LGC Torpedo No. 1

One of my buddies from Empire Cigars gave me a 15 year old LGC Torpedo No. 2 for the birth of my son.  I couldn’t wait to try this cigar that I had heard so much about.  I was just going to right a review for this old torpedo when I realized this was a good chance to compare the blend Then & Now.  So much has changed in 15 years, including LGC being bought by General Cigar to even in the last year Ernesto leaving La Gloria to start off on his own again.  Is there anyway these cigars can still be similar at all?  We’ll see!

La Gloria Cubana Torpedo No. 1  – Circa 1994

Size: 6 1/2″ x 54

Vitola: Torpedo

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Origin: Miami, FL, US of A

Age: 15 years!

You should see the cellophane from this cigar!  I hope the picture below does it justice!

Well this is one rustic looking cigar.  The cap is very rough looking but is glistening with plume.  The pre-light draw is firm but yielding, but took a flame easily.

The flavors are interesting.  They remind me both of current La Glorias with their unique earthiness  and also Puros Indios cigars which have a distinctive barnyard aromas.

The burn is fairly even  and the ash burns hot leaving more white than black in the salt and pepper ash.

After the first inch or so they flavors begin to develop nicely, leaving an earthy sweetness with a real mustiness in the aroma.  Very tasty!

If I smelled the smoke from this cigar and was not told what it was i would really guess it was made by Rolando Reyes (Cuba Aliados and Puros Indios).  The barnyard aroma has a real throwback appeal but is really only present in the aroma not so much in the taste of the cigar.

This cigar is amazing, it still has tons of flavor after 15 years!  Halfway through there is leather and earth with some hay and coffee.

As I near the end, the flavors intensify and “sweet spot” flavors like licorice and espresso start to make their way on to my tastebuds.

The cigar just gets better and better, those sweet spot flavors intensifying to a crescendo that makes my burn my fingers as i nub this cigar to the end!  Thanks to Atlanta “Sleepy” Mike for the privilege to smoke this wonderful rarity!

Rating: 97 (A)

La Gloria Cubana Torpedo No. 1 Circa 2009

Clearly the rollers at the General Cigar Factory have had a lot of practice with torpedoes as this puppy has a beautiful pointed cap.  The color is identical to it’s grandfather but more even and not as splotchy.

The cigar takes a cut from my PG cutter with no problem and the pre-light draw is waaaay easier.

So far the only thing the two cigars have in common is the shape.  there is a bit of earthiness, but the cigar is a lot spicier and has a rich leather character.

The burn is not entirely even but satisfactory enough.  The finish has a bit of licorice and leather.

The cigar is not that complex and the flavors listed above are fairly consistent throughout the length of the entire cigar.

Rating: 86 (B)

Vitola: Perfecto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sungrown

Origin: Dominican Republic

Age: 7 years

This is a very special cigar.  Not only did this blend lead to the AVO 787 but this is the only LE to have a different sized European release.  The original AVO 22  was 5 7/8″ x 50 while the European release has a ring gauge of only 41.  The Europeans historically prefer thinner cigars hence the change.  I got my hands on one of these in a trade and couldn’t wait to smoke it.

AVO 22 European Release

This cigar has a satiny brown color, a dull sheen, not very oily.  The veins are almost invisible and the foot of the perfecto comes to such a fine point it almost looks closed.

As I light it, I notice the initial aroma that lets me know that even if its seven years old, it still has some flavor left to give!

The first third is fairly spicy,  with some light pepper and a creamy sweetness that reminds of caramel.  The draw is absolutely perfect.

The sweetness starts to intensify as I near the bulge in the perfecto, giving my heady notes of licorice and coffee,  The burn is dead even.

The last third is ridiculously good.  It is rich wand creamy with tons of cocoa, espresso and chocolate.  I loved every inch of this cigar.  I thought it would lose a bit with less filler than the US release, but this was better!

Rating: 96 (A)

Vitola: Slim Panetela

Wrapper: Connecticut

Origin: Dominican Republic

Age: 13 years!

This is the last of the awesome cigar bomb I recieved from Matt (aka Cyrann) from the Brothers of the Leaf Forum.  This is also the oldest cigar, clocking in as an early teen of 13 years.

Davidoff 3000

Wow, this is one beautiful cigar.  It is satiny and smooth to the touch.  The cellophane is yellow from 13 years of contact with this beautiful Connecticut Shade wrapper.

The pre-light draw was easy and the cigar lit very easily from the flame of my IM Corona lighter.

The flavors, as expected were mild, but numerous.  I was hit with waves of cream and wood, leather and nuts, with some of the Kelner mustiness thrown in as well.

The ash burned red hot leaving the most striking white ash I have ever seen.  It did not heat up the cigar too much and the burn was dead on even.

