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Issue 3 New Releases
In this issue we review new releases, Corona Gordas and Nicaraguan cigars. All cigars 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. The highest scoring larger cigars receive the Editor's Choice badge.
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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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| Cohiba Sublimes |
9.5 |
| Brand |
Cohiba |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
6.5 |
Ring Guage |
54 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
|
| Comments |
Smooth, full bodied, demanding, complex, well constructed, classy, medium to full flavoured Havana with excellent draw and exceptional aroma. A bit fresh, needs to rest for a while. Should age very well. Aficionados will love it. |
| Price |
£28.00 per Cigar |
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| Cuesta Rey Centro Fino No.60 |
9.5 |
| Brand |
Cuesta Rey |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Tabac World (01624 816 034) |
| Length |
6 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
EC |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Peppery, well constructed, nicely balanced, full flavoured cigar that is a step up from its Cuesta Rey stablemates. Charming taste and aroma. A winning combination. |
| Price |
£9.90 per Cigar |
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| Davidoff Aniversario No.3 Tubos |
9.7 |
| Brand |
Davidoff |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Davidoff (01306 882 411) |
| Length |
6 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
CO |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Light, sweet, smooth, complex, well constructed and well balanced cigar with subtle aroma. Very pleasant indeed. |
| Price |
£17.30 per Cigar |
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| Davidoff Avo Intermezzo |
9.7 |
| Brand |
Davidoff |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Davidoff (01306 882 411) |
| Length |
5.5 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
CO |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
|
| Comments |
Slightly tangy, earthy, very well constructed, medium strength cigar with a pleasant taste and aroma. Superior smoke. |
| Price |
£9.50 per Cigar |
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| Griffin Fuerte Toro |
9.5 |
| Brand |
Griffin |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Davidoff (01306 882 411) |
| Length |
6 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
EC |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Sweet, nutty, spicy, subtle, elegant, well constructed distinguished, full bodied cigar with very good draw and wonderful aroma. Burns well. A real treat. Fuerte is Spanish for strong, very apt. |
| Price |
£96.00 per Box of 10 |
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| Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial |
8.7 |
| Brand |
Hoyo de Monterrey |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
5.5 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
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| Comments |
Spicy, sweet, slightly bitter, powerful Havana with pleasant aroma. Slight tight draw. Initial sourish taste gets better the longer you smoke it. Probably needs aging for a year or so. |
| Price |
£15.50 per Cigar |
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| Indian Tabac Rocky Patel 1990 Vintage Churchill |
9.3 |
| Brand |
Indian Tabac |
Region |
Nicaraguan, Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Gift International (01582 424511) |
| Length |
7 |
Ring Guage |
48 |
| Wrapper |
EC |
Binder |
NI, DR |
| Filler |
NI, DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Peppery, sweet, smooth, well balanced, interesting, light to medium cigar with lovely aroma. Leaf aged for 12 years, and it shows. |
| Price |
£10.95 per Cigar |
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| Indian Tabac Rocky Patel 1990 Vintage Petit Corona |
9.3 |
| Brand |
Indian Tabac |
Region |
Nicaraguan, Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Gift International (01582 424511) |
| Length |
4.5 |
Ring Guage |
44 |
| Wrapper |
EC |
Binder |
NI, DR |
| Filler |
NI, DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Smooth, aromatic, well balanced cigar that has been aged for 12 years. Good draw, even better price. |
| Price |
£6.25 per Cigar |
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| Indian Tabac Rocky Patel 1990 Vintage Robusto |
9.3 |
| Brand |
Indian Tabac |
Region |
Nicaraguan, Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Gift International (01582 424511) |
| Length |
5.5 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
EC |
Binder |
NI, DR |
| Filler |
NI, DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Sweet, extra spicy, smooth, rich tasting cigar that is well constructed and has a peppery aroma. Very good draw. |
| Price |
£9.25 per Cigar |
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| Non Plus Ultra Maouro |
8.5 |
| Brand |
Non Plus |
Region |
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| Importer |
Tor Imports (01626 866 422) |
| Length |
4.5 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
EC |
Binder |
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| Filler |
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Type |
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| Comments |
Sweetish, smooth, fairly well balanced, mild cigar
that improves as you smoke it. |
| Price |
£5.86 per Cigar |
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| Non Plus Ultra Natural |
7.0 |
| Brand |
Non Plus |
Region |
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| Importer |
Tor Imports (01626 866 422) |
| Length |
4.5 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
CO |
Binder |
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| Filler |
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Type |
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| Comments |
Sickly sweet/sour, mediocre cigar that lacks depth or character. |
| Price |
£5.86 per Cigar |
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| Private Stock No.2 |
8.5 |
| Brand |
Private Stock |
Region |
Dominican Republic |
| Importer |
Davidoff (01306 882 411) |
| Length |
6 |
Ring Guage |
48 |
| Wrapper |
CO |
Binder |
DR |
| Filler |
DR |
Type |
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| Comments |
Very light, sweet, spicy, well constructed cigar that has a lovely subtle aroma and is perfectly balanced. An elegant smoke. Very good value. |
| Price |
£8.00 per Cigar |
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| Ramon Allones Belicosos |
9.5 |
| Brand |
Ramon Allones |
Region |
Cuba |
| Importer |
Hunters and Frankau (020 7471 8400) |
| Length |
5 1/2 |
Ring Guage |
52 |
| Wrapper |
CU |
Binder |
CU |
| Filler |
CU |
Type |
Figurado |
| Comments |
Takes a while to get started but develops into a smooth, full flavoured, nicely balanced, intense, aromatic smoke. Demanding, very well constructed, Cuban figurado for the connoisseur. |
| Price |
£12.20 per Cigar |
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| Zino Platinum Crown Series Double Grande Cello |
9.7 |
| Brand |
Zino Platinum |
Region |
Ecuador |
| Importer |
Davidoff (01306 882 411) |
| Length |
7.5 |
Ring Guage |
50 |
| Wrapper |
EC |
Binder |
EC |
| Filler |
EC, CO |
Type |
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| Comments |
Creamy, citrusy, elegant, well-balanced, wellcrafted, smooth, light cigar that comes in a smart box, the side of which can be used for striking matches. Draws well. Should improve with age. |
| Price |
£27.50 per Cigar |
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| thetastings |
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