|
Habana
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2
The Havana Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.
2 is an unassuming Cuban robusto that lives under the shadow
of its famous big brother, the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona.
Well if you don't know, I am about to let you in on a secret.
While the glossy 4-color magazines tout how amazing a smoke the
Double Corona is, hardcore Habana smokers know the real deal
is in the unassuming unbanded Epi #2. At a third the price and
being much easier to find, this vitola delivers one of the best
smoking experiences ever. A complex blend of tempered flavors
that are smooth and creamy on the palate. Although still medium
bodied, this cigar possesses far more zip than the DC overall
- in fact, I find the first half of the DC to be boring while
the second half is great. Smoking an Epicure No. 2 is like getting
to the good part from start. This is an excellent Havana for
a slow sunny afternoon. Highly recommended.
Cuban
Bullet .554
Although not in Cuban origin, this Nicaraguan
handmade is definitely a 5 x 54 bullet shaped figurado. This
is a relatively new offering from Miami cigar maker Nick Perdomo
and is meant to fill a niche and a need. The niche being to provide
a less expensive cigar to smokers, while the need being what
to do with the cuttings of prime tobacco remaining from the process
of rolling all their long filler premiums. The solution is this
well-made short filler smoke that is priced around $2.00 each.
Seldom do I smoke short fill cigars, but I have to tell you I
really enjoyed this one. This cigar has some serious punch; it
is not your creamy nutty type of cigar, but rather a "strong
as balls" smoke. Between the densely packed Nicaraguan tobacco
and its sharply tapered shape concentrating the smoke against
your tongue, this is one heck of a powerful smoke. Personally,
I loved the flavor rush this cigar provides and suggest it those
of you who crave such strength as a great way to spend two bucks.
However, I warn you: this is not a cigar for those seeking a
mild-medium bodied well-balanced smoke.
La
Gloria Cubana Churchill Maduro
In mid-1989, I had the luxury of travelling
to Miami on business. A client of mine, knowing I was a cigar
smoker, decided to take me down to Little Havana to visit a little
known local factory called El Credito and meet a man named Ernesto
Perez Carillo. It was here that I smoked my very first LGC Churchill
Maduro and it was love at first puff. For years it was my hands
down favorite daily; I bet I have smoked a 1,000 of these - at
less than $50 a box they were impossible to beat. But the "Boom"
came, Ernie became famous, and his cigars became almost impossible
to obtain. God bless him, he deserved the success, but I have
to admit that by 1997 this once great cigar was pedestrian at
best. All of the tobacco shortages and backlogs really hurt the
flavor and quality of this smoke. However, the light seems to
be appearing at the end of the tunnel as the last two boxes I
have smoked of this stogie have been exceptional - as good as
they ever were back in the early 90's, possibly better. This
is a beefy sized churchill with a lush dark colorado-maduro wrapper.
It provides a rich earthy smoke with nuances of milk chocolate
and a smooth, luxurious finish that builds in spiciness. I know
some cigar smokers who intentionally avoid the DR made LGCs,
but that is a big mistake with these LGC Churchill Maduros. These
have been nothing short of fantastic - once again.
Box shown at approximately
75% actual size
|
PREVIOUS
EDITIONS