Trinidad Reyes

Not many more weekends before I consult a wife about where and what one will do with their time off work. I decided on a drive up north to see family. Future wife also decided. We learn decisions together. I was eager to drive the 3 hours of northbound roads saying adiós to that lovely place we call Auckland. We arrive at a not so late time in the evening to talk and laugh and share stories while sipping on green tea. Checking the surf report I'm not so sure about heading out in the morning but I take my chances. The dawn, or alarm wakes me and I scramble together some food, water and a brother to go out on this adventure. Less talking, more music as we set east. I get butterfly's looking at the ever so increasing speed and direction of wind in the trees. But still, can only hope. Those hopes were soon crushed as we met the beach in all it's onshore glory. I start to think about where I would like to be. Not here. We go for a walk then a slow drive home arriving just as the heavens open and heavy rains pour down. I think what better time for a late morning coffee and cigar. Picking up my pace I find the fresh beans to grind which teases my nostrils giving the first satisfaction of the day. While brewing on the stove top the search begins.

Trinidad Reyes. Will you disappoint?

Short but nicely fitting between fingers having a slight silk from the oils in the wrapper, it almost slides away from my grip. Pour coffee. I bring the twisty ended stick to my nose and take in light wood, almost tea leaves. Snip goes the twist and draw in some nice simple fresh flavours. Once lit I draw in a perfect amount of smoke not being too hard or too easy. Perfect. And while not determining anything complex I thoroughly enjoy it's smoothness all the way through to the last third. It did burn uneven but I think this was only to do with the knotty vein in one part sadly near the beginning. Coffee was good. Cigar was good but undecided if they were best friends. Still friends but I'm sure this cigar would be good on it's own. Favourite part was the sweet leafy taste on the lips.


On the Deckchair

Cigar and coffee take a breather
They watch the midwinter rain
Daring to imagine holidays in Tuscany
The Caribbean or some foreign place
If they could afford it
They might share a laugh
With cross legged elephants
And Turkish rugs
There is a sip, a sigh, a snip
A taste of earth in an unlit kiss
Coffee drink the virgin plume of smoke
Cigar's bitter-sweet ash clings to its throat
They take a breather
And watch the world slow down
If only for a moment

Poetry by R.H (aka brother)

Love & Marriage

Celebrate your one year anniversary with an easy-draw licorice tasting dark spice Montecristo. Blow in each others faces and you'll follow each other everywhere.

Diplomaticos no.4

This is an intriguing little mareva with quite a different flavour profile from its cousin the Montecristo No.4. Whereas the latter could be the tip top cookies and cream of the cigar world, the Diplomaticos is more of a chef-designed palate cleansing sorbet: subtle floral nuances of darjeeling played around a leather and cedar core. If you want to take some time out for a half hour or so and concentrate on a cigar, pull this understated petit corona out of the humidor.

And to add to the aura of this cigar, one should say that it will be an ephemeral experience: production of this particular vitola was cancelled this year, so beyond this box we might never get to try it again. It would probably respond well to ageing, but hey - ars longa, vita brevis.


30mn-50mn smoke.
Size: Mareva (aka Petit Corona)
Length 12.9cm. Ring gauge 42.
Strength: Light Medium-bodied
Drink match: Tricky. Try smoking it first and then decide - tea or sherry or [something that doesn't overpower the complex flavour]?
From box dated Mar '09.

Brand: This brand was introduced in 1966 as essentially a second, value line of the Montecristo brand, primarily aimed at the French market. One of the few Havana brands which is exclusively devoted to handmade cigars, the sizes and names essentially mirror the Montecristo nomenclature and for many years, the Diplomaticos line was produced at the old Jose Marti factory, as was most of the Montecristo range.

Cigarros con cafe

Saturday morning and the sun is shining, a gentle sea breeze caresses the kowhai leaves, and distant yachts slice their way effortlessly through shimmering waters on the horizon. Ah yes, time for coffee on the deck... and while I'm at it, why not pull out a cigar?

