(Review) Cain Habano

[bimmian]

Drink: Cherry flavored soda
Time to smoke: Approx. 50 mins
Eaten: Linguine Carbonara approx 5 hrs prior

(EDIT: I see that this cigar is a hot topic right now.. Hope this review is interesting/helpful to some of you!)

Given to me by a local tobacconist who knows I favor full-flavored/bodied smokes, I had this one sitting in a humi at 68% RH for about 3 weeks.
Initially I was a little intimidated by this smoke, after all the hype about how powerful it is and was hesitant to light it up. But after hearing so many good things about them, I decided I'd give it a go tonight. I worried it would be just another gimmicky Nic puro, with some sweetness and an ignorant, flavorless spice that just burned my sinuses and tongue without much in the way of flavor, but boy was I wrong!

Perfectly straight, with a well-applied cap and a fine, oily and dark wrapper leaf, this cigar was a good-looking stick. Had a great heft to it and was very firm, but when clipped, it drew perfectly. Just a slight bit of resistance, exactly how I like it!

First puffs were earthy and slightly leathery, with floral tones and a very smooth, cuban-esque spice that gave my nose a slight tickle on the exhale. This soon warmed up to bring out a deep earthiness and a distinct sweetness to the flavor. Some vanilla notes appeared, but soon left. This sweetness and earthy, leathery flavor remained constant throughout the smoke.

The second 3rd progressed and brought more intensity to the flavors and sweetness, along with a little nuttiness and some chocolatey coffee tastes. The smoke stayed smooth, with a creamy mouth feel and no bite at all. At this point the strength was more medium than anything.

The final 3rd turned the smoke into a terrific toasty tobacco taste (is that enough T's fa yah?), still sweet and smooth, but gaining in power so much that I had to conciously slow it down and let it rest between puffs. I started to feel it in my gut, like when smoking an ISOM Bolivar or Partagas too fast. That's a good thing, though, cuz it means it tastes so good I can't stop puffing on it!

This toasty flavor remained dominant for me until the very last 1.5", when the spice and floral notes made a brief comeback.

I should note that throughout the entire length, this cigar did not once burn unevenly or hot. The construction was impossibly perfect! I gotta say that I should have eaten something before smoking this, cause I have a slight headache now and feeling a little ill while waiting for the sugar to bail me out lol! This is definitely a powerful smoke...

I think that age would have a good effect on this cigar, but only time can tell... They are definitely good fresh though, and don't need any time other than acclimation in the humidor, IMHO. I will definitely be buying more of these and maybe I'll try letting a few sit around for a year or two, just to see what happens to them...

Of course everyone will have a different experience, but smoothness is one thing that I don't think varies too much from smoker to smoker, and this one has it down! I highly recommend trying it at least once, just remember to eat something first haha!

Have a smokin' day!

[Redheadz]

Great review, Mike. I'm going to have to try the habano again after reading this. I tried one a couple of months ago that was sent to me as a pre-release stick. I wasn't blown away by it but it was smooth and burned well. The maduros are not doing it for me so maybe the habanos will.
Again, great review and thanks!

[bdw1984]

great review... ive smoked 6 of these and my experience has been almost exactly the same with regards to flavor and constuction... only difference is that it took me about 2hrs to smoke (the 550)great review thanks!

[Amlique]

Seems these have been selling out all over the place. I haven't found an online place that has them in stock yet. Wowzers. Nice review. Got my curiosity peaked.

[bimmian]

Glad you guys liked it! It's my closet dream to smoke and write reviews for a living, but I don't think I could actually get paid for it, haha! That's the difference between a hobby and a job, huh?

For the record, I don't know how much my beverage played up the flavors of the cigar, but that's why I like to drink that stuff. (it's this sugar-free safeway soda) It brings out a sweetness in my palate, and since my doc said I can't handle the single-malts anymore, that's been my new cigar beverage... Usually when I'm trying a new stick for the first time I only do ice water, but tonight I wasn't feeling that... I tried to only sip when I had to, though.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words, and hope you have some great smokes soon!

[SmokeRings]

Awesome review, I was in my local b&m the other day and put one of these down for a smoke I know I like, I was hesitant on these even though I have heard such good things.
But after reading this review I think I may just head to the b&m after work today and pick a few of these up.
Thanks for the awesome review!

[FrankB]

I agree totally with the OP.One of the best cigars I have smoked this year.I have smoked both the Maduro and Habano and prefer the Habano,but both are excellent and especially at their price point.You can spend a whole lot more and not get near about the cigar.FrankB

[Herf N Turf]

Nice review, thanks. I was recently gifted a torpedo maduro from Andy. Cant wait to smoke it.

I see a move in this threads future...

Oh Donnie....

[dj1340]

Great review Mike, I really like these smokes. Have a couple of boxes laying down for later.

[Ironmeden]

Great Review! I smoked the Habano and enjoyed it, but IMHO, there wasn't much flavor. Yea its a intense cigar, but it was lacking in the flavor department.

Paul

[tx_tuff]

I smoked one over the weekend and post a review. For the most part was about the same as yours but the flavors I picked up wasn't as intense, and I didn't get any sweetness till almost the last 3rd. But damn was it smooth! And the only spice I got was through the nose.

Great review, keep them coming!

[tx_tuff]

Originally Posted by Amlique

Seems these have been selling out all over the place. I haven't found an online place that has them in stock yet. Wowzers. Nice review. Got my curiosity peaked.

They have them @ www.seriouscigars.com and you can buy singles.