Corona Gordas - Tribute/Reviews/Comparison

[TomHagen]

Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos

Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

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Blended in the style of the flavorful yet Medium Bodied Cuban Cigars.
Cigars are rolled in Nicaragua using select Nicaraguan tobaccos and classic cuban blending with a beautiful Cuban triple-cap.

Staying true to the pride of El Rey de Los Habanos. The Hermoso is simply a perfect size, and translates to "beautiful, lovely, fine" - all of which describe the Havana VI blend in a size that everyone is bound to enjoy. This corona gorda highlights the flavors in the blend and allows the cigar to change in subtle stages while smoking it.

The Hermosos are made in Esteli Nicaragua at the Tabacalera Cubana factory overseen by Don Pepin Garcia.
(taken from Tatuaje & NHC websites, respectively)

This is my first review here, so here goes...

Firstly, the wrapper and appearance of the cigar was wonderful. Few veins, nice oily-ness, slightly toothy in spots, but very symmetrically rolled and wrapped.

So to my surprise, upon cutting it with my Palio, the cap revealed tobacco which almost appeared to be short filler stuck in the end. Small chunks of tobacco were exposed and fell out!!! Never had this happen with a Tatuaje before (and I have been through almost the whole lines of Brown and Red), so I decided to cut slightly lower (as I cut a little high up on the cap usually) and the same thing happened again and some the wrapper cracked revealing binder!!! OUCH!!

Not to be totally crushed, I fired it up, and immediately that wonderful aroma of Tatuaje Havana VI wafted up...Toasted Black Cherries, a slight Chocolateyness and eventually developed a little spice about 1/2 inch in. I find this flavor very akin to Illusione MK, a little in San Cristobal (but less cherry) and in some Padron 26 Maduro (esp. no. 35 the small one). I really love it! Here it is less sweet than a Maduro, more powerful, and less complex, more bold than in the Illusione's signature taste.
The cigar didn't change much in flavor throughout, but certain nuances came out and dissappeared. Very consistant.
The initial flaw in the cap didn't hurt the burn, which was perfect, leaving a solid beautiful white ash.
The rough cut on the cap left an unpleasantness in the feel, and little tobacco bits in my mouth like a short filler or machine rolled - very uncharachteristic for a Tatuaje. Copious amounts of smoke on a very even perfect draw.

Overall: out of 10
Flavor 9
Burn/Draw 10
Appearance 9
Construct 6
Value 10 (most CG's aren't cheap because they come from premium brands, and are smaller smokes, so this is relative)
Smoking Experience 8
Total Avg. 8.67
I focus a lot on flavor being paramount, so I definitely would buy again and try again, cause the cap issue was the only bad factor. Consistant flavor throughout.

[TomHagen]

The cg:4, which measures 5 5/8 inches by 46 ring, has balance as well as strength, with sweet leather, nuts and cocoa on the palate. The cigars are the brainchild of Dion Giolito.

MADE BY: Fernandez y Fernandez
FACTORY LOCATION: Honduras
WRAPPER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
Dion Giolito blended these cigars using tobacco from first generation Corojo '99 and Criollo '98 seeds. They are beautifully constructed, featuring a Cafe Colorado wrapper and a cuban style triple cap.

The entire line is as filled with hidden meanings as the cigars are filled with flavor.

Made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras from 100% Nicaraguan tobacco.

(from CA & NHC)

Which one is it Fernandez or Raices Cubans in Honduras??? or it the same thing??



The Illusione cg:4 is referred to as the "white horse" by Dion. As we know it was rated very highly on CA, ok, who cares, here goes...

First, let me say I smoke these cigars, Illusione and specifically the cg:4, very frequently.

Beautiful reddish-dark brown (colorado?) wrapper, sharp clean cut.




This particular specimen didn't have the sweetness, sweet leather or burnt black cherry-like flavor other cg:4's have had. It was more cuban-eque with a balanced earthy, tobacco flavors. I definitely enjoyed the cigar and the change in it's flavor profile, but was expecting the same.

As with most in the Illusione line, this cigar starts with a strong flavour and develops into a more moderate flavor, and then builds again by the nub (this is where the classic Illusione sweet, charred cherry flavor returned).

The cigar's first third burned razor sharp, a little uneven in the middle for a short while, but evened out on it's own shortly there after.

I must say this specimen, was different also, in that it wasn't as complex, yet consistent and tasty.

Overall: out of 10
Flavor 8
Burn/Draw 9
Appearance 9
Construct 8
Value 10 (most CG's aren't cheap because they come from premium brands, and are smaller smokes, so this is relative)
Smoking Experience 8
Total Avg. 8.67

[elderboy02]

Nice! I love those ~cg:4's~

I can't wait for the rest of the reviews!

[BengalMan]

This is an awsome idea. Looking forward to seeing your review on the ECCJ. Unfortunately I missed the release of these.

[Coz77]

Awesome line up you got there...looking forward to the rest of your reviews.

[Skywalker]

Glad you tranfered this one over!

CG4 - Nice review!!!

[Smokin Gator]

I just got 15 of the Padilla 1932 Signature Corona Gordas. I look forward to your review.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by BengalMan

This is an awsome idea. Looking forward to seeing your review on the ECCJ. Unfortunately I missed the release of these.

They have been re-released. Check with Dan at NHC.

[gvarsity]

Nice review. You have really peaked my interest. I will have Check with Dan at NHC. Great thread.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by gvarsity

Nice review. You have really peaked my interest. I will have Check with Dan at NHC. Great thread.

Thanks for the props. Let Dan know where you heard it from!!