Review Notes: I typically enjoy a full bodied cigar and El Rico is a favorite, but this is without doubt the strongest cigar I have ever burned. Definitely not a cigar for the novice, faint of heart or early part of the day. I was unable to finish the one I smoked. I'll stick to the double corona on this brand.

Review Notes: I bought a box of these directly at El Credito factory on Calle Ocho in Miami. Never heard about this brand before, but the nice salesgirl said that if I wanted something strong, that was the thing. And strong it is, for sure, although it starts sweet and makes you think it's almost mild....but then the strength comes into play, as well as earth and dark cocoa flavours, with hints of chili peppers. It burnt evenly, and it took the most of two hours to do it. However, flavours were, how to say, slightly unidimenssional, just like a good wine opened too soon. Great promises, not to be wasted with a too young smoke. The others will rest in the humidor for at least 3 months, and then we'll see....

Review Notes: I get quite conservative, or skeptical when the price for a (discounted) box goes over $100 , and none are available as singles. After 120 days in the humidor these are an excelent value, as they taste great and are more filling, plenty of cigar. Decent smoke at 90 days, still green at 60 days. If your'e reading all you can find on this cigar, go ahead and buy the box. With enough time in the humidor you won't be sorry.

Review Notes: Dark and alluring, the gorgeous maduro wrapper shone with oil and was nearly blemish free. Graced with a snug signature red and gold ERH band, the big cigar had a genuine box press and was firm and straight, with a clean and solidly applied cap. In a word, this cigar was beautiful. A couple of minor soft spots yielded to the thumb. A crisp, clean cut yielded an easy draw and unleashed the initial pre-light taste of spice and leather. Starting with an uneven burn, the cigar quickly settled into a groove and deep regular puffs coaxed a reasonably sharp and perpendicular line of ash, dark in color and flaky at the tip. Mouthfuls of rich, chewy smoke offered full flavored spicy punch and the finish was clean and zesty. Add to that the clean and bright aroma and it’s a recipe for delight. Paired with a spicy pepperoni pizza, a dish of jalapenos, and a glass of good Australian shiraz, the large ERH fit right in, the spice and depth of flavor helping to fill in the space between bites. The cigar burned fast for its size, lasting just over an hour and never fading in its intensity. I never tire of watching the box pressed cigars swell to bursting roundness at the lit end as they burn down, and this specimen was no disappointment there either. Overall this was a very good cigar, obviously youthful yet quite robust in both flavor and strength. No review of the latest edition of ERH would be complete without a comparison to the “old blend” ERH of the mid-nineties, and while this is a rather intense and delicious smoke it still falls a bit short of the benchmark set by its granddaddy. It was a good smoke now and I can’t help but imagine what delights a few years of aging might impart.

Review Notes: This big boy was very well refined. The first 1/3 was smooth, sweet, sort of mellow. The next 1/3 was peppery but with a sweet aroma, very interesting. The last 1/3 was as peppery as they come. good after dinner. Burned very well, well constructed, not the prettiest thing though.