Poker, Padrón, and Cuban EL's

[moki]

Played some poker tonight with the boys, and smoked a bunch of nice cigars, mostly Cubans. Quick takes, in order of smoking:

Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001) -- this was an okay smoke; it had a nice flavor on the exhale, but was a bit rough and unrefined. Didn't do a whole lot for me, it isn't a cigar I'd go out of my way to smoke again

Padrón 1926 Serie No.1 (2002) -- quite a nice smoke as always -- nice deep coffee/cocoa flavor, but still smooth and semi-sweet. Always an excellent cigar, if on the robust side -- but never harsh.

Cohiba Piramide EL (2003) -- despite being a relatively young Cuban, this was just a great smoke. The rich maduro wrapper played off of the semi-sweet tobacco in wonderful ways. These are some great sticks.

Romeo y Julieta EL Robusto (2001) -- ahhh, now this is more like it. After the let-down of the Partagas EL, this Romeo was excellent. Nice ceder and citrus flavors, with a sharp but smooth Cubano twang on the exhale. A very enjoyable smoke.

So three thumbs up, and a mediocre but okay smoke from the Partagas Serie D No.3 EL. Won a bit in poker too, it was a nice night.

 

[gkpk]

Great selection of sticks bro.
Too bad the Party wasn't up to par.

 

[other1]

3 cubans and a Padrom 1926.. You were slumming it huh? :lookup:

 

[Fast4Dr]

Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001) -- this was an okay smoke; it had a nice flavor on the exhale, but was a bit rough and unrefined. Didn't do a whole lot for me, it isn't a cigar I'd go out of my way to smoke again

I actually smoked one of these last night as well. Sitting outside with a few friends and some Heinekens. I thought this was an EXCELLENT smoke. Very even burn, lots of smoke, nice smooth taste. I was saying that I need to pick up a box of these wonderful smokes

 

[Captain B]

Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001)
I actually smoked one of these last night as well. Sitting outside with a few friends and some Heinekens. I thought this was an EXCELLENT smoke. Very even burn, lots of smoke, nice smooth taste. I was saying that I need to pick up a box of these wonderful smokes

SPLIT?

 

[moki]

I actually smoked one of these last night as well. Sitting outside with a few friends and some Heinekens. I thought this was an EXCELLENT smoke. Very even burn, lots of smoke, nice smooth taste. I was saying that I need to pick up a box of these wonderful smokes

Different strokes for different folks, eh? Have you tried the other 3 cigars I listed? I found them all to be quite superior to the Partagas Serie D. No.3 EL

 

[lucasbuck]

I haven't smoked a PSD3 yet. The 26's are an awesome smoke and I think you know how I feel about the Cohibas I've never had a bad one. As for the RyJ Robusto I finally tried one last week and was a little underwhelmed. It was good to be sure but not the outstanding smoke I was hoping for.

 

[Fast4Dr]

I actually smoked one of these last night as well. Sitting outside with a few friends and some Heinekens. I thought this was an EXCELLENT smoke. Very even burn, lots of smoke, nice smooth taste. I was saying that I need to pick up a box of these wonderful smokes

Different strokes for different folks, eh? Have you tried the other 3 cigars I listed? I found them all to be quite superior to the Partagas Serie D. No.3 EL

I have had all the smoke listed above and they are all GREAT smoke. My order of preference is as follows:

Romeo y Julieta EL Robusto (2001)
Cohiba Piramide EL (2003)
Padrón 1926 Serie No.1
Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001)

 

[moki]

My order of preference is as follows:

Romeo y Julieta EL Robusto (2001)
Cohiba Piramide EL (2003)
Padrón 1926 Serie No.1
Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001)

Mine would probably be:

Padrón 1926 Serie No.1
Cohiba Piramide EL (2003)
Romeo y Julieta EL Robusto (2001)
Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001)

...but honestly, I think it depends on your mood. Sometimes you want a lighter cigar, sometimes you want a deeper, richer one.

 

[Fast4Dr]

My order of preference is as follows:

Romeo y Julieta EL Robusto (2001)
Cohiba Piramide EL (2003)
Padrón 1926 Serie No.1
Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001)

Mine would probably be:

Padrón 1926 Serie No.1
Cohiba Piramide EL (2003)
Romeo y Julieta EL Robusto (2001)
Partagas Serie D No.3 EL (2001)

...but honestly, I think it depends on your mood. Sometimes you want a lighter cigar, sometimes you want a deeper, richer one.

Definately agree with you there :thumbs:

 

[avid toker]

Very interesting.
I too have had all 4 of these cigars many times over and do agree with the "different strokes for different folks" moniker. In fact I'm smoking a PSD#3 EL as we speak and find it to be smooth, complex and nicely balanced. Maybe your smoke was too young?

I would rate the Partagas SD#3 EL far superior to the Padron and the Cohiba.
My rating would look as such:
1) R&J Robusto EL
2) Partagas SD#3
3) Cohiba Piramide EL
4) Padron

 

[moki]

Very interesting.
I too have had all 4 of these cigars many times over and do agree with the "different strokes for different folks" moniker. In fact I'm smoking a PSD#3 EL as we speak and find it to be smooth, complex and nicely balanced. Maybe your smoke was too young?

It's already got 3 years of age on it -- more than the Cohiba EL -- I don't think it's too young, I think I'm just not partial to it.

 

[EmDub23]

My PSD3's are too young as well. They are from sep 02. I think these will be awesome in about 5 years and one of the best smokes I've ever had.

 

[moki]

Apparently there's some dispute as to whether there is such a thing as a Cohiba Piramide 2003 EL cigar. After smoking one, I've no doubt it is a Cohiba; indeed, you can tell just by giving the foot a nice sniff.

Anyway, here are some pictures of a Cohiba Piramide 2003 EL cigar next to a Cohiba Double Corona 2003 EL (which has unfortunately been rather damaged from being mailed to me) and a Cohiba Piramide Reserva:

All three cigars together:

A close-up of the bands:

 

[moki]

Hopefully this settles it?

Ah, here is some very good information on the subject from someone in the know, who spoke to people at Habanos SA. (reposted with permission)

.....

Hi Andrew,

In October and Nov of 2003 Habanos made a production run of Cohiba Piramides and RJ Robustos - Limitadas from 2002. I confronted  Habanos  and was told they had not been made. So I brought a production manager from Habanos into the conversation. He confirmed that they indeed made the cigars, but put the wrong band 2003 instead of 2001. I have seen some cigars that had the outside band 2003, but the inside the cigars had 2001 ring. I have also seen them with both inside and outside bands of 2003.

The last few boxes I have sold ( that were purchased in Havana) were in fact the 2003 production cigars. So they are real. I have still a few boxes from the original 2002 run with 2001 rings, but the wrappers are not very dark.

Hope that helps.

Warmest wishes.

Mitchell
C.Gars Ltd
& Turmeaus tobacconist est 1817
www.cgarsltd.co.uk
www.humidorsonline.co.uk
www.agedcubans.com

 

[Cohibin]

Darn those are some nnnnnnice pics Moki.