Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas (2004)

Produced: 2004
Made by: Prominentes
Vitola: 612
Shape: Parejo
Ring Gauge: 49
Length: 7 5/8 inches
Purchased: Baranows, Melbourne, Australia, 2006.

Date: October 7th, 2006
Time: 8:00pm Pacific
Location: Private Home and The Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara, California
Conditions: Clear and bright sunshine, Mild 73 degrees


The Locations
Looming on the calendar for months, I take the Friday morning “puddle-jumper” out of fog-enshrouded SFO and 50 minutes later I am in a cab speeding along PCH on my way to The Santa Barbara Biltmore to attend L’s cousins’ wedding.

I arrive at the old Biltmore which has been totally renovated and is an amazing indulgence of old world luxury and serenity. The accommodations, service and food are typical Four Seasons excess with someone always asking if they can offer assistance or give you a bottle of water (bloody Southern California!). A hangout for adulterous weekends by Hollywood, one can literally disappear into the lush foliage never to be seen or heard from again.

In-front of me at the check-in, Steven Cojokaru’s lap dog starts urinating on the beautiful Mexican tile floor. Cojo squeals with glee as three uniformed attendants instantly appear with mops and I realize how delightful it is to be back just north of La La Land.









The cousin’s nuptials have all the signs of being a the night of living hell. Making polite conversation with strangers, eating tepid warm fish or beef, drinking cheap wine, listening to ill-prepared speeches and having to dance to some Sinatra or Rod Stewart wedding ditty.

We arrive at a “friends” home in the low rent part of Montecito. We arrive on-time but the ceremony has actually started early. The invitation says 3:00pm and the bride and groom were already down the aisle at 2:55pm…what the hell is that all about? Was someone having second thoughts and was pressured to rush things along?

The ceremony is over in 5 minutes and the poolside cocktail reception drags on for 2 hours in the blazing sun before food is served. By the time the buffet line opens up, the mushroom risotto looks like Chinese sticky rice, and the salmon filet takes on the appearance of charcoaled carrot sticks.



There was no MC so the Groom and his buddies are in the pool house watching the ball game. The brides’ friend, who loaned the house for the wedding, has just delivered a somewhat insulting and defamatory speech about the bride, and publicly anointed a few chosen neophytes to join her in the main house (off-limits to everyone else so the sign on the window states) to enjoy their private French Champagne. I felt like I was back at Grimwade House being hunted down by the anti-Semites.



My only saving grace is that out of the corner of my eye I notice the kids table has fried chicken tenders, fries and a huge bowl of ketchup! As I lean over the 5 year olds to help myself, one of them starts screaming for Mommy because someone is “STEALING” their food.

All hell breaks loose as Mommy runs to the rescue accusing me of child abuse, so I quickly skipped over to the lawn and pulled out this extraordinary cigar.






The Smoke!

To me the HDM Double Corona exudes class. I first saw one of these over 12 years ago when I was invited to a charity event and had the fortune of seeing Milton Berle smoking one. It was at the Beverly Hilton back in the glory days when one could still smoke in-doors in California. Known for smoking El Producto's, I’ll never forget that Uncle Milty had two extra DC’s stashed into his tuxedo jacket pocket….geez, how many did he smoke in a day?!

I picked this one up 6 months ago and it is in excellent condition. No flaws it’s a dark tan and feels firm and smooth. I apply a cat’s eye and notice a crisp cut indicating some freshness that might benefit from just a little more ageing. The pre-light smell is subtle and aromatic.







It fires up easily and the taste and aroma are exquisite. As I take a deep draw, I immediately forget about the “chicken tender” incident. The ash is very firm and almost snow white.





L is signaling me to return to the table and they still haven’t cut the cake and it’s 7:30pm…..don’t these people know there is an agenda and schedule to keep at these things?? As the Barry Manilow tunes start to play, I wave the parking valet ticket at L and trot off to get the car to enjoy this beautiful smoke.


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

Humidor: SMOKE SOON: 2007 - 2009
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years

Romeo Y Julieta Hermoso #1 EL 2003

Produced: 2003
Made by: Briones Montoto
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Ring Gauge: 48
Length: 6 1/8 inches
Purchased: Baranows, Melbourne, Australia, 2006.

