Habana Leon Serie F No.2000

[vinnyvega]

I was pretty excited to try this stogie. I was gifted this wonderful cigar from a fellow CPer and had never heard of it prior to receiving it. It is a house blend from Cigar King and boasts a 'powerhouse smoke' warning.
DO NOT SMOKE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. Good advice I must say. Here's the rundown:
From Cigar King:
'Habana Leon uses a very stong and full bodied blend. The filler is 70% Ligero tobacco, wrapped in a Nicaraguan grown binder. It is topped off by a Nicaragun grown redish-brown Corojo Wrapper from a 2000 crop.'

Here goes nothing(1st review)!!!

Pre-lit evaluation: The wrapper was very smooth except for one vein running way half down the stick and had no soft spots. The aroma was of a barnyard but no to overwhelming. Actually quite pleasant. The draw was a little tight which was indicative of the entire stick but manageable. I am not sure how long this smoke was laid down or if it was at all. It has been in my possession for about two weeks. Maybe still young. The sweet spice was quite subtle from the pre-lit draw which surprised me for a Pepin blended stick. Overall, nice clean tobacco with faint spices lurking in the background.

1st third: First draw had some skunky aromas but soon vanished. Pepin's trademark flavors soon take over. Spice(not black pepper) and hints of nuts showing up in the last of the 1st third. Just damn good tasting tobacco. Thick, creamy smoke poured out with some effort needed. Draw was a little tight. Nuts are predominant through the nose. Not feeling it yet!!!

2nd third: Grassy overtones pick up,and nuts slight fade. Although the spice is still strong through the nose but not overpowering. By the end of the 2nd third, Mr Nut shows up with some earthiness. This time more balanced and the grassy notes dissipate. Slight burning issues needs a minor touch up. OK, I think I feel something...

Final 3rd: Toasted wood, nuts and here comes the spice. Thats what I am talking about! Not hot and no bitterness in sight. The burn has evened out and the flavors keep coming. Toasty wood fills up my palate along with hints earthiness. HMMMMM...

I really enjoyed this smoke. Not as "powerful" as I thought it would be. I was slightly light-headed as I stood up but thats about it. Excellent flavors. Not exactly what I expected from a Pepin blend but not disappointed either. Just a little different. A great 90 minute smoke. Minor construction issues and a slightly tight draw. I will definitely invest in more of these.

edit: Just found out that the stick was 12-18 months old. Thanks Monty

 

[MadMonk]

Vinny,
Nice review. Just strengthens my resolve try all the smokes made for this vendor. :thumbs:

 

[Bsneed51]

Good Reivew. I've had one of these in the past, and I like it alot during the first half, but it turned very bitter in the second half. I have another one of these in my humi, and I may have to break it out and see if it's a better stick the second time around.

 

[MoeCizlak]

Nice review. I like the band on it. Incidentally, is Partagas missing any Series D bands? :whistling:

 

[lordlister]

Great review! The bands make the cigar seem all that more inviting. Seems like a worthwhile smoke!

 

[jeht2000]

Thanks for the review

I've had a few of the robusto size and they were VERY, very powerful!!!!!!!!! Even after a three month nap, they almost made me sick. Too bad they upped the price on these and put them out of my range. They, to me, taste alot like the blue label just more expensive. Which is the main reason I won't buy any.

 

[tuelle]

I loved the ones I had of these when they were less expensive. I think they may have been some of the best DPGs for the money. But then they priced them right out of my budget. :angry:

 

[cpprhead59]

I came across one of these in the newbie sampler program and I loved it. I found it to be a great smoke.

great review ...reminds me i need to buy some of these!

 

[vortex]

Thanks for a great review! :thumbs:

The draw and burn problems would probably be eliminated at a lower RH. Just because Pepin says to never store his blends higher than 65% doesn't mean a lower RH isn't optimum.

I find a lower RH makes them taste better, too.

 

[JLAudio]

Good review...looking to try that stick as well