Posts Tagged ‘cigar’
September 26th, 2009 | 
Author: Normally I really dislike tinned cigars simply because I find them too small to comfortably hold and the lack of flavor. Lady HotchKiss and I hosted a small get together a few weeks back and had purchased a small selection of tinned cigars for the curious to sample. Correctly surmising the seasoned aficionado would bring their own sticks of choice.
After the party I noticed no one had indulged in our small cigars which I returned to the humidor and promptly forgot. Until recently that is, as the weather had been playing havoc of my cigar enjoyment the promise of a dry work day induced me to grab one of the small cigars on my way to work.
I happened to chose a Romeo & Juliet Reserve Real which I decided to light up mid morning. The size fits perfectly for a short break during the work week allowing me a pleasant twenty minutes or so away from my desk. I was very surprised that the Reserve Real actually produced an enjoyable peppery taste which had a nice long finish. Although for the first third of this little stick I was rather disappointed by the flat tasteless smoke. once the pepper began to kick in the Reserve Real became very flavorful.
For an aficionado looking for a small satisfying cigar that can be enjoyed in a short amount of time, I would recommend the Romeo & Juliet Reserve Real. Coincidently the current issue of Cigar has a very comprehensive review of several tinned cigars.
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Looking around cyber space this weekend I noticed a blurb on another cigar website I read from time to time reporting on the new anti smoking proposal being considered in New York City. I mention this for two reasons, (1) living in Atlanta there are an abundance of nice public parks and green spaces that offer a pleasant retreat and a chance to enjoy a fine cigar. I’d hate to see the proposed ban not only effect the parks and green spaces of NYC, but if successful other cities may began targeting their parks for similar bans; (2) If the liberal NY Times opines the ban may have gone too far, to me that speaks volumes on how over broad and fraught with problems this proposal must be.
Consider policing just central park, its 843 acres would require a small army to enforce a no smoking policy within its boundaries. Not to mention the countless other parks and green spaces located throughout the five boroughs. This is exactly the type of poorly planned and impossible to enforce law that comes from the knee jerk reaction of any zealots. Currently non-smokers seem hell bent on banning the use of tobacco anywhere by anyone. Regardless of the costs or difficulties in enforcement.
Tobacco use is a personal choice that when made after an individual has given careful consideration of all the facts and has weighed all the pros and cons and made a decision for themselves. Should not have to be relegated to quasi criminal status for their choice to use and enjoy a completely legal product. The anti smoking zealots need to remember that historically legislation designed to police and individuals morality hasn’t fared very well in America.
I was looking forward to enjoying a cigar with Lady HotchKiss Sunday night, since I was smoking a brand that I hadn’t enjoyed for several years; but had always loved in the past, Partagus. In particular Partagus’ Spanish Rosado was on the agenda for Sunday evening.
This particular stick is named for the locale where its tobacco is grown, the San Agustin valley in Honduras.Having enjoyed both this brand as well as this particular cigar before I was very disappointed that not only did the cap split apart while punching but that this stick also suffered from an extremely tight draw. Making it very difficult to smoke.
Having enjoyed cigars long enough to know not to judge either a entire brand or even a particular size within a brand on one cigar. It was still hard not to feel disapointed, especially as Lady HotchKiss was having a grand time enjoying a Cuesta Rey Centenario which She proclaimed was nearly perfect.
Hopefully the next time I reach for a Spanish Rosado I’ll be rewarded by an experience that is more satisfying and in keeping with the quality one expects from any Partagus.
I have begun to experiment more with cigar brands, and purchased a Siglo IV which I recently enjoyed. My initial impressions were that the cigar had a nice feel and smell out of the cello wrapper. After cutting the end I took a pre-light draw and found it spicy with a good draw.
For a cigar its size (5 x 54) it light easily and was an enjoyable smoke. Producing a very nice ash along with a generous volume of smoke; the only problem which I encountered approximately two-thirds through the cigar was a slight tightening of the draw. Since I had initially used a punch cutter, I simply re-cut the foot with a guillotine cutter and finished the cigar easily.
Overall I was very pleased with my first impressions regarding the Siglo IV and would definitely purchase more. For me its at a price point that would make it an affordable daily smoke (approximately $ 6.00 retail).
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
Strength: full
For enthusiasts who enjoy a full flavor cigar or someone looking to move up to a fuller flavored cigar I would recommend the Siglo IV.
