Robaina's

Robaina's
Robaina's plantation

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Romeo y Julieta De Luxe Edición Limitada 2013 (cigar review)

                   This cigar weighs in at 52 x 162 (6.4"), they call it a Robusto Extra, very close to a Sublime which is a 54 x 164 (6.5") and probably my favourite size vitola. They packed these cigars in varnished boxes of 10 cigars and released or are releasing them this year.
                   This particular cigar had a darkish wrapper, it was oily and bumpy but veinless....even the cap was bumpy and uneven. The pre-light draw gave me a touch of wood. Once lit, the draw was bang on with good amounts of wood and earth on the palate. Into the first inch I picked up some hints of roasted coffee bean. So far this was unlike any Romeo y Julieta I've smoked in the past. The burn, however, was off. At the first inch and a half I would have to say this was a solid medium bodied cigar. At this point I was picking up subtle notes of honey. Close to the 2 inch mark I flicked the ash, being indoors I didn't want to make a mess.
                    Halfway through the second quarter and I was picking up hints of tea. Now the cigar was mellowing, medium to mild bodied now. The burn is just a little off now. Although I was tempted on several occasions, I hadn't touched up this cigar with my torch yet. However, at the halfway mark I couldn't resist and gave it a touch-up. 
                    Third quarter and this cigar is tasting earthier. Last quarter and it began to pick up strength. The flavours pretty much stuck at this point, just the strength was picking up and a little bitterness creeping in to the point of becoming a bit rough on the palate. I could have held on a little more but it wasn't pleasant any longer so I let it go.
                     This cigar is quite young and definitely needs more time. The flavours are unlike any RyJ I've smoked in the past. It was almost like a cross between a Diplomatico and a Montecristo with a little bit of something else thrown in.....but milder. I smoked this cigar with a couple of other guys prior to this one and they thought the same thing. One guy didn't like it because he thought it was too mild. I enjoyed it and I'm going to keep the others I have tucked away in the back of my humidor for a while. I recommend you try at least one and judge for yourself.



























Tuesday 29 October 2013

Art In Cuba (Pinar del Rio)

                  I have said in the past that Art is everywhere in Cuba. These pictures were sent to me from my good friend Juan who lives in San Luis, Pinar del Rio. It's a small town in the middle of tobacco country in the eastern end of Cuba. I have met a couple of the artists in the past but unfortunately I wasn't sent any info on any of the others. Hopefully on my next trip in a couple of weeks I can meet them. For now, I hope you enjoy the pictures below.




Art Gallery in Pinar del Rio


Locals at an Art Exhibit in the town of San Luis.


Domingo Rodriguez Ugalde



Roberto Martinez


Domingo Rodriguez Ugalde


Caraballo


Caraballo





Carlos y Banasco



Carlos y Banasco



Digital Photography Exhibit in the town of San Luis.


David Santa Fe




Local Artist Carlos Javier Abrue Diaz with Art Students at an Exhibit in the town of San Luis.


Surumi Quintana

Saturday 26 October 2013

H. Upmann Magnum 48 Edición Limitada 2009 (cigar review)

                  The Magnum 48 was released as a Limited Edition in 2009. This 48 x 110 (4.3") sized Corona Extra came in Slide Lid Box of 25 cigars. I don't have a number on how many were released.
                 This cigar had few veins but was bumpy, the cap as well, with a wrapper that was on the darker side. The cigar just wasn't that pretty to look at actually but we all know that means nothing when it comes to taste. It was hard to the touch and once cut, stems were sticking out of the cap. Big Cedar on the pre-light draw. Once lit, the draw was good and at this point it seemed to be a mild to medium body smoke. Little further in I picked up touches of floral and a little earth. Nearing the the first quarter and the burn is almost straight. Past the first quarter and the burn is off, picking up a hint of nuttiness.
                   At about the halfway mark the burn was off and the cigar seemed to be stifled so I flicked the ash. It wasn't pretty (I posted a picture), it was burning a little hot through the middle and left jagged shards of ash....anyway, I fixed it up with my torch. It was burning fine after that, the flavours hadn't changed much. The cigar was closer to being mild bodied at this point. The faint floral notes poke their head out now and again but aren't very prominent. This is a very easy cigar to smoke.
                   Halfway through the third quarter and the burn is way off again so I touched it up. Getting earthier and stronger through the last quarter. Through all the touch-ups the cigar never tasted bad. Even as I'm nearing the end and can hardly hold it, I find it difficult to put down. It was burning my lips on those last few drags. Finally I gave it up.
                   This wasn't a very strong cigar but was a pleasure to smoke regardless of the burn issues. I've had a few friends smoke one recently and not one of them disagrees, it's a great cigar. Many I talk too, myself included, wished they had gone deep on this one when they were released. I'm sure you can find them but they won't be cheap now. If you can pry one from a friend's collection, do it. Smoke it now, it's smoking great in my opinion but you can still lay it down for a bit.