Simon's Precis Reviews

[Dave K]

Always a pleasure to read your reviews; comprehensible, cleanly presented; refreshing to read a style I can relate to

(just hate some of those ridiculous adjectives reviewers dream up to fill the paper! )

[Simon-JG-hr]

I'll definitely be giving them another go Deano - so maybe they'll push into the 90s for me too.

Thank you for the positive feedback Dave - always nice to know that people appreciate how it looks and reads.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Bolivar Britanicas (2011 UK RE)

Dan and I bought a box of Britanicas pretty much on release. We broke them open, and smoked one. At first they didn't live up to the hype (they were good, but not that good). The more I've smoked, the more I've come to enjoy them. I've finally got around to sitting down with one and noting down my thoughts... They are Bolivar, but with a twist - something I think is great for a special release. At various points there are lovely gamey flavours and leather tannin notes; hints of fruits and wine pop up at the start and the end; meanwhile, for much of the cigar you get beautiful Bolivar - spicy, creamy, peppery. Only slightly above medium strength, medium flavour. Definitely worth trying if you haven't already, and a good chance to try a Bolivar if you're not as keen on the powerhouse standard line-up.

**Full review, with pictures!**

Overall score: 91/100

[Simon Bolivar]

Good to read your review for the Monte No 2 Simon, have to say, a drop in humidity in the winter months is difficult to avoid, especially if your humi's are in a cold room, as cold air doesn't take water moisture like warmer air does. Let us know how you get on with your next example to compare it.
Have toagree with your assessment of the Britannicas as well, decent cigar but an expensive small smoke at UK prices.

[Simon-JG-hr]

It's been a while since I've posted a review. However, I've happened across my notebook! Thought I'd start with one I've smoked quite a few of and found to be a consistently good little stick...

H.Upmann Half Corona

I've been smoking a fair few of these Half Coronas since their release a couple of years ago. I often find that I have a fairly small window to fit my cigar appreciation into, or I'm wanting to share the joy of a fine cigar with a relatively uninitiated friend. These hit the spot whichever the occasion. H.Upmann have done a remarkable job, I feel, to fit the characteristics and quality of a cigar much larger into this small package. There is good progression, and the cigar is not lacking in complexity. A cedar-wood and pepper opening soon gives way to a more brand familiar creaminess - this creamy backdrop stays in place until the end. This flavour background partners initially with honey, before giving way to a slight grassiness. As the cigar builds towards its finale, the green flavours make way for a return of the pepper for a strong finish. This is a light-to-medium strength cigar with medium bodied flavours; as such, this is a good choice for a simple smoke with the morning paper or to help introduce a friend to all that Havana has to offer.

**Full review, with pictures!**

Overall score: 90/100

[Sean]

It's been a while since I've posted a review. However, I've happened across my notebook! Thought I'd start with one I've smoked quite a few of and found to be a consistently good little stick... H.Upmann Half Corona I've been smoking a fair few of these Half Coronas since their release a couple of years ago. I often find that I have a fairly small window to fit my cigar appreciation into, or I'm wanting to share the joy of a fine cigar with a relatively uninitiated friend. These hit the spot whichever the occasion. H.Upmann have done a remarkable job, I feel, to fit the characteristics and quality of a cigar much larger into this small package. There is good progression, and the cigar is not lacking in complexity. A cedar-wood and pepper opening soon gives way to a more brand familiar creaminess - this creamy backdrop stays in place until the end. This flavour background partners initially with honey, before giving way to a slight grassiness. As the cigar builds towards its finale, the green flavours make way for a return of the pepper for a strong finish. This is a light-to-medium strength cigar with medium bodied flavours; as such, this is a good choice for a simple smoke with the morning paper or to help introduce a friend to all that Havana has to offer. **Full review, with pictures!** Overall score: 90/100

Loving the layout of your reviews mate first time i have seen this thread keep up the good reviews. Few there for me to catch up on

[butternutsquashpie]

wicked Simon. also agree with sean with the appeasing layout. really helps when reading and upon first glance.

what was the year and age on that? if this review was for a 2013 stick (which i've heard some negative nancies about) then i do wonder what you'd think of a 2012 or even 2011 brother!!

