Selections – Trial without Error
One of the joys of a pleasurable hobby is finding out more…..
And the hobby of cigars is no different: is the “very best” that much better than the “best”?
What other cigars might I enjoy?
When I started these “Selections” many years ago, my thinking was to make it easy for cigar smokers to try a bigger variety of brands and sizes at affordable prices and in manageable quantities.
Because when you want to experiment, it is helpful to have some idea of what you’re doing!
Our selections mix up different brands in the same sizes, or different sizes in the same brand; they traverse the whole gamut of premium cigars: Cuban, Nicaraguan, Dominican, long and short filler. They introduce new brands, new sizes, some Limited Editions when available. On occasion we create a “Blind Tasting Selection” by covering the bands. (Of course you can simply uncover the bands – and enjoy the cigars without the mystery.)
Enclosed in each Selection is an informative leaflet which may include ratings from Cigar Aficionado and other tasting panels, and you can download a Tasting Score Sheet to help you with your assessment.
Two or three friends together, each with the same selection, discussing the cigars and comparing notes, can have a lot of fun and increase their appreciation and enjoyment of their cigar hobby.
Our selections are a great starting point from which to build and improve your humidor stock, and a great opportunity to break from your normal choice. You can try new cigars without being afraid of expensive errors.
All in all our cigar selections are always well worth looking at – very seldom does a browser leave without finding a selection to try, confident he’ll enjoy the experiment.
Currently we have 5 Selections on offer:
Robusto Varies Selection – 3 Robusto cigars from Dominican Republic and Cuba. The Cuban Quintero is particularly interesting. Quintero is an old Cuban company, and all their cigars are of short filler leaf wrapped in a long filler binder and wrapper, which keeps the price down.
Read more here: http://www.cutthecap.com/quintero-favoritos-cigar-review/
And watch this video http://www.irobusto.com/cigar-review-quintero-favoritos/ (Note the “shrapnel”.)
Robusto Wrapper Selection – The general consensus is that the wrapper has strong influence on the taste of the cigar. Here are 3 identical cigars, each with a different wrapper. You can experience the effect of the wrapper, and also decide on the flavour you prefer.
Short Selection – when time is short you need a well-balanced small cigar. These are all 100% pure natural tobacco from different areas - manufactured in Cuba, Belgium and Germany. All cut, ready to smoke.
Note: The Cuban Partagas will be replaced by a Cuban Romeo y Julieta Purito soon.
Value Cuban Selection – All 3 of these Cuban cigars are machine made with short filler. That keeps the price down while offering the Cuban taste. They have the advantage of an easy draw.
Cuban Robusto Selection – “Robusto” is the name for all cigars of approximately 124mm x Ring 50. In the Premier issue of Cigar Aficionado (Autumn 1992) the “Robusto” size was selected for the first tasting. This size is still (2016) one of the most desirable in any brand in which it is made – Cuban and non-Cuban.
Relatively new is the size “Petit Robusto” an extra thick half corona (102mm x Ring 50), popularised under the generic name “Nub” see http://www.wesleys.co.za/archives36a.html#364
But you can’t just cut 22mm off the Robusto size cigar – the flavour doesn’t have time to develop. A new richer blend has to be created. The three cigars are Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 – the original Robusto in South Africa; and to compare - the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill (classic Robusto) and the Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill (Petit Robusto). Has Romeo y Julieta succeeded in developing the flavour in the short robusto?
Arriving soon are some more quality cigars for our selections:
Don Diego Robusto (5x52)
Wrapper - Connecticut Shade; Binder and Filler - Dominican Republic
A model of consistency, this mild, mellow cigar regularly scores in the high 80s and low 90s in ratings from Cigar Aficionado.
Other ratings 4 and 5 stars. Widely recommended as a “must have” cigar in any collection.
Belmore Maduro – (5x50)
Wrapper - Brazil Maduro – Dark and sweet; Binder and Filler - Dominican Republic
High quality cigar – full bodied and slow burning. The Brazilian wrapper gives a little sweetness, but beware - this is not a “before a meal” smoke.
La Aurora 107 (5x50) A trump card from the oldest cigar manufacturer in the Dominican Republic. This medium bodied, multi-flavoured cigar has been rated 91 on 3 out of 4 tastings by Cigar Aficionado.
A “Puro” – wrapper, binder and filler are all from the Dominican Republic
Guillermo Leon Family Reserve (5x50)
Wrapper – Ecuador;
Double Binder – Cameroon (for sweetness) and Corojo for strength;
Filler – Peru, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Nicaragua.
This blend was personally developed by Guillermo, a 5th generation member of the Leon family, who own the La Aurora brand. He says he has aimed this cigar at the connoisseurs of premium cigars. If offers a bold earthy taste, demanding attention. This cigar is not one to be trifled with.
Arrived already are 2 new blends from Taylors Of Old Bond Street - makers of superb shaving creams. You have to try them to experience sheer luxury.
You’ll be surprised how little you need to generate a great, smooth, creamy lather. It washes off easily, and really does leave your skin feeling fresh and clean.
If you haven’t tried these before, take advantage now.
From November 12-25, 2020 - 15% off
Taylors Shaving Creams, 150g tub
94-JBTay1012 Cedarwood R450.00
94-JBTay1001 Sandalwood R450.00
94-JBTay1019 Organic R515.00
Only from Wesley’s Shops and Online |
Enjoy “finding out more” about your cigar likes and dislikes.
And incidentally, I’m sure you’ll enjoy using Taylors Shaving Creams as much as I do.
Colin Wesley
No.482 November 5 -19, 2020
You can read previous articles from “Across the Counter” in The Archives Library.
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