ANNOUNCEMENT of Important Change to Montecristo Brand Labeling
CubanBest is pleased to be the first to announce significant changes to Montecristo's logo and band design.
Habanos S.A. has confirmed that, starting in June 2003, new bands were introduced for the entire Montecristo line.
Although the new bands are already in wide circulation on the hugely popular No. 4, they won't be showing up for some time on most of the other sizes until retailers' existing stocks dwindle and are gradually replaced with new product.
Upon receiving boxes of No. 2's sporting the new bands, and having had no prior knowledge of proposed changes, startled customers (naturally thinking they had received counterfeits) created quite a stir. Not surprisingly, formal notice from Cuba regarding this change still has yet to materialize.
Montecristo Bands: old (left), and new (right)
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The changes in these bands are part of a major facelift of the entire Montecristo line. In addition to the new bands, several new packaging formats have been added, and there will be a new cigar size introduced into the regular Montecristo line sometime next year.
Both the new bands and the logo have had a facelift - the paper is now a shiny gloss similar to the bands of most of the other major labels, instead of the older plain matte finish. And, a "hook" has been added to the edge of the fleur-de-lis symbol. Here's a sneak preview of the new band, next to the old one for comparison (provided to us by Habanos S.A.)
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New Release
Cohiba Double Corona Edición Limitada 2003
We've just received several boxes of Cohiba's latest Special Edition offering, the Double Corona Edición Limitada (2003).
This very large and special cigar is one of the five Limitada's released in 2003, and like the Siglo VI, is another Cohiba powerhouse.
With a 49 ring gauge at just over 7½ inches, it's certainly the longest Cohiba yet. It carries the new style Cohiba band (with gold-embossing) as well as the additional Edición Limitada band, and has a premium price tag of $75 CAD (about $53 USD).
As usual, supplies are very limited.
For more information on this cigar, please read on - our feature article this month (below) includes a complete review of this cigar by our own in-house aficionado panel, plus other reviews of the latest releases.
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Cohiba Double Corona
Edición Limitada 2003
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Special Event Report
Fresh Cuban Cigars, Rum and Live Jazz - Gastown, June 2003
Senior Julio Leon (Photo © CubanBest 2003)
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The recent visit during Vancouver's Jazz Festival of our very special guest, Julio Leon (Cuban master roller, Partagas Director of Blending and over forty years in the business), was a huge success. Senior Leon delighted the crowd with premium hand-crafted robustos, pyramids and coronas made from a special blend of top-quality Cohiba tobacco.
These fresh cigars smoked beautifully (after a half-day or so of sitting), with the immediate and delicious roasted coffee and nut flavours characteristic of new cigars.
Of course, they will also age happily for years to come - if you can hold onto them - and dramatically increase in complexity and balance in the process.
Cigar Connoisseur's, Vancouver Jazz Fest
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A good time was had by all. For two days, many hundreds of friends and visitors enjoyed a festive, Cuba-like atmosphere of live outdoor music, aged Cuban rum - and of course, 'gars-a-plenty.
Many happy customers walked away with samples of these one-of-a-kind cigars, looking forward to savouring them with relish on some future occasion. Before you ask - sorry, but the entire stock was sold out within days of the event. FYI, they were priced at approx. $25 - $35 CAD (about $18 - $25 USD).
Feature Article
New Release Reviews from CubanBest's Tasting Panel
In the past several years, Cuba has released three series' of Edición Limitada, or limited (special) editions of selected brands, often in a brand new vitola (size) or a size previously unknown to that line.
In all three releases, these cigars were made only in limited quantities and from specific factories.
All of the Limitada's have the distinctively coloured two-year-old dark brown wrapper (grown only from the top leaves, or corona of the tobacco plant). Although they resemble the more commonly known dark maduro style, these wrappers are technically referred to as colorado oscuro, or oscuro: that is, dark brown to very dark brown. They add a richer and spicier dimension to the cigars, sometimes changing the taste dramatically in terms of what one would normally expect to be characteristic of a regular line cigar brand.
Unofficially, supplies of these editions are something like 10,000 boxes per cigar (somewhere around a quarter of the typical annual production of a major higher-end brand and size).
Late in 2000, the first four limitadas were released: the Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 2 (double corona), Partagas Pirámide, Montecristo Robusto and Hoyo de Monterrey Particulares (prominente size, like a Montecristo 'A').
The second batch of limitadas weren't released until 2002 (although the special 'Edición Limitada' band reads 2001). They consisted of the Cohiba Pirámide, Montecristo Double Corona, Romeo y Julieta Robusto, Partagas Serie D No. 3, and a second try at the Hoyo de Monterrey Particulares, which were very limited the first time around due to some damaged wrappers and draw problems.
This third release purportedly consists of five new Edición Limitada's for the year 2003; we have been able to get ahold of only three of these: the Partagas Serie D No. 2, ("super robusto"), the Hoyo de Monterrey Pirámide, and the Cohiba Prominentes (double corona). The other two, the Romeo y Julieta Hermosos No. 1 (super hermoso) and the Montecristo 'C', (corona gorda), we have yet to see.
