Cuaba Salomones I

Size: 57 x 184 (7.2")

Shape: Double Perfecto

Filler: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Box Date: Unknown

Beverage: Oban Single Malt

(The following is a guest review by Wayne, a fellow Lover of the Leaf)


With fall quickly setting in, I decided to escape the office an hour early and indulge in a smoke on the patio, taking full advantage of what will undoubtedly be one of the final few warm afternoons of the year.  On the drive home I remembered an almost forgotten stick in my humidor that seemed an appropriate choice for the stolen time.  With its grand size, the Cuaba Salomones is one to save for an occasion when serious puffing time is available.   Medium brown in colour with a classic Cuban wrapper, this figurado stands out because of its size but also because of its shape; falling somewhere between a presidente and a pyramid.  


Sliding the band off, I clipped off the tapered foot and the cap without issue.  In the hand, the feel was solid but light, and quite uniformly firm along the length.  A pre-light draw tasted of cedar and spice and was moderately tight but not overly so.  For the first few draws, I was bombarded with intense spice and herbal flavor.  This diminished very rapidly and the flavor settled into a light, slightly caramel tinted taste.  As I continued through the first half, moderate amounts of smoke were produced and the flavor ramped up a little into coffee and vanilla while a long solid grey ash formed and fell every half to one inch.  Flavours varied slightly throughout with small tastes of leather, honey on top of the initial herbal and coffee.  The burn was very consistent during the first half though I did have to touch it up twice in the second.  Admittedly, one of these was due to a few moments of neglect on my part.  With the exception of the last inch and a half, the body did not exceed medium.  Smoking time might be closer to two hours for most.  


Taking the last few puffs, I threw in the butt watching the sun set over yellowing leaves.  This was an enjoyable smoke and paired exceedingly well with the Oban.  Preferring fuller body, I rate this one at 3.5 SCHOOF (Smokin’ Castro Heads Out Of Five).  If you prefer a medium body in your smoke, this might be a good choice for a long sit on a sunny afternoon.

- Wayne