First Top Secret Cigar Mule Mission is a Success

Joel responded to my earlier plea for help by sending Candice on the first cigar mule mission. This time it was to Australia. I got an order posted to the address she was visiting and the fake bottom in her suitcase did the rest - although being an innocent-looking young lady probably helped  (jokes).

Nah seriously, if you are going to the U.S., Switzerland or Australia, or some tax haven (bahamas?) somewhere, let me know, and i might get you to bring back some cigars for the club. That way we can use the duty free allowance of 50 cigars per traveller to keep our costs down... as our national tobacco duty will only keep going up while they try and starve people of their addictive ciggies.

[A mate of mine at the healthy Ministry (yes even the Grand Heresiarch has his moles behind enemy lines) said they looked at separating out cigars from cigarettes in light of the differing health outcomes but it was a bit complicated and they basically couldn't be bothered. As there are no cigar lobbyists in this country there is no political will to sort it out... ]

Chain Smoking in the Castro Clan

Bolivar Gold Medal - TKO

Time to celebrate my baby boy's first blood nose, displaced front tooth, and swollen upper lip. Enough blood to get the ref to stop the fight and declare a TKO. No it wasn't me... he tripped and hit the concrete floor head first at Mitre 10 Mega whilst clutching a rock in his hands. Cunning plan to get dad to shell out for a $6 cuddly tiger.

Fat lip, bloody t-shirt, Van Damme victimised look

Anyways, i light it up in time to watch the first exchanges of a Crusaders - Waratahs game in which many deaths from many disasters are being avenged. My condolences to the 'Tahs. This dark, thick, oily wrappered Gold Medal gets straight into its stride with screeds of honey, cinnamon, and light earth. There is a touch of light peachiness. Smooth, smooth, smooth, with perhaps just a hint of capsicum round the edges. The slight earthiness is the only Bolivar hallmark present. Very much on the light side of medium body. I was expecting much heavier. There is no spice at all, even on the retrohale.

It quickly gets peachier and peachier... almost as peachy as Fruean's 360 pirouette intercept try. The honey sweet stonefruit reminds me of a Ramon Allones but approaches peach schnapps intensity. My only complaint is that there is not much depth, richness, or complexity of flavour. All the hallmarks of a young cigar. You can suck on it with the same greed as an all blacks prop eyeing up Al Baxter before scrumdown, without fear of reprisals.

The draw is almost too loose... smoke is flowing as freely as a Carter SBW Fruean backline. The wrapper leaf is doing a lot of the work flavourwise. I'm not sure if the blend has the required richness to grow with age... maybe. Capsicum and wood come in a bit in the last third, by which point it's almost a welcome relief.

Overall this was a very pleasant, easygoing, enjoyable cigar, that keeps on giving. Did I mention the peach? Remarkably smooth, without any great depth or intrigue. Early days but with uncertain potential I would smoke them now. No drinks required, but if you do indulge, it might pay to make it crisp to offset the sweetness (e.g. champagne or martini).

Batch de Abril-Mayo - Ageing considerations

 Welcome to Hadley who has joined us courtesy of Joel. Another one for the whisky fan club i gather!

• La Gloria Cubana Puritos x2
• Fonseca Cadetes or Hoyo de Monterrey du Maire: well known, i don't think the KDTs will do any better with age so sent the last few out now. Like the rest of 'em you will have to work on the draw...
• Por Larranaga Montecarlo: Another coffee cigar - quite mild - hoping these have lost some of the metallic tones by now. March '09 box.
• Montecristo no.4: Back to the classics... from newish Nov '09 box. Will be interested to hear how these are doing.  
• Ramon Allones Specially Selected: Great cigar last time out - how are they smoking now? ('08 box) Impressions follow.
• Bolivar Gold Medal: gold wrapper is one of its kind amongst cubans. Aug 09 box. Impressive appearance but will it be matched by good smoking at such a young age?