My exposure to habanos is extremely limited. I have never had a Cuban LGC. I thought there were some great flavors there, but like I said in my review I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the draw were better.

Any more in the bunch that I should consider dry-boxing before smoking? :-)
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I think you guys need to realize that cubans tend to generally have tighter draws then non cubans.. If your used to non cubans, you might think its a tight draw, but it isnt.. Im VERY familiar with these, and unless you just got a dud; they are naturally a little tighter due to the thinner format as well
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When I started smoking CCs I thought the same thing, but realized that they're just a different animal all together. I no appreciate a more firm draw... though plugged is plugged :-)

aj
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Ahh the joys of being a CC newb! :-) I guess I am going to have to correct that then won't I?
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just smoke more habanos.. that should fix that problem
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I think in total, this makes 4 CC's for me. So if that's not n00b, I don't know what is. I am not a huge fan of lanceros either, but I'm learning to like them. I too think I look silly @ 6'2" and 220 pounds, sucking on a pencil. But lanceros have been good on the flavor end of things.
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I love this thread... :-) :-) :-)
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Its not a Lancero, its a Slim Panatella

And second of all, i think your not understanding the true reason of smoking

Who the hell cares what you look like when your smoking. You smoke to look cool?

Smoke to enjoy the finer things in life, and the camaraderie of the Brotherhood.

Im 6 foot 300+, and i doubt anybody is going to tell me i look silly smoking these.. But even if they do, they probably aren't smoking anything worth mentioning if they are concerned with my looks
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:-)

I've never thought of cigar smoking as cool looking in the first place. I'm sure a lot of people see a guy smoking a cigar and automatically think "he must be an a-hole". but since there aren't many places I can smoke in public here anyway, I don't usually take it into consideration.

Montano has a point though. As a skinny person, I feel a little silly smoking a big huge cigar, even if I'm by myself. 52+ cigars just don't fit my face. but how could you not feel like a badass smoking a LGC #3? They're just so old school and smooth looking.
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I can't speak for Nick, but as for myself, it isn't about what other people think! If that were the case I would get a haircut, stop wearing my earring and drop 100 lbs! :-)

The "slim panatella" is just too damn delicate of a cigar for me. I feel like I might break the damn thing while I am smoking it.
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Wow. awesome test. i already read the first installment and now waiting on te second.
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I love these threads too. can't wait to see what's next.
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Lancero... Slim Panatela.... I imagine that's why this is the Newb BTT, and not the All Knowing BTT :-)

I smoke for many reasons, which should concern no one but myself. However, the way a cigar fits in my hand and mouth are all part of the total smoking experience. At this point I just don't care for the pencil feeling when I'm smoking.
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well not for nothing, but this is a forum, where people post their opinions thousands and thousands of times a day.. I can assure you that im not concerned, just a tad baffled..

Holding a small cigar is understandedly hard (i have gorilla mitts for hands), and thats a valid excuse (i guess i just got used to it), but you DID mention you didnt like the fact that you looked stupid.. And as stated earlier, thats still the worst excuse ive ever heard to stop smoking a cigar, lol
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The above statement is confirmed true. :-)
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Montano Cigar #3
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This cigar has a couple noticeable veins running through it. The wrapper is a bit wrinkled. I clipped it with my v-cutter, and pre-light draw was nice and smooth.

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It starts off with a nice meaty tobacco flavor. I'm getting large volumes of smoke from a smooth, easy draw. The burn is a bit uneven, but it corrects itself.

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The ash was nice and strong on this one. It held for about 2 inches. The second 3rd had me tasting a nutty almond. I was exhaling some thick white smoke.

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As I moved towards the finish, the almond flavor picked up a bit. I was enjoying this smoke, and taking my time with it. The nice sunshine really made things come together.

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I think this was a mild cigar, with some nice flavor to it. I wouldn't mind smoking another one. I give it a 7.

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Riff Raff Cigar #3
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A cold and rainy day here in the Carolinas! Not very conducive to stogie smoking outside! But taking one for the team, I soldier on!
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Calibrated eyeball says that this ugly little stick is about 6 X 44. Very rustic looking. Reminds me of how a Macanudo Ascot looks like. Bumpy, veiny but a nice colored wrapper. Snip the cap and the pre-light draw tastes of hay.

So let's toast and light this puppy up!

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First puff; metallic tasting. I have a filling in one of my molars and it is ringing. Not the type like when you bite down on some tinfoil on a filling. But close. There is a hint of cedar and licorice as well. A great draw with lots of smoke. A flaky dark gray ash as well. I would call this a mild-medium bodied smoke.

1/3rd: A dominant cedar taste. Still a bit of the metallic taste as well. The retro-hale gives off a bit of leather and cedar.

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2/3rd: The ash fell just after taking the above pic. So I took this opportunity to purge. Some hay is present as is the cedar. There were also brief tastes of roasted meat. I have never tasted that before in a cigar. I hope the torcedor didn't leave the tip of his/her finger in there or anything!

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3/3rd: Lots of cedar! There is also some sweet tobacco as well. This has moved to a medium bodied smoke. It is starting to get a bit hot and some bitterness is creeping in. Some pepper as well.

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Overall impression: Not a bad smoke. It ain't pretty, but it smokes okay. Cedar was definitely the predominant flavor throughout the whole smoke. It had a lingering finish that was nice. I rate this at an 8.6. I might buy this smoke. Kind of on the fence on this one.
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What they smoked:

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1998 Fonseca Cosaco

Montano score: 7
Riff Raff score: 8.6

It was hard for me to even put these into this BTT, considering I don't have many left and how much I absolutely adore them... great morning sticks with a light coffee.

So is this the oldest habano you've smoked to date? What do you think now that it's identity is revealed?

We're moving right along here, it seems!
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wow 1998 cigs.

great reviews!
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Great thread!

I really enjoyed the first one so this one is a real treat...

'98s Dan?!?!?

:-)

Your generosity is incredible!
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