El Templete Restaurant - Cohiba Siglo VI (2009)

Produced: 2009
Tobacco Provence: Vuelta Abajo 
Factory: Partagas
Length: 7 5/8 inches
Ring Gauge: 49
Acquired: Gifted at 2010 Habanos Festival

THE LOCATION
El Templete

Avenida del Puerto #12, corner of Narciso Lopez
Tel. +53 (7) 866 8807
Map

El Templete is a monument in Havana that pays homage to the place where the foundation of the town of San Cristóbal de la Habana was celebrated in 1519. The monument consists of bust of Christopher Columbus (he'd later stumble onto the Americas) and three canvases painted by Jean Baptiste Vermay. It is a Neoclassic building, typical example of colonial architecture.  Close to the Templete, there is a column which replaces a silk-cotton tree, under which the first mass and the first Council of Havana were celebrated.  This is NOT where I had dinner!

The El Templete where I had dinner is the jewel in Old Havana's culinary crown. Its Gallego chef's Arkaitz Etxarte sophisticatedly simple spin on traditional ingredients that result in incredible duck, lobster and dark chocolate brownies that are infused with some kind of spices. The restaurant is at the harbor in Old Havana and make sure to get a table inside but next to the windows so that you can view the boat traffic but escape the fumes from the trucks and buses that pass by.


THE SMOKE
I know this will sound flippant, but people smoke Siglo VI's in Havana as though they are Marlboro Reds!  In my opinion after witnessing their manufacture and sampling many of them over the years, they are consistently the best smoke an enthusiast can trust.  The care and attention to detail in producing these cigars is a source of much pride by Habanos.

During courses I light up a local S VI that was given to me at one of the Conference sessions.  Nobody thinks twice about lighting up inside a restaurant during a meal.  Compared to the barbaric restrictions now enforced in Australia and the US, this is simply heaven.
The local S IV is excellent.  Well rolled, easy draw and the flavor is milder and still complex enough to be interesting.  They retail in Havana at the date of this blog for 11 CUC which is approximately $7 USD compared to the black market price north of $25 back in the US.

Rating: (3) VERY GOOD

(5) Classic, (4) Outstanding, (3) Very Good, (2) Average, (1) Don’t Bother

Humidor: SMOKE NOW

Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years