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Connoisseur's Corner, April 2003

Posted: Monday, June 16, 2003

By CA Staff

New Document

Reprinted from the April 2003 issue of Cigar Aficionado

In our latest trip into the past, we've found an impressive collection of cigars with as little as seven to as many as 73 years of age. Three were classics, including the blockbuster Bolivar Churchill en Tubo, which had been resting since 1979. The cigar scored 96 points, and the years could not temper its power: the strength of the cigar nearly brought our taster to his knees.

Two cigars scored 95 points, including a very rare Partagas 150th Anniversary smoke, produced for the sesquicentennial of the famed Cuban brand in 1995. It had mellowed over the years, as had the 1977 Montecristo No.2, which also scored 95 points.

The 1930 Por Larra�aga reviewed here is the oldest cigar to appear in Connoisseur's Corner.

Label

Bolivar Churchill Tubo (1979)
96
This is a formidable blockbuster of a smoke. It has loads of spicy, coffee, and chocolate character. Full bodied. Masses of flavors and a long, long finish. I held on to the bar as I smoked this one.
--James Suckling

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Partagas 150th Anniversary Corona Gorda (1995)
95
This was taken from one of the legendary Partagas humidors produced to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the brand. There were three sizes: a robusto, a tapered double corona, called a 109, and the corona gorda. All came with a commemorative red band. The corona gorda is a rich and spicy smoke with loads of flavors ranging from coffee to cedar. Yet it's mellow, almost refined.
--James Suckling

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Montecristo No. 2 (1977)
95
It almost seemed a shame to put fire to such a gorgeous, silky wrapper, but I was well rewarded with plumes of heady, rich smoke from this beautiful Monte. The cigar was no doubt a mighty beast in its youth, but today it's finely tempered, balanced and elegant, with notes of toasted wood, butter and nuts. Delicious.
--David Savona

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Saint Luis Rey Corona (1984)
92
This is a bit of an insider's brand. People forget about it and it can produce some really fine smokes. This old cigar delivers plenty of cedary, tobacco character with a medium body and a long, refined aftertaste that is like cashmere in texture.
--James Suckling

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Por Larra�aga Festivos (1930)
92
A delicious cigar, slightly thinner than a petit corona, with a cedary and peppery character. Medium bodied with a fresh and flavorful finish, it's hard to believe that this cigar is more than 70 years old!
--James Suckling

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Punch Margaritas (1993)
90
I am smoking this panetela with an espresso in my kitchen, and it's delightful. Plenty of roasted coffee and cedar notes with hints of tobacco. Medium bodied with a silky texture and a long, fresh finish. I always like this smoke.
--James Suckling

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