Trinidad Reyes Cigar - Cabinet of 24

Reviewed by Tim Mezick (June 2004) After arriving at the ski resort only to find the conditions quite poor we still decided to put on or boots and headed over to the lift, crunch, crunch, crunch as we made our way over the ice covered snow. As we got on the lift chair I had remembered I stashed a Trinidad Reyes that my brother had given me earlier into my jacket pocket, being concerned that it may get crushed I took it and was about to put it into my Fannie pack when the lift came to a complete halt. As I sat 50 feet or so in the air with my feet dangling, I decided that fearing that the cigar in my hand may not survive the day in my pack I may as well under the circumstances enjoy it now. Knowing this cigar was a recent release I was going to let it age and didn't expect much from it at this time. I noticed the cigar while of good construction was not as smooth and vein free as other Trinidad's I have had, this had a rougher look to it, however it seemed well rolled none the less. The pre light draw was good and as I lit the cigar I immediately smelled and tasted woodiness with a ever so slight herbal or grassy flavor. This as I sat legs dangling still motionless was all I got from this cigar for the first third. Thinking to myself what a waste of a day and also how this cigar was just too young to be smoked, the cigar became fuller richer with a very strong wood and earthy flavor, it was at the half way point starting to turn into a power house loosing its sweetness. Towards the last third this cigar I started to feel that the chair was again moving; however it was not the chair, this seemingly small innocent looking cigar was making me quite dizzy. I realized this unlike other Trinidad's was not a light smoke to be had in the morning. I could barely finish this one off as the lift did start to move again my happiness to start skiing turning to fear of being able to make it down the hill. I believe this cigar has great ageing potential; it is reminiscent of the old style Cuban cigars being very full flavored and with tremendous strength. I would recommend picking these up and laying them down for awhile, but be forewarned not to smoke these for breakfast. Fuller & Richer strong wood and earth flavors, Yes Reminiscent of Old Style Cuban Flavors, Yes Nice description of setting. I agree with the review! Score 9/10 Judged by Chuck I thoroughly understood the power and finesse of this wonderful cigar after reading this review. A wonderful appeal to all of my senses in that after reading it I could all but see the cigar in my hand having both heard and felt the crunch of the snow. When a review takes me on a virtual smoke, it has done its job. Score 10/10 Judged by Lamar Not too keen on this tasting - bit too much of a story at the start and a bit of a poor ending. Although, good description of the cigars strength. Interesting place to smoke a cigar! Score: 6/10 Judged by Jamie Johnston Reviewing a cigar, especially one coming from the Trinidad line deserves a little more respect than an off the cuff evaluation on a ski-lift. Although the writer gives his opinion of the cigar I was too busy wondering if he was going to blow chunks before or after he gets off the lift. I was also left with the following question. How can you enjoy any cigar while on the slopes? Après-ski in the lodge, that I can understand. Score: 3/10 Judged by Elliot Blum OVERALL SCORE: 28/40

