|
Home > What's New > Connoisseur's Corner, August 2007
 Email this feature to a friend
Connoisseur's Corner, August 2007
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007
By CA Staff
Perfect cigars are rarities, far less common than the perfect bottle of wine. Cigar Aficionado has never given a 100-point score to a cigar in a traditional blind tasting, and only nine cigars have achieved perfection here in Connoisseur's Corner, our tastings of rare, aged cigars. Two are in this issue, a pair of Cuban cigars lovingly rolled in the mid- to late-1960s: a Don Candido and a Bolivar made especially for Geneva cigar retailer Grisel. Each cigar had a stunning amount of power and vivaciousness despite their age. That was magical tobacco. They highlighted this very impressive lineup, which included a pair of other cigars that scored 95 points or higher, making them classics on our 100-point scale.
Reprinted from the August 2007 issue of Cigar Aficionado
|
Don Candido Selección No. 506 (1966)
100 This is mind-blowing, as if it was just out of a fresh box. The corona gorda–sized smoke is spicy and powerful. Full body, with layers of spice, nutmeg, tobacco and coffee. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Extraordinary.
--James Suckling
|
|
Grisel Bolivar Chatelet (1969)
100 A magical corona gorda that was made just for the Geneva cigar merchant. This is full and very rich with amazing spiciness and powerful, yet it's refined, complex and cedary. I didn't want to put it out.
--James Suckling
|
|
Bolivar Belicosos Finos (1958)
96 It seemed a little dry at first, but then opened into a fine and refined smoke with a nutty, honey and spicy character. Medium to full body. Very long and fresh. Like a mountain meadow in the hot summer.
--James Suckling
|
|
Punch Churchill (1993)
95 A classic aged smoke. Very smooth and refined with a core of spicy, almost peppery
flavors layered over cedar and leather notes. It is perfectly made with a wonderful draw that just begs for you to keep smoking it.
--Gordon Mott
|
|
H. Upmann Sir Winston (1994)
94 I don't smoke Churchill–sized smokes often these days, but this was superb, with cedar, honey and dried flower character. Very mellow and refined. Medium to full body. Long and caressing texture of smoke. A beauty.
--James Suckling
|
|
Bolivar Immensas (1996)
93 This was a little overhumidified, but it delivered rich and spicy character with hints of coffee. Full body, round and very rich on the finish.
--James Suckling
|
Check out our Connoisseur's Corner Archive
Back to top
|
Cigar Aficionado RSS Feed