I don't often review Cuban cigars for the pages of this blog, but every once in awhile I smoke something so sublime and so rare that I feel I must share the experience with everyone who will listen. I am a firm believer that every superior cigar experience should be shouted from the rooftops, so I head to the rooftop to discuss this cigar.
If you will indulge me I will set the scene. It was a Top 5 cigars of 2012 event, we do two of these per year, one from the first half of the year and then again in December or January to review the Top 5 from the entire year. I always look forward to these events because some of the best cigar people I know get together and we smoke and discuss, and basically carry on in general. It was hot, but not uncomfortably so and as we got started I arranged a Habano trade for this cigar, it only cost me a 2007 Bolivar Belicoso Fino. One of my favorite cigars of all time is a St. Luis Rey so I was excited to get my hands on this vitola. You just don't see many St. Luis' out there so I just had to have this one.
The cigar presents very well. There is something very appealing about a traditional cuban churchill, it is majestic and has a structurally solid presence. The wrapper is well applied and has that usual wrinkly vein appearance of a well aged habano. The cap is a little bit sloppy but the rest of the inspection makes me believe that the cigar will perform very well. The pre light aroma is of floral spice and sweet clover. The pre light draw is dusty, but has some wonderful floral sweetness and light tobacco character.
The cigar opens with a profile that is subtle, yet magnificent, showing layers of depth that are seldom seen in the cigar world. The core profile is full of clover and honey flavors that tantalize the palate with sweet flavors whilst still having enough strength to let the smoker know that a cigar is still being smoked. This is an unexpected flavor profile for me, but still similar enough to other St. Luis' that I have had that a comparison is still attainable. When I consider a cigar that may be listed in the Czar pantheon of greats I always like to be able to compare the cigar to the others that have already attained the lofty heights. The back of the palate is replete with nice flavors as well. The main body is all light, crisp tobacco but there is a very interesting dusty flavor of light cinnamon and sugar in the backdrop as well. This leads to an experience that ranks amongst the most unique that I have smoked. The draw is tight, but not in any way that is not ordinary for a cuban. The burn is a little bit off early, but I don't think I will have any issues.
The first half of the cigar continues to impress me. The core profile continues to show clover and honey flavors, but there is now some very nice light spice coming in as well. This light spice serves as a nice counterpoint to the sweetness that I was experiencing in the first part of the smoke. The back of the palate has transitioned into a more robust presentation of woody flavors and there are some ideas of a leather type flavor here as well. There are still some sweet areas, but this more robust presentation has made the cigar more full bodied. The draw is still a bit on the tight side, but there are no issues with the performance. The burn has evened out and I don't have any reason to believe that it will be a problem.
The final half of the cigar really slams home an experience that is in my Top 10 of all time. The core profile becomes a fantastic and complex balance of honey, leather, spice and crisp tobacco flavors. These flavors are so balanced that it easy to pick them out, yet so complex that the brain and taste buds almost don't catch all that is happening. The back of the palate is a very solid presentation of woody flavors and there is some leather here as well. The draw was consistent throughout. The burn stayed sharp in the final half without further issues.
The finish was a dream and leather and honey notes lingered on and on.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke with a sloppy cap
Taste- 98 a very fine array of flavors that build a complex and satisfying smoke
Construction- 93 a very nice performance with some points off for draw tightness and early burn issues
Strength- 100 one of the finer medium bodied cigars that I have ever smoked, the strength matched the profile to perfection
Overall- 95.75 a classic cigar and in terms of taste, one of the best I have ever smoked
Showing posts with label St. Luis Rey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Luis Rey. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2012
Thursday, September 9, 2010
St.Luis Rey Toro Maduro (6x50)
This is an old classic and I figured it was a worth a re-visit after several years. This is a box pressed vitola and I can't recall if that was the case several years ago when I was smoking this on a regular basis. I am not a fan of box pressed smokes and I find that they often burn poorly. This particular cigar presents with a very oily wrapper that shows few veins. An examination leads me to believe that it will perform well. The pre light aroma is a touch sour but has some nice notes of spice and light chocolate. The pre light draw shows some dark fruit sweetness.
