Cuaba Salomónes
Country: Cuba
Vitola de Galera: Salomon (double figurado)
Size: 7 1/4" x 57
Over the last year I smoked 3 Cuaba Salomónes: one was about this time last year, the second one was end-July and I finished the 3rd one about 4 hours ago. This review based on today's smoke, my notes from 29-Jul-07 and whatever I can remember from 1 year ago, which is not much (didn't take notes). I've bought all sticks at the local LCDH, however the earlier ones were bought late 2006, while the today's boy was bought in December 2007, so they are from different boxes. Enjoyed today's Salomón in a hot tub together with some 12 YO Chivas Regal.
Appearance/construction 14 /15.
This is a real beauty. Apart from looking really cool because of its shape, the gorgeous Colorado wrapper is smooth with very few thin veins and a slight touch of shine. Can't say it was oily, but some traces of oils were present. It was pleasant to touch and slightly squeeze it, and it felt just right - not hard, not soft. However, very shortly after lighting it up it became softer than it should've been IMO, all along the length except the head. I mean many cigars become softer because of the smoke and heat, but I felt this one went soft a little too much, especially given its size.
The ash was very white, nicely shaped, with those "layers" (hope you know what I mean), no flakes and held for almost 2", then fell off into water of my hot tub with a hiss. However both last July and January this wasn't the case – ash fell off much earlier, and wasn't all that perfect.
Overall – great appearance and construction. Score point deducted for getting too soft after light up.
Flavor: 22 /25
Pre-light smell was quite weak, as well as the after-cut draw taste. However, some herbal and floral tones could be felt.
Started off with woody flavors and strong nutty tones in the first third. Somewhere between 1" through and beginning of the 2nd third it gave me very nice creamy sweetness with almost every puff. 2nd third was again nutty and woody. Also felt some herbal overtones and interestingly, very little spice which would often disappear altogether. From after half of its length to the very end it turned somewhat one-dimensional with prevailing woody and earthy flavor and pretty much nothing else. Never went harsh though. A medium to full body and medium strength smoke to me.
Generally very good and enjoyable. Deducted points for weak pre-light smell and tastes, and straight-forwardness in much of the second half.
Smoking characteristics: 22 /25
I used two short cedar spills to get it going. Not a perfect burn, however I could see the cigar was doing its best to self-fix it. In fact, I let it go, did not do any flame touch-ups and it worked alright (not great though). In the contrary, the two earlier sticks had more uneven burning and I had to fix it many times.
As for the draw, the first 1 cm was really tight, almost plugged, but opened up after that. From that point the draw was just the way I like it and at the very end it actually loosened a little too much.
Points deducted for imperfect burn, inconsistent burn pattern with different cigars, tight draw at the beginning and loose draw at the end.
Overall Impression: 31 /35
I think it was very good. I believe this is not an everyday (nor even "everyweek") smoke, due to its size.
Strangely, it is priced at about $18.50 at the local LCDH, where most prices are 2-3 times higher than in "the right places" of the world. I know most reliable internet sources sell it for $16-23 a pop. They said it's not selling well compared to the popular brands. OK, so I can have it a few times a year for special occasions – today being the so-called "Old New Year" informally celebrated in some countries. I would certainly recommend everybody to at least try one.
Total: 89/100
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"And it is not just a business. It’s a love affair."
Paul B.K. Garmirian about making cigars
