In Miami, Florida, we have essentially two seasons: Summer, and a couple of "cold" fronts.

Friday evening I smoked out on the patio and it was windy because a front was moving through; but it was still muggy and I even encountered the unwelcome first mosquito of the season. In mid-February.

Today, however, is one of those rare, perfect days in south Florida; temperatures in the 50s, clear and sunny as can be. It is as close as it gets to a clear, Winter day in Seattle, my home of sixteen years. And I am LOVING it.

What a perfect day to break out the GH Zulu Zulu Habano gifted by George Rico on the Hernandez Brothers' tour stop at his Calle Ocho shop and lounge. :-):

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This Nicaraguan puro was a private blend of George's, made to his taste in his favorite size: a lancero. 40 x 7 ½, this is just a couple of rings over the true lancero size and almost into Lonsdale territory. The artwork on the distinctive box and Warhol-ish wax-paper wrapper on each cigar is by Miami artist KID, and a portion of the proceeds from sales of this and its Ecuadorian Connecticut companion go toward the Invisible Children fund to help children in need in Africa.

The flawless wrapper is a milk chocolate-colored Habano, capped with a perfect pigtail. Pre-light, it embodies subtlety; gentle hints of fresh earth and fermentation have to be sought out, they don't make themselves readily apparent.

The first inch is pure, fresh tobacco with lush, copious amounts of thick smoke. This one begs to be sipped, not gulped.

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Around the halfway point, a distinctive aftertaste of walnuts on a background of bitter espresso appears; through the nose, some subtle impressions of dates and pecans.

Throughout, the burn is razor-sharp and it never requires re-lighting despite the stiff, cold breeze, even when I put it down for minutes at a time to warm my hands. The burn is faster than I would expect; the ash is pepper-and-salt and flaky, which I've come to see as an inherent quality of GH cigars.

Thoroughly enjoyable, all in all; I daresay even unique. Now my only problem is finding the funds for more!

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how much are they
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I don't know exactly what George sells them for at his shop, but Atlantic has a fiver for around $40 and the box of 20 for around $160.
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I can't wait to try the Connecticuts; they are supposed to be smoother and even more balanced in flavor.
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Thanks Joe, I really love the Gran Habano line as a go to budget smoke, now I am intrigued by this one :-)
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wow thanks man i will enjoy that smoke through you
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I saw these and had no idea it was made by Gran Habano. I was turned off by the wrapper and walked right past it. Now I'm curious to try it. Thanks for the review!
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It's funny you should say that because when I first encountered the packaging in George's shop, my first thought was "Angola;" and that has all sorts of negative connotations for us Cubans. But once I understood the idea behind it and the charity it benefits, I was on board.
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Agreed, so thank you for educating me on it. I will be sure to pick one up to try next time I'm at my local store!
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I really, really like the band/wrap artwork
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I've been waiting to try. Figured the way the art turned into such a PR disaster, they'd readily be available at closeout prices. I suppose the blow-up was early enough to keep them out of shops altogether. I'm a fan of a lot of GH cigars. And, I don't much care about the politics of it or the critics....but putting images of kids with automatic weapons on the box doesn't seem to have been all that bright - and the GH reaction was slow and clumsy.
More importantly, since they're still on the wrong side of $8, I'll keep waiting.
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Thanks for the review I have been wanting to try these, one of these days.
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At $40 for a fiver, I don't think they're all that much risk. And they are delicious...so if they aren't exactly your cup of tea, they'd be a welcome gift to someone else.
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You're right, I missed the price the 1st time :-)
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I paid exactly 9 for one of them. But, man...it was definitely worth it!
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They do look nice, I didn't realize they where that vitola. Very interesting!
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I got to try the Connecticut at IPCPR during George Ricos party. He offered me one and I initially declined after smoking cigars all day I felt I wouldnt be able to taste it. He told me that it wasnt strong but had lots of flavor. My friends and I left the party and went to the Rhum Bar to light it up. We smoked it down to the nub!!! I like of the Zulu Zulu but prefer the Connecticut more!:-)
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Nice!
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Doh!!! :-) Meant to say I like the Habano Zulu Zulu but the Connecticut more!!!
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Thanks for the review. Need to check these out.
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