I am in New Orleans this week speaking at a geek conference. I made sure to get a smoking room, though, so that I could unwind each night with an ISOM each night.
Yesterday, I had a HdM Edicion Limitada 2003 Piramide. It was 6 1/8 by 52. While I knew this was a "young" cigar without any real age on it, it just looked too good to not smoke it. The wrapper was a nice chocolate color (like a milk chocolate). No soft spots, no hard spots, it was extremely well constructed. The feel was that it was "perfect" in the way that it gave just a bit and rebounded well. As I always do, I gave it a little roll next to my ears and didn't hear any rustling that would tell me it was dry. It seemed to be well humidified having sat for a month in my humidor. I gave the tip a light toasting using my torch lighter. It smelled fantastic. I put it to my mouth and finished lighting it. The first couple of puffs were a bit harsh. I almost had to put it down, it hit me so strong. I waited a few minutes and then gave it another couple good puffs. OMG, it was good. Flavors poured out of this cigar that made me want to cry like a little boy that found his mother after getting lost. Do I get points for the simile? The cigar smoked well all the way to the nub with mixtures of bitter chocolate and coffee undertones. I think I got a bit of woody with this one.
Today, I had a Cohiba "35th Anniversary" Piramide. It was 6 1/8 by 52. It was very close in color to the HdM. It also is a young cigar. Like the HdM, its construction was top notch. No hard or soft spots, it drew really well, and it lit up easily. It also smelled wonderful as I lit it up. It didn't have the hashness of the HdM at first, but it did taste really good. However, it went out on me twice and it didn't burn evenly. The flavor was really good, though, and I am sure it will be a fantastic cigar with a little more age on it. I really enjoyed its flavor which was full of creamy tones and a little citrus flavor, too.
Since I took a little trip down Bourbon Street, I think I left all of my "physical" reactions down there. 🙂
I highly recommend adding both to your humidor and waiting a year. I bet they will be be incredible cigars with some time.
