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Saint Luis Rey Serie G – Maduro wrapper[Honduras: available in 5 sizes] Altadis U.S.A. recognized the desire of many smokers for large-ring cigars and so the Saint Luis Rey Serie G – for giant – was introduced in 2006. Of the five shapes, the smallest ring gauge is 54 and the largest – the No. 6 – is a fat Toro at six inches and 60 ring. The Serie G line was initially introduced as an all-maduro brand, featuring a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and binder along with Honduran and Nicaraguan filler leaves. The blend is decidedly full-bodied, with a spicy aroma. The taste is marked by a sweet, caramelized flavor that’s no surprise to veteran maduro smokers, with a short finish. However, the Serie G maduros are never overpowering, offering a sweet and light taste and just a drop of spice on the tongue throughout the first half. This calm and demure approach can be a surprise when you’re enjoying a 60-ring cigar, but this blend stays consistent. There’s a little more spice at the end, but the overall impression is relaxing and mellow; perhaps a little more depth of flavor could have been expected. This is a well-made cigar and given its girth, is reasonably priced at $5.00-7.50 each in boxes of 25. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Saint Luis Rey Serie G – Natural wrapper [Honduras: available in 5 sizes] The Serie G line with natural wrappers appeared in 2007 following up on the success of the maduro-wrapped line that debuted a year earlier. This blend has a Nicaraguan-grown wrapper and binder with Honduran and Nicaraguan-grown leaves in the filler. It’s also full-bodied, but never aggressive, with a spicy aroma. The flavor showcases elements of caramel and cream; it’s not sharp and sweet like many blends, but has a creamy finish which can be quite seductive. For such large cigars, the blend is extremely smooth, with a medium finish and no spice at all. Far from being boring, the taste is relaxing, with no bite at all and enough flavor to keep you entertained. There’s a note of spice near the end, telling you that this cigar is done. At prices of $5.00 to $7.50 before local tobacco and sales taxes, this is an accessible cigar and the range includes the Short Robusto, at 4 1/4 inches long and 54 ring, just the thing for a cigar as you return to the office from lunch. All sizes are offered in boxes of 25. Overall grade: A: Exceptional. Hoffman House [Dominican Republic: available in 4 sizes] Chuck Levi’s years-long effort to revive the once-famous Hoffman House brand has resulted in a quality cigar made by Altadis U.S.A. in its Tabacalera de Garcia factory in La Romana, Dominican Republic. It’s medium in body and features an Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper. It’s well made and burns well, presenting a slightly spicy aroma. The flavor is tangy and sweet with a caramelized note, complimented by a spiced element on the finish. Hoffman House is a rich blend, with lots of flavor and the more spice in the second half that’s nicely balanced. In reviving this brand, Levi prized its history above all else and if you let your mind wander just a little, you can very easily picture this cigar in the hands of some 1890s gentlemen, discussing over a brandy whether the country would be better off with Republican William McKinley or Democrat William Jennings Bryan. This travel tool to the past is reasonably priced at $6.75-7.95 each (before local taxes), with all four sizes offered in boxes of 20 with William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s racy 1873 painting “Nymphs and Satyr” reproduced on the inside lid of the box. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Both the Saint Luis Rey and Hoffman House blends help cement the tie between cigars and history. It is one of the important aspects of cigars which differentiate them from all other forms of tobacco and which, in the current anti-smoking environment, mark them for special handling, even by those who oppose all forms of personal pleasure. ~ Rich Perelman CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGCigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories at Humidor Vault! Your online cigar humidor source, with rock-bottom pricing and fantastic customer support!Like sports? Get news and commentary you won’t see in your morning newspaper at TheSportsExaminer.com! Join the examination! A limited amount of classified advertising is available in this space on a weekly basis. For details, call Pat Harris at (213) 365-7965 or inquire by email by clicking here. Have an opinion? You can send it using the “Comment” button below! Don’t forget to register for our drawing for free cigars and accessories! Just click on the “Register & Win” button above; enter today! Looking for a cigar party? Take a look at our exclusive list of hundreds of cigar events across the country, listed by state and date, only on CigarCyclopedia.com!
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creekend UK
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i have been buying St Luis Rey from Famous Smoke in the US for a couple os years now and often bring them to the UK where they are impossible to find. They never dissapoint and as the US prices are so cheap compared with here in England they can be an anytime smoke. Its good to see a review of these excellent cigars - which is also very accurate. Thank you |
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Did you know?
“Although still available on the market in some shapes, production of the Royal Jamaica brand ceased in 2000.
