Partagas Serie D #4

Produced: June 2003
Length: 5.5 inches
Ring Gauge: 52

Date: January 16th, 2006
Time: 1:30pm Pacific
Location: Nob Hill, San Francisco, California
Conditions: Overcast and Cold, 52 degrees
Purchased: Miami, 2003.

Tasting Notes
It's MLK Day and it's cold in the city. Not much wind blowing so I decide to walk Amber over to Grace Cathederal and light up the Serie D at the maze. This particular cigar has always been one of my favorites. Over the years their quality has fluctuated, but one is always assured of a decent smoke. The best "Serie D's" came out in the mid-80's and I enjoyed all the sticks I had in my collection. Those cigars were a lighter wrapper and a more subtle smoke. The cigars produced from 2000 onwards have a darker wrapper.

Today's smoke is in a dark brown, oily smooth wrapper that has been sitting in perfect conditions since I acquired the box some years ago.


I fire up the cigar and the first few draws are ok, but nothing to write home about. As we sit on the bench outside the Cathederal, the taste starts to transition into that familiar pungent and aromatic Partagas I love.

Just as I start to enjoy the smoke, a few passers-by actually wander over with scowls on their faces. Obviously tourists, they start to inform me that it is illegal to smoke cigars in the city of San Francisco and on the grounds of the Cathederal. The cigar starts to transition to coffee and spice. I ignore the tourists and continue to enjoy this great smoke, Therer is little after taste and I enjoy the smoke right up until it is finished.

Score: 92

San Cristobal de la Habana La Punta

Produced: October 2002
Length: 5.5 inches
Ring Gauge: 52

Date: January 15th, 2006
Time: 3:00pm Pacific
Location: Huntington Park, San Francisco, California
Conditions: Clear and Sunny, 59 degrees
Purchased: Miami, 2003.

Tasting Notes
I drove out to Marin to get a selection of smokes for the upcoming week. Tomorrow is MLK day and I plan to partake in a special smoke. Once back in the city, I wander up to Huntington Parkto enjoy this beautiful Belicoso. It has a light chocolate brown wrapper and a solid firm feel. I cut the cigar with a "cat's eye" cut and noticed the sweet woody smell even before I light up.



I fire up the cigar and the first few draws are spectacular. Strong, sweet and typical Habanos. Beautiful white and hard ash with a slow consistent burn. It's a beautiful sunny day in the park. Lot's of people enjoying the weather and I'm half way through this incredible smoke when it's character changes and becomes even more spicy. It's not harsh, just a smooth transition to coffee and spice. Therer is no after taste and I enjoy the smoke for at least 2 hours.

Score: 92

RD Gomez, Torpedo Grand Reserva

Date: January 14th, 2006
Time: 1:00pm Pacific
Location: Huntington Park, San Francisco, California
Conditions: Overcast-drizzle, 56 degrees
Purchased: Gift from my wife's friend who's brother owns RD Gomez.

Tasting Notes
Nothing much happening this Saturday. It's raining off and on in the city so I decide to crack open this box of cigars a friend of Leslie's has left for me to try. Decide to take Amber out to the park and fire up one of the sticks. They are individually wrapped in cedar and then in plastic wrap. The first impression is promising, kind of sweet and pungent. Wrapper is oily and smooth. Once at the park I light her up... not bad for the first couple of draws, howver I notice the ash is brown and flakey, not a good sign of how this will progress.


Complete a couple of loops of the park, waiting for Amber as she has to sniff every tree. The smoke is starting to become tart and I start to believe that if the rain starts up again, I won't be disappointed in putting this one out. As we start back to Mason the rain begins and I toss this one in the trash. Probably will use these as "re-gifts" at the next company picnic.

Score: 86

Cohiba Limited Edition 2004 Sublime

Produced: 2004
Made by: El Laguito
Size: Corona Gorda
Ring Gauge: 54
Length: 6 5/8 inches



Date: January 8th, 2006
Time: 11:30am Pacific
Location: Embarcadero, San Francisco, California
Conditions: Clear sunny skies, 60 degrees
Purchased: Vancouver Cigar company, Yaletown, Vancouver BC

Tasting Notes
I've had a couple of these and have had mixed tastings. This one wasn't bad. It's a big stick with an even bigger taste. The draw was smooth and it remained lit as we walked (Leslie and Amber) from Nob Hill down to Fisherman's Wharf and then along the shoreline to the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero. A beautiful sunny and cold day with a light breeze that increased the chill. Once again, I'm not overly impressed by this cigar. Perhaps it's the gauge size or the wrapper, which appears somewhat stiff, whatever it is, the pure physical size of this monster may not make the most flavorful experiences.

Once at the Ferry Building I let the cigar smolder out while I had a great hot dog from "Let's Be Frank". Picked up some mushrooms and salads from Delicia (Japanese Deli) for dinner and started the long walk back through Chinatown. Re-lit the cigar after I exited the building.... a big mistake. It took another 10 minutes to get back to a point where the taste was good. All-in-all, a great walk with a good smoke and with my two favorite girls!

Score: 86