I have smoked a tremendous number of different cigars over the years as part of my daily routine. Many are new cigars that others wish for me to sample and assess, and honestly most are ho-hum smokes. Every once in awhile though, I come across a cigar that I find to be real joy to smoke and I add it my rotation along with my old time favorites. Below are three cigars that I consider worthwhile - some are new, while others are time tested veterans. I can not promise you will like them all, but I regard each as fine cigar well worth your sampling. I offer them as smokable suggestions.

Don Carlos Double Robusto

Habana Partagas Serie D No. 4

El Rey Del Mundo Rectangulares

Don Carlos Double Robusto

You will quickly realize after selecting from the humidor a Don Carlos Double Robusto that it is an uncommon cigar. Your senses will be treated with a myriad of sensations: the feel of its oily toothy wrapper to the touch, the beauty of its perfect roll and dark Cameroon wrapper to the eye, and the spicy earthy scent of its bouquet to the nose. After the match it treats the smoker with thick mouthfuls of dense smoke ladden with tastes of cocoa, coffee, wood, and spice. The medium-full bodied blend is wonderfully balanced and complex and the finish is entrancing. Everything about this large firmly rolled robusto is perfect, and although the Opus X gets all the glory, for my palate this is the best cigar made by the Fuente family.

Habana Partagas Serie D No. 4

This famous Cuban robusto comes twenty-five count unpressed in a rather unassuming hinged box made of unfinished cedar plywood. In fact, compared to the colorful dress boxes in which most of the Partagas line is packaged one might assume that this is a lesser quality cigar. In fact, it is not uncommon for the cigars themselves to have a rather dull appearing wrapper and their red ring is rather plain. All in all, it doesn't make for the best of presentations. However, any experience with this cigar will allow you to quickly dismiss its less than regal appearance, because its flavor is one of the world's finest. It is oh so rich upon the palate with heavy robust full-bodied notes of soil and cedar, yet creamy like a dark chocolate mousse. This cigar is simply divine to smoke. Highly sought after, sometimes impossible to buy, the Paratagas Serie D No. 4 is a must for your humidor.

El Rey del Mundo Rectangulares

The El Rey del Mundo Rectangulares rounds out this group of smokable suggestions as my idea of an ideal cigar for a mid-afternoon herf. It is an impeccably well made "cuadrado" pressed cigar. Cuadrado is a process of firmly pressing the cigars square after they are rolled producing a sharply box pressed shape, hence the "Rectangulares" name. The burn, draw, and feel of this square smoke are flawless. It is a medium bodied cigar with a balanced blend of woodsy flavors with earthy notes and a tantalizing sweet finish. The aroma is also sweet and earthy and pleasing to the nose. This is a cigar that is both strong enough for the longtime smoker, yet mild enough for the beginner. Highly recommended.