Habanos Reviews

Joined Aug 2005
2K Posts | 0+
Gahanna, OH
Vegas Robaina Famoso
Box Code: AML ENE 06
Measurements: 48 x 5
Size: Hermoso No. 4


Pre light
A richly colored brown wrapper covers this cigar. I pinched the middle, which was soft and springs back easily. The pre-light aroma is of honey and cedar, and the pre-light taste reveals more of the same. This Famoso has been sitting in my singles drawer for about a year.

1 Third
I’m outside in my garage with the door open. It is about 45F and rainy here in Ohio. I cut the end with my Xikar offering an easy draw. The cigar lights easy with my industrial lighter. The first few puffs are spicy but mellow quickly revealing flavors of honey and coffee. The smoke is thick with an aroma pleasing to the senses. The burn evens out within the first inch with a strong-holding ash.

2 Third
The cigar is very creamy, and the burn is staying even. The cigar has picked up into a medium- to full-bodied smoke. There is an aftertaste of light honey and cedar.

Last third
The flavors are remaining consistent. There is a little bit of a bit as the cigar gets closer to the end; however, I had no issue smoking this one to the nub.

Overall impression:
A well-constructed cigar with rich creamy flavors throughout. This cigar could easily join my regular rotation. I’d love to have a couple boxes to age.

Rating:
4/6 smoke rings (a good cigar; need to smoke more to see how they stand the test of time)
 
cmontgomery said:
Nice review Chris!!! Have not heard from you in a bit.

Unfortunately, I ve been busy with work. We've had quite a cold spell here as well, and I haven't been able to smoke as much as I would like.
 
Montecristo Especial No. 2
Box Code: REC SEP 02
Measurements: 6 x 38
Size: Laguito No. 2


Pre light
A well-constructed cigar with few veins and a slightly rough wrapper. The aroma is of mild leather. The pre-draw is easy and the flavors of light leather are more prominent.

1 Third
The cigar lights easily and starts with a smooth draw. The flavors are of coffee bean and leather with cocoa on the aftertaste. The burn is even right from the start.

2 Third
The cigar is still burning extremely well. The flavors are incredibly smooth and leave the palate moist. This Montecristo is one of the most flavorful I’ve experienced. There is not much change in the flavor profile, which is not a bad thing at all. I had to do a re-light, which was my own fault while perusing online.

Last third
There was just a bit of harshness or bite on the transition that smoothed out quickly. This cigar was simply great right to the end.

Overall impression:
An incredibly smooth cigar with excellent flavors. My mouth was practically salivating the entire time. It will be difficult not to go through this box quickly.

Rating:
5/6 smoke rings (a great cigar; highly recommended; one of the best Montecristos I’ve ever had)
 
Dang Guinther! :mrgreen: I love to read your reviews Chris. Thanks!
 
I just want to invite everyone to feel free to post any reviews they have in this thread as well.
 
chrisguinther said:
I just want to invite everyone to feel free to post any reviews they have in this thread as well.

Reading your reviews is a little intimidating :oops: . I do not think I could ever come close to seperating the flavors the wa you do. Next time I will give it a shot but am afraid it will suffer by comparison. Please keep up with yours, they are great reads!!!!


PS: Great website by the way. Unbeleivable reviews!!!
 
Ok, so this will be nothing like one of Chris's reviews, but i figured the only way to learn more about what I taist will be to try to express it and get some feed back...

Description: Punch Royal Selection #12
Box Code: SAU JUL-00
Length: 5.03
Gauge: 42
Shape: Mareva

Pre-Light:
Well constructed with minimal veins. Wonderful woodsy/barnyard aroma. The cigar has no band, only a yellow ribbon with the name written in red tied around the cigars in the box.

I cut the cap with a straight cut and the pre-light draw was a little tight for me and remained that way through the 1 1/2 hour smoke.

The cigar lite uneven, but corrected itself within the first 10 min without any assistance.
I found the cigar to be very light and creamy. It started out mild and came to med-full end.
I never encountered the typical flavor change as you get in most habanos, but i was not disappointed by the incredibly creamy and smooth flavors with a sweet finish. There was little to no aftertaste. The cigar burned very smooth with a sweet aroma and lots of creamy smoke. I did have some burn out issues, but I think it may have been a humidification problem.

Rating:
6 out of 10
A good smoke, but just not as flavorful as I like.
 
Punch Petit Corona
Box Code: ASP SEP 02
Measurements: 42 x 5.1
Size: Mareva


Pre light
This mareva is covered in a chocolate-brown wrapper with a few noticeable veins. It is fairly smooth to the touch. The cigar clips easily. Flavors of mild tobacco, tea, and honey on the draw, which is firm but not too tight.

1 Third
The cigar opens nicely with flora aromas and citrus on the palate. Rich cedar flavors linger. The ash holds well, but the burn is slightly crooked.

2 Third
The transition begins with a predominance of wood and pepper flavors. The cigar is producing a generous amount of smoke. The initial flavors are still present but very subtle.

Last third
The cigar becomes bitter and difficult to smoke. The flavors diminish to burnt wood and peat. The burn is still rather crooked despite attempts to correct it.

Overall impression:
The first third of the cigar was enjoyable, and I had hoped the rest would build on this character. Unfortunately, the cigar just went downhill. It was an okay cigar, but it was certainly not one I would want to add to my collection. I have a few remaining and hope this one may have just been a dud.

