Simon's Precis Reviews

[Simon-JG-hr]

Okay, rather than clogging up the review forums, I've decided to add some of the reviews I write of less interesting cigars in precis form in one thread.

So, straight off the bat:

--

Bucanero Red Torpedo

Thanks to G-man who gifted me this cigar last year. One I'd put aside as a 'yard-work' stogie. It's a short-filler cigar, which isn't something I'd usually plump for, but construction was not all that bad. The flavour was pretty constant (vegetal), with little development. That said, there were a few little cameos from wood, Earl Grey, honey and aniseed...

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/bucanero-red-torpedo-nc/)

Overall Score: 82/100

--

Index (there are plenty more on the site (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/the-cigars/the-leaderboard/)):
Alonso Menendez No10 (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/alonso-menendez-no10-nc/))
Bolivar Tubos No3 (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/bolivar-tubos-no3/))
Bucanero Red Torpedo (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/bucanero-red-torpedo-nc/))
Chinchalero Picadillo (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/chinchalero-picadillos-nc/))
Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/cohiba-secretos-maduro-5/))
Cuaba Tradicionales (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/cuaba-tradicionales/))
Juan Lopez Petit Corona (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/juan-lopez-petit-corona/))
Kristoff Maduro Robusto (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/kristoff-maduro-robusto-nc/))
La Aurora, Aurora Bristol Especiales (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/la-aurora-bristol-especiales-aged/))
La Aurora, Aurora Rothschild (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/la-aurora-aurora-rothschild-nc/))
La Flor de Cano Short Robusto RE (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/la-flor-de-cano-short-robusto-2010-uk-re/))
La Gloria Cubana Gloriosos RE (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/la-gloria-cubana-gloriosos-2008-uk-re/))
Oliva Serie V Churchill (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/oliva-serie-v-churchill-nc/))
Partagas Shorts (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/partagas-short-2002/))
Por Larranaga Petit Corona (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/por-larranaga-petit-corona/))
Punch Petit Punch (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/punch-petit-punch-1998/))
Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/rafael-gonzalez-petit-corona/))
Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No3 (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/romeo-y-julieta-cedros-de-luxe-no3/))
Romeo y Julieta Duke 2009 EL (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/romeo-y-julieta-duke-2009-el-take-1/))
Saint Luis Rey Petit Corona (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/saint-luis-rey-petit-corona/))
Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro (click (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/vegas-robaina-don-alejandro/))

[Maxi-J]

Great review! :)

Doesn't sound all that bad for a fairly economical NC, either :41:

[Simon-JG-hr]

Not at all bad - having looked it up elsewhere, and found them to come in at between $1.50 and $3.50, I couldn't believe it. Not the greatest cigar you'll ever try, but bag-for-buck it must be one of the best. :849:

I mean, for a cigar of that size you'd be looking at best part of £2 just in excise duty over here... :(

[G-man]

Not the greatest cigar you'll ever try, but bag-for-buck it must be one of the best. Simon, The G-man hunts for stogies that give the most bang for the buck. I'm glad you thought for the price this was worth the $ and you probably couldn't touch that price in the UK .:smoke: Coming from you this is a true diamond in the rough .

[Simon-JG-hr]

Thanks for the cigar G-man. It was a real surprise. I think what really sealed the deal for me was that I could not actually do my work - I lit up and it took my interest so I just sat down and enjoyed it! :cool:

[Simon-JG-hr]

Today it was the turn of a disappointing Cuban...

Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona

I gave this cigar a try in Cardiff, having realised that I had never tried anything by RG before. The start was not at all bad, and I could see why some people think these are good for aging given the well balanced flavours of wood, dark chocolate and hints of honey (before a more 'straight' tobacco flavour turned up). However, there were some dreadful burn issues, with the cigar going out four times.

**Full review, including a picture...** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/rafael-gonzalez-petit-corona/)

Overall Score: 73/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

Here's another one from the mini-herf in Cardiff. What a turn-around from the Rafael Gonzalez...

Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos

This was a fantastic little smoke. The burn was excellent throughout. Meanwhile the draw was excellent, save for a very minor issue with smoke production. Flavours were wonderful - starting with toffee and almond, leading into creamy coffee and finishing with cocoa/coffee bean. A great little cigar!

**Full review, including a picture!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/cohiba-secretos-maduro-5/)

Overall Score: 93/100

[Lee Nub]

My go to cigar for early mornings the Secreto. I too sometimes get a slight draw, smoke production problem, but they always taste great :)

[Simon-JG-hr]

A quick over-view of a cigar which I smoked a short while ago during the Jazz and Blues Festival at the Barbican in Plymouth...

