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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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!

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I’m delighted to announce my beautiful wife Charmaine gave birth to our second son on February 13th at 12.31am. Louie Dennis Haegens entered the world weighing in at just under 8lbs and his length was 52cm. As you can see from his photo he really is the perfect little boy!

I’ll definitely be celebrating tonight with a Montecristo No.2, and a fine drink which I’m yet to decide on, and will post its review in the next day or so.

If storing cigars for any period of time it’s recommended to store them inside a cedar lined cigar humidor. The cedar encourages the flavours and ageing of the cigar and also helps maintain the humidity level inside the humidor, as it holds moisture well. A relative humidity of between 65-75% should be maintained and a temperature of 18-21°C  (64-70°F) is considered optimal. At temperatures below 12°C  (54°F) the cigar ageing process can be compromised, and if storing cigars in temperatures exceeding 24°C  (75°F) tobacco worm is more likely.

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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.

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