Produced: 1998
Made by: Romeos
Size: Perfecto
Ring Gauge: 52
Length: 6 1/8 inches
Purchased: Vancouver Cigar Company, Vancouver BC, 2006.
Date: September 1st, 2006
Time: Noon Pacific
Location: Salinas, California
Conditions: Clear sunny skies, 70 degrees
The Purchase
This commemorative jar was purchased at Vancouver Cigar Company in Vancouver, BC. It was widely believed that these jars were sold out years ago, but in January 2006, Habanos SA discovered 12 jars that had been overlooked in the back storage area of their distribution facility in Havana. VCC was allocated one of these jars, and my dear friend Trevor gave me first dibs….. Thanks Trev!
The Locations
I’ve recently been livin “high on the hog” and so this Labor Day weekend I’ve decided to bring it down a notch, or three! Due to a violent allergic reaction to Cat saliva, I never stay at the mother-in-laws. As a result, I find myself in the dead of night gingerly approaching the Salinas Courtyard Marriott. It’s conveniently located off the tranquil CA101 next to the Costco, Burger King, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donut, In n Out, Krispy Kreme, Home Depot…. Starting to get the picture?
The Courtyard is the low-end brand for Marriott, the “McDonalds” of the overnight sojourn: 50 thread count sheets, rubberized shower curtains, flakey soap, instant coffee, hermetically sealed toilet seats….such an inviting ambience.
After a sleepless night thanks to the Under 18 year old El Salvador boys soccer team, I have breakfast with Leslie (yes, she and Amber stay at home with Mommy) and we pay a visit to the only cigar store in Salinas, The Cigar Box. The proprietor, Ed Crosby (no relation to Bing), doesn’t exactly welcome us with open arms.
Ed is rather a sad person, and as you can see from the photos, so is his store. I ask him the standard question and he immediately accuses us of being ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms) agents.
I try to warm Ed up by complimenting him on his smoking Indian, or is that a smoking Pharaoh, that is wearing sunglasses and respectfully holding the Stars & Stripes…. ?? He just grimaces and returns to watching a ball game.It’s my custom to always purchase at least something when I visit a tobacconist. It’s similar to feeling compelled to making that donation during Lent or Yom Kippur when they pass around the collection plate and the guilt or shame really eats at you. In Ed's case, his inventory, or lack thereof, is making this a particulary difficult donation.
Ed has been meticulous in targeting his customer segment: the Agricultural Field Laborer and the Fallen Urban Cowboy. I end up by acquiring a Dominican that I will “re-gift” at some corporate function. We tearfully bid Ed adieu and go for a walk on Carmel beach so that I can enjoy my Cuaba.
The Smoke!
According to Habanos SA, approximately 6,000 porcelain jars were made, with them all being sold out by 2002. I was strongly advised not to open the jar and put these away for at least 10 years. Of course I couldn’t resist, and so I selected a couple to sample now, and have safely deposited the jar in my vault…. See you in 2016.
This is a fascinating looking cigar. It’s tapered and has a very comfortable fit between the fingers. I’d heard that these Cuaba’s were not as good as the other Commemorative Jars, the Cohiba Piramides (previous review) and the Montecristo Robustos. I was to be pleasantly surprised. The wrapper is in excellent condition and has a dark tan color with absolutely no flaws.
A somewhat waxy feel the puro has almost a brilliant sheen. I applied a traditional cut, as the tip is far too tapered for a cats eye. The smoke lights up easily which is deceptive when one surveys the bulbous end, anticipating that it might require a number of attempts.
The first few draws require some work, but after 30 seconds, the experience is flawless. Stronger than the other two jars, this has a distinctive tobacco taste that has hints of wood and leaves. It has a consistent flavor all the way to the end and is really a very nice smoke that will definitely benefit from more ageing. If blogs, web 2.0 or I still exist ten years from now, look for my follow-up review on this Cuaba.
Rating: (3) VERY GOOD
(5) Classic, (4) Outstanding, (3) Very Good, (2) Average, (1) Don’t Bother
Humidor: VAULT: 2013 - 2016
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years
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