La Coalicion by Crowned Heads 6x52

I suspect you are a lot like me, not really need an excuse to grab a cigar and simply sit, relax and enjoy it.  Perhaps that is part of what makes the enjoyment of cigars so special, the simple fact that you don't need that excuse.  But might I suggest that when an excuse arises, you, like me, immediately jump to the need for a cigar to add that exclamation point to what is most likely a great experience already.

This cigar was one such exclamation point.  A friend of mine had gifted me a bottle of bourbon, and to be perfectly honest, I am not much of a bourbon drinker, but this one was quite enjoyable all by itself, which is how I found myself enjoying it the first few times.  On this day however, the bourbon found itself as part of an old fashioned, a drink that only added to the enjoyment of not only the gifted bourbon, but the cigar, the La Coalicion as well.

I used a punch to open up the cigar, and after toasting the foot, I enjoyed the initial draw which offered up a very nice smoke.  The initial flavor was well balanced, with a slightly sweet undertone which complimented the dough like flavor the cigar was offering up.  I know I've stated it here before, but I love that doughy, yeasty, bread like qualities that certain cigars offer up, and this cigar did not fail to bring that to the forefront.

I'll tell you a bit of a secret here, and honestly, I attribute this to an empty stomach with alcohol more so than to the overall strength of the cigar itself, but this cigar kicked my butt.  Remember when I told you that I rarely struggle for an excuse to enjoy a cigar, well on the morning this cigar was enjoyed, it was a bit early to be having a drink, and although I had food cooking which would serve as lunch, the weather was so perfect my original intent was to get a second cigar in after lunch, meaning a first cigar had to be enjoyed before moving on to the second. 

The cigar had a different plan though, which in some ways really sucked, but truth be told, was perfectly OK, as it simply meant I had to sit down and enjoy versus playing with the kids while enjoying the cigar.  I grabbed a quick snack to appease my appetite, and during that time the cigar went out meaning it needed a relight.  What made the cigar so good was the fact, that even though it needed to be relit, it remained true to its flavors never overwhelming or becoming clogged with carbon or tar.  

When all was said and done, this cigar offered close to an hour worth of enjoyment, and thankfully I had another identical stick in the humidor which I enjoyed several days later.  Given that I was beaten by this cigar the first time out, in enjoying it a second time, I was able to confirm that the cigar really is not that strong a stick, unless of course you, like me, try smoking it on an empty stomach while drinking a strong drink.

Lesson learned, more importantly though, cigar enjoyed, and isn't that what it is all about?  Never needing a reason to enjoy a cigar, but always thankful for those opportunities when presented.  Although I have not had a La Coalicion since the two sticks that enjoyed a brief stay in my humidor, this is definitely a cigar I will smoke again, perhaps while pairing it with a big meal that includes steak.  Who knows though, I have so many cigars in my humidor at the moment, it may take a bit before I make my way back to La Coalicion.  In the meantime though, if you have the chance to smoke this cigar, go ahead and give it a go, I promise you you won't regret making that choice.

Until we smoke again...