Gran Habano No. 5 (corojo) Rothschilds Review

[SeanGAR]

Gran Habano is a relative newcomer in the cigar world. They have three main blends, the No. 5 corojo is the most interesting to those liking stronger flavored smokes:

FILLER: NICARAGUA / COSTA RICA BINDER: ECUADOR WRAPPER: NICARAGUA COROJO

OK, I have had a box of the Gran Habano Gran robusto No. 5 corojos. For quite some time those gran robustos have been leading the pack of the sub-$6 smokes on top25. The pyramids in No. 5 received a 4.5/5 in Smoke magazine Fall of 2003, which is quite a good score for them.

So not only have I liked the Gran Robustos that I smoked, but others also seem to appreciate them, but I am on the lookout for a smaller cigar, one that I can smoke in 30-40 minutes. The gran habano is a big smoke (6 x 54), I can't finish one in hour. I'm a cheap bastard, and old, crotchety, cheap bastard and I don't lke throwing away a half-used cigar, especially one I'm enjoying, so I was excited to read recently that a Rothschild has been added to the Gran Habano No. 5 line.

Most places have the GH5 Rothschilds around $105 for a box of 40, but you can find these for under $85 a box if you look hard (look under a previous thread I started on them), $2.13 - 2.63 a piece.

In any case, back to these cigars. Traditional Rothschild format, 4.5 x 50, they are very nicely rolled, have a well-done cap, quite elegant band with a second small band noting the blend used. The 2 that I smoked for this review were rolled firmly, no soft or hard spots, but the draw was never a problem, just jam packed with lusicious tobacco.

The burn was excellent, the tast great, I can't come up with the descriptors to characterize the flavor other than to say I loved it, lots of rich, sweet smoke. The cigar burned perfectly, maybe a minor touch up or two just because I wanted to keep busy, not that they really needed them. Several times I smoked one of these for comparison alongside a LGCR5 (a cigar I am liking more and more) and actually preferred the GH.

Sorry I'm short in the flavor description category....can I copy something from another site written by the eminent jazznut concerning one PSD4?

Mid point: Now, a honeyed sweetness came forth to offset the herbaceous cedar and spice. This practically demure interlude was, however, short-lived, for an earth and pepper explosion soon relegated all else – those cedar and tobacco qualities included – to the back seat. Surprisingly, the Partagás then did a complete about-face, rounding out once more and offering up a mouth-coating cascade of Cuban leaf. All in all, this portion of the smoke was hedonistically heady and satiating.

Er.... hedonistically heady and satiating ..... yeah.....I tasted that too!

If you like them on the medium-full side you should try the Gran Habano No. 5s.

[LeafHog]

I've had a few of these as well, and they are just great smokes!

I had one of these as my first cigar after a 3 week break due to illness. I was really impressed, but I figured that after my cigar hiatus I could have smoked a chicken bone and tasted hints of burnt madagascar vanilla. The several I have had since have only confirmed my initial impression. This is a really good cigar, and I think one of the best values out there.

I would say these are a medium to full cigar, and a great size for a winter smoke. They may just surpass Piranha's as my favorite short smoke!

[SeanGAR]

Originally Posted by LeafHog

I would say these are a medium to full cigar, and a great size for a winter smoke. They may just surpass Piranha's as my favorite short smoke!

Yea, I look at the Piranhas as a cup of expresso and the Gran Habanos as a cup of Kenyan AA. I like them both :-)

[P-Town Smokes]

Had two boxes of these, Great smoke for the $. As you said, that taste is hard to describe, sweet, powerful, coffee ? Don't know but them are all good gars.

[kansashat]

I likes em too.

[miketafc]

Thanks Sean -- Just received a five pack from Smokeall today and can't wait to try them.

[G-Man]

I have a box of the Rothchilds on the way.

Thanks for the review.