Here we go again. An expensive, limited edition cigar that's really not all that special. Yes, it comes in handsome-ass packaging: in this case, a humidor quality box filled with 14 coffins. For the privilege of buying cigars that are differentiated from the everyday Le Bijou mainly by the wrapper leaf, you will be charged $322. Or, more likely, you'll try a few singles like we did for the princely sum of $23 each. (We'll spare you the nuts and bolts; if you want to know more, read that stuff here.)
It's easy for cigar smokers to get desensitized to price. That's why we like to point it out sometimes. So, here's some perspective. Right now, most people are eating at chain restaurants like Maggiano's or Chillis. The average check at these palaces of microwaved you-know-what-on-a-shingle ranges from about $10 to $27. Think about that. Most folks wait all week for their big night out, and it costs less than this cigar, which most of us will cut and light with less care than Don & Barbara Jones will use to butter their all-you-can-eat breadsticks at the local Olive Garden.
Is this a good cigar? Sure. After all, it's a Le Bijou at heart, and that's always a good smoke. The special wrapper that somehow magically makes this worth double the price is Habano Oscuro grown in Ecuador, unlike the ordinary Le Bijou which sports Nicaraguan Oscuro leaf.
It's easy for cigar smokers to get desensitized to price. That's why we like to point it out sometimes. So, here's some perspective. Right now, most people are eating at chain restaurants like Maggiano's or Chillis. The average check at these palaces of microwaved you-know-what-on-a-shingle ranges from about $10 to $27. Think about that. Most folks wait all week for their big night out, and it costs less than this cigar, which most of us will cut and light with less care than Don & Barbara Jones will use to butter their all-you-can-eat breadsticks at the local Olive Garden.
Is this a good cigar? Sure. After all, it's a Le Bijou at heart, and that's always a good smoke. The special wrapper that somehow magically makes this worth double the price is Habano Oscuro grown in Ecuador, unlike the ordinary Le Bijou which sports Nicaraguan Oscuro leaf.
It really doesn't look much different than a regular Le Bijou. It's very well rolled and perfectly capped, as you'd expect from a My Father product. It also tastes about how you'd expect if you know the regular Le Bijou blend, but a little richer and beefier. It's zingy and a little peppery, with refined Nicaraguan earthiness and wood notes balanced by a core of sweetness smacking of chocolate covered espresso beans.
Ont thing, though. These don't really burn all that well. Our samples felt just about perfect, yet required numerous relights that contributed to an unpleasant charred taste in the final inches. You might try dry boxing these for a few days prior to smoking.
And that's really all there is to say. If you really, really can't live without trying one, we wouldn't warn you away. But we'd rather have two regular Le Bijous for the same price.
Ont thing, though. These don't really burn all that well. Our samples felt just about perfect, yet required numerous relights that contributed to an unpleasant charred taste in the final inches. You might try dry boxing these for a few days prior to smoking.
And that's really all there is to say. If you really, really can't live without trying one, we wouldn't warn you away. But we'd rather have two regular Le Bijous for the same price.
THE DETAILS 6.5"x52 Nicaragua W: Ecuador B: Nicaragua F: Nicaragua $23 | THE HIGHLIGHTS Rich-looking and well rolled, the limited edition is zingy yet rich with a good balance of sweet, sharp and savory notes. Burn could have been better. | THE VERDICT CLASSIC EXCELLENT VERY GOOD GOOD ---------------------- SMOKE/HOLD |
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