Connoisseur's Corner, August 2009

Source from:  CigarAficionado.com 09/01/2009

Just how long can one age a cigar? We get that question all of the time. The answer is a tricky one: it depends on the cigar. The highest ratings in this selection went to a 40-year-old Por Larrañaga and a 17-year-old Cohiba. The latter retained its considerable power, and taster Gordon Mott noted that it has "years of life left." The pair, accompanied by a Fuente Fuente OpusX and two Cuban Partagas cigars from the 1990s, joined our ranks of classic cigars, scoring 95 points or higher. Each of the cigars here were delicious in their youth-one shouldn't expect a bad cigar to transform into a masterpiece with a few years (or even decades) in a humidor. While age can make good cigars great, and can turn great cigars into classics, a poor cigar left to age will simply become a poor, old smoke.

Cohiba Esplendido (1992) 98 An unbelievable powerhouse of a cigar, 17 years after it was made. It is packed with a smooth leather quality, and a pronounced spiciness with a blackberry note on the long finish. A great cigar that has years of life left. --Gordon Mott

Por Larrañaga (1959) 98 This smooth, medium-bodied smoke is just what you'd expect from a 40-year-old cigar. It has nice tobacco flavors, with hints of chestnuts and dried wood. This is a real charmer. --Marvin R. Shanken

Partagas Lusitania (1991) 97 This cigar looks like perfection. It has a perfect draw and burns great. There are wonderful cinnamon and nutmeg flavors that come through on the palate with gusto. A fantastic cigar. --Marvin R. Shanken

Fuente Fuente OpusX Perfecxion 'A' (1996) 95 From one of the early batches of the ground-breaking Fuente Fuente OpusX brand. This 9 1/4 inch cigar has begun to show its age, with pronounced cedar flavors dominating a smooth, elegant smoke. As it warms up, there's an almost perfect balance overlaid with the slight sweetness of the cedar notes. --Gordon Mott

Partagas 150 Aniversario Corona Grande (1995) 95 This is very, very spicy with lots of nutmeg, white pepper and tobacco character on the nose and palate. Full and rich with loads of flavors that continue onto the long finish. What a smoke. So fresh and fine. --James Suckling

Punch Super Selection No. 2 (1994) 93 This cigar (from a cedar cabinet of 50) delivers wonderful spicy, peppery and tobacco aromas and flavors. It's full bodied and super rich with loads of character. Long and fresh with a dried nut and cedar undertone. --James Suckling Enditem