u/abuksy

Nearly 2 years of age on this stick, and it’s my first Magnum 54. The only indication of its relative youth was an initial grassy note in the first few puffs, which then faded to make way for the signature Upmann toasted bready note.

The toasted bread lasted until the last 1.5 inches, and then a peppery bite kicked in so I put it down. There was no shortbread sweetness in this cigar, unlike what I tasted in the Connossieur A (I prefer the Connie A).

The aromas were fantastic, with lots of smoke output. The burn line deviated badly twice so I touched it up, and I made sure to purge the stick every so often to avoid it turning bitter.

I paired it with a black americano (sweetened with brown sugar) and some iced still water to occasionally cleanse the palate.

So as the title says, this cigar had 3 years of age on it. I purchased it after searching for a cheaper alternative to the HdM Double Corona (that was a 2020 box date, very expensive) which I smoked a couple of weeks ago. This HdM Especial was extremely smooth, like Davidoff Signature 2000 smooth.

The cap cut off cleanly and without wrapper drama, and I went for a cold draw…and I tasted nothing. Toasting the foot released very nutty bready aromas which I savoured. I really enjoy toasting my cigars as slow as possible, with the jet flame kept as far as possible — it is incredibly satisfying. I never torch the cigar as I puff, to avoid bitterness.

The first 2 inches were intensely salty creamy and nutty but that faded, and a sweet floral cedar dominated for the rest of the smoke. I tasted zero “twang” on this one after the sweet cedar took over.

It really did just smoke like Davidoff Signature series, which was boring and frankly disappointing because I really wanted that salty twang all the way through (this why we smoke cubans!). The flavour became 2-dimensional and with a dry finish.

Draw was perfect, it was stored at 62% RH in my tupperdor. Excellent smoke output. The burn line was excellent and always self-corrected. It also stayed lit the whole time. The ash was very flaky though.

I paired this with a cardamom tea, but I think I will pair this with a good americano next time (I purchased 2 more sticks from the same box from the retailer) and I will see if I can hopefully coax out some more twang!

I smoked it at Dominique London. Very floral, cedary, extremely smooth and dense flavour. It put out LOTS of smoke.

I smoked it to the last 1.5 inches, then had to put it down when my tongue started tingling and the nicotine got stronger. I kept purging it in the last 3rd.

I worked up the nicotine tolerance to finally smoke a full-sized Montecristo, and I did it without getting nic-sick!

It was a smooth creamy smoke, but the retrohale was very spicy and zingy. I found the flavours to be rather boring and one dimensional, because I didn’t taste any of the coffee or cocoa notes people rave about. It also burned unevenly, so I had to touch it up a few times.

I’m still sampling the Habanos range, and I don’t think Montecristo is my thing tbh.

I smoke this right after I had a nice meal at a Lebanese restaurant in Mayfair, at my table on their terrace. I love summer for this.

Got it from No.6 Cavendish in London for £155. It burned for 1hr 45 mins outdoors (was slightly windy). Started off very creamy and INSANELY buttery — like it literally felt like I was swirling melted unsalted Lurpak (UK people know) butter in my mouth. The butteriness died down after the first third, then toasty cedar notes dominated the 2nd third, then the last third was oaky and smoked hot so I had to draw lightly and infrequently. I didn’t nub it.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t catch any nutty, floral, or sweet notes in this cigar (I love the Hoyo de Monterrey San Juan for these three particular notes in prominence).

Oh, and I had to keep touching it up with my lighter. It tunnelled twice, and kept burning unevenly (the latter is most likely due to wind outdoors).

It’s a Cohiba Robusto Tubos, barely a year of age on it.

I actually repaired the torn foot with food glue 2 days ago, and it burned through fine!

I also dry-boxed it for 12hrs in my wood-lined cigar case (it’s from Temu lol)

I’m splurging out (UK prices 😭) on good sticks for outdoor smoking this summer, because I know that come winter I’ll wince at cigar lounge prices. Gotta make the most of the warm weather, eh!

I’m still developing my palate, hence the variety of single sticks.