In 2011, Brad Mayo’s Jameson Cigar Co. launched the Santos de Miami series with two vitolas: a 5 x 46 Corona-size called Alma and a 6 x 54 Toro Extra called Haven. Steve Valle reviewed the Haven last August and had high praises for the medium-bodied cigar. The Jameson website describes the blendas such:

A blend inspired by the spirit of Miami, particularly Calle Ocho. Santos de Miami features all Dominican grown tobaccos with a Havana Corojo wrapper, Criollo ’98 binder, and Corojo and Criollo fillers.

In early June, Brad Mayo tweeted about a new vitola for Santos de Miami, the Haven Parejo:

Haven Parejo Tweet

The Haven Parejo is virtually identical to the Haven with only two noticeable changes. First, the sharp square-press from the Haven is noticeably gone. Second, the unique tail from the original Haven is gone, in favor of a simple cap on the Haven Parejo.

Jameson Santos de Miami Haven Parejo 1

      • Cigar Reviewed: Jameson Santos de Miami Haven Parejo
      • Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
      • Factory: Tabacalera La Tradicion Cubana
      • Wrapper: Dominican Corojo
      • Binder: Dominican Corojo ‘98
      • Filler: Dominican Corojo, Dominican Criollo
      • Size: 6 Inches
      • Ring Gauge: 54
      • Vitola: Toro
      • MSRP: $7.95 (Boxes of 10, $79.50)
      • Release Date: August 2012
      • Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
      • Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 3

The Dominican wrapper is dark with tons of oils, particularly to the touch. From the Dominican Corojo, there’s a great pungent barnyard over some leathers and earth. The foot is a much different story. Tons of sugar came coming through a complex array of fruits, sweet woods, grass. It’s apparent on all three cigars I smoked and it’s insanely enjoyable each and every time. Cold draw is a bit tight, particularly with the v-cut, but most will find the Jameson to be fine, particularly via a straight cut. Flavor-wise, there’s a bit of a fading woods, some peanut butters and some grass. It’s sweet and smooth until a pepper comes in about five seconds after the initial flavor disappears.

The first third of the Haven Parejo begins with some sweet woods, bits of creaminess and cedar on the finish. By far, the spice in the aroma of the smoke is the most interesting part of the beginnings of the Have Parejo. Eventually, the core settles to be a medium plus sweet woods with creaminess, coffee and a bit of pepper. A bit of citrus is present on the retrohale. The flavors are solid, but it’s not an insanely complex cigar.

Jameson Santos de Miami Haven Parejo 2

By the second third, the pepper is becoming more apparent, but the core of the Santos de Miami is still this creamy woodsiness. Fortunately, the sugar cane comes through on the retrohale, but the Dominican earth overwhelms it. Smoke production remains above average, certainly not breaking any records, but it’s consistent and easy. Strength is medium, body is medium-full — neither aspect changing from the initial third of the Haven Parejo.

Jameson Santos de Miami Haven Parejo 3

The final third of the Jameson sees the creaminess die down, although it still remains the core. Increasing is the grassiness, which had been virtually non-existent up until this point. Not much else changes, although unlike the first two thirds, the flavors are much more consistent and static.

Jameson Santos de Miami Haven Parejo 4Final Notes

    • There are a few other companies that make a traditional and box-pressed version of the same vitolas as a regular production offering. Coming to mind is the Toraño 1959 Gold Robusto.
    • Before being discontinued, the most recent version of the regular production Padilla Miami was also a cigar with the word “Miami” in its name, but not made in Miami.
    • For those complaining about the rising price of new cigars (see the comments of the Ratzilla review) — here’s a 6 x 54 for under $8.00 with quality packaging.
    • I absolutely love the fact the boxes feature two trays of five. It’s more expensive to do, but it just looks so much nicer. Recently, My Father has used trays on the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 and the My Father Limited Edition 2011.
    • This is what the band of Miami Cigar & Co.’s Art Deco should have looked like.
    • Originally, Mayo planned for the Haven Parejo to debut earlier in summer, he told me that he now plans for a release at IPCPR with the cigar shipping afterwards.
    • I think 54 RG is perhaps my new standard of the limit before things become noticeable and uncomfortable, the Haven works in either form.
    • Samples for the review were sent by Jameson Cigar Co.
    • Final smoking time was just shy of two hours.

    .

85 Overall Score

The Haven Parejo is a cigar with a flavor that comes easy. It's meant to be enjoyed, but perhaps not studied. It's not insanely complex, rather, it's smooth and logical. The answer to the obvious question is I'd rather smoke the box-pressed version, but I'm not convinced the two are that different, it's definitely not like the aforementioned Toraño. The Santos de Miami line is a bit of fresh air, as it really is somewhat unique. I can't think of another cigar this reminds me of, and for a world where nearly everyone admits there are too many cigars — uniqueness is paramount. If you are looking for a quality cigar at a good price to enjoy after breakfast with some coffee, the Haven and the Haven Parejo are both solid options.

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.