Origin : Cuba
Format : Corona Gorda
Size : 143 x 18.26 mm (5.6 x 46)
Ring : 46
3 cigars smoked for the review
Hand-Made
Price : $10-12 each
More info about purchasing Ramon Allones cigars...

Ramon Allones Superiores is a La Casa del Habano-specific release that was supposed to hit the shelves in 2010; while perhaps it did in some places the few LCDH that I visited in the beginning of 2011 didn't have it yet. At first I was very excited about this new vitola from one of my favorite marcas, but when I failed to get it on the first couple attempts I somewhat forgot about it. Only in February 2012, on my trip to Rome, I finally picked up a fiver of these beautiful cigars. I really should have done it earlier!

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Origin : Cuba
Factory Name : Petit Corona
Size : 129 x 16 mm (5 1/8 x 42)
Weight : 8.46 g
Box code : BLP DIC08
Hand-Made
Price : ~$3.00 each in Cuba, ~$9.00 each in Canada
More info about purchasing Partagas cigars...

I have to admit I did not begin this review in high spirits. Recently I had some friends who went on vacation in Cuba. I asked them if they would mind purchasing me some cigars and, being such nice people, they of course were happy to oblige. So I proceeded to write them a list of what I would like. I always make a large list for anyone going to Cuba as it is difficult to judge what each LCDH will be stocking at the time. First on my list was the Partagas Serie P No. 2 - one of, if not my favourite cigar currently on the market. When they arrived home they gave me a call and assured me that they had purchased my greatly desired Partagas P 2’s. When the box arrived at my house I found out that they actually bought Partagas Mille Fleurs. Now while I had not yet tried the Mille Fleurs, and I had always read good things about them, you cannot blame me too much for being disappointed that I wasn’t actually getting P2’s. Despite all this, I have now smoked a few of the Mille Fleurs and have tried to write as unbiased a review as I could. And I must admit after trying a few of the Mille Fleurs I am impressed.

Read the full review of Partagas Mille Fleurs...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Corona Extra
Size : 46 x 143 mm (5.6)
Box code : May 2007
Discontinued in : 2010
Hand-Made
Price : ~$16 each at the B&M
More info about purchasing Rafael Gonzalez cigars...

This is a pre-1960 release and it was, unfortunately, discontinued in 2010. This particular sample is from a May 2007 box. My local B&M somehow got a bunch of ‘07 boxes and they are smoking great. Rafael Gonzalez is a brand that is often overlooked in the Habanos S.A. catalogue. It is a shame and also a blessing. It allows my local store to keep a great stock of aged boxes. I can’t complain about that. Here is how my date with this one went.

Read the full review of Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Short Robusto
Size : 102 x 19.84 mm (4 x 50)
Ring : 50
Box code : 2010
Weight : 9.59 g
Hand-Made
Price : ~$9/piece
More info about purchasing Hoyo de Monterrey cigars...

Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto has become one of my go-to cigars lately. It totally fits my current needs - a short smoke with a reliable construction and enough punch to be suitable as an after-dinner cigar. For this reason, the 4-inches long Cuban puro made it to my top Cuban cigars of 2011 list.

Read the full review of Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Petit Corona (Mareva)
Size : 42 x 129 mm (5.1)
Discontinued in : 2006
Hand-Made
Price : ~$9 each at the B&M
More info about purchasing Hoyo de Monterrey cigars...

The Hoyo de Monterrey Short Hoyo Corona is a pre-1960 release and it was discontinued in 2006. I really enjoy the Hoyo des Dieux and Double Corona vitolas but to me Hoyo de Monterrey is a marca I am still discovering. I love trying new cigars and this was the perfect one to do so. It was much shorter than anything I had ever tried in their portfolio. Hopefully it will match up to its bigger brothers.

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Origin : Cuba
Format : Nacionales
Size : 134 x 16 mm (5 1/4 x 42)
Box code : STA NOV 09
Hand-Made
Price : ~$1 each in Cuba / ~$5 each in Canada
More info about purchasing Jose L. Piedra cigars...

The favourite cheap cigar – most cigar smokers have one. If you are one of the elite few who have the luxury of always smoking premium cigars then this review might not be for you. For me my favourite cheap smoke brings memories of summer days and nights spent on the beach drinking and enjoying cigars. For others it's poker night, the fishing trip, cottage, etc. I’m particularly excited about this review because as it happens Jose L. Piedra is my favourite brand of cheap smoke. So during my trip to Cuba I made sure to pick up a bundle to bring home.

Read the full review of Jose L. Piedra Nacionales...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Hermoso No. 2
Size : 157 x 19 mm (6.1 x 48)
Ring : 48
Release : 2008
Hand-Made
Price : ~$400 for a box of 25
More info about purchasing Juan Lopez cigars...

The Juan Lopez Maximo Swiss Regional Edition was released back in 2008 as a limited edition vitola, and last spring I was thrilled to have an opportunity to pick one up while I was visiting Switzerland.

Read the full review of Juan Lopez Maximo (Regional Edition Switzerland)...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Long Corona
Size : 42x 155 mm (6.1)
Box code : 2007
Discontinued in : 2009
Hand-Made
Price : $16 in Canada, $9 in Cuba
More info about purchasing Punch cigars...

Punch is one of the few marcas I would buy a box without having previously tried the vitola. I just love their flavour profile and with a few years on them, Punch’s are great. This, again, is a pre-1960 release and it was discontinued in 2009. My local B&M received a 2007 cab of those so I had to try it. I brought it back home to let it sit in the humidor for a while but it kept looking at me every time I lifted the lid.

Read the full review of Punch Super Selection No. 1...