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Home > What's New > Connoisseur's Corner, June 2003
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Connoisseur's Corner, June 2003
Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2003
By CA Staff
Reprinted from the June 2003 issue of Cigar Aficionado
Perfection is not easy to obtain. It seems befitting, however, that a former Cuban brand could secure such an elite stature. The Davidoff Château d'Yquem scored a perfect 100 points with rich flavors that changed as it was smoked, all the while retaining its complexity. It's all too sad that these phenomenal cigars ceased being produced in the 1980s.
We haven't included a non-Cuban cigar in the Corner since the February 2002 issue. At 98-points, the American-made La Gloria Cubana Torpedo was a more than deserving selection among this series of timeless cigars. Aged since 1993, it smoked splendidly, featuring rich, balanced flavors.
Four Cuban puros also scored in the 90s to round out this issue's aged cigars.
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Davidoff Château d'Yquem (1979)
100 Breathtaking. The production was stopped in the early 1980s by Davidoff and the famous sweet-wine producer from Bordeaux, and it's a shame. The same cigar became the Mouton Rothschild. This cigar starts off spicy and rich with cumin, paprika and cloves, as well as hints of toasted walnuts and cedar. It then turns to coffee, tea and spices. Full bodied and super refreshing with an incredibly long aftertaste. If only all cigars were like this!
--James Suckling
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La Gloria Cubana Torpedo (1993)
98 One of the most delicious aged non-Cuban cigars I have ever smoked. A beautifully textured wrapper, rich creamy tobacco flavors with cedar notes, and a perfect draw. A real winner from Miami.
--Marvin R. Shanken
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Punch Churchill (1985)
95 This is phenomenally good quality with loads of espresso character and hints of cedar and bitter chocolate. This specimen came from a cabinet of 50, which only proves how well cigars age in this format.
--James Suckling
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Bolivar No. 2 Tubos (1988)
92 Whoever thinks that small cigars do not deliver a punch or cannot age well should smoke one of these. I bought a box of these for practically nothing about 10 years ago in a London auction and it still smokes well. A petit corona, it's powerful and pungent with lots of coffee and tobacco character. Finishes very spicy.
--James Suckling
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Montecristo No. 3 (1979)
92 This came from a cedar cabinet box of 25 cigars that was specially produced for Dunhill of London. This Monte is not its usual box-pressed self. Nonetheless, it's rich yet very mellow with plenty of cedar, walnut and tea character -- a refined smoke.
--James Suckling
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Partagas Serie D No. 4 (1991)
92 Old Serie D's are hard to come by and now I understand why. This is a beauty with a light coffee and nutty character. Medium bodied with a long and velvety textured finish.
--James Suckling
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