The New “In the Humi” Section

I’ve added a new page: In the Humi. When I get a new batch of something in, I’ll post it there. My humidor might not be the most impressive in the world, but I’m happy to go out on a limb. Maybe some other blogs will pick up on this – I’d love to know what everyone’s got in reserve!

Small is Beautiful

There is something elegant about a small cigar. Maybe it is simply that a flawlessly-constructed smoke is all the more remarkable when it comes in a small package like a petite corona or a demi-tasse. Never having rolled a cigar myself, I can only imagine the dexterity required to wind that smooth, beautifully-fermented leaf around the tiny bundle to form one of my beloved Romeo y Julieta No. 3s or my new standby, the C.A.O. small panatelas.

But it is not just a matter of aesthetics – small cigars have some nice smoking qualities all their own. It’s easier to light a small surface and so it’s easier to get a good, straight burn. I’ve also found smaller cigars to be better at self-correcting those burn problems which do crop up. While there are the occasional draw issues with smaller ring-gage cheroots, on the whole, the positives outweigh the negatives.

The best thing about the wide array of small cigar sizes is the chance to enjoy a favorite blend in a small package. I have become a confirmed morning smoker. I prefer sitting for a half hour over coffee and a small cigar in the morning rather than passing a late-night hour or two with a Churchill. But just because I’m looking for a quickie doesn’t mean I don’t want a quality smoke. I have particularly enjoyed both the Mx2 and Brazilia small panatelas (from C.A.O.), and I often satisfy my desire for a Fuente Maduro with the Exquisito, a demi-tasse. All of these cigars go well with a cup of coffee, being medium- to full-bodied and complex enough to keep interesting. What is more, they are faithful reproductions of the flavor profiles of the larger cigars in their respective lines. While every vitola has its own unique characteristics (this is the case with all sizes, not just the small ones), the best of the small stogies remain true to their roots where flavor is concerned.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a big cigar. They last a long time, do a great job of showing off the different tobacco blends, and are a good way to celebrate special occasions. For an everyday smoke, though, I prefer the smaller offerings from my favorite brands. Quick and delicious, for me, there is no better way to start the day than with a small cigar.

Cigar Review: C.A.O. Mx2 – Dagger

Another nice cigar from C.A.O. I had the Mx2 Rob a week ago or so, but didn’t get the chance to write a review. This little guy had the same great flavor profile: pepper up front with leather, some chocolate and the occasional hint of dried fruit or smokiness. The only problem with this cigar was something I’ve heard others complain about before: it doesn’t draw very well. I’ve had a Brazilia Carioca (the same size as this Mx2) which burned beautifully, so I wouldn’t write this size off yet. However, if you’re looking for consistency on the draw, you’ll probably want to look for something a little bigger. Nonetheless, the Dagger, like the Carioca, will definitely have a regular spot in my breakfast cigar rotation.

4 out of 5 stars.

Cigar Review: Padrón Maduro – 2000

This is the second half of my review of this cigar. I’m sorry to say, I was not much more impressed by my second tasting than by my first. I still had burn problems on a clear, windless day after a light with a nice torch lighter. I am pretty convinced the burn problems were not my fault – and even if they were, I’ve seen a cigar self-correct worse issues than these. As for flavor, again, I got a pretty nice combination of earth, leather and cocoa, with an added bit of cedar this time. The problem is that this is a very subtle cigar. Maybe it’s too subtle for me, or maybe I’m just looking for something else. The flavor is very dry, and usually in a maduro I like something a bit stronger, sweeter and / or more peppery. As I got a couple inches into this robusto, I kept expecting a little more oomph or a new flavor or two. No luck. If you’re into mild-to-medium bodied cigars, this might be a great pick, but for me, if I’m going to have a maduro, I’d much prefer something like the C.A.O. Mx2, which is decidedly medium-bodied, but still has plenty of pepper and bitter chocolate to give it some heft.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

Padrón Maduro – 2000 – Initial Notes

I just had one of these because I couldn’t say no to a cigar on a beautiful fall day like today. Unfortunately, it’s pretty windy outside so I had some burn problems, and I don’t think it would be fair to base a review off today’s experience. However, some intial notes:

This is a beautiful cigar: a soft, velvety brown wrapper with nice hints of oil.

Taste: lots of leather and earth with hints of cocoa and grass. This is a subtle, medium-bodied smoke – not sweet like some maduros but not peppery like the 1964. I hope to pick up another of these soon to flesh out this review. In the meantime, suffice it to say that this is definitely a worthwhile smoke.

Cigar Review: C.A.O. Brazilia – Carioca

This is a great little smoke. The cariocas come in tins of five, but I bought this one on its own for about $3.00. The wrapper was a little blotchy, and on giving the cigar a squeeze I found it to be a bit unevenly filled. However, the flavor more than made up for this stogie’s aesthetic imperfections. Unlit, the taste was peppery and spicy. The first few puffs of smoke, however, were distinctly sweet and creamy. About two minutes into the cigar, the pepper came back, and about half the smoke was a delicious and unique mixture of caramelized sugars, cream, cocoa and pepper. As I got down to the end, the creaminess faded, leaving behind mostly pepper and leather. At the very finish, a pleasant smokiness came into the aftertaste, topping off a great morning cigar.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Cedros – No. 3

This is a beautiful, rosy pink cigar with a nice oily wrapper. It comes in a cedar tube on which are stamped the name and size. Unlit, the taste is distinctly of sweet cedar. On my first puff, I actually said to myself, “Wow! That’s delicious!” Cedar taste is notable up front, with some spice and creaminess underneath. The woody flavor sticks around for most of the smoke, but the others give way to a distinct smokiness. Hints of leather get stronger toward the end, accompanied by a unique grassy note. This cigar was never harsh, despite being a decidedly medium-bodied smoke. Overall, a great, interesting cigar – even the aftertaste is distinctive: cedar and hints of grass. Highly recommended.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Cigar Review: Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro – Príncipe

I just had my first one of these, but it will definitely not be my last: yet another in my steadily-growing list of great petit coronas. This is a beautiful, silky, coffee-brown cigar, with a sturdy box-pressed look. When I clipped the top, it gave off a great crispy snap. The initial flavor is quite peppery, but not spicy at all. Throughout, the smoke is thick and the flavor is a medium-bodied mix of cream, coffee, chocolate, leather and even some fruit. A really strong, snow-white ash completes the package. Overall, just a really well-balanced, delicious cigar.

5 out of 5 stars.

Welcome

Welcome to Coffee & Cigars, a blog about, well, coffee and cigars and food and news and just about anything else which crosses my mind. Here you’ll find everything from cigar and beer reviews to commentary and travel stories. Maybe even some photography. Enjoy!