Date: September 23rd, 2006
Time: 8:00pm Pacific
Location: Nickel & Nickel Vineyard, Napa Valley, California
Conditions: Starry skies, Warm 80 degrees


The Purchase
This cigar was recommended by Ben at Baranow’s.


The Locations
The “Indian Summer” is in full bloom in Northern California. It’s Jewish New Year, and what more fitting way then to celebrate at a barn dance! Our friends at Far Niente are putting on their annual Harvest BBQ & Barn Dance party at their sister vineyard Nickel & Nickel.

Both Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel produce some spectacular single vineyard wine. I especially like the FN cabernets (see previous experience) and this evening we sampled some very tasty N&N Pinot and what has to be the most delicious desert wine, the FN 1999 Dolce….this stuff is addictive!

This was a rare opportunity to mix it up with the wine elite of Napa and Sonoma. Everyone was dressed in their “wine country casual”, translation: designer jeans, Loro Piana plaid shirts, Bottega Venetta boots and the applicable over-sized baubles. Lot’s of beautiful people who “have a place in the city” and “some grapes growing” either in Napa or Sonoma counties.



We helped ourselves to the buffet and sat under the stars next to the century old Gleason Barn that was painstakingly rebuilt from it’s roots back in New Hampshire. As the sun finally set, they lit up bonfires to keep us all warm as we listened to catchy country tunes from a quaint quartet.


At our table I had the chance to learn about the FN philosophy from Larry Maguuire, the President & CEO of Far Niente…. Well, actually, I was also pandering in the hope of getting access to even more beautiful wines. The food and conversation was too good for me to barn dance (gosh, darn it, sorry L!), so when the desert wine was served, I pulled out this R&J and began to enjoy it al fresco.



The Smoke!
This is an impressive looking cigar. This specimen is in excellent condition, smooth and shiny, medium brown wrapper, no visible flaws and well constructed from cap to tip. It’s a little firm, suggesting that further ageing is required which is not unexpected for Edicion Limitada (“EL”) cigars.

The EL lines have been a marketing coup for Habanos SA. First introduced in late 2000, a limited number were introduced internationally. In each box there is a note that states “The wrapper used for rolling this Habano has been specially selected from the top of the plant and aged during two years”. When I first heard that Habanos SA was starting to produce aged puros in commercial quantities it almost caused me to lose control of bodily functions.

The 2000 EL’s consisted of Hoyo de Monterrey Particulares, Montecristo Robustos, Partagas Piramides and Romoe Y Julieta Exhibicion No. 2. There was definitely a mystique about these incarnations and it has been exciting to see what will come next. Early on they were experiments in new vitolas and blends and the intent was for these cigars to be aged and gain maximum enjoyment. As such, smoking them early did result in some less than perfect experiences.

Since 2000 new EL’s have been introduced under various brands and vitolas. I make the practice of acquiring the latest batch and “laying them down” for at least 5 years, and re-sampling them as time progresses. No question about it, they are starting to improve with an investment in time.

As I light up this RJ I have a tinge of regret as I feel I might be smoking this too early. The beginning is slightly harsh and the draw requires some finesse. Once lit, I never had to touch it again. This is a medium strength smoke and there is some pepper overtones and a pronounced tobacco taste. Halfway through it does mellow and become more woody and aromatic. This is a nice average smoke mixing in with the BBQ and delicious wines. With more ageing and being PUT AWAY this could become a VERY GOOD smoke.

Uh oh, we have run out of Dolce and our transport back to the city, Joe in his souped up Navigator, is calling me on the cell. The smoke is at it’s end and I toss it into the adjacent vineyard…. Shessh, was it still lit?


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

Humidor: PUT AWAY: 2009 - 2013
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years

Sancho Panza Belicosos (1997)

Produced: 1997
Made by: Campanas
Size: Belicoso
Ring Gauge: 52
Length: 5 1/2 inches
Purchased: TomTom Cigars, London, UK, 2006.

