Robaina's

Robaina's
Robaina's plantation

Saturday 30 June 2012

Partagas Serie D No.5 Edicion Limitada 2008 (cigar review)

              This Petit Robusto is a quick smoke for me at 50 x 110 (4.3") but don't let the size fool you. It's currently a regular production cigar since 2011 but this was an original release that came out in 2008 as a Limited Edition with tobacco that had been aged for 2 years before rolling.

              The wrapper on this cigar was oily, smooth, almost maduro dark and mottled with a well constructed cap. It was hard to the touch with very little give. The cigar seemed to have shrunk, the bands were coming off. It was probably very humid when rolled and with time got a little smaller. The pre-light draw gave me paper and was a little floral. When I started smoking this cigar I was finishing the last of some Amarone Zenato 2007. Not exactly a perfect match but once I started drinking a Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros Rum, I had found the right combo. The draw was good but the burn was a little off (no surprise there). The burn was still a bit off a little into the smoke but seemed to be righting itself. Past the first quarter the flavours changed to wood and chocolate and the strength was medium to strong. A bit bitter, is was a typical Partagas, it reminded me of the D4s of the past.
                 After the halfway mark the rum and cigar were a perfect match, the rum was so smooth. The cigar could have used a little more age. A friend gifted it to me, he has more so I'm going to have to ask for another one a couple of years down the road to see how it's changed. The last quarter was really picking up strength and was beginning to turn, not long after that I found it too strong to smoke. Generally, a great smoke that needs a little more time in my opinion. I should try one of the current releases to see how it compares but I'm afraid they're probably too young and it would be a shame (I'll probably do it anyway). I don't own this box but if I did I wouldn't smoke another cigar from it for at least another six months but maybe a year would be better. Very much a classic Partagas.





















             





Tuesday 26 June 2012

La Bodeguita del Medio, Havana

              The "Bodeguita del Medio" has been open since 1942 when it claimed to have been the inventor of the new drink called the Mojito. It didn't always go by that name, it has been know as "La Bodeguita del Medio" since 1950. It was one of Ernest Hemingway's favourite spots and durning that time, when he was a regular, it was also a favourite of the artsy crowd; writers, musicians, actors..... They started serving a little food to some people in 1949 but in the 50's, due to the shortage of restaurants in Old Havana, they began serving food on a larger scale.
               This place is all about atmosphere and it has plenty of it. It's been frequented by many famous people both Cuban and foreign. The walls and some of the ceiling of the restaurant is plastered with their pictures and signatures of anyone who cares to sign, that is if you can find a place. There isn't a spot left to sign on the walls unless you go way up. The food is very simple typical Cuban fare. I have only eaten there once many years ago and don't remember it being that great so I'm going to go on a limb and say the food is average. I do remember it being overpriced for Cuba. Like I said, it's been a few years since I've been so I will have to return and do a proper review one of these trips soon. For now, here are some pictures for you to enjoy.


Address: Calle Empedrado No. 206. Habana Vieja
Telephones: (7) 867-1374 - 867-1375
(near the Catedral)




















Sunday 24 June 2012

Cars of Cuba (4)

            Here we go again......you guys keep lovin' them and I keep posting them.


















Friday 22 June 2012

Por Larranaga Legendario Edicion Regional Espana 2011 (cigar review)

              This cigar was sent to me by friends in Italy. A beautiful looking cigar and an excellent size, a Double Robusto @ 50 x 170 (6.7"). It had a smooth, veinless, oily, slightly mottled wrapper with a well constructed cap.
               The cigar had a good draw once lit and I picked up flavours of coffee and wood off the start. It began as a medium bodied smoke but once it settled down it went to mild. It had a perfect draw and burn. Still within the first quarter I was beginning to pick up some chocolate. I'm almost sure that what I was drinking had something to do with the flavours I was getting from this stick. I was drinking a 15 year old Zacapa Rum which went very well with this cigar. By the time I got through the first quarter the burn was off so I touched it up with my torch. It was getting a bit floral and stronger, back to a medium body again.
                At about the halfway mark the burn was still off and had been for most of the cigar, typical of Cubans but not always the case. I had to keep touching up this cigar and it was getting milder again. I was now picking up hints of wood.
                 By the last third the flavours got fuller but the cigar got milder, if that makes any sense. It was very Cuban-like in taste. It started to turn on me at the last quarter and not long after that I had to put it down. This was a rather pleasant smoke that I would recommend anyone to try that has the opportunity. I'm sure a little age will only do this cigar some good. If I can find some more I would be happy to add a few to my humidor.