Cigar Photography

smoke in focus …

Posts Tagged cigar flavor

CigarPhoto in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Apr 27

Posted by admin in CigarPhoto in Playa del Carmen, Mexico | 6 Comments

CigarPhoto is coming back from a well deserved vacation in pleasantly warm Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Although we have stayed in one of the chain hotels (Iberostar), a trip to Playa del Carmen was added to the itinerary to visit two cigar shops – La 5ta Habano (shop owned by fellow Friends Of Habanos member) and La Casa del Habano. The purpose of that visit wasn’t so much about stocking up but more about going to the store, buying a cuban cigar (legally), ordering mojito with Havana Club Anejo 7 rum and … relaxing.


I was able to accomplish exactly that at the La Casa del Habano. Between mojito sips, I was able to take few photographs and scope out price tags – scary, as expected. I was quoted $850 for a box of Trinidad Fundadores !!! Everything across the board was super overpriced and if I lived in Mexico, I wouldn’t be smoking cuban cigars unless I was paying wholesale. On the way back I stopped at the La 5ta Habano. Great, but very small, shop. Rush Blakely (the owner) has expanded his selection to include non-cubans as well. Refreshing strategy, considering every other Joe will be most likely looking for the forbidden Cohiba.


It wouldn’t be a complete trip to Caribbean region without seeing fakes cuban cigars. Your “standard” glass-top selection was readily available on the main drag. Casa Partagás was selling Siglo VI tubes for $50 each ! Iberostar hotel had a dedicated cigar lounge with decent cigar selection. Unfortunately, once again, way overpriced. I skipped their stock but couldn’t say no to unlimited and free amount of Havana Club Anejo 7 rum. Bliss ! Airport’s Duty Free wasn’t any different. I had to double check with their customer service if prices were in Mex$ or USD$. A box of Cohiba for 900 USD$ tapped it all.


Bottom line, bring your own ! If you smoke cuban cigars exclusively, bring them down as well unless you are willing to pay $25 for Monte #2.



La Casa del Habano
5ta Avenida con Calle 26 No. 301, L-2 Colonia
Xaman-Ha, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México.
Phone: 52 (984) 803 3001
Email: cservice@lacasadelhabanoplayadelcarmen.com
www.lacasadelhabanoplayadelcarmen.com

La 5ta Habanos (owner: Rush Blakely)
Corner of 5th avenue (Quinta) and Constituyentes
Phone: 9841111873

 

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cohiba lanceros

Mar 30

Posted by admin in Cohiba lanceros | 3 Comments

It is time for another ‘forbidden fruit. This week we are photographing and reviewing the one and only – Cohiba lanceros. This Laguito No.1, wrapped in leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, was initially an exclusive to Cuban regime and used as a diplomatic gift to other Heads of States. The cigar was officially named around 1969 and became commercially available around 1984. Currently it is available in a box of 25 / 50 and a pack of 3 / 5. Obviously there are special releases like Commemorative Humidors and count in those will vary. Two samples smoked for this reviewed came from JUN2001 release and were wrapped in a Standard Band C vs current Band D. Main differences: non-embossed paper / dot rows / La Habana vs. Habana / orange-ish vs. yellow finish (depicted below).


Visually, just like the Cohiba Siglo VI, was not that spectacular. Nothing like Cohiba Behike. Decent construction with clearly visible seams & veins. I did not feel any hard or soft spots upon further inspection. After clipping the cap and lighting the cigar, I was introduced to a relatively tight draw which continued to improve throughout the smoke. In flavor department, the Cohiba lanceros was full of grassy and floral notes as well as hints of woodiness and nuttiness. Definitely a noticeable creamy finish to the smoke. The ash was fairly long considering lancero format, yet a bit “dirty” / dark grey. There was a decent amount of smoke output, especially after draw opened up.


Overall, good experience. I continue to enjoy properly rolled lanceros with good burn and good draw. Personally I wouldn’t purchase a box but I would definitely add few to occasional rotation.


Country of Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Length: 7.6″
Ring: 38

Construction > Good
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes


Please consider the following post:
* Cohiba Behike
* Cohiba Siglo VI

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 
 
 
 
 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco’ – cigar giveaway

Mar 1

Posted by admin in Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco’ | Comments off

And the winner of the Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco’ 3-pack giveway is …

 

 

 

Thank You all for participating. Cigar smoking is about enjoying as well as sharing. Going forward, if my coolidors / humidors agree, I would like to continue with 1 giveaway per month. Cigars, Photo prints, etc. Conceptually, not too many limits. Everyone is welcome back to ‘play’ again. I have received quite a bit from the cigar industry and local B&Ms. It is time to Pay It Forward. Enjoy !

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco’

Feb 25

Posted by admin in Tatuaje 'Celebracion de Cinco' | 40 Comments

—-

! Giveaway !

Leave a comment (no rules) and be eligible for one 3-pack of Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco’. Deadline – 11:59pm EST on 29FEB2012.

Random selection and announcement will take place on 01MAR2012.

—-

This week we are photographing and reviewing the Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco.’ This exclusive and limited edition is a collaboration between Pete Johnson of Tatuaje and Cigar Mas Fino – a cigar shop located in Fresno, California operated by the Soza Family. This 2011 project was released to commemorate Cigar Mas Fino’s five years in business, hence ‘Celebracion de Cinco’ or ‘Celebration of Five.’ This robusto vitola came in a box of 24 / only 100 boxes produced. When asked about the makeup, Pete responded with the following:

A slightly stronger noble. Same base blend with a brown label priming for the wrapper. – Pete Johnson

Visually, another well executed blend by My Father Cigars stable. Dark, oily, toothy wrapper with well applied triple cap and unfinished foot. The cigar had no visible veins and extremely tight seams. Great start ! Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco’ was sporting a standard Havana VI band as well as a secondary band signifying Cigar Mas Fino’s ‘Celebracion de Cinco’ designation. That specific band reminded me of Cuban Regional Edition presentation. I have smoked a total of five samples for this review. I wasn’t trying to match the ‘Cinco’, it was purely a coincidence. Interestingly enough, I was able to experience different / unique flavors in one of those samples. Most delivered good amount of earthiness, espresso, dried fruit (like raisin), and some pepper on the finish. One of the samples lacked most of those flavors and was overpowered with woodiness. All Tatuaje ‘Celebracion de Cinco’ samples delivered good amount of smoke and decent ash. As for as draw / burn goes, unfortunately mixed feedback in this department. Few samples were spot on, yet other experienced the infamous tunneling which subsequently impacted existing flavors.

If it wasn’t for good performance in selected samples, I would have marked this release (or perhaps my box) as questionable. I will continue to sample the rest of the box and continue to evaluate the construction. Overall, despite couple hiccups, another good release by Pete Johnson.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring: 50

Construction > Good
Burn > Mixed
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes

Please consider the following post:
* Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado
* Tatuaje ‘M-80’

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 
 
 
 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,