PARTAGAS PETIT CORONAS ESPECIALES

PARTAGAS PETIT CORONAS ESPECIALES
PETIT CORONA

Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

This vitola used to be machine made with hand applied wrapper. My box, coded SMG JUL 07 states Totalmente a mano.

Place of purchase: La Casa Del Habano Hamburg online



TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 5x42 (used to be 5x44, but I guess when Habanos switched production method, they also changed the size on these)
APPEARANCE: average, slight box press, moderately veiny, evenly colored colorado claro wrapper, wrinkles, chipped wrapper on several spots, green dots on the wrapper
CONSTRUCTION: very good: firmly applied wrapper and cap, firm, nicely filled bunch with fine give, good cap
DRAW: perfect
BURN: good, tipical cuban
AROMA: very good to excellent
FLAVOR: very good
DOMINANT FLAVORS: salt, leather, earth, caramel
AFTERTASTE: salt, leather, earth
STRENGHT: moderate

SMOKING TIME: ~ 80 minutes
GENERAL IMPRESSION: good to very good

CUT: Double guillotine

PRELIGHT: salt, leather, strong molasses
LIGHT: torch flame lighter, easily
BEVERAGE: coffee black

1/3:
Opens with strong leather, salty earth and cedar, while pepper acts as a backdrop. Divine aroma of cedar, caramel and sweet baking spice. Burn tipical cuban, ash flaky. Nose blow peppery but on the smooth side with strong salt, leather and earth notes. Slight runner appears on one side, but corrects itself. Salt fades with sweet caramel appearing. Ash drops just as I want to tip it off. Body in the lower medium.

2/3:
Flavors at this stage are pretty much static, but very smooth with sweet caramel dominating and leather and earth firmly planted in the back. Aroma is excellent, sweet spice with a hint of vanilla. Burn thinned out and is quite even for cuban. Ash is dark grey and very chippy. Ashing reveals no cone, body in the solid medium. Pepper is picking up on the nose blow. Towards final third vanilla gains ground with prominent light roasted coffee notes while sweet caramel fades to backgroung, accompanied by ever present leather.

3/3:
Body slowly moves to medium-full. Smoke remains very smooth with light coffee roast, vanilla and caramel presence unchanged. Sweetness has lessened somewhat but still heavily present in the aroma. Finish at this point is long with heavy leather mixed with pepper.

NUB:
Flavors persist with addition of pepper and slightly bitter woody notes, but still very pleasant.


Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales are great mareva sized smoke, especially considering the price. When I first purchased a box in the early 2008, they had about 8 months of box age on them and were clearly showing youth. While they were good, they were way too perfumy and grassy for my liking, so I smoked only a couple of them to check consistency and put the rest to sleep. I have to report that as of September 2008, these are starting to come around and show great potential to be really fantastic with some more age. As a side note, these have a reputation of having the "old" Partagas blend...

GRAN HABANO COROJO No. 5 CHURCHILL

GRAN HABANO COROJO No. 5
CHURCHILL

Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Place of purchase: Famous Smoke Shop Online

TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 7x48
APPEARANCE: very good to excellent: great looking stick, uniform wrapper on the veiny side, nicely applied, A LOT of oils visible, very elaborate band, well applied, two bands "suggest a pedigree" to this smoke, very nice flattened triple head, evenly colored colorado maduro wrapper
CONSTRUCTION: excellent: the stick is well filled with only a slight give, nice roll with tight seams and a flat triple head in a cuban tradition
DRAW: perfect
BURN: average to good, as usual, with problems
AROMA: good to very good
FLAVOR: good to very good
DOMINANT FLAVORS: compost, worn leather, pepper
AFTERTASTE: worn leather
STRENGHT: moderate to somewhat strong

SMOKING TIME: ~ 2 hours
GENERAL IMPRESSION: average to good (marked down for consistent burn problems)

