Cohiba Coronas Especiales - Plugged

I thought plugged cigars are a non-issue for the new batches of Habanos.

























I've heard a few stories about the Cohiba Lanceros having the issue but thought I would be safer with it's other laguito the Corona Especiales, I was not.

























What a waste.

























To cap a bad cigar experience the burn was also uneven.

Cohiba Secretos

To me despite the introduction of the Trinidad, Cohiba will always remain the forefront of Cuban Cigars.

I remembered the first time I smoked the Cohiba Robusto. That experience pretty much propelled my fascination and love for the marquee. It was robust,solid, powerful and wonderfully constructed. It was such a beautiful and beefy smoke.

Knowing it will be covered in Maduro I must admit I'm not only curious how it will taste but I knew this is a cigar I really wanted to get my hands on. I thought I try the Secretos over the Magicos considering the former is already going to cost RM60 (USD$17).
















So how did the Secretos performed?















I'm not the biggest fan of maduro cigars. However I am a big fan of the Padron 1964.

The Maduro wrapper is veiny and the shade is not really dark but enough to tell apart from the regular Cohiba. Looks rather rustic and the extra band is really a nice touch in my opinion.















Once punched the dry draw was satisfactory. Not too tight nor too loose. So far so good.















Lit up the first few draws was marvelous. Strong lush smokes with dark almost peppery taste.

The taste and strength grows stronger and more pronounced after every draw.

However the bitter taste I usually get with maduro cigars did not really translate with the Secretos.

It ends very strong but did not overwhelm. What really amazes me the most with the cigar is how smooth the taste is from start to the end.

My verdict? Easily the best cigar I've smoked for 2008 and definitely a must smoke for all cigar lover.

Comparative to Padron 1964, I feel the Secretos is not as strong as the 1964 but I feel it's more balanced in strength and taste. However I would definitely be in envy if I knew anyone who has both in their collection.

I guess my only complaint with the Secretos is the pricing (and the not so even burning throughout) but then again for a cigar this good that is something you could quickly forget until of course when you are ready to purchase another one!

Davidoff Long Panatela

I've decided to spend my honeymoon in Langkawi. As it is a Duty Free island you can get Liquors, beers and more importantly Cigars on the cheap.

This is my third trip to Langkawi and after strolling down Kuah Town I stumbled into what looks like a newly opened cigar shop.

The Cigar Shop, Cuban Attitude looks like a really nice place to get smokes and stocks a good range of cigars.

I grabbed a few cigars and decided on a Davidoff Long Panatela as well for a quick smoke with food later on.

I must say of all cigars displayed, Davidoff looks the most luxurious on the top shelf. The simple white band with gold lines makes it really attractive. With it costing RM20 I thought it was a decent buy, plus its a Davidoff you can't really expect anything on the cheap to start with.

If there is a chance to smoke a Davidoff than I might as well buy it at Duty Free prices.

Once we got out of Kuah Town we quickly drove to a nice cosy restaurant situated between Pantai Tengah and Pantai Cenang.

















On inspection the Panatela seems very loosely packed and I was quite surprised that the head has already been cut. After we got through the main course I quickly lit it up.

Since it was very loose, lighting it up is akin to lighting a rolled dry leaf. It wasn't the easiest and was not enjoyable at all. Once it's all lit up I took a few puff while letting it rest a little as it got hot after a while.

As it progressed, the cigar is turning out to be a disappointment.

I don't mind mild cigars but this is rather tasteless and at times it tastes more like a lite cigarette than anything.














I did not give up and smoked it anyway hoping it will come around. It did not and the issue of it getting hotter only persists, it also left an almost carbon like aftertaste.

I definitely won't recommend the smoke especially with the price and forking a few bucks more would have gotten me a Cuban minuto instead.


An expensive poor quality cigar in my book.

You're invited to my wedding.

You're invited to my wedding in Trong, Perak on the 26th of June 2008, and yes a Cigar smoking is encouraged and most welcome.


