Camacho Havana Cigars

I have to admit that I like the Camacho line of cigars, as they always seem to provide a consistently full bodied smoking experience. Handmade in the Honduras, they continue the tradition of strong cigars from this Central American country, without allowing any harshness to ruin a good after dinner smoke. These are not for beginners, due to their complex robust flavors, but are fine for anyone who's had at least thirty cigars under his belt. I recently had their Havana edition, which is not as strong as their SLR's or Corojo's, but it still packs enough of a punch to let you know you are smoking a bona fide Honduran cigar.

The Havana's are hard to find, and I had to shop at three stores to obtain one. I am not sure if this is due to their popularity, or vendors preferring to stock the rest of their line, so buy a bunch if you find them. These are among the prettiest cigars from Honduras, with a attractive wrapper and band that are very appealing. Both are a gold color, and it is almost a shame to have to cut this cigar. A guillotine cut will allow for a huge amount of smoke volume, although lighting can be an arduous process. It takes awhile to get this cigar to light, so I would recommend using a butane lighter with three flames. Sometimes these burn unevenly.

These cigars hold up nicely throughout the entire smoke, and a Toro(6x50 size) will last for about an hour. At $4.50, they are a great value, and the aging of tobaccos is excellent. This used to be a problem for Camacho's, but the last few years has seen an increased attention to quality controls. The flavor is strong, albeit tempered by hints of coffee with a woody background. You will immediately notice a robust pepper taste upon lighting, and it is a bit overwhelming for a couple of minutes. Thankfully, it seems to become a background flavor as the cigar cools, and it adds an extra level of sophistication to this product. The Camacho Havana pairs nicely with a blended whiskey, and it is an ideal treat for an after dinner smoke.