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Connoisseur's Corner, December 2005

Posted: Thursday, October 26, 2006

Most of the fine cigars to grace these pages over the years have been Cuban. Havana cigars are well-known for their aging abilities, and old Cuban cigars command high prices at auction. We enjoyed three in this edition, and each scored 90 points or more. We also smoked a trio of Dominican cigars to see how they have held up over time. The oldest, a 1991 Paul Garmirian, was mellow and inviting. The middle-aged smoke, a Davidoff Millennium perfecto released in 1999, was rich and cedary. The best was a 1995 Fuente Fuente OpusX that has retained its impressive strength while gaining finesse.

Reprinted from the December 2005 issue of Cigar Aficionado

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Fuente Fuente Opus X Fuente Fuente (1995)
94
This cigar has come out of its shell. There is a strong core of cedar flavors, in the mid-palate and on the finish. The cigar retains its strong spicy core, with a hint of sweetness and a dark cocoa bean note. The wrapper is oily and dark brown. It will continue to improve with age.
--Gordon Mott

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Saint Luis Rey Regios (1993)
92
This is a brand that is often overlooked, but delivers plenty of character in a smoke. The Robusto shows lots of tea and honey character with medium body and cappuccino undertone. Refreshing smoke.
--James Suckling

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Davidoff Millennium III (1999)
91
This was smoked at the Davidoff Shop in New York City from a box of 200 smokes. This pretty, elegant perfecto cigar delivers a surprising amount of rich tobacco and cedar character. And it has a perfect draw. It shows loads of espresso. It's long and beautiful on the finish. A great surprise, and only made in 1999.
--James Suckling

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Diplomaticos No. 2 (1995)
90
This is a lovely, creamy smoke with cedar and light tobacco flavors. Medium bodied, with fresh character and a tea-like aftertaste. It has lost some of its edge after 10 years in the box.
--James Suckling

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Cohiba Exquisito (1994)
90
This is a little cigar that always packs a punch. Creamy and cedary with some light tobacco and café au lait undertones. Medium bodied, with lots of flavor, yet refined. Caressing mouth texture.
--James Suckling

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Paul Garmirian Petit Corona (1992)
90
This cigar, made in the Dominican Republic with a Connecticut-shade wrapper and Dominican filler and binder, is as old as this magazine. It's mild and cedary, with a hint of orange peel, a core of creamy coffee and a touch of vanilla on the finish. A simple and pleasant cigar.
--David Savona

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