Smokeasy's top 4 memorable smokes for the month of April
Pictured clockwise: Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie, Padrón Series, Cuban Cigar Factory Vintage Limited 1962 Maduro, and Davidoff Regency Cigar Emporium. All images (except bottom left) are courtesy of the respective cigar manufacturers.
Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie (Joya de Nicaragua)
The most unique of the Joya de Nicaragua portfolio, and one of my "go-to" smokes. This cigar is just simply beautiful to look at, as it has a smooth leathery Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper, but the head just above the band is finished with a slightly toothy sun-grown Nicaraguan Criollo wrapper. This cigar debuted in May 2011 and is distributed by Drew Estate here in the United States.
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade/Nicaraguan Habana Criollo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitolas (7): Lancero (7" x 38); Doble Corona (7" x 54); Toro (6" x 50); Belicoso (6" x 54); Perfecto Gordo (6" x 60); Corona Gordo (5¼" 46); Robusto (5: x 52)
Medium-bodied | Mild-Medium strength
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Padrón Series (Padrón Cigars)
The first, the original, the classic Padrón - this beautiful maduro is a true Nicaraguan puro composed completely of sun-grown Nicaraguan tobacco all aged for a minimum of 2½ years. While the Family reserve, the 1926 Serie, the 1964 Aniversario, and the new Dámaso are wildly popular and get all the love, true Padrón enthusiasts NEVER forget the original. And to think that I absolutely could not stand this cigar the first time I smoked it like 20 years ago or so - I think my palate was just not ready for a real cigar at that time. Well, this month, I was reminded of what an absolutely fine cigar this has been, is, and forever will be...
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitolas (15): Magnum (9" x 50); Executive (7½" x 50); Churchill (6⅞" x 46); Ambassador (6⅞" x 42); Panetela (6⅞" x 36); 4000 (6½" x 54); Palmas (6" x 42); 7000 (6¼" x 60); 6000 (5½" x 52, pyramid); 5000 (5½" x 56); 3000 (5½" x 52); Londres (5½" x 42); 2000 (5" x 50); Delicias (4⅞" x 46); Corticos (4¼" x 35)
Medium-Full-bodied | Medium-Full strength
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Cuban Cigar Factory Vintage Limited 1962 Maduro (Cuban Cigar Factory Cigar & Wine Bar, San Diego, CA)
So I'm hanging out in the Gaslamp District of San Diego a couple of weeks ago and find the Cuban Cigar Factory Cigar & Wine Bar (real cool spot, check the website here). The bar only serves fine wine and craft beers, so I enjoyed a good coffee stout and a cigar I brought in with me. After deciding to peruse their humidor, which was richly stocked with an excellent selection of premium brands, I stumbled upon their house blends. Of the 5 house blends, this maduro caught my eye. I was informed that this house blend was manufactured by Rocky Patel and included filler from his Vintage 1990 and Vintage 1992 lines, covered with a proprietary Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. This is by far one of the most superb house blends I have ever had in life...
Country of origin: Undisclosed
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Rocky Patel Vintage 1990/Rocky Patel Vintage 1992
Vitolas (1): Toro (6" x 54)
Medium-Full-bodied | Medium-Full strength
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Davidoff Regency Cigar Emporium (Oettinger Davidoff)
This Davidoff blend was created exclusively to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Regency Cigar Emporium (check the press release here). Subsequent to sharing the press release, the guys graciously sent me a few to enjoy - it had been years and years since I'd smoked a Davidoff, as the Special "T" was one of my "go-to" smokes at one point in my life. I truly had forgotten how fantastic Davidoff smokes are, and this exclusive blend is truly a fantastic smoke. This cigar is limited to only 300 boxes being produced.
Country of origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Ecuadorian Rojiza
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitolas (1): Belicoso (6" x 52)
Medium-bodied | Medium strength
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