Size: 6″ x 52
Vitola: Perfecto
Wrapper: Honduran Maduro
Origin: Dominican Republic
Age: 4 years
This is turning in to a real fun tradition. Ever since the 1st release of the Liberty Limited Editions in 2004, I have made sure to enjoy one on our Nation’s Independence Day. This year I decided to treat myself with one of the few remaining 05′s in my humidor. This is probably their best of the Liberties to date.
These are interestingly shaped cigars; they are the traditional Camacho 11/18 shape, which is a bulbous perfecto without the pointed ends. The Liberties also are supposed to have pre-embargo Cuban tobacco in them, but I’m sure only in little “sprinkles”. The wrapper is very, very dark which makes you think this will be a strong cigar, but most Liberty blends are smoother and a little less spicy than it’s Corojo cousin.
This dark rich looking cigar starts very unassuming, mellow Honduran earthiness with a touch of wood. I am drinking a glass of one of my favorite single-malts, Isle of Jura, when about an inch down it really opens up. I’m not sure if it was just it’s time or the scotch but I am suddenly greeted by rich mocha flavors and a subtle spice on the sides of my tongue.
(By the way, if you have not yet tried Isle of Jura yet and you like single-malts, do yourself a favor!)
As I was enjoying in the deluge of flavors I noticed the draw start to give way… too much. I looked down the foot of the cigar and sure enough I had a tunnel. This occurred when the tapered end opened up to the largest part of the cigar, proving how difficult these shapes are to roll.
The tunneling was short-lived but heated the cigar up enough to produce some sour flavors. It quickly righted itself and was again generous with coffee and cocoa. The spice disappeared for a while but came back as I reached the last quarter. The last 1/4 was robust and spicy: pepper, mocha and wood were all prominent. [image source: Stogiefresh.com]
Overall, this was a good cigar, but the tunneling really detracted from my overall enjoyment. However, I am stil excited for the next 4th!
Rating: 89 (B+)
How about that! We smoked the same cigar on the 4th! Sorry to hear about your tunneling problem. Mine was superb form start to finish with an amazingly straight burn for a Camacho. Happy 4th brother.
-Matt
Yeah, it was a bummer!
I didn’t have any burn problems and like Matt said, I thought this was a terrific smoke from start to finish. This gar has some serious punch and will go great after a hearty meal. A strong cup of jave worked well with mine.
I am looking for some 2004 Camacho Liberties. Do you have any to sell?
I don’t Danny. Check some of the Cigar forums like botl.org. many of cigar trading and buying sections and i’m sure you could find these there. Good luck!