Reviewed by Simon Elliott (June 2004) It was to be the perfect relaxing Sunday morning. The kids were playing together unusually quietly and my wife busied herself in the kitchen with the roast. I sat in my study with a copy of Cigar Aficionado and a Frank Sinatra CD cued in the player, readying myself for my Sunday cigar. As I smoke few cigars, no more than one or two a week, it is always an event to be savoured. A look in the humidor and a decision had to be made, would it be the Cedros No.3, or maybe an El Rey Lunch Club, Perhaps a Non Plus. The most recent edition to my humidor caught my eye, the faultless construction, beautiful pale veiny wrapper topped with the twist on the cap and the three T's on the yellow and gold band proved irresistible. Back in the Kitchen, the espresso machine was warming up, having ground the beans and filled the strainer I was ready to go. I was on my way back to the study cigar punch and lighter in hand when there was a loud pop followed by a hissing and a screech behind me. The espresso machine had blown its seal and there was water, coffee and steam everywhere. After a few choice words and a clean-up I settled for a walk with the dog and a Davidoff Ambassadrice as the mood for the three T's was spoiled. During the afternoon I kept contemplating the Trinidad, a lot of good things have been said, and I longed to find out for myself if it was all true. My choice, the smaller of the three new vitolas, the Reyes, is 4 3/8" long with a gauge of 40 and retails for £6.50 in singles. The opportunity did not arise again until the evening, when back in the study I picked up where I left off. The first thing you notice about this cigar is the quality of the wrapper and overall fine construction, I love the twist on the cap, the only other cigar I have with this is the Cohiba Lancero. Before lighting it has a delicious aroma which hints of the spiciness to come once lit. Frank was singing, telling me how I made him feel so young, while I punched the cap out and set this piece of artwork alight, and took that all important first draw. Well let me start by saying, that as this is a young cigar I did not expect the smoothness that it gave, with a lovely easy draw and full body it had me hooked right from the beginning. The room was filled with a delightful aroma and plenty of smoke I love spicy cigars in general, and this one did not disappoint, the smoothness and the rich spicy flavour remained very consistent, throughout the smoke, with a slight nuttiness appearing just after the halfway mark. The burn was a little less consistent than I would of liked going out about after about a third had burned and it rested in the ashtray for a minute. I knocked off the dark ash and tried again. It went out again twice, but this did not spoil the enjoyment of this fine cigar that went so well with the twelve year old Dalmore Malt that I was drinking. Despite it's smoothness, it is quite a strong cigar, that is full of complex flavours, I cannot wait to see how well these age, judging by what I've experienced so far, they should be rather good. This cigar will be added to the list of permanent humidor residents, I would have to give it a 8 1/2 out of 10. I can't wait to try the Coloniales, when the right opportunity presents itself. Well written with initial good set up of environment, then disaster and burn issues. Hit the nail on the head with the nuttiness and rich spicy flavors. I might not have tried this cigar from reading this review due to construction problems. Score 7.5/10 Judged by Chuck A fabulous review that perfectly described the cigar even as it also set the mood in which it was enjoyed. This review was so well written that it made me wish that I could pull up a chair and enjoy a stick with you. Thanks for doing such a great job of describing a cigar with so much potential. Score 10/10 Judged by Lamar Even though it takes a while to get into this review I really enjoyed it. Nice description of the cigars cap and construction. Good description of the aromas produced. Compared to the length of the review, the actual tasting section is quite small. Score: 8/10 Judged by Jamie Johnston While the events that occur to each of us everyday are interesting and should be shared, four paragraphs of color are a little too much for a cigar review. However, when the author finally gets into reviewing the cigar, he does a fairly decent job. His smoking description is adequate but does not really encourage me to try this cigar. Score: 5/10 Judged by Elliot Blum OVERALL SCORE: 30.5/40

Smoked one of these last week, and must say I think I found my new favourite afternoon/lunchtime smoke. It went down a treat with some strong Italian coffee, sitting on the patio basking in the very warm sun. It was beautifully rounded little cigar with definite coffee and mild sweetness to the flavour. I will most certainly be ordering more.

Gorgeous I was introduced to these a year ago on a trip to Amsterdam, I was after a full bodied cigar, roughly half an hour smoke and not going to knock you sideways with a nicotine hit. Pretty much fits the bill; the full body it is smooth with a good rich creamy characteristic. Don't know much about nutmegs and vanilla and all the other descriptions, just full body smooth smoke. The smoke gets better all the way down becoming more and more complex in flavours which to me is a typical characteristics of a good Cuban cigar. They are a bit tight on the draw but burn beautifully giving a good tight grey ash which is evenly burnt all the way. I only needed to re light towards the end and that was because I was being greedy, this was not going to waste. All cigars are consistent, there are not better or worse cigars in the pack so quality control is top notch. I prefer these out of the humidor at around 77% humidity, they will age nicely but with me no chance they are not going to last.

really good smooth smoke, creamy white chocolate floavours, like a caramac. always on my wish list.