Our tasting panel at CubanBest will present results starting with the latest Cuban releases. We will endeavor to continue to review all major vitoles of the most common brand names, as well as selected feature cigars. The panel has reached an understanding with CubanBest management, that although it's a tough job, someone's got to do it.

Coming Soon by request, for beginners we will recommend popular brands and 'starter' cigars, and describe their characteristics and relative price-point value.

The latest of the Special Edition offerings of 2001, this is certainly the best of the series to date by all accounts. Displaying a superior balance with loads of toast, deep spice and hints of nuts, this cigar starts off with earthy undertones similar to it's sister cigar, the Serie D No. 4 Robusto, but with richer spiciness. From there it just gets deeper, darker, richer and stronger - reminiscent of a Romeo Exhibicion #4, but ultimately with more longevity - gradually becoming a powerhouse typical of the higher-end Partagas lines. It's simply a fantastic cigar - a touch firmly packed, but well rounded and the perfect dimension - at 5.5 inches by a 46 ring gauge, the Corona Gorda is one of my favorite sizes of cigar. And this one smokes so well now, it's hard to imagine it's potential for greatness with a little ageing.

Our panel unanimously agreed this cigar stands out as a major new heavyweight in the Cuban cigar world. Visually appealing with a leathery soft velvet texture, the construction quality is outstanding and seamless, with few visible veins. Smoking strong, earthy, and 'ultra' full-bodied, we tasted loads of chocolate and lighter tones of dark spice.

Notably, this cigar smoked nicely all the way down to below the band. They should age beautifully, but happily, are ready to smoke now as well.

This cigar isn't particularly 'Cohiban', nor is it typically Cuban. The construction is outstanding, however the wrapper is not the usual thrice-fermented Cohiba style, but rather the '2nd generation' of the 2 year-old dark reddish-brown special edition wrappers.

This cigar burns very evenly, a testament to its superior construction. It is medium in body, not strong - with much spice and pepper tones, and a touch of leather and chocolate notes. Further on it became slightly acidic on the lips, and showed other signs of youth - so it will improve with ageing. In six months to 2 years, this cigar may well become a highly unique smoke with unusual brand characteristics, and prized for its rarity considering the limited availability.

This one is clearly one of the best of the new offerings. Once again, high quality construction is evident topped with the beautiful velvety dark brown 'mold resistant' wrapper.

From the start, this cigar is sweet on the lips with immediate flavours of burnt cocoa. Strong and full-flavoured in body with plenty of youthful spice, its depth and flavour intensity increased without 'losing it' - a sure sign of good balance. Later on, richer burnt almond and dark chocolate notes made it good to the very end. Lots of potential for greatness to come with six months or more ageing.

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