Kingantz
Growing too fast.
I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful afternoon; the sun peeking in and out from behind cotton white clouds, a slight breeze blowing, temperature gauge reading around 65F on the back porch. After finishing up lunch, I head to the winedor with a stick on my mind. One that’s been taunting me ever since it graced the confines of my home: A Cuban Davidoff No. 1 from the 1970’s.
I find the long, slender cigar to have a Colorado, to Colorado Claro shade wrapper that seems a bit pale, which I’m sure is from the age. It’s slightly coarse and bumpy with a small patchwork of veins throughout. The weight is rather light in the hand, however when squeezing the cigar I find it quite firm, the bunching in the foot looks to be very good. I unfortunately damaged the very fragile cap, causing it to split on one side, so moistened the head of the cigar and let it sit for just a bit to hopefully soften it up for cutting. I did attempt to use my punch, and it seemed to be working, however for some reason did not cut deep enough to penetrate all the way through. I ended up using the Palio and clipping just a tiny bit off, which did the trick. The draw, although slightly tight, was good enough to get airflow through.
To me, this is a somewhat surreal moment, getting ready to put fire to the foot of this cigar. I’m quite the sentimental type, and feel quite honored to be smoking an almost forty-year-old Cuban cigar of such rarity. I slowly and carefully put fire to the foot, making sure the burn is good, and it immediately comes to life with smoke pouring freely from the embers. I take a couple of puffs and then a very slow, long draw. Incredibly rich and creamy smoke rolls over the tongue revealing exquisite flavors of sweet, toasted cashew, wood, and an incredible citrus zest. The smoke is a mild to medium in body with a perfect cinnamon spice hitting the back of the throat and the finish, well…the finish is sinfully long and lasting, unable to not smack the lips over and over.
The burn is impeccable, sharp and compact, a medium to light gray in color. I’m finding the draw with just a bit too much resistance, however taking a slow, long draw brings out the perfect amount of smoke to get a good mild to medium body. It is so very smooth and creamy with quite complex flavors coming through; toasted nuts, possibly a hint of cocoa, vanilla and citrus intermingling around the tongue that leaves an incredibly lasting finish on the palate. I’m halfway through and already wishing there was more length to the cigar left.
Towards the end, the draw became very tight for about an inch or so making it difficult to get smoke through, however what I could get continued to be incredibly complex and delicious. I wanted to roll the cigar to try and loosen the tobacco, however was afraid the wrapper would not hold up to it. However, after a bit the draw opened back up perfectly allowing smoke to flow freely. The burn continued to be impeccably razor sharp and the ash itself strong and quite compact, a medium gray in color. Flavors were that of a salty sweet nuttiness, rich wood, and citrus with an exceptional finish that was smooth and lasting. The very last bit did take a slight turn to charred wood with a hint of mint.
This was without a doubt one of the best Habanos cigars I’ve ever smoked. Simply amazing.
I find the long, slender cigar to have a Colorado, to Colorado Claro shade wrapper that seems a bit pale, which I’m sure is from the age. It’s slightly coarse and bumpy with a small patchwork of veins throughout. The weight is rather light in the hand, however when squeezing the cigar I find it quite firm, the bunching in the foot looks to be very good. I unfortunately damaged the very fragile cap, causing it to split on one side, so moistened the head of the cigar and let it sit for just a bit to hopefully soften it up for cutting. I did attempt to use my punch, and it seemed to be working, however for some reason did not cut deep enough to penetrate all the way through. I ended up using the Palio and clipping just a tiny bit off, which did the trick. The draw, although slightly tight, was good enough to get airflow through.
To me, this is a somewhat surreal moment, getting ready to put fire to the foot of this cigar. I’m quite the sentimental type, and feel quite honored to be smoking an almost forty-year-old Cuban cigar of such rarity. I slowly and carefully put fire to the foot, making sure the burn is good, and it immediately comes to life with smoke pouring freely from the embers. I take a couple of puffs and then a very slow, long draw. Incredibly rich and creamy smoke rolls over the tongue revealing exquisite flavors of sweet, toasted cashew, wood, and an incredible citrus zest. The smoke is a mild to medium in body with a perfect cinnamon spice hitting the back of the throat and the finish, well…the finish is sinfully long and lasting, unable to not smack the lips over and over.
The burn is impeccable, sharp and compact, a medium to light gray in color. I’m finding the draw with just a bit too much resistance, however taking a slow, long draw brings out the perfect amount of smoke to get a good mild to medium body. It is so very smooth and creamy with quite complex flavors coming through; toasted nuts, possibly a hint of cocoa, vanilla and citrus intermingling around the tongue that leaves an incredibly lasting finish on the palate. I’m halfway through and already wishing there was more length to the cigar left.
Towards the end, the draw became very tight for about an inch or so making it difficult to get smoke through, however what I could get continued to be incredibly complex and delicious. I wanted to roll the cigar to try and loosen the tobacco, however was afraid the wrapper would not hold up to it. However, after a bit the draw opened back up perfectly allowing smoke to flow freely. The burn continued to be impeccably razor sharp and the ash itself strong and quite compact, a medium gray in color. Flavors were that of a salty sweet nuttiness, rich wood, and citrus with an exceptional finish that was smooth and lasting. The very last bit did take a slight turn to charred wood with a hint of mint.
This was without a doubt one of the best Habanos cigars I’ve ever smoked. Simply amazing.
.