Chinchalero Picadillo

A good value little stick available from CGars (4"x52). A nice little size for a quick post-lunch smoke. Quite a lot of 'green' flavours - grass, and a little earthiness were present throughout. A hit of liquorice offered the high-note (or low-note if, like me, you're not a fan...) Pretty good 45 minutes though.

**Full review, including a picture!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/chinchalero-picadillos-nc/)

Overall Score: 84/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

Finally transcribed my review of the VR Don Alejandro from the H&F evening the other week.

Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro

A big cigar - one of few double-coronas which I've smoked so far. At over two-hours it was a nice experience, and really well balanced. Nice and complex, well rounded and with pretty good construction, I enjoyed this a lot. Due to its length its gone into my 'World Cup Selection' (not that I'll be watching...)

**Full review, no pics unfortunately...** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/vegas-robaina-don-alejandro/)

Overall Score: 91/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

A ha! Found a pic on my camera of the Don Alejandro...

http://cigarmonologues.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/p5240037.jpg?w=300&h=225 (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/vegas-robaina-don-alejandro/)

[HabanoSy]

Great review as always Simon...

Love the pic of the Alejandro... :41:

Cheers, HabanoSy

[Simon-JG-hr]

Romeo y Julieta Duke (2009 EL)

Well, I let my original impressions be known in the 'What did you smoke today' thread... I was somewhat disappointed by this. On reflection, my disappointment perhaps tainted my original assessment of this cigar. I still don't think that this is a good cigar, on Saturday's showing. However, I have already marked the review for a re-assessment. It may be a devisive review, but if it generates debate.

Tobacco and coffee, giving way to vanilla and salted almonds, finishing with some fudged up leathery mess of a flavour... Dreadful burn, acceptable draw.

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/romeo-y-julieta-duke-2009-el-take-1/)

Overall Score: 82/100

[HabanoSy]

You definitely need to give these another go...

IMHO, One of the top smokes for last year... :41:

Cheers, HabanoSy

[monkey66]

You definitely need to give these another go...

IMHO, One of the top smokes for last year... :41:

Cheers, HabanoSy

+1

[Simon-JG-hr]

Bolivar Tubos No3

Bolivar's addition to the 'morning coffee' line-up of cigars is very often overlooked. When my trip to the tobacconists for a Wide Churchill yielded no luck, I left with a Boli No3. How would it pan out? It's a small panatela, but lasts a surprising 45 minutes plus. It's got an industrial profile at this age - good strong flavours of nuts and coffee with side-parts from earth and leather. This lacks the round edges of the big name Bolivars, and occasionally hits you with a big stick. A decent cigar and one that needs to be tried more often than it is. That said, I'd still pick a Trini Reyes for a 40 minute break with a coffee.

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/bolivar-tubos-no3/)

Overall Score: 84/100

[HabanoSy]

Nice little review Simon...

In agreeance, re the Trini Reyes selection when on a coffee break... :41:

Cheers, HabanoSy

[J Cano]

I really enjoy the Bolivar #3 when time is short. This cigar needs to age in order for the latter half to develop. It is not a stick for beginners as they may find its come on too strong but when traveling in tourist areas these are one of the better tubos to go with. Plugging has been a problem in the past but i have a box that is A1 right now on draw.
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[Simon-JG-hr]

Kristoff Maduro Robusto

This is a rustic looking cigar, with a thick pig-tail at the head and a shaggy foot. It's got a maduro wrapper, but the flavours don't quite create your traditional maduro profile. It's well balanced, but doesn't quite have that excitement factor that some cigars give you - it developed, but never really offered anything 'new' as it progressed. Nit-picking aside, this was a remarkably good cigar, and alongside the Cain maduro I sampled at Dunhill, the Kristoff Maduro Robusto is vying for the title of 'Best Non-Cuban I've Had'. Definitely one to try if you get the opportunity.

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/kristoff-maduro-robusto-nc/)

Overall Score: 89/100

[HabanoSy]

Good review Simon...

May well have to try and source myself one of these... :41:

Cheers, HabanoSy

[Simon-JG-hr]

Cheers Sy. They are definitely worth trying to get hold of. I doubt there will be anyone saying they're the best cigar ever, but a very nice cigar none-the-less.

La Gloria Cubana Gloriosos

What a great cigar. Complexity throughout with excellent flavour development. It's a medium bodied cigar with good flavours. It's a UK RE measuring in as a double robusto - for me, an excellent size which is excellently proportioned. It smokes well, though was a little disappointed after it went out a couple of times near the end. I ended up allowing it a dignified death just a little earlier than I'd have liked.

