LCoigavrser spring 2016 Magazinefestival the truth about medio tiempo.habano XVIII.procigar RoMa craft.puro sabor interview withblind tasting skip martincoronas gordaschurchillsginmaniaCUBA: cohiba 50° anniversary
team & editorial LCoigavrser Magazine Editor: Luca Cominelli Deputy Editor: Michel Arlia Graphic Designer:Graphic Designer Assistant: Mario Amelio Renz Mauleon Authors: Didier Houvenaghel Collaborators: Giovanni Bolzonella Photos: Giuseppe Mitolo Luca Cominelli Marketing: Michel Arlia Nicola Ruggiero Editing: Roberto Canzi Translations: Heiko Blumentritt Blind Tasting Panel: Mario Amelio Luca Cominelli Michel Arlia Giovanni Bolzonella Roberto Canzi Rachelle Mauleon Aaron Reddy (U.S.A.) Giovanni Bolzonella (Italy) Giuseppe Mitolo (Italy) Luca Cominelli (Italy) Michel Arlia (Switzerland) Nelson Campos (El Salvador) Richard Frazier (U.S.A.) Roberto Canzi (Italy) Sebastian Hefel (Austria) Thomas Hoebe (Holland)3 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.11
EditorialThe first quarter of the year confirmed the past cigar trend, regarding the smoker preference for gene-rous size cigars. This affects the new releases but also the accessories that we use everyday to enjoyour cigars. These are literally getting bigger and bigger, to be able to do their job. We will try to see indetails what changed all over the years.Among the 2016 news, the highlight is for Habanos SA, due to the 50th anniversary of its flagship brand:Cohiba. This well known brand is recognized by all the smokers and we wanted to celebrate the 50 yearswith a special article, to experience all the events and the development that surrounded it, since the bornto the Behikes and to the last news.We are going to show the Festival del Habano, the Profestival and the Purosabor, three amazing eventsthat are organized in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Every year they get more popular withmore and more people from all around the world participating.An intenrview with Skip Martin will let you know more about its brand, born just a few years ago, but nowwell known for its niche cigars: RomaCraft.The section Drinks will be a time travel, able to bring us to discover the beginning of the gin, to understandbetter what it becomes today. We won’t miss the parings! “The passion moves us”CigarsLoverMagazine | No.11 4
indexContenutiTeam 9 CigarsLover people ..................................................... 3Editorial thoughts about the magazine ................................ 4Rating how to read the scoring scale ............................... 8Venchi 17 eating the cigars .......................................................... 9Supersize me XXL accessories ....................................................... 13RoMa Craft 21 the Neanderthal line & Skip Martin .................. 17Cohiba the 50° anniversary ................................................. 21Behike the cuban excellence .............................................. 27Medio Tiempo 31 the truth ........................................................................ 315 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.11
Man Caves 40 where men can be men ......................................... 37Gin the mania ..................................................................... 40Coronas G. blind tasting Coronas Gordas to the comparison ................ 47Churchills blind tasting 56 prime ministers’ cigars .......................................... 56XVIII Festival Habano the biggest cuban event ........................................ 64Procigar Festival 69 the 9° main event in Dominican Republic ...... 69Puro Sabor the 5° Nicaraguan festival .................................... 73Vocabulary meaning of the terminologies used .................. 77Sections 73 what you can find on the magazine .................. 78 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.11 6
BEADSTHE BEST HUMIDIFICATION WAYAvailable on CigarsLoverStore.com
infoRatinghow to read the scoring scaleThe cigars reviewed are valued using a 100 point scale. This helps giving every cigar a sharp rating, whichcollocates it in a wide scoring scale. The final score results by the average scores of both the cigar smo-ked and the smokers evaluations.95-100: excellent smoke. The cigar has all the components that distinguish a remarkable smoke: intensity of the aromas, balance, complexity, finesse, evolution, quality of construction, persistence and a constancy of the production. 90-94: great smoke. The cigar shows numerous qualities of excellence, but not quite showing them to the maximum. It’s nonetheless a cigar that proposes a high level of satisfaction. 86-89: good smoke. The cigar has considerable qualities of a high level, also having some slight flaw in the parameters of the evaluation. It’s nonetheless a recommended cigar with a high rate of satisfaction. 81-85: decent smoke. The cigar convinces in parts, shows both quality and flaws inherent to the different parameters of the evaluation. It’s nonetheless a cigar to smoke with appreciable continuity. < 80: meager smoke. The cigar proposes numerous flaws throughout the arc of the parameters of the evaluation. The merits are not eligible if not in a ludicrous way and marginally, the smoke is classified as absolutely not recommended. cigars with a really good quality/price ratio. They show high level characteristics and are really competitive price. We defenitely recommend the purchase.CigarsLoverMagazine | No.11 8
pillsVenchi when the cigar is eatable by Giuseppe Mitolo9 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Since a short period of time, some companies of the -Tartufo Nougatine: the band golden background and“food & beverage” area tend to close in on the cigar red writing; the filler is a cocoa paste and grinded andsmoker, approaching him in the most subtle way possi- caramelized hazelnuts from the Piedmont; the wrap-ble. The easiest solution is to sell a product that recalls, per: is dark chocolate.in packaging or in the form of the product, the imageof the cigar, including all the qualities of a brand or of - Cacao Aromatico: The band has golden writing with athe different products. silver background; the filler is a paste with cacao from New Guinea; the wrapper is double layered chocolate.Venchi is an Italian well known company for the extra-ordinary quality of their chocolate work, but not equally - Orange: the band has a golden background withnotorious for the production of their “Chocolate cigar”, orange writing; the filler is cacao paste with orangeespecially (as weird as it seems) among the cigar afi- peel; the wrapper is double layered chocolate.cionados and in the smoking circles. Sold in single units, in boxes of one or three cigars, orThe alternative to the classic chocolate bar it is not in the luxurious slide lid box.only in its cylindrical form or its packaging, that recalls The newest entry is the Maserati Collection, a choco-the cigar boxes from the Caribbean’s, with all its late cylinder wrapped in silver paper and adorned with“Cuba” and “Hecho a mano” letterings. Most of all, the a black band that reports the Maserati brand and themix and the researched work, just like the blends that trident logo. The filler is made by a chocolate truffleare so very loved by the aficionados, are the main cha- paste with hazelnuts from the Piedmont IGP, almondsracteristic of these products. and roasted and salted pistachios. The wrapper is dou- ble layered chocolate. A product to keep close duringReason why, by telling you the difference about the cho- your smoke or any other moment: the sensorial plea-colate cigars, we report the recipes for each “cigar” sure won’t be disappointing.using the terms of “filler”, to indicate the filling, and“wrapper”, for the external cover: Prices: starting from 6 euros. CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 10