Rating:
3/6 smoke rings (an average cigar, saved only by the first third)
 
Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos
Box Code: TEB JUL 07
Measurements: 40 x 3.95
Size: Reyes


Pre light
A rich, brown wrapper covers this small cigar. There are a few veins, but the cigar is fairly smooth to the touch. The pre-light consists of coffee bean and leather aromas. The cap cuts easily with my trusty Xikar.

1 Third
This is a totally different cigar than the one I smoked last summer. It begins immediately with rich flavors of coffee bean and nuts with a hint of cocoa. The smoke is light in color with a pleasant aroma.

2 Third
The cigar is burning very even with a firm ash. The flavors are rich and bold reminding me of a cup of espresso. There is not bitterness or harshness.

Last third
The cigar is burning well, and the flavors are still excellent. The aftertaste is smooth. There is no bitterness at all. I had to be careful not to burn my fingers toward the end. My only complaint is I wish there was more cigar to smoke.

Overall impression:
Eight months of rest has done wonders to this cigar. It is a rich, full-bodied smoke with wonderful flavors throughout. I could easily add this cigar to my general rotation. I have five of the Genios in my humidor that I’m now looking forward to trying.

Rating:
5/6 smoke rings (a great cigar that could age into a classic)
 
Another stellar review Chris. Thanks for sharing.
 
Quai D’Orsay Gran Corona
Box Code: POS ABR 06
Measurements: 47 x 6 1/8
Size: Corona Grande

My understanding is that this marca was originally created for the French market in the 1970’s. I’ve never tried one before and felt this cigar would be worth a review since one doesn’t hear much about these cigars.

Pre light
I reached into the humidor tonight looking for something a little different than my usual roration. This cigar is a long corona with a rustic-looking wrapper. It is medium-brown with noticeable veins and cuts easily. The pre-light aroma is of cedar and oak.

1 Third
The cigar opens up immediately with wooden flavors and a slightly fruity bent, almost like pears. The smoke is floral in aroma.

2 Third
The cigar is burning even. The initial flavors are still present with a little bit of leather in the background; a mild- to medium-bodied cigar. There is a hint of pepper on the finish.

Last third
The fruity flavor is becoming more apparent. It seems like the cigar is getting lighter closer to the end.

Overall impression:
A mostly mild cigar with interesting flavors. This cigar wouldn’t fit my regular rotation, but it was nice to try something quite different.

Rating:
3/6 smoke rings (an average cigar, but worth trying again)
 
I think every humidor should have these. one of my favorite cigars.

I find the flavors you describe interesting. I have always found deep sugar flavors in it, like toasted sugar. I will have to revisit them soon to see if I can see what you got from them.
 
Hoyo de Monterrey le Hoyo du Roi
Box Code: ORE MAY 03
Measurements: 5 ½ x 42
Size: Corona


Pre light
This cigar has a rich, tan wrapper with noticeable veins. It is fairly smooth to the touch. The pre-light draw is of tea and cedar.

1 Third
The cigar lights easily with tangy and tea flavors. The draw is significantly better than 00 and 01 Roi’s I’ve had in the past. The smoke is cloudy white in color, and it has a leather aroma.

2 Third
The burn has been fairly even, and the ash holds well. The cigar appears to be mild to medium in body with little changes in the flavor profile from the first third.

Last third
I’m detecting a little bit of nutty flavors toward the end with little to no harshness. Other than that, there is not much change in flavor profile.

Overall impression:
This is not a bad cigar, but it really lacks much depth or complexity. It would make for a decent morning smoke.

Rating:
3/6 smoke rings (an average cigar)
 
Por Larranaga Robusto 2007 Regional Edition Asia Pacific
Box Code: LUA OCT 07
Measurements: 50 x 4.9”
Size: Robusto


Pre light
I just had spinal surgery on Wednesday and decided it was time to go outside and enjoy the nice warm weather. I wanted to treat myself to something a little bit different so I grabbed this cigar out of a box obtained in December. The cigar has a pale wrapper with noticeable veins. The pre-light aroma and taste are light and creamy with a slight hint of coffee.

1 Third
The cigar lights easily and immediately gives an even burn. The flavors are pleasant with notes of cream and tea. The smoke is aromatic with a cloudy white appearance.

2 Third
The burn is doing very well, and the ash falls flush with the foot. There is not much change in flavor except the appearance of a slight citrus note. There is also a hint of a muted grassy flavor.

Last third
The cigar is beginning to burn a bit hot toward the end. I’m starting to get a caramel note reminiscent of a PLPC. No re-lights or touch-ups have been required.

Overall impression:
This cigar is still extremely young but is medium in body with subtle flavors. A few years of aging should bring out this cigar’s potential.

Rating:
4/6 smoke rings (a good cigar that needs time)
 
Chris I am glad everything went well with the spinal surgery. Make sure you take enough time off work and enjoy those cigars.
 
Mini-Review:

San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe
Measurements: 4 3/8 x 42
Vitola: Minuto


Sorry, didn't look at the code, but this one is from an 01 box. The Principe is covered in a rich, brown wrapper with few noticeable veins The construction is very good, and the draw is just right. This was a tiny cigar with a big kick; loads of leather and coffee at the beginning with a touch of cinnamon.
The flavors mellow slightly into the second-third with a hint of grassiness. The final third gets things going again with rich flavors and a fragrant aroma. The cigar is burning surprising cool with a strong ash. It's just a shame it doesn't last very long, but this is the kind of cigar that makes me enjoy Habanos so much.

5/6 smoke rings (a great cigar that will age beautifully into a classic)