Connoisseur's Corner

Source from:  CigarAficionado.com 02/05/2010

When a cigar collector selects cigars that he intends to age, he typically reaches for a large one, and the two highest-scoring cigars in this collection of aged smokes are of considerable size. Each is a Churchill, 7 inches long with a 47 ring gauge. The only classic in this selection, the 95-point rated Romeo y Julieta Churchill, is a masterpiece brimming with sweetness that is just beginning to soften after 18 years in the humidor. The similarly sized El Rey del Mundo Taino (94 points) is a bit older, and seems smoother and milder. But aged small cigars can also impress. Consider the Hoyo de Monterrey le Hoyo du Prince, 5 1/8 inches long, the even smaller Hoyo Petite Coronation, 4 5/8 inches long, and the downright miniscule Partagas Petit Bouquet, at 3 7/8 inches. Each was a delight to taste for our October 2009 issue.

A beautiful cigar that has begun to mellow with age. There is a cocoa powder note, backed up by a pleasant cedary sweetness. Wonderful balance and smooth on the palate. --Gordon Mott

A perfect example of a 25-year-old cigar. This Churchill size exhibits light tea and soft leather notes, with a perfect draw and burn. It has absolute smoothness on the palate, and great balance of flavors. --Gordon Mott

This petit corona came from a cabinet of 50. Wonderful smoke with hints of cedar, cream and freshly brewed tea. Balanced and long. Gorgeous. --James Suckling

This is a tiny perfecto with cedar, dried flowers and tea leaves. Medium and light with a wonderful freshness and beauty. --James Suckling

This is a small machine-made cigar that delivers very pretty floral and milky tea aromas and flavors. Fresh and balanced. --James Suckling

We discovered this Dominican robusto hiding in the back of a humidor, and the yellowed cellophane showed its considerable age. It was wonderfully made, with a golden-brown wrapper. The flavor had creaminess, which I expected, along with a surprising touch of black pepper. Fun to smoke. --David Savona Enditem