Smokes from the worldThe FinTehset FPihnielsipt pPihnielipCpiignaersCSiginarcseS1in88ce1.1881.HEAD OFFICE ALOHA HOTEL MANUFACTURING U.S.A. DISTRIBUTIONHEAD6/OFFAFlpIChaEland Southgate ToweArLOHA HOUnTiEt FL, Corta Bitarta MANUFATCabTaUcRalIeNraGIncorporada U.S.A. DIDSaTuRgIhBtUerTsIO&NRyan Inc.F Alphalan2d2S58ouCthginaoteRToocweseAr ve. cor EUDnSitAF, Corta BitartSatreet TabacTaelcehranoInlocgoyrpCoorar.dCaomplex AvenuDeaughter2s0&7 JRoyhannstIonnc.Parkway58 Chino Roces AveM.ackoartiECDitSyA1232 Street Malate, ManilTaechnologyPeCopolre. ’Cs oTemcphlneoxloAgvyenCuoemplex SE2Z07 JohnstoKnePnalyr,kNwCay27542Makati City 1232Philippines Malate, MTaEnLila(632) 525-3P2e6o6ple’s TechnolCogayrmCoonma,pCleaxvSiteE4Z116 Kenly, NTCEL2(7951492) 284-2058PhilippineTsEL (632)310-5047 TEL (632) 525-3266 Carmona, CTaEviLte(643121)6584-4316 TEL (919F)A2X84(9-21095) 8284-2305TEL (632)3T1E0L-5E0F4A7X(632)310-5047 TEL (632)584-4316 FAX (919) 284-2305TELEFAX(632)310-5047 www.tabacalera.com.ph [email protected] [email protected] CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
TheTFhienFeisntePsht PilihpiplipinpeinCeiCgaigrsarSsinSicnec1e818818.1. CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 12
slow attitude Lotus travel humidorSupersize me XXL accessoriesby Giuseppe MitoloIt was the year 2004 when Morgan Spurlock parallels seem rather fitting for a reflection regar-surprised the cinematographic world with his ding the cigar accessories.docufilm “Super-Size Me”. If you’ve missed it, hereis a short summery. Morgan decided to demon- It is visible for everybody how the cigars are beco-strate that a diet based on products sold in large ming “thicker”, millimeter after millimeter, towardsfast-food chains, other than fattening, would also a more “over-size” or “super-size” caliber. It is diffi-deteriorate his physical health. Up to that point, cult to narrate a chronicle, year by year since thismany speculated it, but Spurlock had the determi- phenomenon has started.nation to experiment the said thesis in person, forthirty days and with a strict medical surveillance, In Cuba, until 2002, year of the release of thewith a diet consisting of meals only attainable at Cohiba Siglo VI (52x150mm), the largest ringfast-food joints. At the end of the documentary, gauge made (not counting the figurados, doblethe main motive and the question mark was how figurados or sporadic and particular editions) wassome meals can create not only dependence, but the 50, used mainly for the vitola de galera robu-also a change in the attitude of the consumer. sto. The difference made the caribbean non cuban productions that always elevated the pole moreNo, we didn’t quit talking about cigars, but the until the making of products with a ring gauge of13 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
80! That it started by chance or with a precise to quickly adapt to new needs, proposing alwaysidea or by emulation is difficult to say. Matter of more “XL” accessories. In synthesis, the smo-fact, bit by bit, the market has started to get used king habits have had repercussions in the cigarto always-bigger products and the smoking time accessories world, in a definitely not proportionaldidn’t increase. Cigars started to lose centime- way. In fact, while the smoker took a long time toters in length. The point is that when the sizes get used to bigger ring gauges, the producers ofkeeps on getting bigger, then also the accessories cutters, punchers and lighters quickly adapted tothat were comfortable before start to become too please the smoker. Like if, progressively you gainsmall and they need a replacement. weight but somebody keeps on changing your dresses in the wardrobe, giving you the illusion ofThe first accessory that paid the price was the same weight.guillotine. Cutters able to be used with 54 ring The risk (not even remote) can be that the loosegauge cigars started becoming small for the big- of a certain practice in smoking “slim” cigars withger new sizes, making necessary to change to a a smaller ring gauge, like the lonsdale, corona andproduct with a larger section, that would solve the panetela. The reason why even if it is only to useupcoming problem. an old accessory that is resting in a corner, we always suggest to keep smoking all formats ofThe next accessory that suffered the same cigars, not just the bigger ones.destiny was the puncher. In this case, even if theproblems seemed less evident, the issues were Xikar Volta: 5,4 x 10,1 cm.two: either you choose to smoke a cigar with anevident disproportion between the size of thehead to the size of the hole on it, or you startedmaking multiple holes that looked like the “8” or“star-shaped”.Following, parallel to the launch of the first “XL”cutters and punchers on the market, it was theturn of the lighters, in particular the Jet-Flames:the disproportion between the single flame andthe foot forced the smoker armed with patienceto numerous “turns” of lighters for the burn. Toresolve this problem, slowly, we esperienced pro-ducts with two, three and even four flames.The last ones are the cigar cases. If you are con-vinced that your travel humidor for five pieces(just to simplify) is able to hold five “6x60” or lar-ger cigars, we suggest that you try to put themnext to each other. Maybe, with difficulty, they’ll fit,but if you don’t want to find your cigars becamebox-pressed, the options are two: either you takefour cigar with you, or you buy a new “Lotus tra-vel humidor” with increased dimensions that wasjust released.All this happened in a few years, almost passingun-noticed by the eyes of the aficionados, but notby the vendors, that knowing the market, were able CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 14
Smokes from the world15 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
“Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming.” David BowieCigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 16
interviewRoMa Craftthe neanderthal line to skip martin’s eyesby Luca CominelliDuring February 2016, we went to meet Skip develop a go-to-market strategy for other retailMartin in his factory Nica Sueño, in Estelì, shops, so we established the two entities requi-Nicaragua. We took advantage of that moment red to execute the strategy, developed anotherto know him better and ask him some questions CroMagnon offering (CroMagnon Aquitaine) asabout RoMa Craft and his other brands he is pro- well as Intemperance EC XVIII and BA XXI. Weducing with a great success. brought all four to market at the IPCPR in 2012. In 2015, we added Neanderthal. Wunder|Lust, Can you tell us what’s behind Romacraft and which is set to launch in the German market later how everything started? in 2016.RoMa Craft Tobac was started about 4 years Were you and Esteban already in the cigarago by Michael Rosales and myself. Around the business before RomaCraft?same time I founded Nica Sueno, the factory inEsteli (Nicaragua), with Esteban Disla. The three Esteban Disla has been working in and aroundof us had been working together for about a year cigar factories since he was a child. He startedon CroMagnon, a private label for my retail ope- with his brother Raul, with a Dominican cigarration. The early success of that brand led us to maker by the name of Sergio Cuevas. Their17 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
