It’s the middle of the week, and I’m getting ready to take a cigar journey this weekend. I have to start packing cigars (and a few changes of clothes) for my journey, hence my travel humidor post. I’ve smoked a few cigars since my last post, so here’s a quick recap.
I was taking some pictures for the traveldor post and I was careless with an Oja Mestizo Artefacto and it rolled off the table and it suffered a little damage from the fall. I really hate that, so I burned the evidence. This is a 6 x 60 Habano wrapped cigar from my newest site sponsor, Oja Cigars. I’ve really enjoyed this line and the Habano is my favorite of the line, with the exception of the anniversary. It’s big in size and flavor, it’s got a little sweetness that I enjoy and is really nicely made. Keep an eye out for these, they are appearing in more and more shops. There’s something for everyone unless you like mild cigars, because even the Connecticut is on the full bodied side.
Sunday afternoon was absolutely beautiful, and I selected something a little special to celebrate Columbus Day. I was surprised when I picked up a Cohiba Siglo VI from the “good” humidor. It was very light in weight, I expected it to be a little heftier. This cigar was probably 6 or 7 years old and seemed like a fitting tribute to the man who discovered cigars. I punched it, considering how light it was in the hand, I thought it would have a really loose draw. It worked well with the punch for a while, but I ended up cutting it after while because I wasn’t getting the draw that I liked. It was a good cigar, certainly not one I’d go out of my way for, but it was good. It had that familiar and enjoyable Cuban “twang” that I look for and it burned in a typical ragged fashion. It reminded me that some of the best cigars on the planet are coming out of places that aren’t Cuba, although there is a flavor in Cuban cigars that just isn’t found in cigars from other places.
Monday came around and I reached for a La Palina El Diario rebusto which was another sample from Bill Paley at the IPCPR show. This robusto was perfectly made and really hit the spot. It burned far longer than I anticipated, running well over 90 minutes. I actually ended up with a Cain-like queasiness afterward. I was surprised by this as this isn’t typically a heavy hitter, and it snuck up on me. I will have to continue research on this phenomenon. These are great cigars, just a little too pricey for me to smoke too often.
Last night’s cigar was one I had been looking forward to trying. I had purchased this Perdomo Reserve Champagne a while back and had picked it up a few times, only to end up picking out something else. The yellow cello is pretty striking on this, giving it that ten-years-in-the-humidor look. The cigar had a beautiful Ecuador Connecticut wrapper that was without flaw. The band is enormous. Let me take a little detour here and say that I have smoked quite a few Perdomo cigars in my time, and the ones that I’ve liked have been on the low end of the price spectrum, the higher end cigars don’t do it for me, but throw a $3 Fresco at me and I’m happy. This cigar, for which I had high hopes, was a disappointment. It was harsh and acidic. I have seen and heard of people smoking these for breakfast and I just don’t get that. I love black coffee, but the bitterness in this cigar was off-putting to me. Sorry, not a cigar for me. Maybe the maduro version would suit me better.
Here’s a helpful hint of the day. I’ve been using the Cuban Crafters Perfect Cutter since Don Kiki gave me one at the IPCPR show and it’s been great. I love the light weight of this inexpensive cutter and it cuts very well. It’s replaced the similar styled Drew Estate cutter I was using prior to that. I’ve noticed over the years that there’s a right and a wrong way to hold a double blade cutter. Place the top blade on the thumb side for a clean cut. If you want an uneven cut, put the bottom blade on the thumb side (why would you want that?). Something in the ergonomics cause the blades to push against one another one way, and push the blades apart the other. It took me the longest time to figure this out….probably common knowledge, but if it helps one person get a nice clean cut, it was worth mentioning! Let me know if this fits your observations!
That’s it for now, until the next time,
CigarCraig
I’ve never paid attention to which side is the right side up on a guillotine cutter. I will give your tip a try on my next cut!
ditto – I’ve never considered a right or wrong way to cut with a guillotine cutter – interesting.
As for the Perdomo Reserve Champaigne, give this cigar a few more chances; you may have just had a bad one. I love these cigars, finding them mild strength with just enough flavor to start or end a day with. I’ve never experienced any bitterness, either.
Hi Craig, go figure,never thought about looking at the cigar cutter, will have to try it and see if it works for me, amusing a Xikar. That Perdomo Champagne, as TriMarkC said, give an other a try when ever, did enjoy the one’s I smoked, but like they say, everyone has a different taste.Good review, enjoyed it.