This new release from Montecristo is the little brother of the reknown Montecristo Edmundo. The Montecristo Petit Edmundo measures 110mm in length with a ring gauge of 52. The Petit Edmundo is classified as a petit robusto and measures exactly an inch shorter than the Montecristo Edmundo. Hoyo de Monterrey released the Petit Robusto in 2004 which was the first release of this size. This vitola is consistent with the current trend of thicker gauged and shorter Cuban cigars. The concept being a full, complex smoking experience in a shorter amount of time. It guess that’s the way of the world! Partnering the Petit Edmundo for the review was the equally creamy Kilkenny Irish Ale.

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The Cohiba Maduro 5 incorporates a new concept for Habanos as it utilises the highest grade Cuban grown maduro wrapper leaf. With a stunning dark shade the character of this tobacco is achieved during its five year aging process. This unique colour and texture is obtained through a process that is chemical free. This of course can’t be said for many of the non Cuban maduro brands. The tobacco used in the making of all Cohiba cigars comes from the five best tobacco farms of the Vuelta Abajo region. In addition Cohiba is the only Cuban brand in which two of the three types of leaves used to make them (seco and ligero) are given a third fermentation.

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In the early 1830’s at the age of thirteen Don José Gener y Batet left Spain immigrating to Cuba and began working on his uncles tobacco plantation in Vuelta Abajo. Some twenty years on he opened his own cigar factory  in Havana and produced the La Escepción line of cigars. In 1865 Don José Gener y Batet then acquired one of the best tobacco farms in Vuelta Abajo and registered a cigar range named Hoyo De Monterrey. Literally translating to “the hole of Monterrey” this reflected the concave terrain sought by growers of premium Cuban tobacco. Today it’s commonly acknowledged by many Habanos aficionados that Vuelta Abajo is the region where the best tobacco leaf is grown.

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In 2003 Habanos S.A. released the Combinacciones Selección Robustos 5s case. This case contains five robustos of the most well known Habanos brands including Montecristo, Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Hoyo de Monterrey and Partagas.

The Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo robustos are only available in the Selección Robusto case and are not included as a standard offering. The Selección Robusto case is totally handmade with specially selected leaves from the region of Vuelta Abajo. The robusto vitola (124mm x 50 ring gauge) has been one of the most popular sizes released from Habanos and for the review we’ll look a little closer at the Montecristo Robustos.

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Partagas is Cuba’s second highest selling Cuban cigar behind Montecristo and is probably the most diverse of all Habanos brands. Partagas encompasses ninety five different vitolas with thirty two currently being produced. The largest production Partagas cigar currently is the Series D No. 4 robusto, which currently averages around 360,000 cigars per annum. Partnering the Series D No.4 for the review was the delicious Trentham Estate Pinot Noir 2006. Construction of the Series D No.4 is flawless and very appealing with its gorgeous oily and silky smooth maduro wrapper. I cut the head with a twin blade cutter and lit the foot using my Vector Tri Pump butane table lighter.

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The Cuaba brand was first introduced in London in 1996. Cuaba is the Taino Indian word for the special Cuban bush used to light the “Cohiba” or “Tobacco”. The whole Cuaba range including the Cuaba Distinguidos is in the uncut figurados format which was popular in England at the beginning of the 20th century. The drink accompanying my Distinguidos once again was the fantastic new low carb Tasmanian beer; Cascade Green . The uncut figurados are apparently particularly hard to make and demand a lot of skill from their torcedores.

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The Cohiba Robusto is one of the original six cigars from the Línea Clásica range. When released this range was made available for diplomatic use only.

From 1982 three sizes were offered to the public: The Lanceros, Coronas Especiales and Panetelas. The infamous Esplendidos, the Robustos and Exquisitos were also made publicly available in 1989. The Cohiba Robustos is still one of the most sought after Cuban cigars on the market and with good reason. It presents beautifully with its medium brown oily wrapper and its construction is second to none. I cut the head with my CC cutter and lit up using my new Vector Tri Pump butane table lighter.

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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.

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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.

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It’s important to choose the right drink to accompany a Cuban cigar. I often get asked that question ‘What do you recommend to drink with a Cuban cigar?’

Choosing the appropriate drink can certainly enhance your smoking experience. When considering fine spirits a traditionalist typically suggests either a whiskey or cognac. Next time you’re given these options it may be worth thinking outside the square! Havana Club Anejo 7 can certainly be added to the list of spirits that can accompany the rich flavours of the Habanos cigar. The Havana Club Anejo 7 is the seven year old version of this famous Cuban rum and is bottled in a dark tall bottle which is sealed with a screw cap. The alcohol content of the Anejo 7 is rated at 40% and in the glass this rum displays a dazzling amber colour. To the nose the Anejo 7 offers complex aromas of cocoa, cedar and tobacco with a hint of vanilla.

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