mother worked in the factory, and Sr. Cuevas allo- Pennsylvania regrowth leaf that allowed us towed them to collect, process and sell the scraps realize both the strength and the body we werethey cleaned up off of the factory floor. In 1997, looking for in Neanderthal.Raul left to tour Europe with Carlos Torano and As with all of our cigars, our goal was to produceDunhill. Esteban came to Esteli and he worked at something we wanted to smoke and bring toa small factory called Latin Cigar, which later grew market in a way where it would be accepted asinto one of the largest factories in Esteli. When something original. The blend actually has a lot ofI met Esteban, Latin Cigar had been acquired by components, so we wanted it to be a big size. WeSTG. Esteban managed almost every aspect of felt that a Figurado shape would add to the com-the tobacco and cigar manufacturing parts of the plexity. The flat cap is a by-product of the way theoperation before and after , but he was looking for cigar is cut after being pressed.another opportunity. We were very fortunate thatthe timing of our entry into making cigars coinci- Will there be any new sizes for this line in theded with his availability. future? In 2013, you moved into the new factory, a Yes. While the HN is the only size in the core line, really beautiful one that we had the pleasure we have a few others that we have been making to visit. What were you able to improve and on a limited basis: HoxD (4 x 46), SGP (4 ¼ x 52) and OM (7 x 38)….one or two of these will join the achieve by opening your own factory? HN in the core line this year.Prior to the formation of Nica Sueno, we had been What are you working on for the future?working in a very small building behind Esteban’shouse. Given our plan to expand, we knew we nee- As you know, we don’t bring new things to theded a larger space. Our plan from the beginning market so often. Our focus is supporting andwas to remain small, with an annual production of maintaining our existing brands.less than 1.2 to 1.5 million cigars. At that time, Wunder|Lust is something new for us, but due towe were at about 1.000 cigars each day and now, the limited nature of the wrapper leaf, it will befour years later, getting pretty close to the pro- limited to Germany.duction goals we set back then. In addition to theability to expand, a bigger space provided us withfunctional areas to execute a more optimal pro-cess flow. This has allowed us to become moreefficient and improve quality as we have grown.Not an easy task.The blends for all of our brands cover a very widespot in the market in terms of price, flavor, bodyand strength. Let’s talk about the Neanderthal line. What kind of leaves are you using in the blend and why you ended up choosing them? What about the cigars shape, like the flat-head?Neanderthal was the original name forCroMagnon. While that initial blend had thebody, it lacked the strength to match the name.We went with CroMagnon, and a few years laterwe came across the nicotine rich Double Ligero CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 18
line upNeanderthalThe chosen blend for making this line is made ofa San Andres Maduro wrapper, a ConnecticutBroadleaf binder and a mix of Nicaraguan leavesand Dominican leaves (Olor ligero). In details, theleaves from Nicaragua used in the filler are fromCodenga, Esteli, Jalapa & Pueblo Nuove.For now in the Neanderhal line there are only twocigars: HN and SGPRoMa Craft Neanderthal SGPSize: 52 x 108 mm (4,25”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 9 $Oily wrapper, maduro shade. To the touch is rough. The head has an uncommon finish: it’s flat and it looklike rustic. This gives to the cigar the right look, considering its name.Full strength. It develops an intense and satisfying smoke. The aromatic palette is good and the aromasare rich. The persistence is incredibly long.1/2: rustic wood, earth, spices and black pepper. 88/1002/2: cocoa, hazelnut and leather.RoMa Craft Neanderthal HNSize: 52/58 x 127 mm (5”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 12 $Dressed up with a maduro shade wrapper, smooth to the touch, this cigar shows a foot that gets slightlysmaller at the end. This size is definitely uncommon. Like its smaller brother, the head is flat.A full strength cigar, that develops a smoke with a huge intensity. The balance is good, aswell as theharmony. The persistence is remarkable. Creamy.1/3: fine spices, mineral notes and citrus hints. Slightly salty base. 90/1002/3: cocoa, coffee, spices.3/3: earth, wood and spicy peaks.19 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
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tobacco historyCohibathe 50° anniversaryby Giovanni BolzonellaThe term “Cohiba”, in the old native cuban lan- was a fuma, a cigar made by a torcedor as his per-guage, simply means “tobacco”. It is surprising sonal smoke, in this case, it was rolled by Eduardothat there isn’t a historical person behind this Rivera, friend of Chicho.brand that can give more prestige to the products.Cohiba, like Trinidad a couple of years ago, was Castro liked the cigars so much that he commis-born during the post-revolution epoch in the sioned other fumas to Rivera, so he could eitheryoungest factories of tobacco, better known as El give them to heads-of-state, or save them forLaguito. himself. To tackle a more important and larger quantity of products, a production structure desti-The official foundation of Cohiba happens in 1966, ned for it was needed. For this reason, in 1964,but two years earlier, Fidel Castro in person had Eduardo Rivera became the responsible of a smallenlisted a small factory for a reserved production manufactory, with the help of a few loyals and ofof excellent cigars. According to the most acclai- rollers exclusively hired for the realization of thismed historical thesis, this initiative was taken by cigars.the Lider Maximo after a present received, in1963, by Bienvenido Perez (also known by the The association of the name “Cohiba” to this pro-nickname of “Chicho”), his bodyguard. The present duction seems to be recognized to Celia Sanchéz21 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Manduley, personal assistant of Rivera. In 1966,during a conversation, she used it for the first timeto indicate this production of such elite puros.In 1967 the production moves to El Laguito,into a very eye-catching liberty style villa by theCubanacan district, at the outskirts of Havana.The torcedors worked inside the actual saloninstead of the traditional galera. In the past, thispalace, belonged to Casimiro Fowler Jimenez, asugar-trader specialized in the manufacturing ofsugar cane to gain the typical black molasses.Here, in this refined reality, the first puro withthe name Cohiba was born under the care-ful attention of Eduardo Rivera.Many are the aspects that reflectthe exclusivity of the Cohiba cigarssince its birth. First of all, only afew know that, with the purposeto pay homage to the heroineof the regime Celia SanchezManduley, all the hired per-sonal at the El Laguitobelonged to the fair sex(according to the historio-graphy, Celia was the first tointroduce to the social cubanreality the revolutionary concept of thewomen as the protagonist of social activities,this detached itself from the stereotypical dome-stic collocation of the past). Another fundamental aspect for the fame of this cigars is that all the specimens are produced with tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo, (the most renowned region for the cultivation of tobacco), for which three fermentations were intended (instead of the classical two intended for the other Havanas). Last but not least, the characte- ristic that nurtured the exclusivity of the brand the most was just the final destination of the puros, since they were not destined for the market but for diplomatic relations and for the personal use of the head of the revolution, Fidel Castro. At the origin of the production only one format was produced: the Laguito no. 1 (38 x 192mm), characterized by the pig tail (a twirled finish on the CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 22
