the international amateur de cigare
2015 PARTAGAS 8-9-8: THE HABANO OF THE YEAR
THE PANEL’S CHOICE AND THEIR THUMBS DOWN
H. UPMANN IN FINE FETTLE The reference guide for all habanos, in English for the first time.
REVIEW OF ALL HABANOS
HISTORIC: THE FALL OF LUSITANIAS!
CONTENTS HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
PARTAGAS
4
50
TASTING OVERVIEW
POR LARRAÑAGA
5
58
BOLIVAR
PUNCH
6
59
COHIBA
QUAI D’ORSAY
10
62
CUABA
QUINTERO
18
64
DIPLOMATICOS
RAFAEL GONZALEZ
21
66
EL REY DEL MUNDO
RAMON ALLONES
22
68
FONSECA
ROMEO Y JULIETA
23
70
H.UPMANN 25
HOYO DE MONTERREY 30
SAINT LUIS REY 78
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA HABANA 80
JUAN LOPEZ
SANCHO PANZA
38
82
LA FLOR DE CANO
TRINIDAD
40
83
LA GLORIA CUBANA
VEGAS ROBAINA
41
85
MONTECRISTO
VEGUEROS
43
87
The International Amateur de Cigare 3
THE HAVANOSCOPE 2015 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE RATINGS Poor Average Good Excellent Exceptional
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HABANO 2015 This is the Cuban cigar of the year, as selected by the Havanoscope’s panel.
PANEL’S CHOICE A mark of distinction for the cigars that particularly impressed us, either by their body or their range of flavors.
THUMBS DOWN A black mark against certain cigars that are resting on their laurels and that have disappointed us.
PRICES All prices stated are accurate when the Havanoscope went to print (October 2014). They are subject to price increases during 2015.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY IN EACH COUNTRY We specify which country each cigar is found in and at what price. If a country is not mentioned, that means the cigar is not officially marketed there.
ABBREVIATIONS USED € = Euro; £ = Pound sterling; FS = Swiss franc; CUC = convertible peso. Benelux: The prices stated for Benelux apply to Belgium and the Netherlands. For Luxemburg, allow for a 5% surcharge on average.
SIZES In Cuban factories, cigars are divided into 80 categories by their size (diameter, length, and weight). The “vitola de galera” (factory names) differ from the model names commonly used by aficionados. In this edition, we have added them between brackets next to their common name.
4 The International Amateur de Cigare
COHIBA
Cohiba Behike
Cohiba Behike
Cohiba Behike
BHK 52
BHK 54
BHK 56
119 mm × 52 (20,64 mm) Robusto (laguito n° 4)
144 mm × 54 (21,43 mm) Grand robusto (laguito n° 5)
166 mm × 56 (22,22 mm) Gros robusto (laguito n° 6)
F : 28 € ; D : 31 € ; AND : 21,60 € ; BNL : 29,20 € ; C :17,19 € (22,10 CUC) ; SP: 28,95 € ; I : 31 € ; GB : 43,72 € (34,20 £) ; P : 35 € ; CH : 34,78 € (42 FS)
F : 37 € ; D : 41 € ; AND : 25,60 € ; BNL : 37 € ; C : 22,72 € (29,20 CUC) ; SP: 34,30 € ; I : 35 € ; GB : 57,40 € (44,90 £) ; P : 41 € ; CH : 45,29 € (54,70 FS)
F: 41 € ; D : 45 € ; AND : 28,80 € ; BNL : 42 € ; C : 24,74 € (31,80 CUC) ; SP: 38,50 € ; GB : 64,56 € (50,50 £); I : 38 € ; P : 45 € ; CH : 49,27 € (59,50 FS)
For very experienced smokers
For very experienced smokers
For very experienced smokers
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What’s not to love about
Voted the best habano in IADC no.7, the BHK 54 is true to its reputation. The pre-light experience offers powerful fragrances of black licorice and suint. After lighting, the cigar quickly becomes fullbodied yet remains subtle. Woody and mushroom notes cascade out. Soon the cigar becomes stronger, with notes of humus, bark and cocoa adding to the complexity. Still very well balanced, this Cohiba has great depth. The finish is exacting and requires a certain «smoking expertise». The BHK 54 is a high level smoke; perfectly balanced with a pleasant lingering aftertaste. What consummate skill! A shining example of craftsmanship.
The 56 looks imposing
this classy robusto finished with an attractive perilla? You can’t help but admire its smooth and perfect shape and maduro colorado hue with a caramel sheen. The cold draw boasts notes of strong spices and velvety wood. The cigar starts up quickly with great billows of smoke. Then the focus is a full and sophisticated blend of flavors: cedar, wet earth and spices with hints of toast and cocoa. Irresistible. A luxurious, exquisite, and spirited smoke. An exceptional cigar.
and the opening is nice and smooth. The smoke evokes fragrances of precious wood. Then a more organic flavor profile emerges: green peppercorn, damp vegetal and toast. Tastes linger impressively and flavor intensity ramps up, though still mellow. This habano is immediately satisfying. A little lacking in aromatic complexity in the final third but a great piece nonetheless. A top notch cigar.
The International Amateur de Cigare 17
BOLIVAR
BOLIVAR
C
alm waters for this classic Cuban house. Most of the items presented maintain their ratings and manage to remain average. All cigars are above the one-ring mark. Yet, there is one loss: the – temporary ? – downfall of the beautiful Coronas Gigantes Churchill. This downgrading causes Bolivar to lose one of its « five rings ». Nevertheless, the Petit Coronas reassures us by climbing passed the average rating. One can only be appreciative of this well established brand, even though the products listed in its catalog are at times somewhat uniform and lacking in aromatic complexity and depth.
Bolivar Belicosos Finos 140 mm × 52 (20,64 mm) Figurado (campanas) F : € 12 ; D : € 11,50 ; AND : € 7,98 ; BNL: € 12,40 ; C :€ 5,95 (CUC 7,65) ; SP : € 10,20 ; GB : € 23,27 (£ 18,20) ; I: € 12,80 ; P : € 11,60 ; CH: € 13,25 (FS 16)
For experienced smokers
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The Finos looks
Bolivar The brand Bolivar was officially launched in 1921. But we have reasons to believe attractive with its dark, that the label created by Fernández Rocha already existed at the beginning of the 20th century (1901). Its name, a reference to the liberator of Latin America, was chosen for Cuba’s recent emancipation of 1902. Between the two great wars, the brand is steered by Rafael Garcia. It then owns nine properties, among them El Rosario, Violeta Cinetina and La Covadonga. Emblematic of the Cuban terroir, it enjoys a good reputation until 1944. That year, following in the footsteps of La Gloria Cubana, its fate turns with the Cifuentes takeover. Starting in 1960, the cigars will be made in the Partagas factory. The Limited Edition Super Coronas is born in 2014.
6 The International Amateur de Cigare
oily and nicely taut wrapper. The pre-light experience is promising: damp vegetal notes with a hint of peat. Lights quickly, producing plenty of smoke. Medium strength. Next the Bolivar releases a woody bouquet of flavors, becoming increasingly roasted and resinous. Pepper and dark cocoa work well together but without imparting great complexity. A well-constructed but very predictable habano.
Pub Eli Bleu 3 couv_Amateur 12/04/13 14:03 Page19