Category — Cigar Reviews

Once known as the “Bolivar Fuerte,” the name was changed to distinguish it from General’s Dominican-made Bolivar in 2005. The Cofradia is crafted at Villazon’s Honduras factory under the supervision of Estelo Padron. It is packed cabinet style in quantities of 25, and the bundle is tied with yellow ribbon.

A bonus for the collector is that Villazon is in the habit of writing the box date in pencil on the underside of the box. I don’t know if it’s a factory policy, but I’ve noticed it previously on boxes of JR Ultimate, El Rey del Mundo, and these Bolivars. Handy if you’re searching for aged stock in the B&M. Even when you’re buying on the net and don’t have the option of hand-selecting your box, at least you know the age of the smokes. My box, purchased in December, dates to August 2006.

This 5.62″ x 46 parejo isn’t pretty in the classic sense, but it looks tasty nonetheless. The dark Ecuador sungrown wrapper has moderate veining and an inviting, oily sheen. A glance at the foot reveals a patch of dark ligero. [Read more →]

I should probably note up front that I’m not the biggest Padron fan.

Yes, I know such blasphemy is punishable by caning in many nations, but I can explain. I find their original and “Thousand” lines to be hit-or-miss, an average value. The Anniversario 1964s are always good, even brilliant on occasion. But they don’t always live up to their big reputation or their exorbitant price.

That said, the one that delivers every time for me is the Exclusivo Maduro. So it was my loosely planned quest for a box of Exclusivos that led, in a roundabout way, to this review of 1926 No. 6 Maduro.

A week before Christmas, I set out to treat myself. Bad news at the B&M — the Exclusivos were history. My head clouded with Christmas shopping stupor, I wasn’t ready to take no for an answer. After a moment of panic and frustration, I grabbed a box of the Serie 1926 No. 6 instead and marched defiantly to the register. I’ll show them. I’ll buy an equally overpriced substitute! [Read more →]

The Romeo y Julieta Tubos No. 2 wasn’t on my must-try list, but a three-pack was tossed in as a freebie with a holiday shipment. And who says no to free Habanos? (Yes, there is the “Guantanamera exception,” but you see my point.)

Gone are the dull silver tubes that looked straight out of the 60s. Habanos has finally dressed up RyJ’s five tubed vitolas with the snazzy red and white numbers that debuted on the Short Churchill last year.

Upon pulling this 5.12 x 42 corona from the cedar lined tube, I found a lumpy, slightly pale stick, squishy under pre-light inspection. I quickly downshifted expectations, but was pleasantly surprised by a tasty blast of Habano “twang” when I put the light to it. RyJ has a reputation for mild-medium bodied smokes by Cuban standards, but I found the Tubos No. 2 to be feistier than expected. It’s squarely in the medium bodied range, but packs more flavor than its appearance suggested. Around a damp earth core are hints of leather, a touch of sweet cedar picked up from the lining, and some nutmeg in the final third. [Read more →]