The cigar opens with a nice medium profile that contains notes of cocoa, light pepper and some nice earthy tones. At the back of the palate there are some shots of milk chocolate and some interesting flavors of black cherry and other dark fruit. The burn is excellent and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky. The draw is exceptional for me, requiring just the right amount of pull to produce ample smoke.
The first half of the smoke continues to show some development. The core profile consists of nice earthy flavors, with blasts of pepper and some wisps of cocoa. At the back of the palate there are distinct notes of dark wood and dark fruit. The balance is excellent, but the depth of flavor is somewhat lacking for me and it comes off as a bit thin. The burn has gone awry slightly, but I don't think it will cause any issues. The draw continues to be nearly perfect for me.
The final half of the smoke deteriorates slightly, but still is above average. The profile thins out, but shows some notes of earth and dark fruit. At the back of the palate there are some notes that become muddled, but dark wood is still prominent. The burn evens out and the draw remains superior.
The finish is middling, but shows lingering dark wood flavors. At less than $5 per smoke this is a must for any enthusiast, particularly those on a budget.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke, but I detract for box pressing
Taste- 88 an above average profile, but there needs to be more depth and complexity
Construction- 92 some deductions for burn, but the draw was splendid
Strength- 89 a very satisfying medium
Overall- 89.5 a very good smoke and a candidate for best under $5
The cigar opens with a nice medium profile that contains notes of cocoa, light pepper and some nice earthy tones. At the back of the palate there are some shots of milk chocolate and some interesting flavors of black cherry and other dark fruit. The burn is excellent and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky. The draw is exceptional for me, requiring just the right amount of pull to produce ample smoke.
The first half of the smoke continues to show some development. The core profile consists of nice earthy flavors, with blasts of pepper and some wisps of cocoa. At the back of the palate there are distinct notes of dark wood and dark fruit. The balance is excellent, but the depth of flavor is somewhat lacking for me and it comes off as a bit thin. The burn has gone awry slightly, but I don't think it will cause any issues. The draw continues to be nearly perfect for me.
The final half of the smoke deteriorates slightly, but still is above average. The profile thins out, but shows some notes of earth and dark fruit. At the back of the palate there are some notes that become muddled, but dark wood is still prominent. The burn evens out and the draw remains superior.
The finish is middling, but shows lingering dark wood flavors. At less than $5 per smoke this is a must for any enthusiast, particularly those on a budget.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke, but I detract for box pressing
Taste- 88 an above average profile, but there needs to be more depth and complexity
Construction- 92 some deductions for burn, but the draw was splendid
Strength- 89 a very satisfying medium
Overall- 89.5 a very good smoke and a candidate for best under $5
Sunday, March 28, 2010
St.Luis Rey Serie G Maduro Rothchilde
This comes from a box that has about a year of humidor age on it. This particular blend used to be a regular part of my rotation, but it has slowly found it's way out over the past couple of years. The cigar presents with a very dark and oily wrapper that shows some veins. The cigar is firm and heavy and has some ruddy characteristics that give this smoke a rustic feel. The pre light aroma has hints of tobacco and dark fruit. The pre light draw has some intonations of pepper and tobacco.
The cigar opens with a profile of tobacco and rich earth. The smoke is straightforward, but shows enough depth to be enjoyable in the opening minutes. At the back of the palate there are prominent flavors of dark fruit and wood that throw some unexpected complexity into the mix. The draw is free and easy and booms out thick smoke. The burn is even and produces a firm white ash.
The first half of the smoke continues to surprise me, I have always liked these cigars but I had never detected this type of depth before, perhaps the aging is adding to the experience. The core profile shows notes of tobacco, earth and some white pepper. There is a level of complexity that is unexpected as well. At the back of the palate a straightforward presentation of dark wood has taken over. The draw continues to be easy and enjoyable. The burn shows some lopsidedness, but is not causing me any concern.
The final half of the cigar slows a little bit and becomes a more pedestrian presentation of flavors. The core profile shows overwhelming notes of earth, but not much else. At the back of the palate the flavor continues to be of dark wood, but there are some peppery notes as well. The draw and the burn continue to be acceptable throughout.
The finish is a bit short, but has flavors of tobacco and earth.
