By now, all the trick-or-treaters have gone home, and I hope none of you got sick on Halloween candy. This week, I’m reviewing the My Father El Hijo, the third installment in the Smoke Inn exclusive Microblend Series.
My Father El Hijo by the numbers:
(Smoke Inn exclusive)
Size: 5.5×52 box-pressed
Wrapper: Select 2009 Harvest Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Factory: My Father in Esteli, Nicaragua
No. smoked for review: 2
Duration: 75 minutes
Source: review samples
Price: $9.75 ($146.25 per box of 15)
Website: www.myfathercigars.com
Retailer: www.smokeinn.com
This is a great looking cigar, featuring the typically ornate My Father band paired with a secondary El Hijo label. Off the wrapper, I picked up some faint earth and sweet hay, while the foot gave off more of the same earthy aromas, plus a hint of chocolate and a distinct tingly spice that tickles the nose. The cold draw offered up the perfect amount of resistance, along with a subdued earthy flavor.
Once lit, the cigar produced tons of thick, creamy smoke with each puff from beginning to end. Upon transitioning from the unfinished foot to the light brown wrapper, a nutty flavor developed, together with a spicy cayenne pepper at the back of the palate. The burn was quite well-behaved, requiring only the occasional touch-up to keep things going perfectly. In the second third, the flavor profile took a woodsy turn and a tangy sweetness rose up, while the final third offered accents of sweet toffee and toasty notes. By the end, I was definitely feeling a slight nicotine buzz, but nothing overwhelming.
I can’t think of anything that’s come out of the My Father cigar factory that I haven’t enjoyed. El Hijo is a nice & unique expansion of their offerings, and a worthy addition to the Smoke Inn exclusive Microblend Series.
In honor of Halloween, I was thinking of maybe donning a costume for this week’s video, but my Drunk Brian Hewitt outfit was at the dry cleaners getting a vomit stain removed. I’m still trying to get the hang of the video review thing, so please bear with me as I stammer my way through this one.
(Video length: 11:11)
Soundtrack: “Find that Void” by Gordon Tarpley (courtesy of musopen.org)
As I mentioned in the video, Smoke Inn is currently running a special where if you buy a box of the My Father El Hijo, you’ll get a free My Father special 3-pack (while supplies last): http://www.smokeinn.com/eshop/My-Father-El-Hijo-SI-Exclusive.html
About Charlie:
Charlie has been enjoying cigars since 2000 and generally prefers a medium-bodied, full-flavored smoke. A USAF vet, he is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. Originally from Connecticut and now residing in Delaware, Charlie is also a fan of football, science fiction, political philosophy, and single malt scotch. You can contact Charlie on Twitter @greenbacker
Lol you and me both have a umm and uhh moments. Good review and I will defenatly have to try these.
Being a Florida boy, I’ve never been to smoke inn. Sad I know- born in Orlando, grew up in Ft Lauderdale, but currently reside in Tampa. My question is are all the SI exclusives carried in each of their locations? I visit family often in SFL and would love to stop by and grab each of the shop exclusives!
I’d call ahead to double-check the stock before heading in to one of the retail locations, but the Smoke Inn website shows all three of the microblend series are still available (except for the Padron 6×60 in maduro): http://www.smokeinn.com/eshop/Smoke-Inn-Microblend-Series.html
Did you brought home some the Cuban Cigars ? Great review Charlie’s……….
“Did you brought home some the Cuban Cigars ?”
No comment.
Charlie, I’ll be honest I’m very PA dutch and I wasn’t a big supporter of yours basically because you were the new guy and we don’t like anything new. But you have brought a lot to SR of which I solely blame for my cigar addiction. This in my opinion is the best sight on the Web for Cigars period. So welcome to the madness that is SR and on your reviews don’t try and conform to anything out of your norm give the review Like Walt, Jerry, Brian and Mike do in their own way.
Thanks… I think? 🙂
“I’m trying to cut down on my umms and uhhs, not sure how I’m doing on that. But ummm …” lol. noobs, sheesh, why do we even feed you.
Just breakin’ your balls man, it was a good review. I personally LOVED the only one of these I’ve had. I’m thinking about getting a box before they’re gone. It seemed a bit stronger than the regular MF, and I got a lot of those toffee flavors you were talking about mixed in with the pepper and wood. I thought it was really flavorful, especially considering I don’t care much for the MF line until it’s aged for a while–I find them MUCH more flavorful after a year or two (except the lancero, that’s good pretty quickly for me).
I’m thinking these might be like a cross between the regular MF line and the MF LE 2011. I’ve only had 1 of each (El Hijo and LE), so I can’t say so conclusively … anyone else want to chime in on that?
Thanks again Charlie, great review- and an eye opener to some Florida exclusives I hadn’t even heard of- keep the reviews coming brothaman
Thanks for the good review, Charlie. I need to give these a shot.
Thanx for the review. I often by sample packs from SI but have not tried this one yet. Will def. give it a try with my next order. keep it up brother.
Good review Charlie. Smoking an el hijo right now, damn good smoke. When are you going to review the my father special s?
Thanks, Kevin. The My Father Special S made in appearance in the March edition of my “Month in Smoke,” but I didn’t have enough samples for a full review, and since they’re so rare, I decided not to do a first impressions either. Didn’t want to tease people with something they couldn’t readily find, and I wasn’t “wowed” anyhow.
I’m halfway through my first “Father” and like the straight ash, perfect draw, adequate body of smoke, and mild woodsy taste. If memory serves, my JR catalog puts this brand at the medium-high end of the price scale, so I’m not sure if the stick is remarkable enough to re-order.