It takes about 3 ½ hours of driving from the Damansara Toll to Changkat Jering with a distance of about 240 km.
Taiping is a town in Perak.
Please use the North South Expressway to head to Taiping choosing the Ipoh Route.








From Ipoh head down straight without taking any exits. Once you have pass Ipoh please continue on where you will also pass Kuala Kangsar where the next exit will be Changkat Jering.
PLEASE TAKE THE Changkat Jering EXIT. Changkat Jering is exit 146.
IMPORTANT don’t exit to Bukit Gantang, the exit you should take is CHANGKAT JERING!!!!!









You will reach the Changkat Jering Toll Booth.
Once you have paid your toll charges, drive straight and take a right after the traffic light.
Head down straight without taking any other turnings. It is about 9.6 km from the traffic light where you’ll reach a police station which should be on your right and on your left about 50 metres is the wedding reception.
The area you’re on now is called Trong (or Terung in Map).









Look for the signage for “Sharil & Witta”. Follow the sign and Insyallah you should reach the place safely.
If you’re lost ask the people around for Puan Rohani’s house (you can even try asking the people in the police station). It’s big bungalow like house.

Smoking the Partagas P No.2

Requires more aging even though a year has passed.

Asthetically a very beautiful cigar with an oily dark wrapper that is just captivating.

The Pyramid is well formed both in structure and flavour. However being youthful makes it lack in depth.

Keep it deep in the humidor as it's a waste to smoke it now but it would be a classic once come of age.

Dominican magic

"So what was the cigar you're smoking? It smelled sweet. Very pleasant. Was it a Cuban?"

That was the respond I got from the Manager of a restaurant where I had dinner at with a good friend recently.

He was spending his night popping bottles of red wine and pouring them into decanters. For him to be inhaling sweet bouquets of red wine aroma but yet to notice the lit Opus X is a testament of what a special cigar it was.

A cigar that is exceptionally good and yet prooves to be good company that others wont mind being around with, a food maestro cum wine master nevertheless.

In which I responded "No it's a Dominican!"

My review of the Reserva D' Chateau here.

Cigars on Holiday

I packed my traveldor (small humidor or a case that is mobile enough to be carried around) with some good smokes for my recently 5 days 4 nights vacation in Tioman, Malaysia.



L: Bolivar Petit Corona, Romeo Y Julieta Exhibicion No.4
Right, from Top: Punch Churchill (1998!, thanks Zafar!)Romeo y Julieta Petit Piramide, Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art Maduro, Montecristo No.4, Partagas P2, Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 48,Cohiba Siglo 2.

Smoked a few, it was quite humid and the cigar tends to absorb too much moisture if left out of the travledor for long periods of time.

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art Maduro
The wrapper is dark and had some shine due to the oil that surrounds the wrapper. It was a nice cigar to smoke especially if you want to get some attention (due to it's chili like shape) . The cigar was heavy with spice and had some bitterness to it. A nice dinner smoke that I would have like to pair with some good coffee for added punch.


Cohiba Siglo 2
Wrapper and construction was flawless. In comparative to the other bands from the other Cuban marquees I feel the Cohiba has the most modern looking band but once you have one in your hand the cigar feels timeless. I would say it is the best looking in terms of appearance in comparatice to other Cubans. It smoked really well, could use with more aging but as it is real smooth with wood and a bit of spice. I have a few more that I desperately try to age.


Silly post 'r' us: Me and P2 in action


Partagas P2
The wrapper is the oiliest compared to the bunch I managed to bring along. It smoked quite well but unfortunately the taste is quite under-developed and requires more aging to realise it's potential. Some hints of cinnamon and wood is noted.

Romeo Y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 - Beatiful light tan wrapper (almost Conneticut like). Well constructed. It was very woodsy from the start with some subtle sweetness. It finished strong with spice. Medium Bodied.




With calm waves and great natural surrounding a cigar in hand just makes it more worthwhile.