Out of 15,000 I had the extreme fortune of being able to purchase two boxes (#’s 10,624, and 4,844) on a recent trip to France. One of the boxes is going to stay closed and in my humidor for a few years but I have been grabbing a few cigars out of the other here and there. As this cigar is almost impossible to find, I felt that a quick review was in order.
First, I love the size. This bad boy clocks in at a healthy 6 1/2 inches and is a 54 ring gauge. I typically like bigger ring gauge cigars, so this suits me just fine. Second, the box is pristine. Typically when I get a box of cigars there’s always a few with some frayed ends, and some damage however it looks like there was extra effort put in to ensure that all of the cigars were in perfect shape.
As it is a long one, there was a lot going on throughout the cigar but it starts off slightly sweet and light, however what surprised me was just how light it was. That sweetness was a very light caramel/dolce de leche flavor which persisted throughout of the cigar up until near the end where it became a little stronger. For me, the first third was all about sage, and rounding it out with peppercorn. Around the 2/3 there was a bump in acidity which reminded me of dark coffee as well as a mild ginger flavor which wasn’t bad, but not something that I am used to tasting. The last third was more dark coffee, and earthy vegetables, which was a nice to end the cigar.
Overall, this cigar was amazing. It was light, rich, and complex at the same time. Its appearance was flawless, and it just feels like it was rolled with care. If you can find one out there, or a box, I would highly recommend picking it up. It does not top the H. Upmann Connoisseur B, or the Cohiba Siglo VI as my favorite cigars this year, but it is up there. Its scarcity also adds to its mystique, which I love.
Thanks for checking in. If you have any thoughts on this cigar, leave it in the comments section below!
Photo credits: Ravi Sidhu and Antonio Marsillo for Cuban House of Cigars
