San Cristobal Clasico Review

[Mr. Ed]

Initial Impressions: This was a classic robusto here with a nice dark brown natural wrapper. The wrapper was smooth with no blemishes and had some nice healthy veins all over with a nice oily sheen. The pre-light aroma it gave off of sweet tobacco really enticed me. I've smoked several of the toro size (supremo). I had one that was superb, one that was very mediocore, and one that was in between. Here is a link to an earlier review
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=126955

Pictures: These are thumbnails, feel free to click them to see some hi-def pictures.















Smoking: This cigar had a terriffic draw that gave a very nice volume of smoke with each puff, never plugged from beginning to nub. The ash was a fir white ash that didn't flake and stayed up to about an inch before I ashed it myself. The burn on this was razor sharp and even all the way through, no adjustments were needed. Burn stayed nice and cool all the way throughout as well. This was a flawlessy constructed cigar that had absolutely no burn or design problems, a real treasure to smoke and just forget about these problems.

Taste: This cigar had a nice full body that was smooth all the way through with no trace of harshness whatsoever. As I began to smoke it I could immediatley taste the spiciness, the finish was a sort of dull sweetness with some hints of spice at the start staying on the palate for a long time. At about the second picture I noticed a very sweet and entrancing floral flavor start to develop and blossom (pardon the pun), solid taste right here. The finish became even deeper and stayed on the palate for a long time. Around the fifth picture a very deep and powerful coffee-like flavor began and really made me happy again. The finish from here on out retained its sweetness and had some hints of spice to it. The deep coffee like flavor continued from here till the end. This cigar had a very smooth and delightful taste despite being full bodied that was not overly complex, one of the best I've smoked in a while. The aroma coming off was a full, sweet tobacco aroma that was very pleasant.

Conclusion: Flawless construction, amazing taste here. This was one of the best cigars I have had in a long time. This reminded me a lot of the first time I had a San Cristobal, which was a superb smoke as well. The other San Cristobals I've had had similar tastes, but to a lesser degree and not as pronounced. I think the key (maybe) was that I let this one dry for a few days prior to smoking as I was recommended. Pepin, Ashton, and Holts really have a nice premium blend here that I hope they don't tinker with any time soon. The value here is very good for such a nice smoke, I bought it for $8.50 at the local B&M. I am really considering buying a box of these. Highly recommend this smoke to anyone that enjoys smooth, full body cigars.

Final Grade: 10/10, A+ on the Mr. Ed scale

Thank you for reading!

[dwhitacre]

[SIZE="5"]Very nice review!!! You have them pegged!!!

Very nice photos!!!

Thank you!!![/SIZE]

[gnukfu]

I love SC's and I have found that dry boxing them makes a big difference.

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by gnukfu

I love SC's and I have found that dry boxing them makes a big difference.

Drying out seems to have worked out on a number of sticks that I have smoked recently, perhaps the RH is too high in my humi?

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ed

Drying out seems to have worked out on a number of sticks that I have smoked recently, perhaps the RH is too high in my humi?

Maybe. Experiment to find the perfect level for you. Mine is 61-64%.

Good review.

[troutbreath]

Nice review. I recently picked up some of the perfectos (forget the name) after having enjoyed the robustos immensely. Thanks for the photos, too!

[elderboy02]

Nice review! The storms knocked out my power, so I smoked one of these today. It was an average smoke for me. The only thing I could pick up was a whole heck of a lot of spice. Dang I had to drink a lot. It wasn't bad though.

[Nabinger16]

Nice review! The San Cristobal Clasico is a favorite of mine.

[illinoishoosier]

Nice review. i got a couple of these napping.

[d.o.]

Great review! Love the intensity in detail. Have you tried the Guajiro yet? If you want to get a good idea of what the wrapper is like with less filler give it a shot. I tend to like Toro's the most from Pepin but man, the Guajiro is one fantastic smoke.