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Home > What's New > Connoisseur's Corner, June 2002
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Connoisseur's Corner, June 2002
Posted: Saturday, June 01, 2002
June 2002
The 1492 we found for this issue's Connoisseur's Corner was, in a word, perfection. The Cuban cigar was a sight to behold -- beautifully crafted, with a great cap, a stunning wrapper and excellent construction. And it only got better once we lit it up. The flavor was tremendous, with complex, rich notes of spice, coffee and chocolate literally exploding in the mouth; this was one of those cigars that was a pity to put down. When it was done, only one word sprang to mind -- perfect. And a 100-point score. The fact that this is only the second 100 awarded in this magazine's history attests to how rare a cigar like this really is. If you're holding any 1492s in your humidor, consider yourself a very lucky man. And when the occasion presents itself, light up one of these trophy cigars. You will not be disappointed.
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1492 (1995)
100 This rare cigar that was produced at the H. Upmann factory (José Martí) has always been a super smoke, although it's even better now. At 5 2/3 inches by 46 ring gauge, it draws like a dream. Whitest ash I have seen in years. Full bodied and loaded with spice, coffee and bitter chocolate, it continues for minutes on your palate. It's a glorious smoke. Only 501 humidors of these cigars were made, and each humidor is numbered 1 to 501; each cigar has a numbered band from 0 to 25,050.
--James Suckling
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Punch Punch (1993)
95 A very oily wrapper. It is a very rich, but mellow smoke. There is a core of sweetness with some hints of cocoa, plus plenty of pepper and spice. An outstanding example of this great Cuban cigar.
--Marvin R. Shanken
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Partagas Serie D No. 4 (1993)
94 This cigar smells like white pepper as I take it out of its cedar box. And it delivers similar character with hints of cedar and redwood and lots of tobacco spice. Full bodied with loads of flavor. Perfect draw. Long and rich.
--James Suckling
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Cohiba Siglo IV (1993)
93 A complex cigar that is aging beautifully. It has a strong earthy component, with amazingly pure tobacco flavors. There is just a hint of flintiness on the finish, and an overall complexity.
--Marvin R. Shanken
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Sancho Panza Belicoso
(1995)
93 This has always been one of my favorite cigars. It's a chunky, rich torpedo. This seven-year-old cigar shows a bounty of chocolate character with tea and cedar undertones. It's full bodied and very long in the mouth. An outstanding smoke.
--James Suckling
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Juan Lopez (1988)
91 A smooth corona-sized cigar with plenty of creamy and tea-like character. Medium to full bodied with a silky texture and a long clean finish. A beauty.
--James Suckling
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