The weather was once again mild and after a glass of T’Gallant 2005 Juliet Pinot Noir the time was right to sit back, relax and enjoy a Romeo y Julieta No.3. A rich, earthy aroma is offered when this cigar is first taken from the tube. Upon inspection this cigar seems to be well constructed with its smooth, medium brown wrapper. With that said it is not the prettiest of Habanos cigars. Once lit however this cigar offered a good volume of smoke with hints of chocolate and coffee present. A taste that can only be described as typically Cuban! Even with its smaller gauge the burn throughout the life of the cigar was consistent and cool with the cigar leaving a solid ash, white in colour.

(more…)

The opportunity I had been waiting for to smoke and review the San Cristobal De La Habana Muralla had finally arrived! This stunning looking cigar was initially released by San Cristobal and made available in the San Cristobal humidor in February 2006. Its name comes from an old Havana street that used to provide access to Puerta de la Tierra, one of the nine doors in the surrounding wall protecting the city. The dark wrapper, bands and construction combine to make this one of the most visually appealing Cuban cigars I have seen! Typically the weather gets cooler this time of year on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula and partnering my Muralla on this occasion was another De Bortoli Cabernet Merlot.

(more…)

I normally don’t look for an excuse to sit out on the deck and smoke a Montecristo No.2. However on this occasion I had one, I was celebrating the birth of our second son Louie Dennis Haegens! Partnering my Montecristo No.2 on this occasion was a De Bortoli Cabernet Merlot. The Montecristo No.2 presents beautifully with its perfect construction and mouth watering oily wrapper. Using my single jet flame lighter the cigar lit perfectly and as I progressed offered a gorgeous white ash only presented by the finest of Habanos cigars. Each draw offered masses of Cuban smoke with hints of chocolate, leather and finally a creamy overtone which kept me coming back for more!

(more…)

I should preface this review with a disclaimer of sorts. I rank the Cohiba Siglo VI as the best of all modern Cuban cigars and easily my most preferred.

The Siglo VI has had criticism in the past for alleged varying degrees of quality. To set the record straight my experience with regard to quality has been impeccable and I always enjoy time spent smoking this cigar. The weather had been hot and humid and partnering my Siglo VI was a Boag’s Classic Blonde Low Carb beer. This particular Siglo VI was no different to any other I had smoked as it offered a flawless oily wrapper and perfectly formed cap. The stunning rich aroma offered is one of the Siglo VI traits that keeps me coming back time and time again. I cut the end with my trusty CC Cutter and lit up using a single flame jet lighter. The Siglo VI lit up superbly and right from the outset the even burn gave way to a draw that was cool and creamy.

(more…)

It was the Australia Day long weekend and as expected the weather had been typically warm for this time of year. I welcomed the chance to review the newest cigar from Jose. L Piedra; the Petit Cazadores. I had heard good things about this hand made Cuban short-filler and decided to buy a bundle of 25 and smoke as an everyday cigar. At only AU$145 for 25 sticks I didn’t have much to lose. With the weather mild my drink of choice was a new low carb Australian beer, Carlton Dry with Natural Lime. It’s certainly not the prettiest cigar with the dark wrapper displaying many veins.

(more…)

My opportunity had finally come to sample one of the new Trinidad Ingenios LE 2007 cigars. I had a box of 12’s sitting in my humidor for about 3 weeks and I had been waiting for the right time to smoke one.

It was a warm night and luckily my wife and son had gone to bed early! My drink for the evening, not by choice, with this cigar was a Banrock Station Cabernet Merlot which is an o.k. quaff standard of red. Anyway.. on with the review!

(more…)