CUT: table scissors

PRELIGHT: barnyard, dark earth, salty tobacco
LIGHT: torch flame lighter, easily
BEVERAGE: coffee with milk

1/3:
Opening delivers ample amounts of bitter pepper notes, but on third puff bitterness is lost with only pepper and dark earth remaining. Nose blow paints the picture in non-sweet caramel and wood nuances on a hefty peppery side, but still very smooth. Quarter inch into the smoke pepper eases to the back, leaving dark earth dominating. Aroma is fantastic, sweet wood mixed with caramel and new leather. The burn is among the ugliest I have seen, thick with dark gray and black ash. Finish at this point is short, spotlighting salty, earthy notes. Body in the upper medium range.

2/3:
Brings nonsweetened caramel with cocoa into the twist. Earth backs down a bit, but still is firmly planted in the show. Burn problems appear, bringing taste to its knees. Only charred wood with hints of caramel remain and ashing reveals a very tiny cone. At this point, a touch up is applied and the burn returns to acceptable. Nearing the final third, the flavor jumps back in the gear with dark, bitter chocolate and molasses taking centerstage, while heavenly caramel fills the aroma. Body in the lower full at this point.

3/3:
Surprise, surprise... Burn is acting up again and affects the flavor - charr returns. Another touch up is in order. Things get back on track yet again, but pepper reappears this time around, complementing pronounced dark earth and worn leather. Body settles in lower full, burning qualities leave a lot to be desired.

NUB:
Stick turns soft with bitter notes becoming more and more pronounced. Aroma is still nice spicy caramel. No tar build-up, nice fermentation. Finish long and spicy with charred wood on a salty side.

Gran Habano Corojos are a love-hate smokes for me. I love the appearance, taste and aroma of the cigar, but hate its physical performance and packaging (although I can live with packaging). These are very different from other Corojos and I LOVE Corojo tobacco. They have darker flavor profile, a bit less sweetness and caramel and a bit more black pepper and molasses. IMO the blend in these overpowers the beautiful, oily, silky Corojo wrappers. Not that this is a bad thing, just different. Now for the shady part: these cigars simply refuse to burn, so I constantly have to fight the burn. They are never plugged, but always seem to have some issues with the filler which constantly mess with the burn and form tunnels. Also, I suspect oil in the wrappers also adds to this problem. As my box is from January 2008, I hope this issue will be somewhat alleviated with more age. Until I resolve this, another box is out of the question for me, only fivers.

QUINTERO BREVAS

QUINTERO BREVAS
NACIONALES

Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

This smoke is machine made short/mixed filler with hand applied wrapper. It consists of scrapings of tobacco of more prestigious brands.

Place of purchase: Brnik International Airport, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Duty free shop



TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 5.5x40
APPEARANCE: poor, even though it`s a cheapie: looks like it walked all the way from Cuba, veiny with large veins, evenly colored colorado maduro wrapper, slight oily sheen, loose seams, sloppy cap, sloppy, tainted band
CONSTRUCTION: average: firmly applied wrapper and cap, even though it does not seem so, firm, nicely filled bunch - machine made, with fine give, seams visible and not very tight on several spots, cap lousy, but holds well
DRAW: perfect
BURN: good, tipical cuban
AROMA: good to very good
FLAVOR: good to very good
DOMINANT FLAVORS: cocoa, leather, earth
AFTERTASTE: salt, sweet cocoa, leather
STRENGHT: somewhat mild

SMOKING TIME: ~ 70 minutes
GENERAL IMPRESSION: good to very good

CUT: Double guillotine

PRELIGHT: wood, worn leather, touch of molasses
LIGHT: torch flame lighter, took some time
BEVERAGE: coffee black


1/3:
At the outset, soft, sweet cocoa greets me with just hints of earth and leather. Very chocolaty aroma. Nice and smooth nose blow defines salty background. Tipical cuban burn, thick, jagged mascara. Finish is short with salty and sweet cocoa notes. Slowly, sweetness seem to be reatreating in favor of salt. Cocoa dominates with touch of earth in the back. Ash is fragile and drops easily, but it is afterall a short filler smoke. Body in mild to medium range.

