Although my preference lies heavily with vintage cigars, it must be stated that the cigars coming out of Cuba during the last year or so have been incredible. Superb flavor, good oily-ness on the wrapper and overall decent construction. Myself along with many clients and fellow aficionados have been noticing how great the Cuban cigars released in 2020 and 2021 taste.
The two Cuban cigars featured this month are no exception and both are consistently on point. The Special Celebratory cigar impressed me like few others have none in the recent past, packaging and cigar alike.
Here are my monthly picks for June.
CUBAN
H. Upmann “Connoisseur No. 2”
Size: 51 x 5 1/4
FACTORY NAME: Bohemios
This larger robusto size cigar has only been part of the H. Upmann family since 2020. However, the ageing potential on many of the boxes seems high. They come in a cabinet of 25, and you can just imagine how good that bundle will smell and taste in 5 to 10 years, or more.
One thing I noticed about this cigar is that from all the boxes I have opened of Connoisseur No. 2, 99% of the cigars were rolled firm. The draw is good, and almost ideal for my tastes. It always makes me feel like the rollers respect and keep the blend true. I think we can all agree that generally speaking, not all cigars from the same box are rolled with the same consistency. This is not the case with this cigar. It is hard to find one that is not like the other in both flavor and strength.
Flavor and strength profile: Typical H. Upmann flavor (earthy, woody), but with some added sweetness towards the middle of the cigar. Medium bodied.
NEW WORLD CIGAR
Oliva “Serie V’
Size: 6 x 56
FACTORY NAME: Torpedo
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Country Of Origin: Nicaragua
The Serie V Torpedo was rated Best Cigar of the Year in 2007 by Cigar Aficionado. Several years later, a revisit to the cigar has proven well worthwhile. With an attractive price point, and a complex blend of tobacco including Jalapa Valley ligero, the Oliva is a no brainer if you’re looking for a full bodied, well-constructed cigar that delivers rich espresso and dark chocolate, ending up with a leathery, peppery finish.
Flavor and strength profile: Dark Chocolate, Pepper, Espresso. Full bodied.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH CIGAR
Por Larranaga “Galanes”
Size: 52 x 4 3/4
FACTORY NAME: Galanes
Two of my favorite “go to” cigars are from Por Larranaga, the Petit Coronas, and the long and slender Montecarlos. When news of a wider gauge vitola from the beloved brand was announced, the excitement from yours truly was high. After a somewhat lackluster release of the Hermosos No. 4 sized “Picadores from Por Larranaga, the Galanes makes up for what was missing in flavor and overall experience.
The brand, is characterized by very sweet, milk chocolatey, smooth, mild to medium cigars that pack a lot of flavor. The Galanes is special as it checks off all those qualities, and in a popular robusto size.
Flavor and strength profile: Sweet, Milk Chocolate. Mild to Medium.
SPECIAL CELEBRATORY CIGAR
Davidoff Winston “Churchill Limited Edition 2022”
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
Country Of Origin: Nicaragua
Size: 5 7/8 x 61
FACTORY NAME: Perfecto
There are not many cigars that emit luxury as Davidoff. There are not many special boxes and limited editions that are presented with this kind of class and elegance. Limited to 12,300 boxes of 10, this is the only cigar ever released by Davidoff in this format and size. The packaging is admittedly not the most important factor with cigars, but it is impossible to overlook that in this limited edition by Davidoff.
The box itself is inspired by the actual briefcase that Sir Winston Churchill carried, and includes a letter from his great grandson, Randolph Churchill.
Hey Antonio
where can you get that Davidoff and can you give us a price point? I love the perfecto shape and would love to get one
Whisky Cafe Montreal has a box, as do other retailers in the UK. As far as the Davidoff shops go, it seems they sold out pretty quick. Price point varies so much based on the taxes in the respective state. Roughly between $50 USD to $150 per cigar depending on where it it purchased!