Memoirs of a Cigar

Sunday morning I lit up my last Oliva Series V, the Lancero. Everyone knows that the Oliva Series V are one of the most full flavored cigars made today, and that the Habano Sun Grown Wrapper is the secret behind this amazing cigar. I dared smoking my Oliva Series V first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and surprisingly it worked out alright.

Being a Lancero, which has a higher wrapper to filler ratio, you really enjoy the flavors of this sweet, flavorfull wrapper. The surprising thing about this cigar was that it was not very strong at all. It was still sweet and full of nuts, coffee and cedar notes, but was soft and balanced with a flawless draw.

The Oliva Series V Lancero, a great cigar, but without that punch to the gut the larger Series V’s can pack.

This Friday night I came home, grabbed a Partagas Black Label and a bottle of VSOP Congac, and headed to the beach. With Black Label firmly in hand, I headed down the road of freedom from the stress of the work week, and planted myself down on a bench along the cliffs to witness one of the most incredible sunsets ever seen at Surfers Beach in Half Moon Bay. With the Moon to my left, Sunset to my right, and nothing but relaxation ahead, I forged on with my weapon of choice; the Partagas Black Label. The dark black cherry scent oozing from the foot of the cigar was intoxicating, so much that I found myself taking deep breaths of it half a dozen times before lighting up.

I was first introduced to the Black Label when a friend brought a box up to our cabin in Tahoe for the weekend. He claimed it was his favorite cigar, and it soon became one of mine as well. I think I have purchased about 4 boxes of them since, which makes them my most purchased cigars.

Amazingly, no Partagas Black Label has ever recieved a 90 point rating by Cigar Aficionado. Scores ranges from 84-88 points, with a 88 point Pyramid being the highest I could find, but I have loved every Black Label I have ever had. Also, I am proud to hand them out to friends on special occasions, as they look spectacular with their dark Sun-Grown Medio Tiempo Maduro Wrappers from the Connecticut Valley, and never has anyone been disapointed. Pyamids, Tubos, Maximos, Gigantes, and Prontos all are excellent smokes in my opinion, and I would go so far as to say they are the best made Partagas Cigars outside of Cuba.