As a fellow prisoner of our modern age, the spectre of guilt overwhelms me at the thought of such an unproductive pass time. What of domestic duties? Or of preparation for future events - building up peers and relationships - self-improvement through cultivation of skill - turning a buck in a costly world...? Our contemporary curse, the plague that is the pandora's box of Lifestyle Options, assails me. Tick tick tock goes the clock, relentlessly driving the slaves who must account for its atomically-defined nanoseconds. I attempt to still my guilt by pulling out a laptop to mark some annoying essays. The battery fails. Time slows to the pace of the incandescent cylinder pressed between my forefingers. With every draw, the pillar of ash grows. Every once in a while, it falls to the ground. Its rich and creamy emanations soothe the mind. Peace and satisfaction prevail. Self-absorbed man of contemplation, or Doer and Achiever of many things- who is of the undead, and who is of the living? The cat stretches out, oblivious, on a warm paving stone. I am reminded of a book by Proust, A la recherche du temps perdu, of which - irony of ironies - I had only ever speed-read extracts for school. I think this is a fortunate thing. In any case...

Blessed be the cigar that affords us momentary exile from the world of options.

I confess that despite the knowledge that real prestige lies with the after-dinner cigars, the large puros that match refined drinks like whisky and generally provide greater complexity and evolution of flavour, most often the smoking urge comes on me for daytime smokes, generally late morning with coffee. Sometimes I want one before coffee, often after coffee, and every now and again i'll actually have one with coffee - like today. Some kind of biscuit and dark chocolate are also de rigueur for that blend of flavours made in heaven.
[if you must know, my fave biscuit is McVitie digestive with a dark chocolate like Scarborough Sinless; if i have them, i will go for roasted almonds instead of the biscuit; and on the rare occasions when we have any in the house, i might go for a timtam.]

As for the cigars, well you have tasted for yourselves the diminutive Cohiba Club cigarillos - the quick fix option - the Hoyo de Monterrey du Maire in the small range, and larger half-corona vitolas like the Trinidad Reyes, Cohiba Maduro5 Secretos, at a push the San Cristobal El Principe; and on the rare holiday occasions I can stomach a biggy in the day, a Montecristo no4 or even larger, a Hoyo des Dieux. Others that I can't get hold of anymore are the El Rey Del Mundo Demi-Tasse, or Gloria Cubana no4. They all have in common a medium body, more woody or cocoa type flavour, and all have a hint of sweetness. Cigars that have more to do with leather, earth, spice or a fruity twang I exclude as I'm not a coffee-or-chocolate-with-fruit kind of person. I save those ones for alcoholic partners. But that's just me.

What kind of cigarros con cafe experience floats your boat? I'm interested.

Romeo y Julieta Churchill Challenge

Here we have it folks, to celebrate our first decently-sized cigar, you are invited to partake in a Heretics Churchill Challenge.

First, a little history. The vitola of this cigar, officially a Julieta no.2, was renamed in honour of the venerable statesman, who was well known for his love of similar sized cigars. Apparently, gruff old Winston didn’t just like to smoke Romeo y Julietas… he actually used them to intimidate hostile negotiators. Legend has it that Churchill was in the habit of inserting a straightened paper clip into the end of his Romeo y Julieta before a difficult interrogation. This would allow the cigar to burn without dropping any ash, letting his cigar ash burn so long it would distract onlookers. This was so strange and perturbing that it allowed Churchill to gain the upper hand in conversation.

Now, as to our competition - the name of the game is The LONGEST ASH.

Much like Churchill himself, you are called upon to demonstrate your finest British phlegm in the face of a relentless invasion. In this case, your merciless adversary will be the largest cigar you have ever faced, assaulting you with wave upon wave of nicotine-fuelled flavour. The Heretic of unflappable demeanour will not only weather this neverending storm, but produce evidence of his steady-handedness with a photo/video of unperturbed Ash, still hanging on the end of the cigar.

All you have to do is send in this evidence of your Churchill with intact ash [and unlike the man himself, without the aid of such things as paper clips, no8 wire, swedish enlargement kits or other].

MAY THE LONGEST ASH WIN.

The winner's Prize will consist of one long but skinny 2000 vintage La Gloria Cubana no1 cigar - one of my favourites and just as long as a Churchill. (pictured below)

P.s. Extra points/prizes could be awarded for:

• a great Churchill impersonation; and/or
• a legendary photo of you smoking your Churchill;
• a brilliant review of the cigar

Montecristo #4 Spins Me Round

Greg came down to the Capital on Easter Weekend to get away from the humid, overpopulated and drab mess that is Auckland city. And he got to Absolutely Positively experience the breezy sun, luscious beach bodies, and wharf jumping delights of Wellington's riviera. Sea sex and sun converging in a momentary apotheosis of pleasure - yes that's the thrill you get watching me jump off the wharf (as I get blown off to break the ice below).

