El Rey of Reckoning

I recently visited my local cigar store and bought a robusto/maduro version of the El Rey del Mundo. Turns out I liked the little brother better. The fat robusto, while wrapped in an enticing white tissue paper that implied something extra special inside, smoked richly but without any special flavor. There was only the slightest, occasional hint of the mysterious powdery oriental spice that graces the pallet when smoking the lighter-shaded junior.

Not to misrepresent; it was a decent cigar, one that most aficionados would likely rave about. Just a bit plain... ash and pepper and barely perceptible cedar, like a hundred other cigars. I'm not giving up on the El Rey line just yet. I'll try another variety or two, to see if any of the fatter boys can deliver a punchier version of the elusive and funky junior.

Another factor to consider: Smoking in a crowded cigar lounge dampens the experience, no matter how good the stogie. The best way to do it is outside, on a warm and windless day. Stuck in a lounge, with the other lizards' lingering exhalations searing your nose, stinging your eyes, and turning your clothing into a hazmat disposal project, it's hard to convince yourself that the cigar you just paid 7 dollars for is the cat's pajamas.

Bring back those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer. My cigars are crying inside their humidor.