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Connoisseur's Corner, December 2003

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2004

Reprinted from the December 2003 issue of Cigar Aficionado

Many people think that a cigar's power fades over time, but 24 years have not tempered the considerable strength of the Bolivar Churchill Tubo that led this collection of well-aged Havanas, one of them more than three decades old. The Bolivar, which rated 96 points -- classic on our 100-point scale -- was a full-bodied blockbuster, with the taste of Bolivars of old. Modern-day Bolivars seem mild by comparison.

A very special cigar, a rare Cubatabaco 25th Anniversary, was rated here for the first time in the pages of Cigar Aficionado. Named for the former exporter of Cuba's cigars (the company now is called Habanos S.A.) the full-bodied smoke had a hint of honey, and scored 92 points.

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Bolivar Churchill Tubo (1979)
96
Bolivar used to be one of the most powerful smokes going, but recently they seem much more mild. Smoke this and see the brand's former greatness. It is an absolute blockbuster. Masses of coffee, chocolate and spice character. Full bodied. Rich and powerful. Long mocha aftertaste.
--James Suckling

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Romeo y Julieta Tres Petit Corona (1970)
93
Sometimes a little smoke like this is just the right thing. This is wonderfully fine with cedar and character and develops a chocolate-like aftertaste. Very elegant indeed.
--James Suckling

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Cubatabaco 25th Anniversary (1987)
92
This is a fascinating smoke with lots of richness and power for a corona-size cigar. Made in limited numbers in 1987 and packed in cabinets of 100, this cigar commemorated the 25th birthday of Cubatabaco, the predecessor of Habanos S.A., the official export company of Cuban cigars. The smoke shows spices, black pepper and almost a honey character in aroma and flavor. Full bodied. Very long aftertaste.
--James Suckling

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Juan Lopez Coronation (1990)
91
A wholesome and smooth corona-sized cigar with plenty of cream and tea character. Medium to full bodied, with a silky texture and a long clean finish. A beauty.
--James Suckling

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Partagas Lonsdale (1995)
91
The Lonsdale is a lovely size for a smoke. I know a number of true cigar experts in Havana who say the size -- 6 1/2 inches by 42 ring gauge -- is the perfect length for a cigar. This is from a cabinet of 50 and it's so good. Medium bodied, with coffee and cream character. Long finish.
--James Suckling

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Ramon Allones Specially Selected (1994)
91
This used to be one of my favorite robustos, but they lost some of their punch a few years after this. A rich robusto that delivers plenty of spice and tobacco character with a hint of mocha. Medium to full bodied, with spicy character and a lively finish.
--James Suckling

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