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/la-gloria-cubana-gloriosos-2008-uk-re/)

Overall score: 93/100

PS. If anyone wants to enter my blog's competition (write a review to potentially win some cigars), click on the link in my signature... ;)

[HabanoSy]

Great, great review of the Gloriosos Simon...

Im with you, it is simply a wonderful cigar... :41:

Cheers, HabanoSy

[Simon-JG-hr]

Juan Lopez Petit Corona

This cigar starts wonderfully - good burn and good flavours (nuts, honey, leather and chocolate). Unfortunately though, it finished poorly, with deteriorating burn and flavours. Overall though, not a bad, slow burning, petit corona.

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/juan-lopez-petit-corona/)

Overall score: 85/100

[tippexx]

I love the JL Petit's Si. The flavours and burn generally stay pretty constant throughout the smoke. Maybe you just smoke an 'unlucky' one!

[Simon-JG-hr]

Yeah, the first half was really nice. It started to go a little astray about five minutes after I'd left it for a couple of minutes. Odd really, as I was really impressed by how well it had stayed lit. I'm still wondering if it was just coincidence or not.

[Lionhound]

I love the JL Petit's Si. The flavours and burn generally stay pretty constant throughout the smoke. Maybe you just smoke an 'unlucky' one!

Well said Arf. Nice review as always Simon. JLPC one of my favourite in that size range and would rate it a bit higher than you have done. We all have our own tastes though and, as Tipp says, the one you smoked was maybe slightly poorer than the norm.
Delighted that my own notes on taste etc are similar to yours. Maybe I know more than I thought about taste etc.................or maybe you........no only kidding, always enjoy your reviews and put a fair bit of faith in them.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Punch Petit Punch (1998)

This was a gratefully received trade from DeadBase (thank you very much sir). Generally a sweetish profile, with honey, citrus and cinnamon elements playing to the fore, as well as a little bit of a floral influence around the middle. It was, to me, an English afternoon tea in a cigar. Construction was good throughout, but not stellar. It would be fair to say that Habanos was not of sound mind when they deleted this delightful vitola from their lineup. :(

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/punch-petit-punch-1998/)

Overall score: 89/100

[davidruddell]

Nice review sir, damned shame these were discontinued, exactly the size of smoke I'm looking to buy for those cold winter nights where a 1hr+ smoke will end in frostbite.


Punch Petit Punch (1998)

This was a gratefully received trade from DeadBase (thank you very much sir). Generally a sweetish profile, with honey, citrus and cinnamon elements playing to the fore, as well as a little bit of a floral influence around the middle. It was, to me, an English afternoon tea in a cigar. Construction was good throughout, but not stellar. It would be fair to say that Habanos was not of sound mind when they deleted this delightful vitola from their lineup. :(

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/punch-petit-punch-1998/)

Overall score: 89/100

[r0lan6]

Blimey you're definitely a pro when it comes to reviews! Great stuff! :smoke:

[HabanoSy]

Great review as always Simon...

Top work... :top:

Cheers, HabanoSy

[G-man]

An excellant review. Shame about the decision to discontinue the production !

[Simon-JG-hr]

Cheers guys. I'm definitely going to try and get a box before all the remaining stock is gone.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Okay, the first of four that I have lined up for the coming days:

Partagas Short (2002)

These are great little cigars. Generally I've found them to start off with toasty flavours, have a brief patch of leatheriness just before half-way, then give you a full second half of rich coffee flavours. Fantastic flavours, good draw, okay burn and nice compact size make this a cigar that must be in the rotation!

**Full Review, (no) pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/partagas-short-2002/)

Overall score: 92/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

Seemingly on a roll at the moment... Here's review two of four:

La Invicta Petit Corona

The La Invicta range is a little newer to the UK market, imported (almost inevitably by part of the Fox group). They are remarkably well priced, with this PC weighing in at around the £4 mark when bought in store (£3.50 online). It started pretty well, giving toasty flavours, which then became 'greenish' leather. Unfortunately, the draw tightened and the burn got hotter towards the end, leaving a rather unpleasant finish.

**Full Review, (no) pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/la-invicta-petit-corona/)

Overall score: 83/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

Also on the blog, posted a couple of weeks ago en-route to Ankara:

H.Upmann Mag 48 (2009 LE)

Pepper and cedar early on make way for cream and honey through the middle section. Finally, some floral notes and more cream, this time with vanilla, gave way to a replay of the start - pepper and cedar. No harshness, and a nicely rounded flavour profile. This particulat example was a little soft in places, and duly burned quite poorly. Despite that, I would recommend anyone to try one.

