Sometimes, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get things done. With the world getting back into full swing, you may be in a position where Zoom and face-to-face meetings, dinners, and the general busyness of life takes up the vast majority of your time once more. It’s only when making an active decision to step back, take it all in, and enjoy the moment, can you truly appreciate the simple and the finer things. The cigars we’re discussing today provide the perfect balance of both.
El Rey del Mundo's stunning Demi Tasse cigar.
The El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse cigar is the smallest format option from El Rey del Mundo’s exquisite range, and a fine example of how small Cuban cigars can deliver flavour profiles that excel. The vitola is called Entreacto, meaning between acts, as it was originally conceived as the perfect cigar to be smoked in between acts at the theatre. Whilst it still can be enjoyed in this scenario, it also works perfectly for a break in play during a regular day. Its light to medium flavour profile provides a much needed release, allowing you to sit back and enjoy it alongside a short coffee or after lunch.
Rikesh Chauhan smokes the Demi Tasse in Mayfair, London.
Quintero Cigars was founded in 1924 by brothers who grew up in a small town called Cienfuegos, located 250km away from the capital, Havana. Aptly named Quintero y Hermanos, the brand continues to flourish due to its unique flavour profiles, properties and affordability which enables it to stand apart from established names like Montecristo and Cohiba.
The Quintero Panetelas — a must-have smoke for those on-the-go.
Their Panetelas cigar is the quintessential Quintero offering: providing the ultimate Cuban cigar experience at an extremely affordable price. The cigar features a Vegueritos vitola, measuring in at 127mm by a 37 ring gauge. Made entirely from short-filler tobacco leaves, in the finest regions of Cuba, its creamy profile, medium to full body and small stature makes it an ideal pairing with a black Americano.
Shaun Gordon smokes the Quintero Panetelas cigar.
Rafael González is another brand established in the early 1900s, and famously introduced the Lonsdale cigar which has since been adopted by other established brands. Whilst cigars can often be investments that mature over the years, Rafael González cigars are best appreciated in the here and now. The cigars are carefully aged to be perfect by the time they’re received. Indeed, if ever there was a cigar to embrace the carpe diem mantra, it’s the Rafael González Panetelas Extra.
The Rafael González Panetelas Extra cigar.
Popular amongst many cigar aficionados, the Panetelas Extra is a Vegueritos vitola once again, measuring at 127mm by a 37 ring gauge. A light bodied smoke, it has a sweet and smooth profile, with notes of espresso, chocolate and almonds — what blend could be better?
Luke Alland smokes the Panetelas Extra cigar.
The Cohiba Panetelas is one of my personal favourite short format smokes, primarily due to its consistency and smoke time. It’s always hit the spot every time I’ve had one, and works just as well on the go as when I’m sitting down enjoying drinks with friends before an alfresco dinner. It’s the smallest cigar in the Cohiba Linea Clasica range, and some would say, the best Panetela in the Habanos offering. The extremely thin ring gauge, and the thinnest of the cigars featured here at 26, it facilitates a cool and pleasant smoke with typical Cohiba notes of fine leather and barnyard.
A favourite for many, the Cohiba Panetelas cigar.
Whatever you decide to smoke, these options provide some respite for the busy days, and small moments of joy to enhance pleasant afternoons and evenings in good company.
Rikesh, Shaun and Luke enjoying our short format cigars in London.