Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story

Purchased: A la Civette, Paris
Stars: 4
Size: Perfecto
Country: Dominican Republic
Smoked: London, 11/09/15
Notes: With the complexity of For Whom the Bell Tolls and the brevity of a Twitter post, the Short Story really is the perfect quick smoke. Don't rush it though, the blend in this little finger-burner (come on, I haven't used the term in a while) is reminds you of a well blended coffee on a crisp winter morning. Tightly wrapped with a perfect burn. My first perfecto -- quite an unusual shape. A complete joy to smoke, I'm this close to giving it a 4.5.

Toscano Antico

Purchased: Massa, Italy
Stars: 3 (for what it was)
Size: Toscano
Smoked: London, 01/03/15
Notes: Bitter-sweet

CAO Brazilia Gol Robusto

Purchased: Stockholm
Stars: 2
Size: Short Robusto
Smoked: London, 23/01/15
Notes: Much like their country's dismal performance at the 2014 World Cup, the CAO Brazilia Gol Robusto was a huge letdown. I had high expectations for this Honduran cigar, mainly due to its dark appearance and healthy-looking shape. Perhaps it had not been stored in perfect conditions, but still, you'd expect there to have been more flavour than burnt tobacco leaves. It was not a subtle or complex taste at all, somewhat like the outside of a burnt marshmallow on a campfire. The construction was tight and I had no issues with lighting, although I didn't have the same confidence it wouldn't go out that I get from other cigars like the HDM Petit Robusto, or the wonderfully packed Bolivars you can get. For the price and size, the Macanudo Titan would be a much more satisfying smoke.

At least the conversation and rum saved the evening. Damn tasty stuff that El Dorado.

Vegueros Tapados

Purchased: 31/12/2014, Casa Havana, Melbourne, Australia
Stars: 3.5
Size: Corona Gorda
Notes: Spying the date, one will conclude this particular cigar smoking event was not centred around appreciation. Nonetheless, a satisfactory experience was pulled from this smoke. Consistent burn, nice if plain flavours, appreciable appearance. What is more interesting to mention is the buying experience of the cigar. I had not bought in Australia since two years prior. When I was being shown around the walk in humidor at the Casa Havana, I nearly asked the attendant if the cigars I was being shown were actually real. Why? Because they all had a plain, brown strip across where the label would normally be. Literally as I opened my mouth I remembered something about new laws being brought in around tobacco packaging. This turned out to be the reason behind the bland cigar library in front of me. Happily, the actual label is hidden behind these dull brown strips, so the cigars can be enjoyed as they should. The same privilege is not granted to cigarettes, which seems unequal, but they are evil creations anyhow, so fuck em