La Casita Criolla HCB

Don Fernando · 03-01-2012, 03:32 PM

La Casita Criolla is one of the latest inventions by Pete Johnson and like all of his other cigars the production is done by the Garcias at the My Father factory in Nicaragua. The thing that makes this La Casita Criolla different than any other cigar is that not only the wrapper is broadleaf Connecticut but also the binder and the filler. Not all broadleaf Connecticut can be used as wrapper and Pete decided to use those leaves as binder and filler. The La Casita Criolla HCB has a € 5.50 price tag in The Netherlands.

The HCB is the smallest of the three vitolas with a 5⅛x42 size. The cigar doesn't look too good with a couple of thick veins on the shiny wrapper. I smell a mild but intense barnyard smell. The construction feels a bit soft and the predraw is a bit easy. I taste raisin and tobacco. The band is very small.

I taste pepper and herbs with some coffee and some spiced cake. I also get a bit of chocolate but the pepper is the main flavor. After half an inch I taste cacao with herbs, the combination is beautiful, spicy with a bite. There is a spicy acidic flavor in the aftertaste. After a third the cigar is quite spicy and peppery.

Halfway the cigar tastes nice, the harsh spiciness has disappeared, I taste wood with herbs and a peppery aftertaste. After two thirds I taste mild herbs. The pepper has gone but slowly returns to the scene. The cigar gets spicy again with an overpowering pepper.

This cigar lasted me for only fifty minutes. The draw was on the easy side but I got an incredible amount of smoke. The ash is gray, coarse and reasonably firm. The burn is good. This cigar is full flavored and medium bodied.

Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, this cigar is something special, it has a different flavor profile than most other cigars.

Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 9 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 7 / 10
Aroma third part: 7 / 10

MurphysLaw · 03-01-2012, 03:57 PM

Great review Ferdie, this is one of my favorites from the past year.

TJtorpedo · 03-01-2012, 07:07 PM

These are a great departure from the other Tat stuff. To me, they have a really sweet syrupy taste. Not an everyday smoke, but an awesome change of pace cigar.

What is the band at the foot? Is that a secondary band for your market, or the price tag?

TJtorpedo · 03-01-2012, 07:08 PM

Whoops, nevermind, I just read your other review and you answered my question.

longknocker · 03-01-2012, 07:29 PM

If It's A Tat, I Like It, Ferdie!

Nice Review, Brother!

EricF · 03-01-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longknocker

If It's A Tat, I Like It, Ferdie!

Nice Review, Brother!

Hey.....That's my line Greg!!!!!!

Great review Ferdie!!!

kelmac07 · 03-01-2012, 08:42 PM

I've loved the few that I have smoked.

Remo · 03-01-2012, 08:43 PM

Great review, thanks

maninblack · 03-01-2012, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the review Ferdie!

HollywoodQue · 03-02-2012, 08:28 AM

Great review Ferdie

03-02-2012, 08:52 AM

MarkinAZ · 03-02-2012, 11:08 PM

Thanks for the review and photo's Ferdi I have 3 of these arriving from Cbid on 03/07...

03-01-2012, 03:32 PM	#1
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	La Casita Criolla HCB La Casita Criolla is one of the latest inventions by Pete Johnson and like all of his other cigars the production is done by the Garcias at the My Father factory in Nicaragua. The thing that makes this La Casita Criolla different than any other cigar is that not only the wrapper is broadleaf Connecticut but also the binder and the filler. Not all broadleaf Connecticut can be used as wrapper and Pete decided to use those leaves as binder and filler. The La Casita Criolla HCB has a € 5.50 price tag in The Netherlands. The HCB is the smallest of the three vitolas with a 5⅛x42 size. The cigar doesn't look too good with a couple of thick veins on the shiny wrapper. I smell a mild but intense barnyard smell. The construction feels a bit soft and the predraw is a bit easy. I taste raisin and tobacco. The band is very small. I taste pepper and herbs with some coffee and some spiced cake. I also get a bit of chocolate but the pepper is the main flavor. After half an inch I taste cacao with herbs, the combination is beautiful, spicy with a bite. There is a spicy acidic flavor in the aftertaste. After a third the cigar is quite spicy and peppery. Halfway the cigar tastes nice, the harsh spiciness has disappeared, I taste wood with herbs and a peppery aftertaste. After two thirds I taste mild herbs. The pepper has gone but slowly returns to the scene. The cigar gets spicy again with an overpowering pepper. This cigar lasted me for only fifty minutes. The draw was on the easy side but I got an incredible amount of smoke. The ash is gray, coarse and reasonably firm. The burn is good. This cigar is full flavored and medium bodied. Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, this cigar is something special, it has a different flavor profile than most other cigars. Appearance: 7 / 10 Construction: 7 / 10 Draw: 7 / 10 Burn: 7 / 10 Smoke & ash: 9 / 10 Aroma first part: 8 / 10 Aroma second part: 7 / 10 Aroma third part: 7 / 10 __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

03-01-2012, 03:57 PM	#2
MurphysLaw Anything can go wrong Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: Brian Location: SoFlo Posts: 2,823 Trading: (19)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB Great review Ferdie, this is one of my favorites from the past year. __________________ It's THIS easy to help our Troops.

03-01-2012, 07:07 PM	#3
TJtorpedo Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Tim Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB These are a great departure from the other Tat stuff. To me, they have a really sweet syrupy taste. Not an everyday smoke, but an awesome change of pace cigar. What is the band at the foot? Is that a secondary band for your market, or the price tag?

03-01-2012, 07:08 PM	#4
TJtorpedo Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Tim Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB Whoops, nevermind, I just read your other review and you answered my question.

03-01-2012, 07:29 PM	#5
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,178 Trading: (82)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB If It's A Tat, I Like It, Ferdie! Nice Review, Brother!

03-01-2012, 08:42 PM	#7
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB I've loved the few that I have smoked. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

03-01-2012, 08:43 PM	#8
Remo C.I.A Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: Mike Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 12,597 Trading: (122)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB Great review, thanks __________________

03-01-2012, 08:57 PM	#9
maninblack Will smoke for food Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Kevin Location: Where the hoot owls f$ck the chickens Posts: 10,637 Trading: (80)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB Thanks for the review Ferdie! __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

03-02-2012, 08:28 AM	#10
HollywoodQue Invictus Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Howard Location: In the "D" Posts: 3,123 Trading: (46)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB Great review Ferdie

03-02-2012, 08:52 AM	#11
LigaPrivadaT84 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB

03-02-2012, 11:08 PM	#12
MarkinAZ Formerly MarkinOR Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 6,221 Trading: (40)	Re: La Casita Criolla HCB Thanks for the review and photo's Ferdi I have 3 of these arriving from Cbid on 03/07... __________________ "Don't worry, God will work out His plan for your life..." Psalm 138 8