooth, creamy, buttery and round. The draw and burn is more than perfect. The one I am smoking is 2009 release and it mellowed out completely. The rich complex flavors and aroma, perfect balance and finish are simply extra ordinary. It is a straight medium-full bodied cigar without any harshness.
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
1/3: It starts with delicate oak, sweet- musty earth aroma and distinctive coca, milk chocolate, vanilla flavors with roasted almond aroma at the back. What a rich, lush and aromatic start! I am retrohaling from the first puff and enjoying the delicate super mild white pepper spiciness through the nose. The top of my tongue has slight sweet-spiciness; the middle of my tongue is full of creamy, buttery, round texture with the above flavors and aroma. The back of my tongue has no aftertaste. The smoke is simply rich, clean and with long finish. A perfect start!
2/3: The 1/3 flavor and aroma profile is still there. I am also detecting some new elements to it. It has a smoked almond flavor at the front. I can also detect clove, cardamom and sweet aromatic fruitiness to it. The richness of the smoke is so flavorful that tells me how much Cuban regular cigar quality improved lately. There is also a nice vanilla-fruit cake element to it. It is simply full of flavors and aroma. The top of my tongue as well as the back of my tongue is clean. All the flavors and aroma are in the middle of my tongue with creamy, buttery texture. With two and half years of age, the cigar improved dramatically. What a striking complex richness with impeccable draw and burn. I am really enjoying retrohaling because if the delicate super mild white pepper spiciness through the nose is very pleasant. The spiciness through the nose is little stronger at this stage but this element adds extra fun to the smoke. The sweet after taste in each puff is very enjoyable. I am also detecting some sweet-leather, cafe latte flavors. I don't know what else I can ask from a cigar at this stage. I am also having the tingling feeling inside my mouth. It is simply amazing!
Final/3: The cigar picked little more strength at this stage from medium to medium-full but it is still super smooth, creamy and round. The milk chocolate, vanilla, rich smoked almond, coco flavors are more dominant with clove-cardamom, rich medium aromatic sweet fruitiness at the back but very distintive. The back of my tongue has a slight coffee bean sweet- bitterness which is a very pleasant feeling. This is a perfect cigar and I simply cannot say how good it is. The delicate white pepper spiciness though the nose is stronger but somehow it adds more fun to the smoke. During the entire time of smoking I did not feel any harshness. This is a perfect example, how a spicy cigar can be so smooth and rich without any harshness. I can feel the tingling feeling all over my mouth. I had couple of Montecrsito Gran Reserva Consecha 2005 but I cannot tell which one I like the most the Grand Reserva 2005 or this aged Montecrsto no. 2 from 2009. Perhaps, I need to smoke another Gran Reserva soon to compare.
Final thought: The Montecristo no. 2 was in my top ten Cuban cigar list now I do not hesitate to put it in my top five Cuban cigar list. This cigar is really that good. Every single cent is worth. I am definitely going to order more boxes for aging though I have two boxes right now. This is 2009 release and I need to smoke from 2010 and 2011 release to see the difference. I know some of you are thinking how I compare this with Behike, Cohiba 1966 and Montecristo Gran Reserva Consecha 2005. Well, this cigar lack one element and that is the strong Cuban signature aromatic sweet-fruity-flowery aroma but that does not undermine its unique taste. This is my new one of the top favorite Cuban cigar...period.
It is possible that this is one of the greatest offerings from Alec Bradley Fine and Rare cigars, a company which was founded in 1996 by Alan Rubin. The company firmly believes that being concerned with mass production is not how a fine cigar should be made. They do, however, believe that staying focused on the production of an exceptional product for their consumers is their only priority. This attention to detail keeps them on the cutting edge in the premiere tobacco market. These smokes were one of two lines that were presented to the public in 2011. Seven different tobaccos make up the filler. The binders are dually combined from Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The wrapper originates from the Trojes farm in Honduras. The result is a completely unique type of blend that when bundled together delivers a one of a kind stick to the smokers who love a complex cigar.