[Simon-JG-hr]

Thank you both.

The stick that I was specifically taking notes on was smoked in April - so I would imagine that it would have been January 2013 at the very latest (was a single though, so didn't get to see the actual box code). I've smoked more over the summer which may have been early 2013 and have been okay. Also had a box from August 2013 for 'distribution' at a Ball earlier in the month. They were smoking well. Thinking back to the first few I had, shortly after release and over the summer of 2012 and I can't say that I recall any major variance in quality. May have been lucky though with this year's.

[Simon-JG-hr]

So, after a not inconsiderable number of months... Another review:

Hoyo de Monterrey Short Hoyo Pir?mide (2011 LE)

After my meeting in London yesterday morning, I did my usual trick of taking the afternoon off and heading towards a tobacconist. On this occasion it was JJF, and I spent a jolly enjoyable couple of house smoking a cigar and talking all things maritime with a retired engineer from the Navy. My cigar of choice for the afternoon was an HdM Short Hoyo Pir?mide - it just caught my eye in the humidor. It had a lovely rustic look to it, with a nice dark chocolate wrapper. The draw was spot on and the construction appeared good throughout the smoke. Flavours were fairly strong initially, settling down quickly - with lots of bitter dark chocolate with notes of liquorice and menthol through the first two thirds. The finish turned more milky and nutty, with just a hint of toasted woodiness at the death. Not a bad smoke at all.

**Full review, with pictures!**

Overall score: 91/100

[Budgie Smuggler]

Simon, I just wanted to say that as a starter and somebody that doesn't have money to burn on bad smokes I've found this thread hugely helpful in terms of putting together a "wish list".

I know it's subjective, but you really do cut through some of the crap that I've read in other reviews.

Stellar work

[Simon-JG-hr]

Very good of you to say, glad that my musings have been of some assistance.

[tommy]

So, after a not inconsiderable number of months... Another review:

Hoyo de Monterrey Short Hoyo Pir?mide (2011 LE)

After my meeting in London yesterday morning, I did my usual trick of taking the afternoon off and heading towards a tobacconist. On this occasion it was JJF, and I spent a jolly enjoyable couple of house smoking a cigar and talking all things maritime with a retired engineer from the Navy. My cigar of choice for the afternoon was an HdM Short Hoyo Pir?mide - it just caught my eye in the humidor. It had a lovely rustic look to it, with a nice dark chocolate wrapper. The draw was spot on and the construction appeared good throughout the smoke. Flavours were fairly strong initially, settling down quickly - with lots of bitter dark chocolate with notes of liquorice and menthol through the first two thirds. The finish turned more milky and nutty, with just a hint of toasted woodiness at the death. Not a bad smoke at all.

**Full review, with pictures!**

Overall score: 91/100

I just received a box and they smell lovely.


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[Budgie Smuggler]

Bump for the other newbies.


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[Simon-JG-hr]

So... It's been over a year since I added a review to the blog or updated this thread... I finally found some time to sit down and make some proper notes on a cigar (and it's taken me nearly another month to type them up!) This was one of the cigars from the UKCF Party at No1 St James' last summer. Hope everyone else enjoyed this one as much as I did!

Diplomaticos No1 (2001 H&F Aged)

It's almost inexcusable what has happened to Diplomaticos over the last ten years. I've always been a massive fan of the No2, but I'm a fan of the line full-stop! This was no exception - even with fourteen years of age on it there was a fullness of flavour and body which made it incredibly enjoyable to smoke. The flavour profile was mostly spice and wood with occasional hints of Dippy meatiness. It took a short-while to get going, but gradually cedar joined a slightly sweet straw profile, then some herbaceous notes arrived. Gradually it built towards a crescendo of leather and anise (think Rioja) before a powerhouse cedar and pepper finish. Construction was excellent.

**Full review, with pictures!**

Overall score: 90/100

[cj121]

A welcome, welcome back to the monologue Simon. You're going to have to prioritise your priorities and watch that socialising Nice review