2/3:
Reveals nothing new, but it does remain enjoyable with no physical problems. The stick does not tolerate overpuffing well, so relatively slow smoking recommended.

3/3:
Burn problems arise and transcend to flavor, as it starts turning to bitter, almost chemical notes. May be my fault as I almost let it go out. Touch-up necessary, although I don`t favor regulating burn this way. Soon, the stick behaves again, but the addition of pepper is noted.


NUB:
Pepper dominates at this point, with bitter, charry wood nuances in the background. Body settles in lower medium.

Quintero Brevas are another cheap cuban brand. They cost somewhat more that Jose L. Piedra, but IMO deliver a bit more also. Flavor profile is darker, sweeter with rich, strong cocoa, even coffee notes, while JLP tend to be in the lighter profile range with flavors more in the earth, cedar and leather fashion. Quinteros are usually milder than JLP, but not necessarily. Both age well, as I have a few Quinteros left from 2004 purchase that are really stellar at this point. Just remember not to stare at them and judge them heavily on their appearance and you will have a great everyday companion.

PADRON 4000 NATURAL

PADRON 4000 NATURAL
TORO

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun grown
Binder: Nicaraguan Sun grown
Filler: Nicaraguan Sun grown

Place of purchase: Famous Smoke Shop Online


TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 6.5x54
APPEARANCE: poor to average: this one is no looker, veiny with some larger veins, evenly colored colorado maduro wrapper, slight oily sheen, slapped on cap
CONSTRUCTION: poor to average: soft bunch indicating underfill, soft, excessive give, tried to counteract with a punch cut, hastily applied cap
DRAW: loose
BURN: very good to excellent
AROMA: very good
FLAVOR: good to very good
DOMINANT FLAVORS: nut, cocoa, leather, pepper
AFTERTASTE: worn leather
STRENGHT: moderate

SMOKING TIME: ~ 2 hours
GENERAL IMPRESSION: good

CUT: punch

PRELIGHT: earth, salty tobacco
LIGHT: torch flame lighter, easily
BEVERAGE: espresso


1/3:
First puffs deliver nutty flavor, underlined by leather and pepper. It tingles back of the throat immediately. Nose blow nutty with generous pepper - not recommended for new smokers. Draw loose, even with punch cut. Thin burn line with somewhat loose ash. It continues in nutty fashion strongly backed by pepper and a touch of worn leather. Abundant smoke. Nearing second third salty notes join nut and pepper in the foreground, while cocoa is detected in the back. Ashing reveals cone. Body in the medium.

2/3:
Slowly, unsweetened cocoa appears from the background and starts dominating. Pepper eased out of the picture and nuts retreat to the back, but still show presence. Light charry, salty finish. I really have to pace myself to preserve flavors, as the smoke overheats very easily due to excessively loose draw. Body in the solid medium. Wonderful aroma: chocolate and roasted nuts.

3/3:
Flavors at this point are static. Finish remains salty, with charry notes increasing. Pepper slowly returns and takes centerstage.

NUB:
Bitterness dominates with pepper trailing. Body stayed in the medium. No tar build-up, nice fermentation. Finish long, spicy bitter wood with just a touch of leather.


What to say about Padrons? They are really consistent cigars, good quality, value oriented cigars with great flavors and aroma. I just love them.... when they are good. My consistent ("PADRON" THE PUN :-) problem is loose draw. I don`t mind haphazard appearance, as I "judge" a smoke on its flavor and performance, not cosmetics, but loose draw really spoils the enjoyment I get out of these, as I have to pay really close attention not to overheat the smoke. I guess Padrons really loathe plugged smokes, so they over-insure it does not happen with their smokes. Otherwise, these are fantastic and every cigar smoker should at least try these.