Anyway here is our garage review of the Montecristo no4 with theme generously provided to us by Classic Hits FM.

Next batch ready!

Fellow fumeurs, the next batch is ready at the tinny house i.e. still Sam's place.
Give me a ring or email me to let me know when you want to collect the cigars.
[Ed.: address info deleted to avoid spam]

They are:

• the trusty Hoyo de Monterrey du Maire
• Trinidad Reyes
• San Cristobal Del Habano El Principe
• Diplomaticos no.4: a petit corona with a difference.
  
• Romeo y Julieta Churchill - yes a classic and a big mama now that you guys are trained up to puff for long periods of time (also a lot more expen$ive so not as many cigars in this batch)
  

Greg

Happy Birthday Grand Heresiarch

X L F.
Son. Brother. Father. Friend. Grand Heresiarch.

I came across an old photo of Dad and Xav digging up the concrete driveway in Curacao Place. Gumboots, pickaxes, sweaty brows. The picture stirred clear memories of the aura that surrounded Greg throughout our upbringing- paint stained jeans, three-day-old singlets, the smell of cigar, half forgotten apples, barely nibbled biscuits in the fridge. These were all traces of the presence of Greg.
As Hannah commented today: "I often enjoy the smell of cigar more than its taste". This is a sentiment that I felt growing up. Cigars- a comforting smell. The nearby presence of the patriarch (& half biscuits bound to be found somewhere... of the deadly sins- Xav was sloth, I was greed).

At the tender age of 12 I remember hiding an old cigar butt and trying to light it later on. It tasted like poos. I also found a condom packet then, embarrassed by its phallic suggestiveness, tried to burn it. It doesn't work. It's a mess.

I can only imagine that Xav lived similar experiences, and yet, and yet, he was the one to pick up the cigar legacy. He was the one who pioneered Aotearoa Heretics into the unknown world of refined cigar puffing. He crossed boundaries of race and creed. He laughed at embargoes and the West's fear of communism. He reached out to the small tobacco farmers in Cuba, Nicaragua, Ethiopia.

He took a small seed, planted by our father in our hearts, and made it grow.

Xavier, we salute you.

Cohiba Maduro 5

I haven't been keeping my travel humidor humid enough so it may have impacted on the taste of this cigar. Didn't seem too dry though. Nice experience.

Tasting Batch IV

In case you haven't got 'em, the next batch is ready at Sam's hideout.

The cigars are (in order of size):

• Cohiba - Clubs (cigarillos)
• Partagas - Princess
• La Flor de Cano - Selectos
• Partagas - Serie D no4
• Saint Luis Rey - Serie A

(Joel & Zach get Arturo Fuentes instead of Serie D no4s)

I love these Cohiba Clubs cigarillos, just what the doctor ordered to go with coffee or whenever, they get you addicted to nice flavour in a short fix (made from cuttings of premium Cohiba cigars so top quality tobacco). The Princess you have tried before. The Selectos are actually non-premium cigars, made for cuban market rather than export - cheaper, looser construction etc - but as you will find nice enjoyable flavour; perhaps 'cos they are aged (i don't know how much but i'm guessing by flavour a good few years).

The Partagas Serie D no 4 is one of the top selling cubans out there, typical Partagas flavours in a heavy-medium body Robusto - great cigar (see if you recognise the affinity with smaller Princesses from same brand). Finally, the Saint Luis Rey Serie A is a Corona Gorda (one of my favourite vitolas ie sizes) from a smaller production brand known for its woody-sweet smooth flavours.

Enjoy smoking these babies - put some reviews up or even short comments so I know what you think.

F tests appearance, aroma, fit... and then just gets silly

Bolivar Belicoso Fino

You've all been talking about it ["macho grande" etc] so here it is...

"The most repeated word is strong, as this one is one of the strongest among Bolivar cigars. The main characteristics could be its smoothness and full body, plenty of smoke, thick, pasty and coats your mouth so you can taste it for hours after!"

Yep, you betcha, this Revolutionary's torp has lots of power and plenty of leather 'n spice to back it up - like most of the Bolivar lineup. Great match for a whisky, could even follow a vindaloo with garlic naan (i'm not actually recommending that). This is up there with the strongest you'll get in terms of habanos, but still far from the devastation of some of the nicaraguan powerhouses. We got some young ones, only a year old, which might have had a few more discernable flavours somewhere down the road. Maybe.


