December 3rd, 2018

In the interest of full disclosure, this is going to be anything but an impartial review. In short (pun intended), this is one of my favorite cigars. By favorite, I mean stuck-on-a-deserted-island-with-no-other-cigar-to-smoke-for-the-rest-of-your-life favorite. I try never to run out of them. A little "lagniappe" (Cajun French for an extra little pleasure) comes in the form that it is one of a few cigars made by Habanos, S.A. that is still sold in a cabinet of 50. There is an argument between Cuban cigar lovers that cabinet selection cigars age better and with more flavor than traditional dress boxes. I won't weigh in on that argument except to say that it doesn't hurt them any.

In the cigar trade, this size is known as a Minutos. Here in the States, we prefer the moniker 'très petit corona'. It's approximately 4½ inches long and has a ring gauge of about 42. All of the binder, filler and wrapper tobaccos are a unique blend grown in the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba, which is approximately the western third of the nation. They are rolled by hand in an historic factory in the capital of Habana (Havana).

November 12th, 2018

The Rocky Patel Decade Toro represents another cigar from the Rocky Patel Luxury Sampler offered by Holt’s Cigars. (I’ve previously reviewed the Velvet Edition Toro.) It measures 6½ inches long by a 52 ring gauge and is moderately box-pressed. This Toro has a Sumatran wrapper and aged long fillers, the blend of which is a mystery according to Holt’s.

November 5th, 2018

I’ve been asked by Cigar Weekly to rate the cigars in the Rocky Patel Luxury Sampler for Holt’s Cigars, available at www.holts.com.

It’s a heavy load to bear, but someone has to do it. Holt’s sent me a gift card to purchase the sampler, which I did. Upon receiving the sampler, I put it in my humidor for a week to acclimate before smoking any of the cigars. They are all Toro-size cigars.

October 29th, 2018

The Oscura Corona has a smooth, dark and toothy wrapper. The bunch is firm. There are coffee aromas coming from the foot. The cold draw is perfect. This morning’s beverage is a cold brew latte.

This cigar brings on the strength immediately, with lots of coffee and cedar in the flavor profile. The retro-hale is peppery yet fairly smooth. This is definitely a full-bodied cigar. The burn is very good.

In the first third, some spices appear on the tongue to add to the flavor profile. So far, the flavors lack the typical sweetness of an Oscuro and are more like those in a heavy Maduro. The retro-hale remains smooth with pepper notes, and the burn stays even.