A Couple Reviews

[kdsfree]

I love the pictures with the progression. Looks really cool. And you have some really green grass.

 

[Kingantz]

Partagas Lonsdale​

6 1/2 x 42​

It was a bad day at work, got some fairly rough news, but I still have a job. Fairly stressed and wanted to try and relax with a good smoke, so went digging. I decided on a Partagas Lonsdale from 1999 that I was gifted (thank you DeVonn!!), a rarity indeed as they are no longer made. I headed out back and a fairly strong wind was blowing, so decided to hang out on the back porch.

The wrapper was coarse with several veins and no oils present. Several of the "green spots" were found, however I thought it gave quite a nice ambience to this aged beauty. It was very firm throughout, made me quite concerned that it could possibly be plugged. Cap punched, the draw was indeed very tight, however I could still pull air through with a bit of effort. I could see the cigar was a bit overfilled in the foot, however there was a spot in the middle that wasn't. I hoped that the draw would open a little once warmed up.

I lit the foot and the first draw was indeed perfect! A medium, deliciously rich smoke came through with definitive tastes of leather and wood. The Partagas spice was there in a perfect amount, just enough to feel a tingle on the back of the throat. There was a richness coming through that was absolutely amazing. A hint of cocoa with that delicious leather and notes of cedar. I'd say about halfway I started getting a rich toasted almond and possibly fruit underneath. The finish was long and oh so good! The draw continued to be perfect and the burn went awry only once at about a 1/4", correcting itself to burn perfectly the rest of the way.

What a fantastic smoke that definitely did the trick of giving me some peace and relaxation. Fantastic!

Rotten.

 

[bpj87]

Thanks for the review of the Partagas Lonsdale. I'm getting a bunch of the same flavors in many of the Partagas that I've smoked and am getting to be more and more of a fan of the Party profile.

 

[souldog]

Nice reviews Gregory. I envy your abundance of time. :sign:


PS- Your cat is pretty cool! :thumbs:

 

[amateuraficionado]

Great review Greg! Your description of flavors matches my experience almost to a tee. I too thought this smoke may have been plugged, as tight as the bunching is. But the draw is indeed perfect from the start. So glad to hear you enjoyed it!

 

[Kingantz]

Le Hoyo Du Depute​

4 3/8 x 38​

I got this little smoke in a trade and was really tickled when I got it, as I’ve wanted to try the Le Hoyo line for some time. This little specimen was from 98 and looked it. The wrapper looked like old, worn leather and sort of smelled like it too. A fairly prominent vein went down the length. It was quite firm when squeezed and had what seemed to be a plug at the head. I punched the cap and found the draw to be very tight, but I was still able to pull some air through.

I put fire to the foot and whoa! I guess the draw wasn’t so tight as I got a good blast of smoke off the first draw. There was definitely full power in this thing. A good bit of spice hit the throat and the flavor was…dark, dark earth. That’s what popped into my head. Not really very rich, just a strong earthiness. As I smoked on through it, I was actually reminded a tad bit of…an Opus. Maybe not the same flavor profile completely, but the spiciness and strength. Whew! If this was a 98, I would hate to have tried it fresh rolled. I would have probably not made it through this thing. About ¼” in, the draw tightened almost to the point of being completely stopped up, however after a few more puffs it opened back up.

Not quite sure what to think of this smoke. I tend to match some cigars to a mood at times. This one would be good when you’re in a pissed off mood as it just seems that type of smoke to me. Just plain mean. :angry:

 

[Kingantz]

Romeo Y Julieta No. 1 A/T​

5 ½ x 40​

Oh my what an absolutely great morning! Started up a pot of coffee while warming up a sausage biscuit. Didn’t take long to finish the biscuit, so poured another cup of coffee and headed to the humis. What to smoke, what to smoke. Hmmm…AH! I spied an RYJ tubo that I’d been meaning to smoke for a while now. What more perfect time than a beautiful, sunny morning with temps in the upper 60’s, lower 70’s.

Outside I went heading for the walnut tree. A nice little breeze was blowing and made it almost feel like a fall morning. I hunkered down in the seat cushion, took a long drink of coffee, and started on the morning smoke.

I liked the aluminum finish on the tube. Simple, but still not plain. The person that gifted it to me told me the age on this smoke, however I can’t recall what they said. I know it was at least a few years. Once out the tube, the cigar’s wrapper was a bit coarse with those dark lines that I think may be a “bruising” of some sort where the tobacco has pushed out against the wrapper. However, that’s only me taking a guess at them. All I know is I like it when I see them for some reason. Seems every cigar I’ve smoked with those marking has been very good. This cigar had a good bit of hairs on it, and I tried to get as good a picture as I could. Looked like it could use a shave.

I punched the triple cap and found a perfect draw of sweet, mature tobacco. I lit the foot and was expecting that “hit” from the first draw, however it wasn’t there. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing as it was actually very good, as in perfect strength. I’ve found that most RYJ’s have a little blast at the beginning, more so than other vitolas, however again it wasn’t there with this one. Sweet cedar and leather was the first impression, and that wonderful floral flavor. Maybe just a hint of cocoa. An absolutely wonderful long finish of delicious rich tobacco. These flavors lasted throughout with some possible tastes of toasted almonds around the halfway point. The strength was medium the entire way, with the exception of about ¼” left did it increase to a medium – full.

This cigar was fantastic to the nubby little end!

 

[Kingantz]

Montecristo Especial No. 2​

6 x 38​

I followed the wife and baby girl outside this afternoon, was just too beautiful a day to sit indoors. After a good hour of sidewalk chalk and hopscotch (No. I did not play hopscotch. I swear), the wife and baby girl headed back in, and I sat back to enjoy a Monte Especial No. 2.

I’m afraid this was a loose stick in my humi and can’t remember for the life of me where I got it. I usually put bands on smokes and write who they came from, however I missed this one somehow. The wrapper was quite smooth and silky. It seems the smoke had been smashed or something as it had a triangular shape with a crack near the head. The pigtail was just barely hanging on and came off with the slightest pull. I clipped the cap and found a perfect draw.

I put fire to the foot and found the smoke was a medium to full strength with pure leather taste. Leather and dark roasted nuts. This was a creamy smoke if there ever was one. Smooth on the tongue and really hit the perfect balance of strength and flavor. Cocoa, leather, cedar, with a deep dark fruit underneath. Spice, white pepper and cinnamon. Okay, so I’m really liking this smoke. I mean really liking it. The flavors and strength are matching my palate quite well indeed. Not to mention it’s a size that I really like as well. The cigar never lost any flavors even toward the end. I was quite satiated afterwards with a nice aftertaste that I didn’t mind in the least.

Okay. So who’s got a GB going for some of these? Anyone? Someone? ???

 

[B.HOBS]

Okay. So who’s got a GB going for some of these? Anyone? Someone? ???

Damn Greg...If I had the coin I would be in for this....I love me some Montecristo goodness, and I also love me some lanceros.... Excellent reviews as always!!!

~Billy