Origin : Cuba
Format : Pyramid
Size : 140 x 20 mm (5.5 x 52)
Ring : 52
Release : 2013
Hand-Made
Price : 14 EUR each
More info about purchasing Punch cigars...

The Punch Serie d'Oro 2013 Edicion Limitada was a highly anticipated release from Habanos S.A. As usual, the wrappers for this limited edition come from tapado (shade-grown) leaves, which is the reason why they have such a dark and oily appearance. The tobacco used in these cigars was aged for two years. Again, no surprises here. What's quite surprising on the other hand is that this is the first ever Edicion Limitada from Punch (the Serie d'Oro No. 1 was a regional edition for the UK that we reviewed... five years ago! this makes me feel old) — and as with any Edicion Limitada, my expectations are high.

Read the full review of Punch Serie d’Oro No. 2 (2013 Limited Edition)...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Petit Belicoso
Size : 102 x 18 mm (4 x 46)
Ring : 46
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5-6 each
More info about purchasing Vegueros cigars...

Recently we posted about the revitalization of the famous Vegueros brand, which dates back to 1961, and which was discontinued in 2012. Vegueros was one of the best-known Habanos SA brands, especially after they started exporting in 1997. Previously there were four vitolas in their line: Especial No. 1, Especial No. 2, Seoane, and Mareva. Vegueros recently started up production again with three new vitolas: Tapados, Entretiempos, and Mañanitas. They’ve also done a complete makeover of their image, redesigning their logo, bands, and packaging. I picked up the Mañanitas, which is a Petit Figurado measuring 4 inches for a mere $6.

Read the full review of Vegueros Mananitas...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Maravillas No. 1 (Double Robusto)
Size : 7-1/8" (182 mm) x 55
500 “books” of 20 produced in 2005
Box Date : FIM – September 2005; Box #150 of 500
Hand-Made
Price : Market Value roughly $1,600/book or $80/cigar
More info about purchasing Montecristo cigars...

The Montecristo Colección Habanos 2005 commemorated the 70th anniversary of the brand. It is the fifth “volume” of the Habanos Collection Series which began in 2001. The Colección releases are notable for both quality and the unique presentation (see photographs).

I meant to smoke and review this in the summer, but just never got to it. I purchased this “book” at initial release and have smoked a few. I recall enjoying these, but not being blown away. Now that we are into its 9th year, I thought it was a good time to see how they are developing. Reviewing this on a cold, rainy night while sitting next to an aromatic fire, paired with a very dry, gin martini (my preferred libation with Montecristos and Cohibas).

Read the full review of Montecristo Colección Habanos 2005...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Robusto
Size : 124 x 19.84 mm (4.9 x 50)
Ring : 50
Box date : SEP 2011
Weight : 11.66 g
Hand-Made
Price : ~$230 for a cab of 25
More info about purchasing Juan Lopez cigars...

The Juan Lopez brand is definitely not among the most famous Cuban brands. This particular Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 is well aged; I purchased my box back in 2011. I tried the Seleccion No. 2 fresh out of the box then forgot about it, and wanted to see how the flavors have been enhanced by the aging process.

Read the full review of Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Grand Corona
Size : 140 x 18 mm (5.5 x 48)
Ring : 48
Intruduced in : 2014
Hand-Made
Price : £17 each (in the UK)
More info about purchasing Bolivar cigars...

Bolivar Super Coronas is a Habanos edicion limitada released this year, it just started hitting the shelved in the UK. Its factory name is Hermosos No. 3 which corresponds to a 5.5 x 48 size.

Pre-light: Slightly earthy smell, well-packed but pliant, excellent draw through the largest of my Victorinox Cigar Penknife hole punches. Fresh "green" taste; tobacco, moss, grass.

1/3: Very mild (hence ideal following a light meal or earlier in the day). Slight spiciness (fruit cake) mingled with chocolate, very cool. Excellent & even burn with a nice ash stack formation.

2/3: The cigar warms up pleasantly releasing stronger chocolate flavours together with milky coffee (continuing the mild theme) and also some woody hints (as if from a log fire) - possibly oak. Ash holds to a good 2", keeping straight with a superb even burn. Wrapper stays perfectly intact and the draw remains pleasant and "warm".

3/3: A slight bite becomes evident during the last phase; white pepper and dark chocolate mingle with a stronger burnt wood taste, but the smoke remains velvety and can safely be passed round the sinuses to deliver the full flavour.

Bolivar Super Coronas is an overall mild to medium bodied cigar with clear but uncomplicated flavours. Coffee or a light drink complement it well and it can be enjoyed at lunchtime, despite its size (mine took around 90 minutes). The construction is excellent and price wise it compares very favourably with something like a Partagas D4.

Construction :
Flavour :
Overall :

Origin : Cuba
Format : Robusto Extra (Genios)
Size : 5.5 x 52 (140 x 20 mm)
Ring : 52
Hand-Made
Price : ~$15
More info about purchasing H. Upmann cigars...

The H. Upmann Connossieur A is quite a recent release: it started shipping to eligible shops in October 2013. It's a robusto extra or a Genios (factory name), which you might already be familiar with (hint: Cohiba Genios).

Anyway, the first thing to know about this release is that it's only available at La Casa del Habano shops and Habanos Specialists. Habanos Specialist is a label created by Habanos SA to distinguish shops that carry a wide selection of Cubans and can offer relevant advice. There are more than 500 Habanos Specialists worldwide.

The Connossieur A is available in boxes of 25 and is costs around 12 € each in Europe. I picked up a few of those in Prague and was really looking forward to trying them out, H. Upmann being a brand I really appreciate.

Read the full review of H. Upmann Connossieur A...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Corona Gorda
Size : 142 x 18 mm (5.6 x 46)
Ring : 46
Intruduced in : 2010
Hand-Made
Price : $20+ each
More info about purchasing Bolivar cigars...

Bolivar is one of the most prominent brands for Cuban cigars. The Bolivar 108 Regional Edition Spain (2010) is not the best known release from this brand, but that is because its release was extremely limited and exclusive. These came out in 2010, and were targeted to the Spanish market. 108 in the name refers to 108 years, a celebration of Bolivar’s anniversary. Only 4,000 were made in total, sold in boxes of 10. These cigars seem to receive almost universal acclaim, and my own experience with the Bolivar 108 has been just as excellent.

Read the full review of Bolivar 108 (Regional Edition Spain)...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Short Panetela (Trabucos)
Size : 110 x 15 mm (4.3 x 38)
Box code : 2011
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5-7 each
More info about purchasing Hoyo de Monterrey cigars...

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Député is part of the Le Hoyo cigar series, which dates back to the 1940s. We've reviewed some of the cigars from the series previously: Le Hoyo du Roi and Le Hoyo des Dieux. Le Hoyo series was initially designed to offer a richer, more full-bodied smoking experience, but I'm not sure there's still a significant body difference with other cigars within the brand. These Cuban puros are made from tobacco leaves grown in Vuelta Abajo. They are quite reasonably priced; let’s see how one measured up.

Read the full review of Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Député...