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

Trinidad Robusto Extra (2004)

Trinidad Robusto Extra (2004)
Produced: 2004
Made by: Laguito
Size: Parejo with pigtail
Ring Gauge: 50
Length: 6 1/8 inches
Purchased: Baranows, Melbourne, Australia, 2006.

Date: September 10th, 2006
Time: Noon Pacific
Location: San Rafael, Marin County, California
Conditions: Clear skies, Warm 80 degrees


The Purchase
This cigar was highly recommended by Ben at Baranow’s. Wal told me he has archived away a number of boxes, as he believes further ageing will produce a classic smoke.

The Locations
It’s going to be a hectic Sunday and I have some “honeydews” (Honey can you do this…. Honey, can you do that…), one of which is a visit to the Bay Area Pet Fair and Adoptathon (don’t bother looking in the dictionary).


I love dogs….but this is a ridiculous display of gratuitous consumption and capitalism at it’s finest. In addition to the adoption agencies there are dog massages, dog psychic readings, organic “Zen” dog treats (which taste pretty good), dog portraits / photographs, and even a Lawyer who will adjust your will because “After you’re gone…. Your doggie still needs you”! What am I going to do, leave my cigars to Amber?

With the all the barking and yelping, side-stepping of dog feaces and urine, the blazing heat in Marin (it must have been 80 degrees) and the endless oodling of “isn’t that dog adorable”, I turn to Leslie and plead to be excused so I can return to the car to smoke my Trinidad.

The Smoke!
As you are probably aware, the Trinidad brand was used as official diplomatic gifts from the Cuban Government to foreign dignitaries and politicians. Interestingly, Castro never used Trinidad’s for his personal gifts, as he always preferred to hand out Cohiba’s. This is his preferred approach that is still practiced today, and as a result, the Trinidad brand has never recovered in playing “second fiddle” to Cohiba…. An unfair designation for such a great cigar.

The Trinidad brand was created in 1969 and had no pre-revolution history. It’s probably the most mysterious brand and was relatively unknown until it was released to the public in 1997. Up until very recently, they were available only in the Laguito No. 1 size (gauge: 38, length: 71/2”). This robusto is part of the new breed of models that were slowly marketed beginning in 1997.

What an incredible piece of art this cigar is. The construction is beautiful and the pigtail on the cap is a sight to behold. It reminds me of the fried won tons that are thrown at you at a Yank Sing dim sum fest Sunday brunch. I would love to witness the rolling as it must require additional origami skill to get the twist just right. I feel somewhat destructive as I cut the cigar with my Zino and snip off the pigtail. I was tempted to use my “cat’s eye”, but became anxious that a misalignment might cause some unraveling.

The cigar has a light tan / chocolate appearance with some plume. There are no visible flaws or veins and has a firm feel but is not hard. I light up and the draw is good and even. The initial taste is sweet and mild and it starts to develop stronger as I progress through. The ash is spotted and stiff.

As I enjoy this smoke I note what a pleasure the gauge and length are. Calling this a Robusto is somewhat a misnomer, as it is more elegant and reminds me of a shorter and more substantial Churchill.

The first set of the 39th US Open is almost over and I need to get back to the big screen before the Swiss guy kills the Yank. It will have to wait, as I cannot bring myself to extinguish this VERY GOOD smoke. At the end, it becomes even sweeter and stronger with no bitterness. It would still benefit from some ageing and I anticipate in 5 years this will become outstanding.

Rating: (3) VERY GOOD
(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

Punch Double Corona Cabinet (1997)

Produced: 1997
Made by: Prominentes
Shape: Parejo
Ring Gauge: 49
Length: 7 5/8inches
Purchased: TomTom Cigars, London UK, 2006.


Date: August 25th, 2006
Time: 9:30 pm Pacific
Location: San Francisco, California
Conditions: Fog rolling in from the bay, Cold 53 degrees, freshening breeze


The Purchase
This cigar was purchased at TomTom Cigars, London, UK. To learn more about my buying experience, please refer to this post.


The Location
It’s been a long week in the corporate quagmire…. Slashing heads, kissing babies, slapping backs. I’m looking forward to a quiet Friday evening with Leslie at some intimate restaurant. I arrive home and she announces “I have a surprise reservation that just came on OpenTable”…. Oh dear me thinks, its going to be one of those evenings.

We make our way across town and end up in “The Avenues” to 41st AV where we park outside an establishment that is a cross between a Disney Imagineering façade of ancient Egypt and a fish & chip shop. We have arrived at Al Masri, the best (and only) Egyptian restaurant in San Francisco…. Just what every good Jewish boy is looking forward to on a Friday night, a belly dancer that also does the cooking.

In reality the food was very good and the dancer, Samar, who was introduced as the "best in the world", was incredible....who am I to judge? The owner, Dr. Something is very welcoming and announces that only 8% of his revenues come from the restaurant, the rest comes from the dancing school.... An interesting introduction to the menu? Geez, I'm impressed that he has such visibility and analysis into his revenue stream... wish I could say the same for some corporates.

The Smoke!
Punch has a long Pre-Revolution history and was first registered as a brand in 1840 by a German named Stockmann. As the Punch name suggests, the strength of these cigars is their claim to fame. Production has remained uninterrupted after the Revolution and there has been many changes in the sizes and shapes being offered by the brand over the years.

At first sight, this is an intimidating double corona, it’s long and substantial. This particular artifact is in great condition for being 10 years old. It had been meticulously cared for at TomTom and exhibits no flaws or blemishes.

I have applied a cat’s cut and light this up on the way home. At the beginning it has a wood and earthy taste and starts to get more spices as I smoke through. Near the end it becomes almost sweet pepper and nutmeg…. An unusual combination. The draw is exceptional and it appears that it will not take as long as I would have anticipated to enjoy this smoke.

This is a very strong cigar and is best after the heavy meal I just had at Al Masri. The Cabinets are aged at least 6 years before being released onto the market which makes this a well-aged smoke of at least 16 years.

This smoke lasted about 90 minutes and was very tasty, although, it did take me some time to clear the smoke out from the neighborhood. No question about it, this is a great double corona that ages extremely well.


Rating: (3) VERY GOOD
(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