A Couple Pre-Release Cigar Samples and the Final Hoyo de Monterrey Contest!

Victor Vitale, the man behind Ortsac 1962, Tortuga and others, sent a few pre-release samples my way a few weeks ago. I wanted to smoke them and give him my input before I ran into him at the IPCPR show and he said something along the lines “what about those cigars I sent you, you mooching weasel?” So I started with the sizable 7″ x about 54 box pressed parejo.  If I had to guess, I’d say it had a Habano wrapper, and was predominantly Nicaraguan.  It really was an attractive cigar, and it burned perfectly.  It was solidly medium in strength, but loaded with flavor.  It burned a little quicker than I would have thought, and I’ve been smoking much slower in the last few years.  I think I got an hour and a half out of this, including a lap around the neighborhood with the dog.  All in all, I really liked this smoke. It was well balanced and flavorful.  A perfect way to wrap up a Friday.

Saturday I selected the San Andreas Maduro from the same batch of cigars from Victor.  I fully expected to smoke this one first, given my affinity for that wrapper.  However, the San Andreas is a 5 x 50 (it might have been 5½) and I had more time available Friday evening for the larger smoke.  I like to take into account the time I have when I select a cigar, and it’s a rare occasion that I smoke anything longer than six inches.  This cigar had an unusual color, and I have to say that it wasn’t a really appealing shade for a maduro.  It was almost dark grey, instead of a very rich, deep brown like I’m used to seeing on this wrapper.  None the less, it was delicious. It was incredibly smooth and almost creamy.  It didn’t have any sharp edges at all and was a delight to my palate.  It had a uniqueness that set it apart from other San Andreas Maduro cigars, like Victor’s Tortuga Maduro is unique, but in a different way.  I know that sounds redundant,  but I can’t figure out another way to say it. I have one more cigar that he sent, another 5 x 50 that’s labeled as a Habano Rosado wrapper, with Nicaraguan filler and binder.  It will be interesting to see if this is the same blend as the first cigar in a different size, or  the second cigar with a different wrapper.  Victor tells me that he doesn’t know what these will be yet, but whatever they end up being, they will be excellent!  I appreciate the opportunity to try them!

Contest

Today starts the fifth and final week of my Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros contest.  Hoyo de Monterrey’s Box-a-Day contest runs through Tuesday.  As I said before, I can’t promise when I will announce the winner, as I’ll be driving to Orlando on Wednesday and Thursday, and I’ll be dependent upon WIFI connections while I’m on the road.  I will announce a winner eventually, so leave me some comments for a chance to win two (2) three-packs of Reposado en Cedros cigars, courtesy of General Cigar Co.  Usual rules apply, if you’ve won one of my contests in the last three months you’re ineligible.  It’s also important to note that in order to receive the prize, you must get in touch with me with your mailing address!

So that’s it for now, stay tuned for IPCPR coverage starting sometime around the end of the week.

CigarCraig