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/12/h-upmann-mag-48-2009-le/)

Overall score: 88/100

[Corto Maltese]

Luvvin these reviews,Simon, top notch.
Please keep them coming.

[G-man]

Great review and the La Invicta sounds like a good nap could get this cigar some fine reviews. Let a couple sleep for 3 months and try again.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Cheers Mike. You could be onto something, with a while the harsh finish might round out. I doubt it'd break the 90 mark, but a solid mid-80s is a distinct possibility.

And, now, bringing up The Cigar Monologues' 30th review... ( :eek: )

Cuaba Tradicionales

One of the babies in the Cuaba line-up, I smoked the Tradicionales after senor_robusto's rave review of the Salomones. It's a great looking cigar, with a wonderfully oily wrapper. I love the figurado shape, and, a slightly tight opening draw aside, it's construction was pretty good. Vegetal flavours got us going (cabbage :hmmmm: ), then mild coffee and milk, then a quick flash of leahter before finishing off with something more floral.

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/cuaba-tradicionales/)

Overall score: 90/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

The latest review. Smoked yesterday:

Alonso Menendez No10 (Lonsdale)

I love the Lonsdale size, it just seems to exude class. And this was a classy smoke. Okay, it's somewhat agricultural in appearance (I needed a new word, I realised I'd been using rustic a lot recently...), but is wonderfully oily and great to run your fingers along the wrapper. The construction is perfect, there really is no other word - even burn throughout, solid ash and gorgeous draw from first to last. The flavours are mild and smooth (matching the light strength), primarily comprising chocolate, fennel and a little earthiness. For three quid, you will not find a better cigar in the UK. :thumb:

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/alonso-menendez-no10-nc/)

Overall score: 91/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

Next in front of the judge, jury and executioner...

Oliva Serie V Churchill

Many thanks to whoever sent this to me (some time ago - I have no memory, but I do have my suspicions). It's a big cigar - not a Churchill at all: too thick and fractionally too long too. The start was just a huge blast of pepper and cedar - more than two mouthfuls of which would have rendered me lame for a week... It soon eased off (still pretty strong flavours). Some coffee, chocolate, grass and citrus playing around at times. The burn was okay until halfway, at which stage it decided to go out continually (I finally gave up with about fifteen minutes to go).

**Full Review, including pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/oliva-serie-v-churchill-nc/) (including scary ones of me and my smoking buddy :eek: )

Overall score: 86/100

[Soulmanure]

Okay, the first of four that I have lined up for the coming days:

Partagas Short (2002)

These are great little cigars. Generally I've found them to start off with toasty flavours, have a brief patch of leatheriness just before half-way, then give you a full second half of rich coffee flavours. Fantastic flavours, good draw, okay burn and nice compact size make this a cigar that must be in the rotation!

**Full Review, (no) pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/partagas-short-2002/)

Overall score: 92/100

Great review of the short--I have a cab of 50 and have enjoyed each one for precisely the reasons you lay out. Highly recommended, and fantastic for a less time consuming smoke.

[jdawg]

Great reviews Simon!

The Party Short is one of my go to smokes! Especially great for the winter months.

[tippexx]

Great reviews Simon!

The Party Short is one of my go to smokes! Especially great for the winter months.

Excellent reviews Si .... have to agree big-time with the Dawg on the Party Short.

Note to self:
Make your reviews shorter. Simon's a better than yours! :smile:

[Simon-JG-hr]

Thanks guys, very kind of you. There was something about the Party Short which just seemed to inspire. Great cigar.

Great review of the short--I have a cab of 50 and have enjoyed each one for precisely the reasons you lay out.Phew... at least I'm not talking total crap then (or we both are... :hmmm: )

(PS. Don't do that tippexx, if anything, lengthen them out a bit. I enjoy reading them very much - especially the latest on the JLPC, it pretty much hit the nail on the head I thought.)

[Simon-JG-hr]

And for another addition:

Saint Luis Rey Petit Corona

I've had very hit and miss experiences with SLR so far. I've found Regios and Serie A sticks to be really good cigars (with a little bit of age on them). The rest I've found to be badly burning duds when young and a bit uninspiring otherwise. This was better on the construction front - still a tight draw, but lots of smoke and a fairly good burn. The flavours were typically SLR: leather, hints of cinnamon and earthiness (with a little meat and herbiness thrown in). Not a bad cigar by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm sure the two I have left will last a year or so... ;)

**Full Review, with pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/saint-luis-rey-petit-corona/)


Overall score: 88/100

[peanutpete]

another fine review simon, i am like you never really had a SLR rock my world

p.s keep meaning to ask, whats with the name change did i miss something?

