Tatuaje La Verite 2008

Size: 47 x 178 (7.0")
Shape: Churchill
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Smoking Time: 2 hours
Beverage: Anarchist Ale

Although this cigar is old news for most American cigar enthusiasts, the Tatuaje La Verite line is a highly unique creation among cigars (even Habanos). The tobacco for these cigars not only come entirely from Nicaragua, but are from a single crop on a single farm in a single year. Pete Johnson reportedly created the La Verite series in the spirit of vintage wines, which are typically made from single-orchard grapes. The idea is certainly interesting, and I couldn't help but pick up a box of these during one of my visits last year to the good ol' US of A. There are apparently two sizes in the lineup: the La Verite (the Churchill) and the L'esprit de la Verite (a robusto). Today's review is of the former.

The Tatuaje La Verite 2008 smoked for this review had a dark, dry-looking wrapper with a few veins. It was very firm to the touch, but after clipping the cap I found the draw to be absolutely perfect. Prelight notes were of damp earth and tobacco. The first few puffs had a mild but distinct spice, with some sweetness and pleasant floral notes. There was plenty of smoke produced, and some earthy tones could be found throughout the first third. Soon as the second third began, the cigar began to canoe somewhat, but this corrected itself after about 10 minutes. At this point I noticed a very pleasant, dry finish that was well-complimented by plenty of balanced sweetness on the draw. The second third changed into predominant flavours of oak and oatmeal, with some pleasant saltiness faintly settling on the finish. As the cigar moved into the final third, there was not a substantial departure from the earthy flavours that had persisted throughout the smoke, but the intensity and strength built as I progressed, moving from a medium- to full-bodied smoke.

Overall, this was a very unique and tasty cigar that held its own among the popular Tatuaje brand. While not the best smoke I've ever had, I'm glad that I was able to snatch a box of these and will be smoking them periodically to see how they progress with some age. But as they are now, it's a no-brainer to grant the Tatuaje La Verite 2008 four Fidels out of five.

- Carlton

Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary Toro

Size: 52 × 6.5"

Shape: Toro

Filler: Nicaragua

Binder: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador

Smoking Time: 1.5 hours

Beverage: Eagle Rare Bourbon

[Editor's Note: We did not have the foresight to take a photo of the cigar before the review]

The Rocky Patel (RP) 15th anniversary cigar line was, as the name of the cigar implies, produced to commemorate the 15th anniversary of RP cigars.  Despite Rocky's successes in the cigar world, a certain disdain seems to exist amongst many of the serious cigar smokers in our local cigar club for RP cigars.  When I first began smoking cigars several years ago I greatly enjoyed many of the RP lines including the 1992, the Edge, the Old World Reserve, and especially the Decade.  Over time my cigar preferences have changed and matured and I must admit I tend to prefer Cuban cigars over the majority of those produced for the American market (with the exception of pretty much anything produced by Padron and Tatuaje).  Even the Decade, a cigar which I once considered one of my all-time favourite cigars, seemed pedestrian and unidimensional the last time I lit one up.  However, every cigar should get a fair chance in the forum of tobacco judgement, especially cigars ranked in the top 25 of the year by Cigar Aficionado magazine (although that really means very little in my opinion).

The RP 15th anniversary Toro is a gorgeous looking cigar with a deep chocolate wrapper with a few noticeable think veins.  Like many of Patel's cigar lines the 15th anniversary boasts a box pressed look...one I quite enjoy.  However, I did find the gun metal double bands boring and tasteless - a description I would later equate with my overall impression of the cigar itself.  


After clipping the cap I sampled the cold draw and detected an interesting bouquet of sherry and dried fruit.  Using several matches I lit the cigar and sampled the first few puffs which were...well, fairly tasteless with some sweet honey and chocolate flavours making brief appearances in the background.  However, after this initial disappointment I was greeted with notes of pepper, apple wood, and leather.  The cigar became fairly strong as I powered my way through the first and second third, but the subtlety and complexity that I have come to expect from top-tiered cigars was simply missing.  Overall this cigar was another American market disappointment and I ended up switching to a H. Upmann Magnum 46 in order to salvage the evening.  The RP 15th anniversary was a waste of time and I am only able to grant it a meagre 1 Castro head out of 5.

- Sean

El Rey del Mundo Panetelas Largas (Vintage)

Size: 28 X 175 (6.9")
Shape: Slim Panetela
Filler: Cuban
Binder: Cuban
Wrapper: Cuban
Smoking time: 1 hour
Box date: Early 1980's
Beverage: Red Racer Pale Ale

El Rey Del Mundo cigar reviews are not widely found on the internets, likely reflecting the minor market share of this Cuban export. Indeed, only three cigars remain in the lineup for this brand and all of these appear to fall within the mild to medium range, a body and strength profile that smokers (and the market) seem to have tended to move away from in recent years. But thanks to the generosity of the guys at Cuban Cigar Net, we were gifted two Vintage, early 1980's Panetelas Largas for this review.

