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Issue 2 New Releases
In this issue we review new releases, Churchills, and small cigars or ‘whiffs’. All the larger cigars (red heading) have been tasted blind by Cigar Buyer’s chief taster, James Leavey, and are scored out of 10 in six categories: appearance, combustion, draw, flavour, aroma and balance.
We have then taken the average of these scores to give a mark out of 10. Smaller cigars (blue heading) have all been reviewed on overall taste and quality of packaging – by Pieter Tesch – but do not receive a score. The highest scoring larger cigars receive the Editor’s Choice badge and there is a Value for Money recommendation for the smaller cigars.
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Country codes
CO - Connecticut
CR -
CU - Cuba
DR - Dominican Republic
EC - Ecuador
HO - Honduras
IN -
ME - Mexico
NI - Nicaragua
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| Cuaba Salomones |
9.2 |
| Brand |
Cuaba |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
7 1/4 |
Ring Guage |
57 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
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| Comments |
Smooth, medium to full-bodied Havana with a subtle earthy aroma that is a step up from its milder stablemates. Should age well. Cubans call cigars pointed at both ends ‘double figurados’; any Havana cigar that is not straight sided, like a Montecristo No.2, is called ‘figurado’. |
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| Cuesta-Rey Quorum |
9.5 |
| Brand |
Cuesta Rey |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Tabac World (01624 816 034) |
| Length |
4 1/2" |
Ring Guage |
38 |
| Wrapper |
DR |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
This tres petit corona has a dark maduro style wrapper and a lovely rich peppery aroma – when it’s unlit. Once lit, it’s one of the best cigars of its size. Medium-bodied, well-balanced, creamy, chocolately, nutty – and very charming. Unbelievably good value. |
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| El Credito Churchill |
8.3 |
| Brand |
El Credito |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
6 3/4" |
Ring Guage |
48 |
| Wrapper |
CO |
Binder |
EC |
| Filler |
DR,NI |
Type |
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| Comments |
A fine spicy blend of Dominican Republic and Nicaraguan filler, with an Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf binder, neatly wrapped in dark oily Maduro – Connecticut Broadleaf. Smooth, complex, fullbodied cigar. |
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| El Credito Exquisitos |
8.5 |
| Brand |
El Credito |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
6 1/2" |
Ring Guage |
40 |
| Wrapper |
CO |
Binder |
EC |
| Filler |
DR,NI |
Type |
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| Comments |
A fine blend of Dominican Republic and Nicaraguan filler, with an Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf binder, neatly wrapped in Maduro – Connecticut Broadleaf. Sweet, complex, medium-bodied and very smooth. Pleasant earthy aroma. Aptly named. |
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| Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto |
9.0 |
| Brand |
Hoyo de Monterrey |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
6 3/4" |
Ring Guage |
48 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
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| Comments |
Elegant, complex, full-bodied, slightly peppery Havana. |
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| Indian Tabac Heaven Cherubs Flavoured |
6.2 |
| Brand |
Indian Tabac |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Gift International (01582 424511) |
| Length |
3 1/2" |
Ring Guage |
26 |
| Wrapper |
DR |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Individually cellophaned, smooth, light, tres petit corona, with the subtle taste of ‘natural’ chocolate. Not bad, if you like that kind of thing. Other flavours include vanilla, cherry and rum. |
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| Indian Tabac Heaven Corona Flavoured |
6.2 |
| Brand |
Indian Tabac |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Gift International (01582 424511) |
| Length |
5 1/2" |
Ring Guage |
44 |
| Wrapper |
DR |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Individually cellophaned, smooth, light corona that tastes of ‘natural’ vanilla. Undemanding smokers may enjoy it. Other flavours include cherry, chocolate and rum. |
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| Indian Tabac Heaven Petit Corona Flavoured |
6.2 |
| Brand |
Indian Tabac |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Gift International (01582 424511) |
| Length |
5" |
Ring Guage |
30 |
| Wrapper |
DR |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Individually cellophaned, smooth, light, petit corona that tastes of ‘natural’ cinnamon. Other flavours include cherry, chocolate, rum and vanilla. |
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| Indian Tabac Rocky Patel 1990 Vintage |
8.3 |
| Brand |
Indian Tabac |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Gift International (01582 424511) |
| Length |
6 1/2" |
Ring Guage |
52 |
| Wrapper |
HO |
Binder |
DR,NI |
| Filler |
DR,NI |
Type |
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| Comments |
A rich, complex, medium-bodied cigar that is a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero draped in a 12 year old natural Broadleaf wrapper from Honduras. Very more-ish taste and aroma. |
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| Montecristo Edmundo |
9.0 |
| Brand |
Montecristo |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
5 1/3" |
Ring Guage |
52 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
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| Comments |
Classy, chunky, medium to full-bodied, bitter-sweet, tangy new Havana that draws well and should be aged for at least a year, preferably two, at which time it will be an exceptional smoke. Might sell better if it was in the traditional Montecristo livery. |
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| Partagas Serie D No.1 Limited Edition 2004 |
10 |
| Brand |
Partagas |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
6 3/4" |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
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| Comments |
Dark and oily leaf from Vuelta Abajo, aged for two years before rolling. Distinctive, rich, earthy flavour with peppery aroma. Classic Havana. |
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| Romeo & Julieta Hermosos No.2 Limited Edition 2004 |
9.5 |
| Brand |
Romeo Y Julieta |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
6 1/4" |
Ring Guage |
47 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
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| Comments |
Dark oily leaf from Vuelta Abajo, aged for at least two years before rolling resulting in a robust, medium to full-bodied, slightly tarry Havana with a complexity of flavours. One to put away for special moments. |
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| Zino Shorty Cello |
9.0 |
| Brand |
Zino |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Davidoff (01306 882 411) |
| Length |
6 1/4" |
Ring Guage |
47 |
| Wrapper |
DR |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Elegant, medium-bodied Dominican cigar that packs a sophisticated range of delicate flavours that Zino Davidoff would have no doubt enjoyed. Short, sweet, peppery and distinctive. Beautiful presentation. Slightly uneven draw. |
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| thetastings |
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