[Simon-JG-hr]

Thanks Pete. Those ones we had at the SLR evening just didn't quite do it. Though I'm holding out great hope for the aged Regios which Robert gave us.

Just realised that it probably wasn't the greatest idea having my full name on the web (especially when I regularly mention when I'm out and about).

[monkey66]

Thanks Pete. Those ones we had at the SLR evening just didn't quite do it. Though I'm holding out great hope for the aged Regios which Robert gave us.

Just realised that it probably wasn't the greatest idea having my full name on the web (especially when I regularly mention when I'm out and about).

Then you probably need to change the title of this thread?

[Simon-JG-hr]

It's only my first name though (which I'm fine with).

Either that, or I could try and convince people that I'm called precis... Like those people that use fake mother's maiden names for security questions... The old double bluff. ;)

[Simon-JG-hr]

La Aurora, Aurora Rothschild

The Rothschild, not a commonly referred to size any more (I suppose anything similar is often termed a petit robusto now). This is soon to hit the UK markets as an entry level hand-made cigar. Does that mean its no good? Not a bit of it. Wonderfully constructed, the draw was excellent and the burn as even as you could want (especially given my cock up of a light). The flavours were okay - going from honey to leather (through a slightly mineral phase), then onto latte before tailing off in a little bit of a disappointing finish. It was never harsh, hot or bitter though. :thumb: Will be a great value cigar.

**Full Review, with pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/la-aurora-aurora-rothschild-nc/)

Overall score: 89/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

Well, it's been a while (nearly four months to be exact :shocked:), but here it is: my latest review:

Por Larranaga Petit Corona

After seeing that so many members seemed to have been smoking PLPCs recently, I felt that it was time I pulled my one out of the humidor on Monday. The example reviewed was kindly gifted to me by Dave after one of our mini-herfs in Cardiff last year. I found it to be a fairly well made cigar, not particularly attractive though, and with a coherent flavour profile. Cream and nuts give way to caramel; then honey steps in, developing a herbaceous twang, before toast rounds off the cigar.

**Full Review, with pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/por-larranaga-petit-corona/)

Overall score: 89/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

It's taken a wee while to post a link to my latest review, what with a nice little trip to London (business and pleasure) and various other demands on my time since it was written on Monday. But here it is, six days after going up on the blog:

La Aurora, Aurora Bristol Especiales (Aged)

The cigar in the spot-light is a La Aurora Aurora Bristol Especiales which I picked up at Sautters last November. It was an absolute bargain at a fiver too (as they were clearing their NC stock) - right place, right time. They virtually had to blow the dust off the box this cigar was in, so long had it been in their humidor for! Anyway, it was a nice, mellow smoke, and didn't seem to miss a beat. I gave one to a friend who concurred with my general thoughts on the cigar, which must be a good sign for their consistency too.

**Full Review, with pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/la-aurora-bristol-especiales-aged/)

Overall score: 91/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

After a fairly comprehensive review of the LFdC Short Roubusto, a return to something a little bit more run-of-the mill... A pleasant little petit corona:

Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.3

The latest cigar I've reviewed is the RyJ Cedros de Luxe No.3. It's a fairly short review (for a change)... I found the couple of these that I've had recently have generally started quite light, with floral flavours, then developed through a fairly plain middle section towards a more medium-bodied, pepper and cedar finish. Construction seems to be fairly good and consistent, meanwhile the wrappers are generally pretty ugly... Decent enough cigar, unremarkable in almost every respect, but with almost no real negatives.

**Full Review, with pictures!** (http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/romeo-y-julieta-cedros-de-luxe-no3/)

Overall score: 87/100

[Simon-JG-hr]

Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra

A couple of weeks ago, whilst I was in London to see a consultant about my knee, I stopped off at Boisdale CW for a spot of lunch. After some lovely Scotch quails eggs and a spicy burger I headed onto the cigar terrace for a cigar and a whisky. I chose an RG Coronas Extra with a glass of Highland Park 12yo - the first time I've tried this legendary malt (and what a whisky to go with a cigar!) The cigar was light-to-medium in body and medium in flavour. Some nice sweet notes to begin with, then some cedar, bit more sweet and floral, another quick blast of cedar, then some smokey barbeque flavours, finishing as it started. This was much better than anticipated, given my previous, bad experiences of the marque with a few petit coronas.

**Full review, with pictures!**
(http://cigarmonologues.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/rafael-gonzalez-coronas-extra/)
Overall score: 91/100

[Puff Scotty]

Tried the coronas extra a while back, didn't do much for me... but an 18 yr old Highland Park or two would make it more bearable!
Keep up with the monologues Simon,
Cheers,
Puff.