Sudeste Cubano Coronita

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The Sudeste Cubano is a new cigar just recently released by Silo Cigars. I spoke with Kevin Phillips (owner of Silo Cigars) who talked with me about his experience with creating this new cigar. You can read the interview by clicking here.

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When I received the cigars, I was really impressed with the way it looked. The gorgeous Modern/Industrial cigar band with bright red and gold foil accents plays off nicely against the back drop of the wrapper which is a nice rich dark brown color. The wrapper is a Sun Grown Habano from Ecuador that displays a nice earthy aroma. Overall, the cigar looks well constructed and finshed off with a neat triple cap. The rest of the cigar is composed of an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan filler.

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I've decided to review the Coronita size first because I really love the feel of this particular vitola in my hands. It is 44 ring gauge by 5.5 inches, and I can't think of a more perfect size for women to feel comfortable with. Although I'm sure a lot of men would enjoy this small size for a convenient smoke when time just doesn't allow for something bigger.

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The cigar smokes smooth and easy, with just the perfect draw which isn't too loose or too difficult. I attribute this to the fact that they are rolled by experienced Cuban rollers who have years of experience. The cigar starts off medium bodied with notes of Asian cinnamon, dark coffee and vanilla. I also tasted a woody element but could not specifically determine which kind. The finish is short and clean.

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This Coronita is the type of cigar that just gets better as you continue to smoke it. There is a nice harmony to the blend that really hits it's stride in the second third. The cigar makes a nice transition into a more creamier body of roasted nuts, hot spices, and a touch of caramel sweetness on the finish. The spice level is just the right amount without going overboard into harshness.

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The final third moves the cigar up into the full bodied category, with a predominate leathery character and a nice long finish. I liked that the cigar stayed cool even though the ash was near my finger tips.

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Overall, I really enjoyed smoking the Sudeste Cubano Coronita. The cigar smoked really smooth and cool despite being a small ring gauge cigar. The flavors are nicely balanced and not too spicy so I think most levels of cigar smokers can tolerate it. The cigar is priced at $5.60 a stick and is also available in boxes of 20 for $100.80. This is a small production cigar made in Little Havana Miami with only 10,000 cigars made. I would definitely recommend trying them before they sell out.

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Avalon Numbers Series #48 (Cameroon Oscuro)

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The Numbers Series by Avalon are made in Miami, FL and is composed of three different wrappers, a dark African Cameroon for numbers 48/52/54, a light African Cameroon for numbers 38/50, and a Brazilian Maduro for numbers 44/46. The numbers refer to the ring gauges of the various sizes offered. The filler and binder is the same for all three groups. The binder is Ecuadorian, while the filler is from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

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I was fortunate enough to obtain a sample pack of six cigars from Avalon Cigars. Three are from the Numbers Series and the other three are from the Juke Series. This review of the #48 is the first of six reviews I plan to do on Avalon Cigars.

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The #48 is a robusto which is 5.75 inches long. The other sizes in the Cameroon Oscuro group is a churchill (52x7) and a torpedo (54x6). I am not certain of the prices of these cigars as they don't seem to be widely distributed. You can go to their website for current retail locations and contact information.

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I'm sorry to say that the cigar that I received to review was really in bad shape. The wrapper looked really fragile and a good chunk of it was broken off near the foot of the cigar.

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As far as the rest of the cigar, it really had me crying the blues. The wrapper was dry and really veiny. It did however, looked like a Cameroon wrapper with a toothy appearance and slight coarseness. The cigar smelled earthy and had a pre-light flavor of prunes. The draw was perfect with just a touch of resistance.

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The initial flavors were harsh and lacked balance. Strong woody flavors dominate along with heavy doses of spice. The tone was acidic and salty and lacked a counter punch of creaminess and sweetness. It was as if the sugars in the cigar were cooked to the point of bitterness. This coupled with the persistent spicy heat (which I usually enjoy in a cigar) made for a throat irritating experience.

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The cigar never really "settled down". It did develop a nice nutty taste but it continued to be overwhelmed with a harsh woody flavor that comes off as bitter and acidic. I almost quit smoking the cigar because I knew that these flavors would only deepen the longer I smoked the cigar. Sure enough, the last third turned to heavy bitter leather and pepper.

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I really wanted to like this cigar too. I love the way Avalon markets their cigars. They have a nice Southern, Bluesy, laid back theme in their advertisements. I just with they could put as much energy into improving the blending and flavor of this particular cigar. Granted one cigar and one review doesn't accurately summarize their whole operation. But, it does leave a bad impression on me as a reviewer and consumer. I could be nice and say this cigar just needs time in the humidor. But really, why should anyone waste humidor space on a cigar that starts off unpleasant in hopes that it will mellow with age. There are just too many outstanding cigars available on the market now than to have to settle for that.

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Unfortunately, I'm kickin this #48 to the curb and moving on, at least to the next cigar in my Avalon sampler pack. I'll keep you up to date.

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El Triunfador (lancero)

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Well, the word is now out on Pete Johnson's new cigar, El Triunfador. He said he didn't want any buzz about it and he got his wish. I first heard about them on Cigar Aficionado's website. Then I asked my sponsor at Silo Cigars and he confirmed that they were in fact receiving a shipment of the cigars which have now quickly sold out.

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What isn't a surprise is that the cigars are made by Pepin Garcia at the Tabacalera Cubana SA factory in Nicaragua. The wrapper used on this cigar is a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro like that used on the La Riqueza. Both the filler and binder is from Nicaragua. The El Triunfador is only available in the lancero size which measure 38 ring gauge by 7.5 inches. Pete Johnson, in Cigar Insider (Cigar Aficionado), says that the blend used is specific to the lancero size and that if any future vitolas are added, they would have their own specific blend.

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Kevin, over at Silo Cigars was kind enough to send me a cigar to try out. I believe the cigars retail for about $9 a piece and they come in a slide top wooden box of 25 bound by a ribbon for just over $200.

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This difficult to make lancero is very Cubanesque in appearance. It has a neat three-seam pigtail cap and looks very similar to the Cuban Trinidad Fundadore. The wrapper is dark brown in color with a nice oily sheen. The "tooth" is very visible on the cigar and feels slightly coarse to the touch. The cigar has a nice earthy aroma and hints of spice.

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After clipping the cap, the tobacco looked to be moist. The draw was very firm and I'm sure this is from the tobacco leaves sticking together near the top of the cigar. The cigar was slow to light but once lit I was extremely happy with the medley of flavors. Notes of sweet vanilla, wood and spice hit my taste buds immediately. There was a nice balance of sweetness and spice. Several draws later, I taste hot cinnamon, roasted macademia nut, cedar and spice. Thankfully the flavors were incredibly tasty, otherwise I would have given up on the tight draw. The final third of the cigar showed charred wood, roasted nuts and rich leather. The finish was long and spicy throughout the smoke.

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My overall impressions of this cigar are positive. The cigar is constructed as well as a lancero could be. It looks and feels elegant, right down to the Cuban-like cigar band (similar to a Cuban Rafael Gonzalez band). The flavors are well balanced and strong and should age quite well in the humidor. I also think that aging will help improve the burn quality of the cigar and open up the draw a little better. I believe Pete Johnson once said, that in making Cuban style cigars, he wasn't trying to re-invent the wheel, he just wants to do it better than anyone else. The El Triunfador is certainly going to help him do just that.