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Connoisseurs Corner, April 2004

Posted: Monday, May 17, 2004

By CA Staff

Reprinted from the April 2004 issue of Cigar Aficionado

Three cigars have joined the ranks of "classics" -- cigars that score 95 points or more -- in this issue's Connoisseur's Corner. One, a 24-year-old Montecristo No. 2, scored a near-perfect 99, showing balance and richness.

Five of the half-dozen cigars rated here hailed from Cuba, so it's no surprise to connoisseurs how they improve with age. (The oldest, a rare H. Upmann corona made for Dunhill was rolled during the Kennedy administration.) There is less research on how non-Cuban cigars age, so look to the 90-point rating for the Royal Jamaica cigar, which is nearly 20 years old. It was very cedary and smooth, and a treasured find at the bottom of a humidor.

Label

Montecristo No. 2 (1980)
99
A beautiful chestnut brown, oily wrapper. This classic Cuban torpedo was perfectly constructed and had a perfect draw. It is one of the richest, best balanced, aged Cuban cigars I have ever smoked. Nearly perfect.
--Marvin R. Shanken

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H. Upmann Dunhill Seleccion Suprema No. 87 (CIRCA 1960)
96
A perfect balance of tobacco flavors in this very rare aged corona. It has a flawless construction. It creates a wonderful combination with up-front sweetness and a backbone of tanginess. As it warms up, it gets even rounder and better balanced.
--Marvin R. Shanken

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Punch Churchill (1995)
96
This looks so good that I am not sure if I should smoke it or eat it. It has a super dark brown wrapper. Full bodied and very flavorful. Chocolate and tobacco character throughout. Clean and refreshing.
--James Suckling

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Por Larrañaga Corona (1978)
94
This is a corona-sized smoke from a cabinet of 50 that doesn't look like much but offers very rich and chocolaty character. It's full bodied, with amazing length and silky texture.
--James Suckling

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Partagas Lusitania Montalto (1966)
92
A 109, meaning a double corona with a tapered end, this is a big smoke that delivers cedary and refined character that turns to dried fruit, almost honey undertones. It's hard to describe, but is still fresh.
--James Suckling

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Royal Jamaica Corona (1985)
90
What a wonderful surprise. This old cigar had been in my humidor since a friend gave it to me, years before the magazine started. It has an excellent draw and burn. The flavors are dominated by cedar (it came in a cedar wrapping), and has a smooth light woody finish, with just a hint of pepper.
--Gordon Mott

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