1hr-1hr30 smoke.
Size: Campana (roughly known as Belicoso size)
Length 14cm. Ring gauge 52.
Strength: Full-bodied
Drink match: Al Swearengen.
From box dated Feb '08.

Brand: Introduced in 1901, the powerful flavour of the Bolivar range is almost as widely know as it's namesake, Simon Bolivar "El Libertador"(1783-1830), the celebrated Venezuelan warrior who liberated all or part of what is today Venezuela, Columbia, Peru and Bolivia.

This guy had a fascinating life, worth reading up about. His influence still lingers e.g. as the inspiration for Hugo Chavez's Revolucion Bolivariana in Venezuela.

Cigar Heretics Poker

Brief reviews of Bolivar, San Cristobal, Cohiba and Hoyo- Epicure Especial.
PS- The Bolivar made Joel and I a bit nauseous. Even though it's not strong in a harsh-smoke sense (the San Cristobal was more this type of 'strong') its presence is overwhelming; its earthy, farming taste layers your mouth for hours and its raw draw numbs your brain. A challenge. Veni, Vidi, Vici (whatever the plural is in Latin).
The Cohiba felt like a sweet child after the 'Macho Grande' as Andrew called it [special mention to Andrew who dictated his tasting notes subliminally to the camera... Words are wasted when you're deeling with an exquisite mouthful of Cuban tobacco].
We also shared a Montecristo, which didn't make it to the video. I lost my notes for that one. Maybe one of the boys can fill us in.
Very enjoyable game of Poker- won by Zach- who successfully played the 'I'm new to this, what should I do? Please advise me. Hmm? What? Oh I won again!' card and came away laughing! I think milder drinks would have been more enjoyable than whisky to go with the cigars. Next time Port, coffees and teas will have to be on the menu.

Ageing and the humble cigar

Age tends to mellow flavours slightly as well as give added complexity to the taste as the various oils and aromas in the blend of leaves mix over time - ie the 1998 "Hoyo des Dieux" you just smoked probably has more discernable flavours (e.g. plum) than if you had smoked it in 1999.

Like wine however, more age does not necessarily mean a better cigar - cigars need to have a decent body to start out with or their flavour will die out too quickly. Generally speaking, larger cigars are better candidates for ageing as they have a wider variety of different leaves (volado, seco, ligero) rolled into them, so there is more potential for the exchange of oils between these to "marry" and produce more complex flavours.

Many cigars are made to be smoked straight out of the box, but most aficionados of the cuban leaf agree that a year or 2 can do wonders (In recent times, Habanos S.A. has upped its quality control and ages the leaves for a decent amount of time before sending them off to the rolling factories - so it's no longer always necessary to age for a year before smoking). Going beyond 5-6 years of ageing is a gamble for most cigars, as their flavours can fade quite quickly after that - but it all depends on the cigar.

Hard out connaisseurs will check each box of cigars and only age those which have oily, aroma-full, leaves; they might also smoke one every 6 months to check how things are progressing (hence they tend to buy 50-cigar cabinets rather than boxes of 10 or 25!). Many agree that most cigars "peak" between 3-6 years of age, but there are also those who prefer the strong flavours straight out of the box. As usual, theories and rumours abound, but a lot of it is down to individual experimentation and preference.

And if you don't have a stable humidity environment for your cigars (ie a humidor), ageing probably won't do them any good - they are most likely to dry out and lose their tasty oils... Cigars are like women - always beautiful, often fragile, but troublesome and even downright frustrating some days, and agreeable and understandable on others. Generally with no apparent reason for either state of affairs (well to us men at least). These challenges, however, are part of what makes them unique, attractive, and downright interesting - hehe.

Hoyo de Monterrey des Dieux - a portal to your senses

Hoyo de Monterrey - Le Hoyo des Dieux
Reviewed by Greg & Sam 15 Jan 2010

Wonderful cigar:
tastes include plum and wood; pleasant draw; well-packed; nice with wine.

Great quote from Sam:
'instead of invading your mouth with smokiness, it uses the mouth as a portal into your senses'

[Ed. note - These particular cigars were rolled in 1998, so the most aged cigar you will taste this year]

Quote of the Month

"When I have found intense pain relieved, a weary brain soothed, and calm, refreshing sleep obtained by a cigar, I have felt grateful to God, and have blessed His name."

Charles H. Spurgeon