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Home > What's New > Connoisseur's Corner, April 2007
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Connoisseur's Corner, April 2007
Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2007
All of the cigars in this collection are special due to their age (the youngest is nine years old), but some are particularly rare finds. Flor del Punto is no more, Bolivar lanceros are no longer made in Cuba, and the 50 ring gauge Por Larrañaga Magnum has been gone for three decades. These are prized smokes. The Bolivar and Flor del Punto, rated 95 and 96 points, respectively, join the growing ranks of our classic smokes, our highest accolade. These tastings show how age can improve fine cigars, even a relatively young one like the 1998 Saint Luis Rey. Improvements over time aren't reserved for Cuban cigars -- a Hemingway Masterpiece from the Dominican Republic, aged carefully in its book-shaped box for 11 years, scored 93 points. Patience in cigars will be rewarded.
Reprinted from the April 2007 issue of Cigar Aficionado
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Flor del Punto Dunhill Selección No. 303 (Early 1960s)
96 This decades-old small cigar delivers loads of cedar and coffee character and is still very fresh and lively. It builds with each puff. Fabulous. From the collection of Paolo Pong in Hong Kong.
--James Suckling
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Bolivar Especiales (1978)
95 This is a lancero size that is no longer made in Cuba. It has big and spicy flavor for a thin cigar, with a floral, cinnamon character throughout. It's full bodied, with a long, fresh aftertaste.
--James Suckling
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Cohiba Lancero (1991)
94 This is a refined, flavorful and almost minty cigar with tobacco, cedar and light spearmint character. Full flavored, but caressing and delicious. Perfect now.
--James Suckling
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Arturo Fuente Hemingway Masterpiece (1996)
93 A gorgeous perfecto. This nine-inch cigar carries the typical toothiness of a
Cameroon wrapper. It has a near perfect draw, and on the palate, it is a mélange
of cedar and pepper notes. The finish goes to a sweet woodiness, and it lingers
for a long time.
--Gordon Mott
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Por Larrañaga Magnum (1967)
93 This is a legendary smoke and delivers what it should with plenty of cedary, coffee and tobacco character. It's medium bodied with a fresh and cedary aftertaste. A few years back I smoked a 1956 Magnum, and it was even better (95 points).
--James Suckling
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Saint Luis Rey Churchill (1998)
93 This came from a cabinet of 50. It was peppery and rich with cedar and tobacco
notes. A full and refined cigar with lots of character, yet it remains fresh and clean on the palate. Excellent.
--James Suckling
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