San Cristóbal de la Habana La Punta Prelight
San Cristóbal de la Habana is a much more modern brand than it’s name and aesthetic may imply. It was introduced in 1999 in celebration of the city’s long history going into the new millennium. San Cristóbal de la Habana is the name given to the modern city of Havana in 1519. While there was a cigar brand operating under this name prior to the Cuban Revolution, the revival of the brand is not connected. All of the cigars in the San Cristóbal catalog are named after Spanish built Cuban castles.
The La Punta was one of the vitolas that launched along with the brand in 1999. The vitola is the Campanas at 5.5″ x 52, the same dimensions as the Romeo y Julieta Belicosos, and the Bolivar Belicosos Finos. Being a Cuban puro this blend is composed of wrapper, binder, and filler leaves from Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba.
This example of the La Punta came from a 2016 box, and was purchased at a LCDH in Mexico City earlier this year. The wrapper leaf has a speckled milk chocolate/colorado color. The aroma is mostly woody. A straight cut showed a draw that was far too snug, I’m hoping it’ll open up a bit once it’s lit, but if not I’ll hit it with the draw tool. The cold draw had notes of cedar, and barnyard. This cigar was dry boxed for 12 hours before being carefully lit with a cedar spill.
San Cristóbal de la Habana La Punta First Third
Unfortunately, no luck with the draw opening up. I’m gonna smoke it through a bit before using the draw tool. Wispy smoke texture and output to start, which is very likely due to the extremely tight draw. There is some bright woody tones, and barnyard at the forefront so far. I’m getting graham cracker, and campfire wood on the palate. Light molasses, barnyard, and some nutmeg/mace spice on the retrohale. I finally gave up and decided to grab the draw tool, and thankfully after 4 passes I get a serviceable draw. There is an immediate addition of creamy hot cocoa, and woody vanilla to the profile now that the draw has opened up. Ash and burn are great, the smoke texture and output are now a solid medium. There is a medium finish of wood and nutmeg.
San Cristóbal de la Habana La Punta Second Third
Feels like the blend is finally hitting it’s stride after the draw issues here. The palate is showing campfire wood, cream, vanilla, and cinnamon. The retrohale is molasses, marshmallow, and some bright nutmeg/mace spice. There’s also some saltiness on the lips. The nutmeg spice is the most prevalent flavor here in what is a mostly medium profile. The overall flavors here are reminding me very much of eggnog, and Christmas in general. Smoke texture and output are still at medium. Burn is still going well. There is a medium finish of wood, and nutmeg.
San Cristóbal de la Habana La Punta Final Third
The woody tones are now front and center in the flavor profile. Campfire wood, cedar, cream, vanilla, and cinnamon on the palate. The retrohale is molasses, nutmeg/mace, and a touch of cake, or marshmallow sweetness. Past the bands the flavors remained very consistent, with the cream and cake sweetness falling off fairly quickly. I put this one down with about an inch left.
San Cristóbal de la Habana La Punta Conclusions
I was lucky enough to visit the three La Casa Del Habanos in Mexico City on a recent visit, and got my hands on some very cool vintage stock. This La Punta from 2016 was one of the cigars I was the most excited about, as I had yet to try a vintage example of San Cristóbal. I was initially very concerned about the tight draw, but thankfully a perfecdraw got the job done. The profile on this one was very unique, that salty, woody, creamy nutmeg flavor is not something I’ve had in any other blend. The biggest takeaway from this one was that it really tasted like Christmas, and eggnog. I can see why this one is a cult favorite, but that also makes it very divisive. Unfortunately this profile just wasn’t to my palate, and it may have been the fact that I smoked it on a hot June day. I’d give this blend another shot, especially with a younger example, and ideally in some colder weather. As it stands I’m glad I tried this vintage La Punta, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves that Christmassy nutmeg flavor. Just make sure you try one before buying a box blind, this blend is very special and may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
