Bolivar Petit Corona (Unknown Box Date)

The age of this cigar is not known with certainty, but it is believed to be from a box from 2004 or 2006. The cigar presents well with a medium brown wrapper that has very little veining. A quick examination of the cigar reveals no areas of issue. The pre light aroma has notes of leather and rich tobacco. The pre light draw shows strong notes of leather and some light spice, there is also some excellent tobacco flavor present.

The cigar begins with a stunningly complex profile that shows deep notes of leather, tobacco and some spice. At the back of the palate there is an undertone of cinnamon that adds another exceptional layer to the opening moments of the cigar. The draw is very easy, and I am surprised by this as cigars of this vintage and vitola are typically tight. The burn is a bit lopsided and the ash is forming in a way that is somewhat askew.

The first half of the cigar continues to impress, showing deep leather flavors as the main component of the core profile. I also note some excellent tobacco flavors, some light spice and fantastic flavors of light wood. The back of the palate is assailed by notes of cedar and I am blown away by the complexity of this little cigar. The draw continues to be excellent and the burn begins to even out.

The last half of the cigar has a core profile that continues to show leather notes, but they are accompanied by fine notes of cedar and other light wood. At the back of the palate there are still notes of spice. The draw tightens slightly at the end of the smoke, but it does not cause me too many issues. The burn, once levelled out, was as it should be.

The finish is long and flavorful, showing notes of leather and cedar.

Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 93 an excellent profile that shows fabulous character
Construction- 95 one of the finest examples of this vitola that I have smoked
Strength- 92 a nice medium/full offering
Overall- 92.75 an excellent smoking experience

Partagas Culebras (2006 Box Date)

This is a vitola that I have always wanted to experience. These come bundled together in sets of three cigars, for my birthday I was given one and shared it with two of my closest friends. The long, curly presentation reminds me of a vine or the crooked finger of an animated witch. There are no flaws in the wrapper and the cigar appears to be well made. The pre light aroma is leathery with hints of spice. The pre light draw is smooth and even, which surprises me because of the twists and turns in the body of the smoke, and has notes of tobacco, spice and leather.

The cigar begins with a profile of leather and earth. The weird vitola draws exceptionally well and booms out billowing pillows of smoke. The burn is also surprisingly sharp, despite the fact that it juts at a forty five degree angle up and away from my mouth. The cigar maintains this status until the halfway point.

In the second half of the cigar the crooks and turns straighten a little, I can only assume that the heat helps this process. The profile is still of leather and earth, but there is some light spice and a satisfying nicotine tingle. The burn and draw have continued to perform well above what I expected from this strange vitola.

The finish is smooth and long with notes of spice, earth and leather.

Appearance- 98 just look at one of these and you will be entertained and wonder how they do it
Taste- 91 a nice solid profile that could use more depth and complexity
Construction- 100 the only score possible for a cigar that performs this well after being twisted and turned
Strength- 90 a nice medium/full smoke
Overall- 94.75 this cigar was the most smoking fun I have had in quite some time

Partagas Short (January 2009 Box Date)

This small cigar presents in a whimsical size for when you have less than thirty minutes for a smoke. The wrapper is toothy and prominently veined, there are also a few flaws in the presentation. The pre light aroma has notes of earth, leather and spice. The pre light draw smacks of tobacco and spice, but there is a metallic note there as well.

The cigar begins with more strength that I would usually anticipate from a cigar of this size. The profile has a core of leathery flavors, but there is some spice at the back of the palate. There is also a bitter, metallic bite on the palate that is hurting the experience. The draw is flawless and the burn, while a bit lopsided, is strong.

This cigar is so short that I can't review it in sections as I normally would. The profile continues hold a core of leathery flavors with some spates of spice, but the bitter notes are still detracting from the experience. I believe that this cigar needs more time, so I will be laying them down for awhile.

The finish is an explosion of nicotine and tobacco, but there is a metallic undertone that again hurts the score.

Appearance- 85 some flaws and veins hurt the score
Taste- 82 the overall core of the profile was excellent, but the metallic bite kills the profile
Construction- 91 this cigar performed extremely well aside from some flaking ashes
Strength- 87 a bit overwhelming from a cigar this size, with age this will mellow to the correct strength to profile ratio
Overall- 86.25 a score based largely on being saved by construction

Trinidad Colonial (January 2009 Box Date)

This cigar presents in a corona size and is finished with a pigtail cap. The wrapper has some minor flaws, and the roll seems a bit tight. The pre light aroma has hints of cinnamon and light spice. The pre light draw is slightly floral, but has some notes of cinnamon and nicotine.

The cigar begins with a complex profile that shows notes of cinnamon, leather and a floral essence. The is some clove at the back of the palate that is adding to the complexity. The burn is sharp, but the draw is tight in the first inch or so.

At the one third point the profile is maintaining it's complex character. There are flavors of cinnamon, leather and clove and it is very complex and deep for a cigar of such small stature. The burn is strong and the draw has opened up a little bit. The smoke is smooth and thick, coating the palate with flavors.

At the one half mark the core of flavors is leathery with notes of tobacco and spice, there are still notes of cinnamon laced throughout the profile. The burn is even and the draw continues to loosen up.

The final half of the cigar continues to show a sturdy profile of leather, tobacco, spice and cinnamon. The strength of the cigar is surprising and it has developed from a mild/medium experience at the start to a medium/full experience at the end. The burn is uneven at this point, but a light touch up corrects the issue. The draw has opened up fully and the cigar booms satisfying clouds of smoke.

The finish is bit short, but there are still notes of tobacco and leather coating the palate.

Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar with some minor wrapper flaws
Taste- 94 an excellent profile of complex, deep flavors
Construction- 91 the burn issue at the end causes a small deduction
Strength- 95 an excellent evolved strength over the entire body of the smoke
Overall- 92 an excellent cigar with fantastic aging potential