tobacco historyHumidor Cohiba Behike 40° anniversaryhead), without a band and a name. The band was 15.000 euros and today, a real cult object for theintroduced in 1969 following the modifications of collectors from all over the world, it increased tothe logo. around 100.000 euros!After 15 years, in which the Laguito no. 1 became In light of this, its easy to comprehend how thethe most desired cigar by the aficionados (gifted to Castro regime wanted to aim for a product thatstate-heads, diplomats, ambassadors and VIPs). would luster to the image of cuban excellence.In 1982 the brand was officially presented to the After the revolution, in particular in the 70s, theworld and the famous Laguito no. 1 was bapti- image of the cigar had lost its attractiveness.zed for the occasion with the “appelido de salida” However, thanks to commissioned brands andLancero (which translated from Spanish means products (think about the brands of Davidoff,“to launch”). There were more formats proposed Dunhill or the standard production designated forin 1989: the Esplendidos, the Exquisitos and the Alfred Dunhill, like the Don Candido, Don AlfredoRobustos (“linea clásica”). and Flor Del Punto), that aimed for quality cigars, the 80s were like a new springtime for the cubanIn the following years there were more lines cigar. Probably, also riding the wave of reinvigora-launched, like the famous Linea 1492 to comme- tion of the idea of “smoking Cuban”, in Cuba theymorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of wanted to relaunch their historic manufacturedAmerica, the Maduro series in 2007 (characte- tabacalero, aiming for a brand that enshrines inrized by maduro wrapper leaves that are aged at itself the peculiarities, the excellence and an haloleast 5 years) and the Behike line in 2010, with of legends that never hurts in the world of mar-the famous medio tiempo leave inside the liga, as keting. All these characteristics are representedwell as various other humidors and commemora-tive packagings.What for many remains the height of exclusivityand prestige in the world of tobacco is the humidorproduced to commemorate the 40th anniversaryof the brand, in 2006. The Behike Humidor, only100 made, contains 40 cigars of the behike for-mat (52 x 192mm), all singularly numbered byhand from the number 0001 to 4000. Thesecigars were made with wrappers from prestigiousvegas (among them also the one of Don AlejandroRobaina). The price for one humidor was around23 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
by the Cohiba brand, which merely started from a 1very simple element again, the tobacco (cohiba). 2Fundamental, during the passing of the years, 3were the changes made to the Cohiba band: from 4a simple design, the layout now is complex and 5really detailed, to fight the war against the fakes. 6 7Until 1969 the band were white with gold refine- 8ments and they could be personalized with the 9name of the functionary that the cigars weremade for. The design was very similar do the onestill used by the Davidoff brand (image 1,2).We also know that in those years (1969-1970)the first experiments with the black and yellowband were born, and later these colors becamethe distinctive chromatic characteristics of thebrand (image 3).Anyway, from 1970 until 1993 the logo is in white,yellow and black with the characters similar to thecurrent ones. There was no embossing (image 4).Later the yellow part became augmented and thewriting “La Habana Cuba” was placed on the band(image 5).From 2003, the written “Cohiba” was changedfrom black to gold color and the band was embos-sed (image 6).In 2007, due to the introduction of the new line“Maduro 5”, a new special band was made for thisline. Its look was close to the already used Cohibaband, just with the add of a black strip with in themiddle the written “Maduro 5” (image 7).For the release of the BHK line, a different bandwas selected, bearing a hologram. The band wasalso embossed the main difference was the bigCohiba logo placed in the middle of the band, justover the “Behike” writte (image 8).The design of the Behike band, is now used for allthe cigars produced regularly: it is a yellow andwhite-black filled with a gold finish and a hologram,initially introduced on the Piramide Extra in 2012(Image 9).al Humidors CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 24
tobacco historyAmong the commemorative humidors releasedin the past years, one of the first was the famous“Bohio”, in form of a hut, containing 250 cigars(Image 10).Another release in the 60s was the “Etouche 10Tollado“ series (Image 11). 15Afterward came the “Cajon Rustica”, that has a 17very intriguing story: it was produced in 1982 andwas released out of the Cubatabaco warehousein 1990. It was exported to Japan, where 18 outof 100 cigars were taken and smoked, while theremaining 82 returned together with the box toits homeland (Image 12).For the 30th anniversary of Cohiba, in 1996, acommemorative ceramic jar and a small humi-dor were released. Inside the humidor were theRobusto Especiales, while inside the jar were theSiglo V. The cigars, in both confections, are dres-sed with a celebratory band (Image 13 and 14).Still in 1996, in collaboration with the Ecuadorian 14artist Osvaldo Guayasamin, 30 numbered humi-dors, containing 90 cigars, were released: 10Lancero, 10 Coronas Especiales, 10 Esplendidos,10 Robustos, 10 Siglo I, II, III, IV and V (Image 15).For the beginning of the new millennium Cohibaproduced a special jar with 25 Piramides inside(Image 16).For the 35th and 40th anniversary they com- 16mercialized other commemorative humidorsinstead, with the cigars bearing the number ofthe celebrated occasion (Image 17). For the 40thanniversary, as mentioned before, they also relea-sed the Behike humidor (page 23). 13 11 1225 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
