Smokeasy's top 4 memorable smokes for the month of February
Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas 2019 (Partagas Cigars; General Cigar Company)
If you've never had the opportunity to smoke this, consider yourself unfortunate, as only 2,500 boxes were made. This limited edition was originally released during the 5-year period between 2005 and 2009, making its return in 2019. It was reported that only an average of 3 per 1,000 Cameroon wrapper leaves were hand selected for this Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas, each having been set aside in 2009 for 10 years of aging, and only 1 vitola was released. I had 5 resting in my humidor since the summer of 2019 and smoked 2 during my travels to Paris in September 2019. I left them resting well until I revisited the stick a couple of weeks ago - what great smoke. Although lacking complexity, the creamy cocoa, slightly woody, and mild pepper flavor is fantastic and provides a nice long finish.
Country of origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon (10-year aged)
Binder: Honduras (San Agustín)
Filler: Nicaragua (Ometepe); Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano)
Vitolas (1): Robusto (5½" x 49)
Medium bodied | Medium-full strength
CAO Orellana (CAO Cigars; General Cigar Company) The limited edition CAO Orellana is the 4th release in the Amazon series, beginning with the Amazon Basin in 2014, followed by Fuma em Corda and Anaconda. I've enjoyed each release better than its predecessor - this release is by far the absolute best. I've exhausted my small supply of the Orellana; however, should I discover any more sitting in a cigar shop somewhere, I will ensure to snatch them immediately because once they're gone, they're gone. This cigar is quite complex with a flavor profile that transforms as you progress through the smoke - notes of cedar, leather, roasted nuts, with a subtle sweetness and spice makes for an experience that keeps you guessing. Love this smoke...
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazil (Bahia sungrown Cubra)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Bragança (Amazon rain forest); Colombia; Dominican Republic
Vitolas (1): Toro (6" x 52)
Full bodied | Medium-full strength
Diesel Whiskey Row PX Sherry Cask (Diesel Cigars; General Cigar Company)
Partnering with Rabbit Hole Bourbon, Diesel Cigars released the Diesel Whiskey Row in 2018 that featured a Mexican San Andres binder aged in bourbon barrels. For their 2nd collaboration, Rabbit Hole selected their rich and aromatic Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks used to produce their PX Sherry Finish bourbon and sent them to Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua for aging of the select Brazilian Arapiraca binder. AJ Fernandez was also responsible for blending the original Whiskey Row release. There is a stark difference between the Whiskey Row and PX Sherry Cask releases, with the latter being the most full-bodied and robust. The Whiskey Row dons an Ecuador Habano wrapper whereas the PX Sherry Cask has a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper - I think THAT is what does it for me and why I strongly favor this release. I can't seem to keep my hands off this cigar and pick them up every time I find them. Bold, complex, "in yo' face" type of smoke which I pair with EVERYTHING...
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: United States (Connecticut broadleaf)
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitolas (3): Toro (6" x 50); Robusto (5" x 52); Gigante (6" x 58)
Full bodied | Medium-full strength
La Gloria Cubana Spanish Press (La Gloria Cubana; General Cigar Company)
My preferences for La Gloria Cubana has been restricted to the Serie R Estelí over the past few years. This Spanish Press was released in May 2019 and named for the technique where the cigars are placed into trays with dividers immediately after rolling, then placed into the boxes to maintain the shape (not to be confused with box pressing, which is a slightly different technique). I love box-pressed cigars, so I was immediately drawn to this stick and it has not disappointed. This is a nice earthy smoke with pepper and coffee notes. I've only smoked the Robusto, which actually appears a bit smaller than a classic Robusto and what I'm used to (the mouthfeel seems a little off for me), but I look forward to trying the Toro. Very enjoyable!
Country of origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Brazil (mata fina); Dominican Republic (olor and piloto cubano); Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Vitolas (3): Robusto (5½" x 50); Toro (6½" x 52); Gigante (6" x 60)
Medium-full bodied | Medium strength