Following is our review of the latest releases in this third batch of Edición Limitada's for which we've been able to secure a supply; PLUS the brand new Cohiba Siglo VI, which is not one of the limited editions.
Partagas Serie D No. 2 ("Super Robusto")
Unofficially referred to as a "super robusto", this cigar is just over 6 inches with a 49-50 ring gauge, and has a very dark brown wrap. Generally, most Partagas cigars feature superior construction and this one is no exception.
This cigar begins with a flourish of earth and light spice flavours with hints of coffee and roasted nuts. The long, clean finish on the palate suggests superior balance in this younger cigar, and portends of great things to come with some ageing.
As it progresses, the flavours intensify and evolve into a kind of unique dark roasted herbal mix with more intense earth and spice notes, all the while maintaining it's balance. The dark wrapper flavours maintain longevity through two-thirds of the cigar, which is remarkable considering the youth. All in all, a thoroughly satisfying smoke.
Price: $33.95 (CAD),
about $24.00 USD
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Cohiba Prominentes (Double Corona)
This cigar is a long and powerful smoke, measuring just over 7.5 inches with a 49 ring gauge. Beautifully constructed with a very dark brown wrapper, the immediate impression upon stoking it up is a melee of rich, dark roasted and earthy coffee.
Progessively, hints of woodiness, hazelnut and dry spiciness emerge. The powerful flavours and exceptionally long and balanced finish is similar to other Cohiba's - but, UNlike other Cohiba's, the trademark slightly fermented flavour is not immediately present. In it's place are the dark, rich tones associated with the dark colorado style wrapper. Also, the draw on my cigar was quite easy, also a departure from what one would expect from almost any other Cohiba.
However, as the cigar progresses the flavours become much stronger and begin to blend together with distinctive Cohiba intensity. At this point (about half way down), the more traditional Cohiba taste begins to emerge - that malty, slightly fermented finish - and it blends perfectly into the mix of rich, dark earth, creating a unique taste experience - deep and complex, yet well-rounded enough to last the entire considerable length without growing bitter or losing it's balance.
Once again, Cohiba produces a smoke that lasts until your fingers burn - and this one is powerful, full-flavoured and very long.
Price: $75.00 (CAD),
about $53.00 USD
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Hoyo de Monterrey Pirámide
This is no slouch of a cigar. At just over 6 inches by a whopping 52 ring, it has a beautiful feel and weight, and a firm draw.
And what a pleasant surprise greets the palate when first fired up - rich, earthy minerals with a decidedly flinty finish - and loads of leathery tanins.
As it progresses, more 'leather' tones become prominent (a flavour more closely associated with H. Upmann cigars), mixing with even richer earth tones and notes of arid peppery spice.
Half-way down, even more surprises surface - the spiciness gets richer and toastier, and the leather and flint become much more powerful and seem to fuse with a resultant burnt orange zest emerging (I'm reminded of the distinctive flavours Vegas Robaina is known for).
The intensity of the rich mineral earth, arid, peppery spice, leather tanins and burnt orange continue to grow richer, but with a balanced, full-bodied finish and not a trace of bitterness. The verdict? This is a fantastic cigar! And, it's particular mix of arid flavours make it a perfect match for just about any kind of dry or single malt Scotch whiskey.
Price: $33.95 (CAD),
about $24.00 USD
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Cohiba Siglo VI ("Straight Pyramid")
As previously noted, this is not an Edición Limitada, however the supply seems to already be dwindling, as it's quickly becoming known as the Daddy of the Cohiba's. It's a monstrous 52 ring gauge and slightly under 6 inches long.
This cigar is exquisitely Cohiban - it's got everything you'd expect a Cohiba to deliver, except on a ballistic scale. The start is nothing less than a super-powered explosion of full-bodied flavour, but with soft edges. Characteristic Cohiba malty notes are immediately apparent (usually attributed to their purported 'triple-fermentation' curing process), but more importantly, are imbued with earthy, toasty unsweetened chocolate.
Satisfaction only heightens as this cigar slowly burns (Cohiba's are known for their perfect draw, and this cigar certainly exhibits that classic Cohiban firmness and construction). The flavours become increasingly intense and complex as they blend, and the strength just keeps growing - the chocolate gets richer, the earth tones deepen into dark black pepper, and these and the fermented notes all blend into an almost unbelievable richness with a luxurious finish on the palate. The longevity of flavour, stability and balance are nothing less than outstanding, making this truly a blockbuster of a smoke.
Price: $53.95 (CAD),
about $39.00 USD
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© 2003 by CubanBest
12 Water Street Vancouver BC Canada V6B 1A5
TOLL FREE: 1-877-682-4427
For information about Cuban cigars in general, let us know or read my article "Why Cuban Cigars are so Expensive".
Also check out "Cigar Recommendations for New Cuban Cigar Smokers", or for other ideas about mild-to-strong types, try the "Cigar, Food and Beverage Pairings" from the December newsletter.
Check back for more coverage of your favorite cigars.