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line upBehikethe excellence of cuban tobaccoby Luca CominelliIn 2010, during the XII Festival del Habano, the because of lacking the right quality leaves to dressmost prestigious cuban line released in the new up the BHK. The situation seems to be better nowmillenium was presented. After six years, the and its commercialization seems to have beensituation hasn’t changed, the Behike is still the taken back up almost completely.synonym for the most prestigious productionmade in Cuba. What has always distincted these cigars has not just been tobacco quality or the process the leavesIn the last couple of years, followed by not really go through, but the use of something that becamevantagious weather conditions, this production the emblem of this line: the Medio Tiempo. Theseof excellence has sustained some stops, mainly leaves are harvested from the highest part of the27 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
tobacco plant and on the Habanos scale, theyare graded as Fortaleza 4 (the highest in termsof strength. Fortaleza 1,2 and 3 are defined asVolado, Seco and Ligero). This makes them ratherspecial and rare and if it is associated to the addedvalue that they can give to the cigar, aroma andstrength, a particulare and researched union iscreated, that is the winning receipe of the Behike.Analyzing the production of this line, from the ori-gins to nowadays, what surprised us the most isthe readiness of this smoke. The first batch of theBehike was nothing less than exceptional, withcigars that gave place to a memorable smokesince the purchase. The richness of this productshave increased its demand and so the productionof the Behike had to increase as well. The resulttoday is that, you have to rest these cigars to beable to appreciate them completely; this concernsmost of all the two with the larger dimensions, theBHK54 and the BHK56.The Behike line, other than making the mediotiempo known has anticipated some steps of thecuban production that were accomplished someyears later: for the first time a regular productionparejo cigar with the ring gauge of 56 was intro-duced as a regular production in the market, arecord still held by the Behike 56. It is still the lar-gest ring gauged cuban cigar. CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 28
line up Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Size: cepo 52 x 119 mm (4,7”) - EUR: 33,1 € (IT) - 32 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium to full strength. It develops a great aromatic intensity. Since the first to the last puff the balance is excellent. The evolution is well perceivable and the smoke is creamy. Satisfying. 1/3: vegetal notes, cedar wood and vanilla peaks. Sweet base. 93/100 2/3: honey, cedar wood, white pepper and piquant notes. 3/3: earth and white pepper. Slightly sweet base. Cohiba Behike BHK 54 Size: cepo 54 x 144 mm (5,7”) - EUR: 37,3 € (IT) - 38 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium to full strength. The cigar develops a nice intensity and the aromatic palette is elegant. The harmony is excellent and the evolution perceivable. Satisfying and balan- ced smoke. 1/3: vanilla, cedar wood, fine spices and green pepper. 91/100 2/3: wood, aromatic herbs, honey, vanilla and white pepper. 3/3: wood, walnut, white pepper and piquant notes. Cohiba Behike BHK 56 Size: cepo 56 x 166 mm (6,5”) - EUR: 40,6 € (IT) - 41 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium to full strength. Despite the big size, the smoke is elegant and refined. The balance is excellent and the intensity is great. The evolution is less wide as the other two Behikes. 1/3: cocoa, pink pepper, cedar wood and honey. Sweet base. 90/100 2/3: tree nut, earth and vanilla peaks. 3/3: earth, honey, spices and roasted notes.29 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Largest and Best Range of Quality Tobacco and Cigars in the UK C.Gars Limited Est. 1997 16-18 Kingsgate Place, London, NW6 4TA 0207 372 1865 www.cgarsltd.co.uk [email protected] Turmeaus Tobacconist Mayfair 1 White Horse Street, London W1J 7LB 0207 495 7330 [email protected] Turmeaus Tobacconist Est. 1817 32-34 Fenwick Street, Liverpool L2 7NB 0151 236 3802 [email protected] Turmeaus Tobacconist Est. 1817 34 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA 0124 434 8821 [email protected] Turmeaus – Norfolk Hall Farm, Martham Road Rollesby, Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR29 5DR 01493 749 710 [email protected] La Casa Del Habano 32 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA 01244 348 821 [email protected] ALSO AT: TURMEAUSThe uk‘s Pr&eTEmoSibeTarc1Cc8o1ig7Maerrchant Whisky and Cigars by Robert Graham Ltd LONDON •LIVERPOOL•CHESTER•NORFOLK 4 Broadwell Parade, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London NW6 3BQ 0207 624 3351 [email protected] Robert Graham Ltd 9 Sussex Street, Cambridge, CB1 1PA 01223 354 459 [email protected] Robert Graham Ltd Est. 1874 194A, Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AZ 0131 226 1874 [email protected] The Treasurer by Robert Graham Ltd 254 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8AA 0131 556 2791 [email protected] Robert Graham’s Global Whisky Shop 111 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1QX 0141 248 7283 [email protected] Orchant and Johnstone Family Business Member of the AICSAssociation of Independent Cigar Specialists CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 30
slow attitudeMedio Tiempothe truthby Didier HouvenaghelDefinition – Medio tiempo is an industrial tobacco following the appreciation of thickness, textureleaf name used after the selection/classification. and colour. Leaves are here renamed from theirMedio tiempo is a category of leaves destined to agricultural names into their industrial names. Itbecome cigar filler. In Cuba medio tiempo is cal- is crucial to note that agricultural names are putled fortaleza #4 leaf. In Nicaragua interestingly after the foliar level regardless of quality, whilethe leaf is rather categorized as thick ligero. It is industrial names are put after a set of qualitativethe thickest, strongest and most colourful leaf of characteristics. These 2 families of names areall classes. thus different and should not be mixed. A relative correspondence exists but not always.Their very high organic fraction and lots of oils area result of their origin: the highest positions on the Medio tiempo leaves or thick ligero as such areplant. Such concentrations certainly bring a lot of thus not directly found on the plant but definedtaste and many aromas. They bring along reinfor- later during the selection/classification. For this,ced strength and character to the blend. leaves from the plant – namely the coronas or the centro gordos in the agricultural vocabularyOn categories and names – The operation of selec- – must comply with a certain set of parameters,tion/classification groups leaves into categories being very thick, oily and full of Fortaleza.31 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Not so rare actually – Producers, who payattention to Nature and play around the rules ofagriculture with the objective to extract as muchcharacter as possible from the soil and from theplants, will probably harvest many leaves that canbecome medio tiempo. Growers that understandtheir soil and the environmental conditions, as wellas the classic characteristics of the variety usedcan certainly maximize the yield in quality and inquantity. Reversely when crops are done imper-sonally and impassively, then absolutely no mediotiempo will be produced.On variations of leaves from the same category– Leaves from a same foliar level on one planttend to show very similar set of characteristics.Interestingly leaves from a same foliar level butcoming from different plants generally show dis-similar sets of characteristics. These