JOSE L. PIEDRA CONSERVAS

JOSE L. PIEDRA

CONSERVAS

Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

This smoke is machine made short/mixed filler with hand applied wrapper. It consists of scrapings of tobacco of more prestigious brands.

Place of purchase: Local B & M



TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 5.5x44
APPEARANCE: very good, especially for a cheapie: veiny with some larger veins, evenly colored colorado claro wrapper, slight oily sheen, as far as short filler smokes go, this one is quite nice
CONSTRUCTION: very good: well applied wrapper and double cap, firm, nicely filled bunch - machine made, with fine give, nice tight seams
DRAW: perfect
BURN: good to very good, tipical cuban
AROMA: good
FLAVOR: good
DOMINANT FLAVORS: earth, cedar, salt
AFTERTASTE: earth, cedar, some leather, salt
STRENGHT: somewhat mild

SMOKING TIME: ~ 90 minutes
GENERAL IMPRESSION: good

CUT: Double guillotine
PRELIGHT: earth, salty tobacco
LIGHT: torch flame lighter, easily
BEVERAGE: 7 years old Havana Club Anejo Rum


1/3:
Upon light intense earth and salt hit the palate, with wood and leather in the background. Smooth with no bite whatsoever. Nose blow effortless and defines salty notes on top of leather. Smoke leaves palate dry, so have a drink on hand. I sure did. Tipical cuban burn.
Rum brings out floral notes with wonderful non-sweetened caramel aroma and toasty finish. Ash is fragile and easily drops. Body in the mild to medium range.

2/3:
No surprises here, complex is not a word to describe this smoke. Flavors are static, but not unpleasant or boring. Body barely medium. Ash drops yet again and cannot even grow to an inch. A thing really going for this cheapie on value but not on performance is constant flavor. It does not budge and delivers what its got tall and proud. No bitterness, no tar, good aroma, thick, rich smoke and good, albeit thick burn.

3/3:
This is definitely a single tone tune, but it rocks anyway. A faint citrus note is finally picked up on the nose blow and also on the finish.

NUB:
More of the same `ol. It`s interesting to note that neither body nor flavor increased in the final third. Not even a hair. A textbook constant.

Jose L. Piedra are some of the cheapest cuban cigars you can buy. But they are definitely not "cheap". Sure, there is no complexity, no divine aromas, no silky wrappers... but there is honest cuban flavor and experience. For a short-mixed filler cigar or a cuban daily smoke you can hardly do better. At the prices they go for, you can stock up on them, let them rest for a couple of years and you truly have a small gem on your hands, plus your wallet will thank you.

I ought to mention that rum complimented smoke well, but failed to bring out more delicate nuances. It did, however, "lend" a substantial "body" to the smoke :-)

AVO XO INTERMEZZO

AVO XO INTERMEZZO
ROBUSTO

Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: US Connecticut Shade
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

Place of purchase: Local B & M

TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 5.5x50
APPEARANCE: very good: a couple of larger veins, wrinkled, evenly colored claro wrapper, dry with just a slight oily sheen, but definitely not an ugly stick
CONSTRUCTION: very good: nicely applied wrapper and tipical dominican cap, firm, nicely filled bunch, with the perfect amount of give, a bit loose seams on several spots
DRAW: perfect
BURN: average to good, problems upon light in the first inch
AROMA: very good
FLAVOR: good
DOMINANT FLAVORS: earth, hay, salty floral notes
AFTERTASTE: earthy, charred wood
STRENGHT: somewhat mild

SMOKING TIME: ~ 90 minutes
GENERAL IMPRESSION: good

CUT: Scissors
PRELIGHT: cedar, hay, barnyard, licorice??
LIGHT: torch flame lighter, took some time
BEVERAGE: Courvoisier V.S. Cognac


1/3:
This cigar starts with generous earth, hay and distinct floral notes. Salt in the background. Not a lot of smoke, even with perfect draw, indicates bunching issue. Thick burn line and wavy burn. All this usually means a hole in the filler and I hate this even more than a plugged smoke.


