Cohiba Siglo I (Greek Mike)

Cohiba Siglo I

Country of Origin: Cuba (Filler, Binder and Wrapper: Cuba).

Size: Petit Corona, 4" x 40
Date: 3/6/2011

Notes: The Cuban Cohiba, once the treasured private cigar of Fidel Castro himself is one of the jewels in the pantheon of great cigars. The siglo I is a spicy firecracker, but drawbacks include the hit or miss construction (see previous reviews), and the cigar gets extremely hot towards the end (i.e. the last third of the smokable portion). The cigar starts off smooth and spicy, but due to its size and draw can end very hot and almost ashy.
Cohibas can age very well in the humidor (I prefer to keep the humidity a little above 70 because I like my cigars to be a little moist). Aging a Cohiba Siglo I (at least 6 months) significantly eases the heat from the last third and hence prevents that ash-like aftertaste.

Overall: 7/10 (not aged), 8/10 (aged)

Partagas Serie D No. 4 (Greek Mike)

Brand: Partagas

Line: Serie D. No. 4

Length x Ring Gauge: 4 7/8 x 50 robusto

Country of Origin: Cuba (purely a Cuban puro as the wrapper, binder AND filler are from Cuba)

Strength: Full bodied

Date: 3/2003 (first time), 11/2009 (latest)

I have been 50/50 with Cuban cigars. Either the cigar will have a nice even burn, be rich in flavor (with notes of pepper or even cocoa), have a nice aroma and a smooth finish, OR they will burn unevenly, and taste like burnt toast. I attribute this variation to the fact that most of the families who traditionally rolled cigars left and set up shop somewhere else after La Revolutión (I always wondered if Che Guevara wore a Che Guevara t-shirt).

I have smoked this type of cigar multiple times in multiple locations (from NYC, Athens Greece, Newcastle UK and Grenada West Indies) and it never fails. It is by far the most consistent cigar I have smoked. It is rich in flavor and packs a great punch (for those seeking the nicotine rush). As you smoke the cigar, the nuances begin to vary from slight hints of cocoa to a spicy pepper. The finish is also very smooth and does not leave a bitter aftertaste. Overall a very smooth, very rich cigar that is at the apex of pantheon of fine cigars. I prefer a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon, or a shiraz with this cigar. A full bodied wine would bring out more subtle nuances with this full bodied cigar.

Overall: 10/10 (my perfect cigar)