Memoirs of a Cigar

This Christmas Eve, Santa brought me some World Class Cuban Cigars. Among the cast of stellar cigars was a H. Upmann Magnum 46, a Hoyo De Monterrey Double Corona and a Special Edicion Partagas from Casa Del Habanos. The cigar I am reviewing first was one of the most exciting for me, not only because it’s a Cuban Brand I have yet to try, but also because the cigars have been aged since 2003, and so they should be of connisuer quality. I sat outside with my new full size patio heater (another Christmas gift) and paired the cigar with an amazing Belgian Beer which goes by the name Yeast Hoist.

The Sancho Panza Molinos, from a box dated 2003, are classic looking cubans with understated light brown bands, reminicent of Montecristo. The bands say Sancho Panza Habano Cuba on the front, and Seleccion Delamonte on the sides. I believe this means that these bands were originally produced for someone from the Delamonte family, as it was quite common for Cubans to be personalized for specific large orders in the old days. The bands were likely then reprinted and released with new versions of Sancho Panza Cigars.

Upon cutting my 2003 Sancho Panza Molino, I tasted flavors of coffee beams and chocolate. Upon lighting, the first 3 puffs were very vegetal and had notes of celery, parsley, and cilantro. Amazing! These vegetal flavors were then overtaken by a velvetey and creamy cigar with flavors of cloves and sweet cedar wood. Amazing(x2)!

The middle of the cigar had flavors of tea, cream, and a slightly more leathery texture, while still displaying sweet cedar wood and clove flavors, and an intoxicating aroma. The fine white ash hung on for quite some time, and when it finally did drop, it landed standing up in my “I Love St. Tropez” ashtray. Quite a stand up performance from a classic aged Cuban.

While the first 2 thirds were light in strength amd full of amazing layered flavors, this last third progressed to a medium bodied smoke, and added white pepper spice and some chocolate notes as well.

The Sancho Panza Molinos was truely outstanding from the moment it hit my lips, until the moment its 7 year lifespan was over. I don’t think I could have picked a better Christmas Eve smoke then this 2003 Sancho Panza. Merry Christmas everyone, and may all your Christmas wishes come true!

It may seem strange to some, but personally I don’t see anything wrong with having a little Montecristo #4 in the morning while taking the dogs for a walk. The Montecristo #4 is, after all, the best selling Cuban Cigar in the world, thanks to it’s full flavor and small convenient size. It’s a perfect 45 minute smoke, and pairs amazingly well with a morning coffee with it’s coffee, cocoa and vanilla flavors.

The weekend has landed, with a Frangelico Coffee and Fidel Castro’s favorite cigar. I sat outside on the patio and enjoyed one of my favorite Cuban smokes, which I have aged in a Hoyo De Monterrey Particulares Coffin Box. I have to say this box helped my Trinidad Fundadore age brilliantly, as it was a nice 93-94 point smoke, and a perfect way to start off a relaxing weekend.

The Trinidad Fundadore is considered to be Fidel Castro’s favorite cigar. Boxes of these stellar Lancero’s were handed out to dignataries visiting the island of Cuba, and were made exclusively for Fidel Castro prior to 1998, when they finally became available to the masses. The Trinidad brand is produced almost identical to the Cohiba brand, with two fermentaion periods, while the latter adds a third.

To read more on the History of the Trinidad Fundadore and Fidel Castro see my previous post on THE HISTORY OF THE LANCERO:

http://www.memoirsofacigar.com/2009/04/11/davidoff-millennium-blend-lancero/

The Trinidad Fundadore has an extreemely smooth and creamy blend of earth and spice, with notes of espresso, honey and vanilla. The cigar rewards the smoker with that rich ethereal quality only found in a quality aged Cuban Cigar. While the first third is light and exhibits notes of dried fruits, the center is perfectly balanced with earth, cream spice and a leathery texture. The final third adds a touch of strength and spice while still exhibiting floral and mineral qualities. If I was stranded on a desert (or communist) island and had only 1 cigar I could smoke forever, it might very well be the Trinidad Fundadore.

For a touch of CIGAR POETRY, and one of my best all time reviews, I highly recommend the following post:

http://www.memoirsofacigar.com/2010/03/13/trinidad-fundadores-in-paris-cigar-poetry/

Macanudo releases it’s Macanudo Vintage Cabinet Selection approximately once or twice each decade. They are usually stellar mild conecticut leaf cigars presented in crystal tubes. They are the best cigars produced by the Macanudo portfolio and are carefully aged cigars which sell out quickly. I recently stumbled upon the year 2000 release of Macanudo Vintage at Grant’s Tobacconist on Market Street in San Francisco. The cigars were priced at $11.00 each, which is quite reasonable by California standards, and so I picked up 3.

These cigars are unique, not only as the first Maduro ever released as a Macanudo Vintage, but also for the Metal Cigar Band that you can use to hold the cigar as you smoke it. The Silver Band is similar to a silver napkin ring, and gives the cigar a luxurious look and feel.

The Macanudo Maduro Vintage 1997 Reserva Dorada is a small ring gauge perfecto made from a blend of Nicaraguan, Brazilian and Dominican Tobacco. It’s highlight is a 13 year old aged Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro Wrapper. It has a paper band near the foot which must be removed prior to smoking, and it’s thick Silver Metal Band which can be left on while smoking if desired. The Silver Band acts as a humidity gauge, so that when the cigar is properly humidified it will hold against the cigar just snug enough.

The Macanudo Maduro Vintage 1997 Reserva Dorada starts off with toasted wood and mineral flavors, mixed with rich tobacco and dark chocolate. The ciar then proceeded with varying degrees of strength, pepper and spice, while maintaining the same overall flavor profile. The cigar also has flavors of roasted coffee and a smokey meat like texture. After smoking 3 of these cigars, I would highly advise clipping off just the smallest part of the tip to enhance the flavors.

The Macanudo Maduro Vintage 1997 Reserva Dorada is a solid aged maduro which I would rate at about 91 to 92 points. The fact that it’s a rare one time Macanudo Vintage Cigar make it a must smoke for any Cigar Conissuer, and it’s Silver Band adds to it’s rare experience.