Date: September 16th, 2006
Time: 8:00 PM Pacific
Location: Pasadero Country Club, Salinas, California
Conditions: Warm and balmy evening, 80 degrees


The Purchase
This is a spare cigar I picked up at TomTom’s when I was in London a couple of months ago. It was from a box that was acquired in Barcelona back in 1998. I had enjoyed these in the past and decided to see how well they have aged.

The Locations
We are on our way back down the peninsula to attend L’s 25th high school reunion in Salinas. We check-in to The Tradewinds Inn in Carmel, a “Balinese” themed studio hotel that welcomes Amber with a cookie and all the creature comforts. Saturday we have lunch with the M-in-law at my favorite casual place, Casanova’s, after which I have a nap in preparation for the big trip back in time.

Class reunions are an eerie study of life’s twists, turns and decisions. There are the winners, the losers, the near misses, the regrets and even the departed. As L met people, some for the first time in 25 years, one could instantly read assessments of how they had faired in the game of life. The performance metrics for men are slightly different for women. With men, it’s all about the hair line, the waist line, the line of credit, and if your mate selection “has legs”. For women, it’s about the lines on your face, the lines of jewels and if the mate selection has been “fruitful”.

To make life interesting, I donated the five-pack below to the silent auction. It managed to reach $300 before the spinach salesman bagged them.

There were all types of characters (and creatures) at the event. Most of which trying to relive the “glory days” that had long gone. There was Mike, the guy that thinks he has done better than everyone else, but really hasn’t. Strutting around like a peacock, he donated more than 90% of the silent auction prizes trying to showcase his net worth in some bizarre display of self-promotion. Then there was Brent the insurance agent that is a straight shooter who was funnier as he became more inebriated and pinned everyone’s name tags on his jacket.

There was the born-again Christian who sang (off-key) some period ballad from 1981, the guy who never got married “hitting on” old class mates, the spinach salesman from Salinas fretting about e-Coli bacteria, the teacher that was staring at any available cleavage, the “business development consultant” looking for pity and handouts, the snobby wife paralyzed with embarrassment when her husband, dressed like Wyatt Earp (with 10 gallon hat and long jacket), told me he would prefer to be in the hills oiling his guns.

It was an unbearably long evening of being the dutiful husband. The salad was limp, the steak was blue and the desert melted… all this for a $100 a seat, what a deal! As I watched ageing, intoxicated, balding, flabby men “making passes” at L, I could only delight in the wrath they would incur from their wives who were also witnessing their Neanderthal slobbering. I decided to make my way to the 18th green to smoke this Habanos.

The Smoke!
This brand does have a fairly long heritage. First registered in 1848 by the same German who registered the El Rey del Mundo, it was named after Don Quixote's faithful servant. The cigar actually dissappeared in 1898, but was revived in the 1920's. After being bought and sold over the years by multiple merchants, by the 1950's it became the most popular brand Spain.

After the revolution, the cigar has lost most of it's popularity. This is mainly due to the fact that they do require ageing to be enjoyed. Sancho's are still popular in Spain, which is where this one came from, but now only 7 models remain.

This Belicosos is renowned for being one of the mildest pyramide shape cigars. This specimen is in excellent condition. Slighly waxy feel to the wrapper, it is well constructed with a particularly sharp point on the cap. I make a traditional cap and it lights up very easily. I immediately taste a very strong grassy flavor and it is almost salty to the taste.

As I smoke my way through, the ash is stiff and white. The woody flavors start to become more pronounced but the draw is uneven. Perhaps this is not as well rolled as I percieved. Inspecting the end (see photo) it appears the layering is somewhat uineven.

The woody flavors are starting to become sweeter now and it seems that with even more ageing, this puro could evolve into a very good smoke. I have to work at keeping this alight as I am standing on the 18th green and the ocean breeze from Monterey Bay is starting to strengthen.

I look back at the club house and L is calling for me to take some photos... oh geez, when will this night end? The belicosos is closing down and even though it was an average smoke, it will definitely get better with more ageing. I turn toward the clubhouse to face the music... not to worry, I have a Cohiba Sublime to sample tomorrow.

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

Humidor: VAULT: 2011 - 2018
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years

Cuaba Distinguidos Millenium Reserve (1998)

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