The cigar of choice today is something special, something i hope will pack a punch, and a cigar that is becoming harder and harder to find. The Saint Luis Rey, Pacificos, regional edition made solely for the Asia Pacifico market. There was a box kicking around at La Casa del Habano Montreal, and I had to indulge. The Saint Luis Rey marqua is a go-to for me. The Serie A and Regios they produce are quite consistent in flavour and strength. So, let’s see what this Piramides has to offer.
About The Cigar
BOX DATE: JUL 2009.
SIZE: 6 1/7 inches in length by 52 ring gauge.
FACTORY SIZE: Piramides
In 2009, Habanos released this regional edition for the ASIA PACIFICO market. As is customary with a regional edition, a limited production run was made, in this case, only 4000 boxes.
1st part.
Before we light, the pairing for this cigar is an espresso from our favorite barista, Baristello. The idea was to match the Pacificos with a drink with full flavour, and then see how it develops before trying a spirit, etc. The first few puffs were very bold, intense and full bodied. I got some burnt peanut peel from it. This is a powerful cigar. Peanut flavours are gone after an inch or so and now is just a rich, intense tobacco flavour that is being felt. I am not getting anything that would suggest I am smoking a 9 year old cigar so far.
2nd part.
The ash is holding strong and keeping a solid cylinder pyramid head. The strength has diminished a little for a few puffs. The taste has not evolved too much and remains enjoyable.
3rd part.
Intensity is back! Full cuban tobacco flavours are in force. The nuttiness of the cigar were tasted the whole way through, with some walnut notes at the end.
Summary
Rating: 7.5 on 10.
The cigar was enjoyable, the draw was great, and flavours were present and consistent throughout. The reason i gave this a 7.5 and not an 8 or higher is simply because i was expecting more from a 9 year old cigar. Somehow, psychologically, if i was not told it was an aged cigar, i would have gone into thinking this was a nice, powerful habanos. Because of the box date, and the brand, we could have expected a little more evolution on the flavours, and slightly less power. I definitely recommend this cigar, and if at all possible, age these for a few more years. It would be interesting to see how the flavours change after a few more years of age on them.
Suggested Pairing:
Seeing as the cigar had some power, a dark and oak type rum would pair great. An El Dorado 15 year Old for example would work well. For single malts, one aged in Port casks, such as a Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. If you are in the mood for a beer, a stout beer would compliment the boldness of the cigar. Young’s Double Chocolate, or a Murphy’s Irish Stout.
Listening Companion:
On a side note, i was watching Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band live at Hyde Park from a 2009 DVD recording. The Boss has always been a favorite and he delivered one of his legendary concerts for the London crowd.
