The 2013 Habanos Festival San Cristobal de La Havana Mercaderes was a special release from that year’s Habanos Festival. The cigars came in a beautiful 10 count leather humidor package and there were 1,500 humidors released. The original review and pictures of the humidor is here https://thedirtyashes.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/2013-habanos-festival-san-cristobal-de-la-habana-mercaderes/
I haven’t smoked one for a couple of years and thought that this would be a great time to see how things were progressing…..
The 2013 Habanos Festival San Cristobal de La Havana Mercaderes is a beautiful looking cigar. The wrapper is a gorgeous, light hazelnut hue of brown. Silky smooth to the touch. Aromas of roasted nuts, caramel, milk chocolate and a touch of barnyard.
The construction is excellent. Firm throughout the cigar with a slight give when squeezed. The triple cap looks good and the foot is packed.
A gentle twist from my Siglo multi punch and we are ready to roll.
The draw is perfect. Firm with a nice airflow.
Initial flavours from the cold draw are: mint, cedar, honey and leather.
Time to take this to the flame…..
First Third
Roasted nuts, eucalyptus, earth, leather and a touch of spice start us off on this adventure. Rich, flavourful and refined. Well integrated. Time has really served this cigar well. Strength is at a medium level and supports the flavours perfectly.
The retrohale is luscious. Layers of mint, roasted nuts and earth move effortlessly through the nasal passages.
The after finish is equally cloying. Wonderful layers of eucalyptus, roasted nuts, earth, leather and spice dance expansively on the palate. The strength fully supports the flavour profile. Silky smooth and so relaxing. This is going to be a great ride….
Second Third
Hints of oolong tea come into focus and adds another dimension to the flavour profile. Leather, earth, eucalyptus and roasted nuts complete the picture. Strength continues at a medium level.
The retrohale goes to another level with the addition of oolong tea to the leather, eucalyptus and roasted nuts flavour profile. They combine to move effortlessly through the nasal passages.
The after finish is so soothing. Eucalyptus, leather and roasted nuts lead the way, followed by oolong tea and earth dance on the palate effortlessly. The strength allows the flavours to linger on the palate and allow me to enjoy the flavours. Smooth and gentle. Refined and well integrated. Wonderful……
Final Third
Eucalyptus moves up the ladder. Tantalizing. Combines well with earth, cedar, roasted nuts, honey and oolong tea. The strength continues to be at a medium level.
The retrohale seems richer with an emphasis on roasted nuts, cedar and eucalyptus. A luscious flavour profile that moves effortlessly through the nasal passages.
The after finish is brilliant. Wonderful layers of eucalyptus, earth, roasted nuts, cedar and oolong tea combine to make a fantastic experience on the palate. The strength bolsters the flavours and allows them to have a lasting impression on the palate. Seamless with no hard edges at all. Refined and well integrated. A joy to smoke.
Final Impressions
This is smoking beautifully right now. A plethora of flavours that ebb and flow throughout the whole cigar. Slight changes within the flavour profile that keep your attention. Smooth, silky, refined and full of nuance. Great balance between strength and flavours. Well integrated with no harshness to speak of.
Lots of character with room to evolve. Looking forward to seeing what the next stage of evolution brings.
The 'Dirty' Ashes 