Appearance- 87 a bit rustic, but a nice looking smoke
Taste- 88 some late deterioration hurt a nice profile
Construction- 92 no issues other than a slight burn problem
Strength- 89 a nice full bodied smoke
Overall- 89.25 a very solid performer
The cigar opens with a profile of tobacco and rich earth. The smoke is straightforward, but shows enough depth to be enjoyable in the opening minutes. At the back of the palate there are prominent flavors of dark fruit and wood that throw some unexpected complexity into the mix. The draw is free and easy and booms out thick smoke. The burn is even and produces a firm white ash.
The first half of the smoke continues to surprise me, I have always liked these cigars but I had never detected this type of depth before, perhaps the aging is adding to the experience. The core profile shows notes of tobacco, earth and some white pepper. There is a level of complexity that is unexpected as well. At the back of the palate a straightforward presentation of dark wood has taken over. The draw continues to be easy and enjoyable. The burn shows some lopsidedness, but is not causing me any concern.
The final half of the cigar slows a little bit and becomes a more pedestrian presentation of flavors. The core profile shows overwhelming notes of earth, but not much else. At the back of the palate the flavor continues to be of dark wood, but there are some peppery notes as well. The draw and the burn continue to be acceptable throughout.
The finish is a bit short, but has flavors of tobacco and earth.
Appearance- 87 a bit rustic, but a nice looking smoke
Taste- 88 some late deterioration hurt a nice profile
Construction- 92 no issues other than a slight burn problem
Strength- 89 a nice full bodied smoke
Overall- 89.25 a very solid performer
Monday, September 14, 2009
St. Luis Rey Serie G Robusto Maduro
This is a big, dark, log of a cigar. I typically don't find big ring gauge cigars visually stimulating, but the near black color and ruddy exterior of this one screams that it is a man's cigar. The cigar is bold and has heft that I am not accustomed to. The construction appears to be acceptable, big ring cigars make me nervous as I typically encounter some sort of problem while smoking them. The pre light aroma is of deep earth and rich, fragrant tobaccos. The pre light draw is spicy and full.
The cigar begins and is immediately booming thick, white smoke. The profile is in your face from the get go. There are notes of rich earth, tobacco and dark fruit. There is a slightly bitter note at the back of the palate, but it is nearly cancelled out by the rich flavors in the profile. The burn is sharp and the draw is flawless and produces more than ample smoke.
The profile does not change much throughout the cigar. There continues to be notes of earth and strong tobacco. There is still a flavor of dark fruit in the background of the profile and it adds an acceptable sweetness to the nearly overpowering notes of tobacco that are present. The burn is excellent and is producing a bright white ash that seems to hold forever (I had nearly three inches before I tapped it off).
The finish is much the same as the start, a rush of tobacco and earth. There is still some bitterness, but overall the cigar performed well.
Appearance- 89 an imposing dark cigar, it was a bit ruddy
Taste- 85 the cigar lacked depth, but had bold flavors
Construction- 92 I did not have any problems with this, other than some uneven parts
Strength- 87 a full bodied brute
Overall- 88.25 I would, and do, smoke this frequently
The cigar begins and is immediately booming thick, white smoke. The profile is in your face from the get go. There are notes of rich earth, tobacco and dark fruit. There is a slightly bitter note at the back of the palate, but it is nearly cancelled out by the rich flavors in the profile. The burn is sharp and the draw is flawless and produces more than ample smoke.
The profile does not change much throughout the cigar. There continues to be notes of earth and strong tobacco. There is still a flavor of dark fruit in the background of the profile and it adds an acceptable sweetness to the nearly overpowering notes of tobacco that are present. The burn is excellent and is producing a bright white ash that seems to hold forever (I had nearly three inches before I tapped it off).
The finish is much the same as the start, a rush of tobacco and earth. There is still some bitterness, but overall the cigar performed well.
Appearance- 89 an imposing dark cigar, it was a bit ruddy
Taste- 85 the cigar lacked depth, but had bold flavors
Construction- 92 I did not have any problems with this, other than some uneven parts
Strength- 87 a full bodied brute
Overall- 88.25 I would, and do, smoke this frequently
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