Both cigars had a slight box press, which is unusual for a cigar this slim. In fact, I can't recall ever smoking anything this slim before (save for a cigarette). Both specimens were very firm when squeezed, with milk chocolate-brown wrappers and a dry sheen to them. Pre-light aromas were of old wood and tobacco, and the pre-light draw revealed the same. Lighting with just one match, the first few puffs were surprisingly medium in body with coco on the palate and ample cedar on the finish. However, we had to be careful of not puffing too greedily, as we were quickly met with some bitterness and harshness when the cigar burned too hot. After the first third, we both noted that the cigar seemed to lack the characteristic and difficult-to-describe taste that accompanies well-aged cigars. In fact, as we progressed into the second third, I noticed that the taste reminded me very much of a strong cigarette, lacking the finesse and flavourful balance of well-aged Cuban tobacco. The body became decidedly full, with a surprising increase in nicotine noted in the final third. Some chocolate and toasty notes came through the background, but were difficult to identify behind the unpleasant taste of dried tobacco. We let the cigars come to a distinguished death in the ashtray.

It's always a cool experience to smoke a cigar that approaches my own age, the El Rey del Mundo Panetelas Largas exemplifies the futility in aging a cigar that likely had little going for it to begin with. While we appreciate the gift and the novelty, I can only award the El Rey del Mundo Panetelas Largas with two Fidels out of five.

- Carlton

Vegueros Especiales No. 2

Size: 38 × 152 (6.0")

Shape: Panetela

Filler: Cuban

Binder: Cuban

Wrapper: Cuban

Smoking Time: 1 hour

Beverage: Eagle Rare Bourbon

Box Date: 1999/2000

Vegueros is a small Cuban brand that today consists of only two vitolas - the Marevas and the Seoane.  The cigar we smoked for this review, the Especiales No. 2, was discontinued in 2010 along with the Especiales No. 1.  The Vegueros brand is one of the newest Cuban releases with the first cigars reaching production in 1996.  The tobacco used to produce Vegueros is harvested in the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba - an area renowned for producing the highest quality of tobacco.  Interestingly, the term "vegueros" refers to those that tend to the "vega" (tobacco field) and the brand was named in honour of Cuba's highly skilled tobacco farmers who have long held a tradition of creating their own cigars.  Very few reviews of Vegueros cigars exist online or in magazines - a indication of just how small and obscure this cigar is compared to the larger Cuban brands.  The cigar we smoked for this review was well constructed with no noticeable soft spots.  Perhaps the most noteworthy issue in terms of appearance was the underwhelming band that is perhaps the least impressive of all the higher-end Cuban brands.

After clipping the cap of the Especiales No. 2 I was greeted with an unexpected amount of think white smoke for such a small gage cigar.  The flavours were pleasant and I detected notes of bitter espresso, milk chocolate, and earth.  The strength of the cigar seemed to begin in the upper medium spectrum, but casually transitioned into a medium smoke for the duration of the stick.  The No. 2 was smooth and well-balanced throughout which was not surprising considering the sample we selected was nearly 10 years old.  However, the flavour profile did not change much throughout the cigar with the exception of some heavier woody notes making an appearance in the final third.  Overall, this was not a bad cigar by any means and I would gladly smoke one the next time were in Havana over a cup of morning coffee.  However, there are many other cigars I would reach for ahead of the No. 2 and the unidimensional nature of this example has forced me to grant this stick 2 1/2 Castro heads out of 5.

- Sean

Partagas Serie P No. 1

Size: 50 x 127 (5.0")
Shape: Petit Pyramid
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Smoking Time: 1 hour
Beverage: Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Burbon
Box Date: September 2010

Never to be idle producing only standard lines, Habanos S.A. releases a number of special and limited production cigars every year. To encourage smokers to purchase more than the standard-production cigars when passing through duty-free, Habanos periodically releases a semi-limited run of (supposedly) travel retail-only cigars, either unique in their packaging or size. This year it was both with the Partagas Serie P No. 1, a new size packaged in an admittedly alluring black ceramic jar. However, like many Cuban cigars that are meant to be sold outside of Canada, we were able to pick up a few of these sticks from our local tobacconist and had to give them a haughty review.

The two Partagas Serie P No. 1 that we smoked for this review were both well constructed and had a nice sheen to them. These cigars are exactly the same dimensions as the Bolivar Belicosos Finos, and the wrapper struck me as similar to many of the BBFs that I have smoked. The cap clipped easily to reveal an excellent draw, and pre-light notes were of tobacco and earth. After lighting with three matches, the cigar produced plenty of spice and pepper in the first few puffs. Generous body and strength was evident, with some tannic flavours overshadowing the earth and mild sweetness. My colleague also detected some ammonia, a hallmark of young tobacco. As the cigar progressed into the second third, the body moved from medium-full into full and we noticed flavours of sweet oak and earth. The youth of the cigar was still evident with the tannic flavours persisting in the background. The final third revealed flavours of wheat, leather, and spice, but a harshness built in that forced us to end the cigar a bit prematurely.

The Partagas Serie P No. 1 was an interesting, unique smoke that retained some of the essential Partagas flavours while surprising us with something new. It would likely be a prime candidate for aging, especially in the humidified jar that it comes packaged with. After a few years, this will probably be a well sought-after smoke, especially if production is limited only to this year. However, as it is now, the Partagas Serie P No 1 earns a respectable three Fidels out of five.

- Carlton