After an inch of working through the problem, the burn normalizes and finally flavors start to shine. Nice smooth, clean tobacco taste with fruity notes and easy nose blow on the apple-cinnamon side. Unusual and probably result of great pairing with young cognac. Very enjoyable. The ash looks kinda funny, compact, but definitely not "healthy" all around.

2/3:
Brings about distinct citrus along salty tobacco. Body in mild to medium range. Wife compliments on the aroma. Finish is very light. Burn finally evens out and ash regains "healthy" look. Apple persistently trails on the nose with only a hint of cinnamon. Short salty finish.

3/3:
Body climbed to medium. Flavors from the second third static. Physical performance admirable with no problems whatsoever.

NUB:
Salty tobacco with bitter woody notes. No tar build-up. Long salty, charred wood finish.

This is my "keep a few in the humidor for a change of pace" stick. It is well priced, quality, flavorful dominican smoke made by Hendrik Kelner. On its own, I label it ideal for someone who enjoys milder, but not mild smokes or a morning smoke. Courvoisier was great company to this smoke with its youthful, fruity profile. It "lended" a solid body to this smoke, making it also perfect for someone who enjoys a "hammer" of a smoke.

SANCHO PANZA BELICOSO

SANCHO PANZA
CAMPANA

Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

Place of purchase: Local B & M

TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 5.5x52
APPEARANCE: average to good: veins all over the place - varicose variety, evenly colored wrapper, nice oily sheen
CONSTRUCTION: very good to excellent: nicely applied wrapper and cap, firm, nicely filled bunch with fine give, slight box press
DRAW: perfect to firm
BURN: very good to perfect
AROMA: very good
FLAVOR: very good
DOMINANT FLAVORS: earth, cedar, leather, some pepper
AFTERTASTE: earthy, some wood
STRENGHT: somewhat mild

SMOKING TIME: ~ 2 hours
GENERAL IMPRESSION: excellent

CUT: Scissors
PRELIGHT: earth, cedar
LIGHT: easily with a torch flame lighter
BEVERAGE: coffee with milk


1/3:
Earth, cedar and thin pepper greet me at the outset of this smoke. Nose blow floral, smooth. Vanilla reveales itself on the nose. I really enjoy this fantastic aroma. Tipical cuban burn, mild to medium body. After half an inch, leather and wood join earth, while cedar fades to background. Pepper is no longer detected. The smoke is smooth with woody finish on a slightly bitter side, but not unpleasant. I noticed substantial rest burn. Nose blow picking up citrus notes.


2/3:
Citrus becomes prominent with wood accent, leather and earth retreat to back, but don`t go unnoticed. Body climbes to medium and holds. Vanilla persists on the nose. Nearing the final third, cocoa is gaining momentum with ever-so-slightly anise, just barely enough to notice.
I have never picked this note before and it took a while to pinpoint. Sort of reminiscent of greek spirit Ouzo.

3/3:
Even though very compact, the ash suddenly drops. Small cones formed throughout the smoke, indicating aged, rested cigar, but no way to confirm this as I purchased singles and haven`t checked the box when buying. Flavorwise, wood dominates with bitterness slowly rearing its ugly head. Luckily, it didn`t last but a few puffs. Finish fruity - citrus and anise. Body settled in solid medium. Tunnel starts forming at this point.

NUB:
Enjoying this one so much, I burned the band. Nothing new transitioning to the nub, everything just complementing everything. Delivers until I burned my fingers.

This cigar is usually too mild for me, but today I was really beat from rearranging our bedroom for my soon-to-be-born baby girl and it was just what the doctor ordered. At 9 EUR per stick it`s a little steep for me for a box buy, but I will always have a couple on hand.