deviationsamong a same leaf category fluctuate accordingto the plant genetics, the soil, and the agriculturalattentions given by the experts. This means thateven with the same thickness, texture and colour,a corona leaves from field A, variety 1 and atten-tions X is sensibly different than the same classfrom field B, variety 2, and attentions Y. And evenif only one of these 3 elements is changed the lea-ves can dramatically change physically, chemicallyand in character.When known and controlled, these variances inpersonality is what the sophisticated grower willlook for as it will create many blending optionslater on.An example could be found in a field harvested withthe objective to maximize the personality of theleaves. That could be a field harvested to maximizethe yield of thick leaves that will become ligero andmedio tiempo. Simply, the producer will only leave12 or 14 leaves on each plant instead of leavingthe plant run with 16 or 18 leaves. The formed lea-ves will be thicker and fuller in character, many ofthe centro gordos or coronas will give thick ligeroor medio tiempo. But the producer will only havefewer leaves to use or to sell. This is favouring qua-lity over quantity. In opposition, the producer thatwill maximize the quantity and harvest up to 18leaves per plant will barely have coronas that will CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 32
slow attitudebe categorized into ligero or medio tiempo. This is and what should retain the attention of the curiousfavouring quantity over quality. observer are the actual leaf qualities (thickness,A relative concept – Interestingly precise specifi- texture, and colour) and their consistency.cations of tobacco leaves categories do not exist.Today there is no defined scale of leaf thickness, On obstacles to use thick leaves - Thick leavescolour or texture. – with rich organic contents from the top of theThe appreciation and thus categorization is plant – will be more challenging to process intosomewhat relative and thus can vary among pro- fine balanced brown leaves. More attention andducers or countries. The terminology and use of time will be required for the drying, the classifi-names should therefore be taken with caution. cations, and the fermentations. Processes will logically be slower and longer, and more sensi-One class for producer A might not objectively tive. Results can easily become inconsistent withbe the same than for producer B, the difference leaves showing major imperfections and beingbeing the terminology used but also and we always catastrophic when used in a blend.forget to highlight: the expertise, the quality con-trol, and the discipline. Good and slow processes involve more infrastruc-Names of categories are thus somehow relative tures and more energy. Beyond the difficulty of producing well fermented and balanced thick lea- ves, cost is also an element that might turn away some producers or manufacturers. Then like all personalities, strong temperaments – even balanced – are difficult to blend and so is the medio tiempo or thick ligero. Having a fantastic leave of medio tiempo is not at all the insurance of a great cigar. The final blend has to be done with leaves that will combine perfectly together to form an har- monious cigar. To obtain a balanced blending and tasting, leaves must combine properly and in the right proportions.33 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
A simple test – Medio tiempo leaves are thickerand darker than their pairs in the filler. A visualanalysis of the cigar can immediately confirmtheir presence. At the cigar foot, aficionado canobserve both leaves’ colours and distribution. Anice distribution – meaning a good density anddistribution of spaces – will generally insure agood draw. Diverse colours – meaning a goodassortment of different leaves thicknesses – willgenerally insure a balanced blend. The absence ofvery dark or nearly black leaves at the foot of thecigar can certainly confirm the absence of mediotiempo in the blend.Conclusion – Medio tiempo leaves are very intere-sting leaves as they bring character and tastes tothe cigar tasting. But for several reasons they areuneasy or more expensive to obtain and to use.They do not appear on the plant as a gift nor areextremely rare but rather develop or not in fun-ction of the quality of the treatments given bythe cultivator. Technically when growers showknowledge and dedication, then there is potentialto produce good quantities of what will becomemedio tiempo. Growers with experience, passion,sensitivity, and with enough resource and time,can always produce the famous medio tiempo.Once thick top leaves are collected they will stillrequire good drying, classifications and fermen-tations to become balanced medio tiempo brownleave with character and usable in a blend.And then the magic of blending can do its role andproduce a cigar with a straigthforward personality. CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 34
Smokes from the world35 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
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pillsMan CavesWhere men can be menby Michel ArliaThere are a lot of Man Caves in existence, which and time with other male colleagues. To us men itby any means are not the prehistoric ones used is a sanctuary, our holy ground.by our neanderthalian ancestors. They are foundin different forms and shapes, in- or outside the Although, not everybody has the luxury to havehouse. It can be in the garage, in the attic, in the one or get the permission to make one, but forbasement or outside in the woodshed. What defi- a cigar aficionado it is even trickier. If the chancenes these rooms is the sole influence of the male. is at hand, we want to be able to smoke in it, at least for the cold days. Maybe display our cigarFrom the décor to the design, some looks like collection in large humidors, or even in a Walk-In,private gentlemen’s clubs and others look like sim- and if somebody enjoys a drink with its cigar, thenple living rooms. Everything has to be without the a minibar becomes almost necessary. Dependinginfluence of our female counterpart. The female, on the time and money someone wants to spend,a wife or a girlfriend, is allowed inside for only a some Man Caves can even become Shangri-Las.short period of time, if any at all. Otherwise theMan Cave would loose its purpose. What is essential thought, is not the fact to have a pompous room or just a table and a chair, butThey serve as a retreat from the daily routine. To to have a space where the male can withdraw toenjoy some peace and quiet, relax with a cigar and and indulge in his “vices”. A place where men cana drink, watch a game on TV or share the space be men.37 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