In August of 2010, a small team of rollers at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras produced a cigar with 10 different tobaccos in the overall blend. They didn’t know it at the time, but it was to be named Fine & Rare, and this new brand from Alec Bradley Cigar Co. As far as brand owner Alan Rubin is concerned, this is the only cigar with a 10-tobacco blend. It consists of a Honduran wrapper from the Trojes farm, dual Honduran and Nicaraguan binders and a filler blend that he hasn’t disclosed. Only 1,111 boxes of the Fine & Rare have been produced, each numbered cigar bearing the signatures of Rubin and company vice president Ralph Montero, as well as the project manager, roller and buncher. “Since we were only able to make 1,111 boxes, we thought it would be fun to release the cigars on 11-11-11,” said Rubin. While one thousand of these 1,111 boxes contain ten Toros each, there are a hundred 20-count boxes that come with 10 Toros and 10 Torpedos. The remaining 11 boxes will be reserved for charity—30-count packages holding 10 Toros, 10 Torpedos and 10 Perfectos. [Source: Cigar Aficionado and other on-line sources]
It is a Toro size cigar. The wrapper color is dark brown with some oily sheen to it; the veins are visible and rough. It feels solid and heavy in hand. The band is very long with the information of production date and year, name of the rollers, supervisor and approver Alan Rubin. It also said weekly quantity produced 6000; first issue 1000 boxes in 2011. It has a triple caps. The wrapper has woody, leathery scents. The foot has a sweet coffee and earthy scents. The flavor profile is combination of sweet-tangy fruity, spice, cedar, nutty, leather, earth, cocoa, coffee flavors with lots of upfront black peppery note through the nose. It has some harshness to it. Overall it has a perfect burn with some tightness to the draw. The overall complexity is medium with long finish. The cigar is medium to full and at the 2/3 and final/3 it is bold. The packaging is very impressive. Ten cigars come in a beautifully crafted wooden box. They lines up nicely individually in a curved tray so they do not get any pressure and stay intact. I have to say that one of the best presentation in the cigar world.
Wrapper: Honduran from Trojes farm
Binder: Nicaragua and Honduran
Filler: Seven different varities from unknown sources
1/3: it starts with a blast of spiciness, cedar, sweet-tangy fruity, cocoa, leather, distinctive coffee flavors with a creamy nutty aroma at the back. The black peppery note through the nose is little harsh and not enjoyable. However, impressive flavor and aroma profile at start. The top of my tongue can feel the sweet-spicy zing, the middle of my tongue can feel the thick and lunch smoke, the back of my tongue can feel the unpleasant tobacco harshness to it. The strength is spicy medium. It is a complex start with long finish. I already have the tingling feeling in my mouth but at the same time the back of my tongue and throat hurts with harsh edge of the tobacco. Overall, it is a good start but not so impressive. It has a similarity with Liga Privada T52. However, the complexity and finish is same as T52 but not overly complex. Usually, I like to retrohale but I had to stop because of the harshness. Also the black pepper note through the nose is also overpowering. The draw is little tight at the end of 1/3 stage. However, the flavor and aroma profile is quiet rich and the finish is pretty long.
2/3: The cigar spiciness is more subtle at this stage and black pepper through the nose softens up a little which is allowing me to start retrohale again. The smoke is smoother, buttery and lush. I would consider it as a improvement. The draw is also getting little easier now. The tangy fruitiness is more than sweet fruitiness. In fact, I can detect a nice and soothing lemony flavor at the back. Here the cigar gets one extra point in complexity scale. The new flavor is the freshly roasted coffee bean with 1/3 flavors and aroma. The top of my tongue can feel the spiciness; the middle of my tongue can feel the thick and lush smoke with more distinctive roasted coffee, fruity, nutty flavors and some earthy, sweet leathery notes at the back. The back of my tongue still has the touch of harshness but less than 1/3 stage. The tingling feeling is gone. The cigar became one dimensional. I am not getting anything new. The best part is the lemony twist shield around the above flavors and aroma. However, at the same time, the black pepper spiciness through the nose is more tolerable. Overall, I am little disappointing but not bad. The strength is full bodied and bold. I believe some people like it very much at this stage and I understand that. I can feel that lots of Nicaraguan ligeros are in it from Estelí (spicy) and Jalapa (sweet) in the blend. To me the strength is overpowering and more viso leaf will improve the blend. Smokers who liked full bodied, bold and Liga Privada kind of profile may enjoy this more than me. I enjoy more balanced, complex cigar. At the end of 2/3 it is getting more smoother and strong black pepper though the nose is becoming more pleasant.
Final/3: The draw is slightly tight again which is very annoying. When a full bodied cigar has tight draw, the bitterness hit the tongue unpleasantly. The top and back of my tongue can feel it. The flavor profile is not easy to break down because of the boldness of the cigar. However, the nicotine of this cigar is giving me a little headache. I had a full launch and my stomach is not empty. I am also feeling dry mouth more often as a result I am drinking water more frequently. It also helps me to clean the bitterness in my mouth. I am losing my interest and going to stop smoking the cigar. The flavor and aroma profile is boring and one dimensional at the same time. At this stage the cigar is all about strength and boldness. I cannot take it any longer.
Final thought: You do not need to be an expert to say the name of this cigar is full of hype. Even Liga Privada is a better cigar. I am not impressed at all. I do like some full bodied and bold cigar like Viaje Oro Reserve #5 2010 or Zino Davidoff Crown Series Emperor Edition 2010 but the smoothness, balance, complexity makes the difference not only the overpowering strength. I am utterly disappointed. If you haven't had the chance to smoke it then trust me you haven't miss anything. Even AB's other cigars- Prensado, Tempus, Black Market, Family blends are better than this. It is not a bad cigar but simply overhyped. If you like bold, spicy and can tolerate the tight draw please go for it.