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drinksGinthe mania of the juniper spiritby Nicola RuggieroSince the big success and the large consume of that the Doctor Salyius himself, connoisseur ofGin at the moments, it is good to clear things up the beneficial properties enclosed in the essen-with retracing the story, sometimes fascinating tial oil of the juniper, obtained a therapeutic oil atand sometimes dramatic, of this antique spirit. low cost: the Genever, thanks to an ulterior distil- lation of an infusion of berries macerated in pureDuring the 600 the juniper berry was considered alcohol. The efficiency of this “medicine“ quicklyfor the curing of stomach illnesses, furthermore it spread throughout Holland, appreciated by manywas also considered an effective remedy against dutch travelers and sailors for its characteristics.the pest. Bandages soaked with essential oils and Imported for the history of this product was thejuniper berries with rosemary and garlic, were put discovery by the english soldiers on their returninside a mask, equipped with filters, and used by from the Netherlands.the “pest-doctors“ to chase away the disease andthe stench that reigned in these houses of the ill. By the end of the XVI century the dutch sold the Genever in England, where a royal approval for theIn the XVII century, in Flanders, the first distillery distillation occurred. Many distilleries surfacedwas opened by Franciscus De La Boe Sylvius, a that started to produce an aquavit similar to thedutch naturalist and doctor from Leiden. It seems Genever, which soon enough was called Gin. They CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 40
drinksalso adopted a strategy to increase the produc- and tried to straighten the producers towards ation of the cereals and raise the consume of Gin, more attentive and qualitative distillation of thesince the distilleries were liberalized and the taxes final product. This new law, other then imposeon alcohol were considerably reduced. That is how new taxes on Gin, created awareness of the con-the era of the Gin began. sumption and made it so that the production of quality Gin increased significantly.Between 1690 and 1751 the consume of theGin in Grand Britain grew in an exponential man- The definition of Gin is: cereal distillation, primarilyner, especially in London. This period is historically obtained by wheat and rye, white and colorless, fla-remembered as “The Gin Craze“. The Gin was vored with herbs, spices, roots and juniper berries.cheap, inebriated quickly and helped the poor toforget their misery, it became the source of socialdisorder and in the poor neighborhoods the peo-ple lived in a continuous state of drunkenness. Toretain the phenomenon, the Parliament adoptedthe first “Gin Act“, a law to regolate the matter.The direct consequents was a proliferation ofclandestine distilleries responsible for the produc-tion of alcohol toxic to the health of the consumer.In 1751 a new law from the Parliament putforward necessary measures to levee the problem41 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Each producer is free to chose the typology andthe quantity of the botanics used and personali-zing their own Gin by enhancing it with flowers,plants, fruits and vegetables (for example: corian-der seeds, angelica roots, gorse, cardamom, driedcitrus peels, cassis, licorice, wild plums, cinnamonand other aromatic herbs) rendering his recipeunique and one of inimitable.In a not so distant past, due to the trend of theVodkas obtained with different raw materials thencereals and the lack of precise regulations, alsothe Gin began to be produced with different rawmaterials then cereals such as: apples, grapesand potatoes.Currently we can distinguish between two spiritswhere the juniper is the characteristic element:the dutch Genever, which includes the fermen-tation of cereals and is the distillation prior tothe adding for aromas (botanic) and juniper; theenglish Gin, redistills of cereal in which its vapor isbeing circulated through the aromatic ingredients(botanic) that transmit their aroma. This produc-tion style goes by the name of London Dry Gin. Another system consists of macerating berries andbotanics in to the alcohol before a final distillation.The alcohol with the macerated botanics, duringits evaporation, carries the aromatiche compo-nents along with it. The introduction of “Coffey“stills to the running distillation was the technicalinnovation that made a production of a more neu-tral spirit able.The Broker’s and the Tanqueray are examples ofLondon Dry Gin on the market. Colorless, dry, per-fumed and particularly suited for mixing.It is important to consider a Gin that tells a storyof travels, the ocean, the exotic spices, the tradi-tion, symbol of the United Kingdom, in particularthe Plymouth Gin. The Plymouth Gin was born in1793, for medical purpose, in a distillery situa-ted in the building that, in 1620, took the fathersPellegrini in on the night before they set sail forAmerica. It has an intense perfume, perfectlybalanced between its 7 botanics. The Plymouthappellation is only given to the Gin produced in thehomonymous locality of the Black Friars distillation. CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 42
drinksNowadays the Gin finds ample use in both the pre- the aromatic herbs can express its character theparations of cocktails and the straight consume. best way possible.The selection of the typologies present fromaround the world on the market is wide ranging. Fillers 28 Sloe Gin (the Sloe and Gin basedWe have new generation Gin like: liquore): red mahogany with aromas of red fruits, almonds, figs and mild spicy notes of juniper ber-Gin Mare: Spanish Gin with the typical perfumes of ries, cinnamon and plum.the Mediterranean coasts, flavored with four prin-cipal botanics: Italian basil, Greek thyme, Turkish Then we have the “old school“ Gin like: Zuidamrosemary, Spanish citruses and Arbequina olives Genever, realized with a refined selection offrom Catalonia. barley malt, rye and corn; Zuidam Old Tom, with juniper, elderberry flowers, iris root and corian-Koval Gin: American Gin with a distinctive cha- der, angelica, citruses, licorice, cardamom, vanillaracter, realized with a unique mix of forrest spices, from Madagascar and the adding of a minimumjuniper, wildflowers, citruses and white pepper. amount of sugar.Citadelle Reserve: French Gin belonging to the Not to underestimate is the italien Gin production,category of the Barrel Aged Gin, that is Gin aged Gin with a strong aromatic charge, rediscoveredin barrels (in this case in oak barrels). by the past, when the world produced Gin, in Italy they produced juniper based liquors according toBeefeater Burrough’s Reserve: a smooth and the Piemontese and Trentino tradition. Until fourdry Gin, with a unique complexity and unmistaka- years ago not much could be said about Italienble aromas. The Beefeater is distilled in stills with Gin, despite being the major producer of juniper,a moderate temperature, in order that each of from Tuscany to Sardinia, Piedmont and Veneto.43 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Marton’s is a Gin from Veneto produced with the A solid company, that has almost 200 years ofbest Italian cereals, cold infused with citrus peels, history, that keeps the companies objective basedcinnamon, licorice, anise seed, juniper berries, on the strength of the family and that now propo-pink pepper, horseradish, ginger, red fruits and ses the Luxardo London Dry Gin with nine botanicscloves. (juniper, coriander, iris, angelica, calamus, licorice, cinnamon, cardamom and bitter orange) again,Gin del Professore Madame & Monsieur: pro- realized in traditional coppers stills. The currentsducts inspired by the clandestine production of recipe dates back to the juniper filberts producedthe Bathtub Gin (Gin illegally prepared during the by Luxardo since the early 900.Prohibition in the USA by the speakeasy). Madame& Monsieur differentiates its aromatic profile Another interesting treat is the Gin Malfy, inven-thanks to a different botanical. Madame has as ted in Italy in the XXI century, by the Italian monksa base a wild juniper, from Umbria and Tuscany, from Salerno. Malfy is realized with Italian juniper,based spirit. It has a botanical composed of 14 oranges from Salerno, coriander, angelica, cassis,herbs and spices, cold infused with citrus fresh orris, grapefruit, licorice and Italian limes. It repre-citrus peels and a secret ingredient, which is follo- sents the “Italian-Built“ and the Amalfi coast, it willwed by a careful filtration. Monsieur has a spicier be available on the market by the end of marcharomatic profile: cardamom, lavender, camomile, and will be imported by the Compagnie Dei Caraibi.orange and with the juniper more dominant thenin the Madame. In the next page can find our suggestions for a pairing with cigar and Gin, selecting classic drinksAmong the interesting news, in the world of Gin, with sweet notes, but with a strong taste.we’ll find one of the most historic brands in the For those familiar with it, they can also make themtradition of the Italian spirit industry: Luxardo. at home. CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 44
drinks Gin Old Fashioned • 5 cl Gin Barrel aged (ex. CITADELLE RESERVE or BEEFEATER BURROUGH’S RESERVE ) • 2 Dash Angostura • 1 sugar cube • Club soda • Ice Drench an ice cube (sometimes half is enough) in angostura, do it on a paper towel (the excess angostura will be absorbed by the towel), melt the ice cube with soda water inside of a short tumbler, add ice, Gin and mix. Complete it by squeezing a lemon peel on the drink. N.B: There is never enough ice. Partagas Serie & No.2 - Davidoff Escurio Gran Toro Hanky panky • 4,5 cl Tanqueray • 4,5 cl of Carpano Antica Formula • 2 Dash Fernet Branca • Orange peel for decoration • Ice Pour all the ingredients in a shaker, shake it, filter it and pour it in a cocktail cup. Complete it by squeezing an orange peel on the drink. Bolivar Royal Corona - Joya de Nicaragua Joya Red Half Corona Pink Gin • 6cl Plymouth gin • 3 drops of Bitter - Angostura Bitter • Ice Pour the angostura in a cooled short tumbler and rotate it deli- cately so to moisten the walls. Put some ice cubes in to the mixing-glass (the ice has to be a finger more then the quantity of the liquid) and add the Gin. Mix it well for a couple of seconds and pour the spirit in to the tumbler with some ice. The cocktail is ready Opus X Corona Gorda - Trinidad Coloniale45 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Smoking Drinking Kills KillsDriving Money Stress Kills Kills KillsThinking Love LIVE! Kills Kills Fallon & Nicarao ©Balance. Character. Passion. www.laleycigars.comCigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 46
Blind tastingCoronas GordasCorona Gorda is a nice cigar size, able to develop a 42 ring gauge, but the “Corona Gorda” (Gordaa smoke with a nice evolution without having the means fat), has a bigger ring gauge: 46. The cigarcigar lasting long. Usually a “Corona” is a cigar with diameter difference is about 16 mm.47 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
Futuro Selecciòn Suprema - NicaraguaSize: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 9 $Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: NicaraguaMedium to full strength. The cigar develops a great complexity and intensity. The balancenever come less. The evolution is remarkable and the persistence is long. Satisying.1/3: black pepper, cedar wood, earth, cocoa and floral notes. 93/1002/3: black pepper, coffee, cocoa, wood and citrus. Sweet base.3/3: black pepper, wood, ripe fruit and earth. Hints of vanilla.Cohiba Siglo IV - CubaSize: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 20,7 € (IT) - 19,5 € (EU) | USD: - $Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: CubaMedium strength. Complex smoke, with a wide aromatic palette. The evolution is wellperceivable. Balance and harmony are to the top level. Elegant and refined.1/3: white pepper, wood, earth and spicy peaks. Sweet base. 92/1002/3: wood, white pepper and vanilla. Sweet base.3/3: honey, cocoa, spicy peaks and white pepper.Arturo Fuente Opus X Fuente Fuente - Dominican R.Size: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,5”) - EUR: 24,5 € (IT) - 16,5 € (EU) | USD: 18 $Wrapper: Dominican R. | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Dominican R.Medium to full strength. Incredibly balances, this cigar shows a nice aromatic bouquet.The evolution is perceivable and the complexity great. Satisfying.1/3: white pepper, wood and honey. Sweet base. 91/1002/3: fine wood, hazelnut and vegetal notes. Sweet base.3/3: vegetal notes, hazelnut and white pepper. Sweet base.My Father El Centurion H-2K-CT Corona - NicaraguaSize: cepo 48 x 142 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 7,5 € (EU) | USD: 6,5 $Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: NicaraguaMedium to full strength. The evolution is good and the intensity is great. The aromaticpalette shows a nice harmony due to a combinations of rustic puff and refined ones.1/3: black pepper, wood, earth and hazelnut. 91/1002/3: hazelnut and piquant spices.3/3: piquant spices, earth, undergrowth and rustic wood.CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 48
blind tastingPadron Damaso No.8 - NicaraguaSize: cepo 46 x 140 mm (5,5”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 14 € (EU) | USD: 12,5 $Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: NicaraguaSlightly over the medium strength. Great intensity and incredibly balanced. The harmonyis really good, aswell as the evolutions. The persistence is remarkable.1/3: rustic wood, spices, green pepper and hints of vanilla. 91/1002/3: young wood, spices and hazelnut.3/3: roasted notes, coffee, black pepper, earth and piquant notes.Romacraft Aquitaine The Anthropology - NicaraguaSize: cepo 46 x 146 mm (5,75”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 7,5 $Wrapper: Ecuador Habano | Binder: Cameroon | Filler: NicaraguaFull strength. Huge aromatic intensity. Really creamy and satisfying, it also has a incredi-bly long aftertaste. Decent evolution.1/3: black pepper, leather, earth, cocoa and cedar wood. 91/1002/3: spices, earth, citrus and cedar wood.3/3: black pepper, earth, leather, cedar wood.Señorial Corona Gorda No.5 - Dominican R.Size: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 11 € (IT) - 10 € (EU) | USD: 7 $Wrapper: Habano Ecuador | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Dominican R.Medium to full strength. Well balanced smoke, with a wide aromatic palette. The evolu-tion is good and the persistence is remarkable. Harmonious and satisfying.1/3: coffee, white pepper, anise and spicy. 91/1002/3: spices, wood, hazelnut, earth and leather.3/3: black pepper, piquant notes and anise.Illusione CG4 Corona - NicaraguaSize: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 10 € (EU) | USD: 8 $Wrapper: Habano | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: NicaraguaMedium to full strength. Remarkable intensity, long persistence and wide aromaticpalette. Satisfyng smoke, creamy and with a good evolution to it.1/3: black pepper, hazelnut, wood and aromatic herbs. 90/1002/3: black pepper, earth, cocoa and wood.3/3: black pepper, cedar wood, cocoa, hazelnut and earth.49 CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12
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