The exhale is rich with creamy coffee and nuts with some leather and grass.

The cigar burned flawlessly another example of the artistry of Henrik Kelner.  I enjoyed every minute I spent with this cigar!

Overall the cigar was creamy and woody, mild but with a lot of flavor still after 13 years.  It was a pleasure to get the opportunity to try this cigar!

Rating: 94 (A)

Vitola: Panetela

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Origin: Dominican Republic

Age: 10 years

Now I’m getting real excited!  This is the first of two 10 years+ cigars that were given to me by Matt (Cyrann) on the Brothers of the Leaf Cigar Forum.  This is the fourth installment of my Kelner Bomb Review Series.

Davidoff Classic No. 2

This cigar looks beautiful!  Hardly any visible veins, the wrapper looks to me to have gotten darker with age, compared to the current Davidoffs which use Ecuadorian Connecticut wrappers.  This has a little sheen on it and judging by the cellophane, this baby has been resting for a long time!

I clip the cigar and the pre-light draw is firm but yielding, which I expected with this ancient panetela.

As I light it am hoping that 10 years has mellowed this cigar out too much.

Some of the first flavors I get is that unmistakable Davidoff/Kelner mustiness.  The aroma is rich with sweet cream and as my buddy Matt likes to say, “the smoke is so chewy”.

The ash burn white hot, but takes it’s time working down the cigar.  The ash drops off after an inch and a half, and the burn is dead even.

Halfway through this masterpiece, I start to pick up a little leather but a lot of wood.  The exhale is rich with coffee beans and nuts.

Yes this is a very mild cigar,but is a very flavorful mild cigar, amazingly so after 10 years. it’s like this Kelner guy knows what he’s doing…

The draw was a little tight the first inch or so but opened up as I smoked it.

The last half was wonderful, a smooth burn, tons of smoke and rich wooy, nutty flavors with a bit of coffee.

My only complaint is that it was over so quickly!  Thanks to Matt for the cigar, look for the last installment later this week!

Rating: 95 (A)

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sungrown

Origin: TabaDom Factory, Dominican Republic

Age: almost 2 years

This is the youngest of the cigars that Matt (Cyrann) of Brothers of the Leaf gave me, but also one of the nicest.  The Winston Churchill is no slouch and I can”t wait to see what almost 2 years has done for this luxurious cigar.

Winston Churchill Marrakesh

This cigar is way darker than most Kelner made cigars using an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.  The leaf is teaming with oils and has a silky touch that is inviting and alluring.

The ciga,r from the start, begins like most cigars wish they finished.  It is rich and flavorful, a slight bit of pepper with tons of tobacco and leather.  The Kelner mustiness is there, this cigar reminds me already of an AVO LE 05.

I’m drinking a Cockburn’s Special Reserve Porto with this stick, and it really brings out the oakiness in the cigar without all of the dryness.

A quarter of the way through, the cigar changes a bit and gives off notes of chocolate and coffee.  It’s like I’m smoking a Cafe Mocha!

The third quarter of this cigar is yet again different, rich with leather and nuts with the oakiness on the finish.

The last quarter is rich and intoxicating, loaded with tons of spice and licorice.  This is an amazing cigar!

Thanks again to Matt (Cyrann) for the cigar, I really enjoyed this!

Rating: 91 (A-)

Vitola: Long Corona

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Origin: TabaDom, Dominican Republic

Age: 4 years

This is the second of my Kelner Bomb Review Series.  One of my esteemed Brothers,Matt (aka Cyrann) from the BOTL cigar forum sent me a fantastic “bomb” of vintage Kelner cigars including this 4-year old Avo XO Preludio Tubo.

AVO XO Preludio Tubo

The XO line is a slightly amped up version of the Classic line, sharing a lot of the same flavors with an added oomph.

The cigar has a light brown color with few veins and a satiny yet slightly toothy wrapper.  The pre-light draw is easy and I am rewarded with ample smoke after lit.

The initial flavors are woody and citrus, which leave a tangy dryness on the palate.

Halfway through, the cigar really picks up steam and gives of some coffee and licorice notes, especially through the exhale.

The burn is dead even and my only complaint is that when i have to remove the band from the cigar, the glue takes a little of the wrapper off with it.

The last quarter of the cigar, which I nub, is rich and fragrant with the ever present wood and coffee and hint of nuts and cocoa.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar and I thank Cyrann for the chance to smoke another aged Kelner/Avo beauty!

Rating: 89 (B+)

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Origin: TabaDom, Dominican Republic

Age: 5 years

This is the first of my Kelner Bomb Review Series.  One of my esteemed Brothers,Matt (aka Cyrann) from the BOTL cigar forum sent me a fantastic “bomb” of vintage Kelner cigars including this 5 year old Avo Classic No. 2.

AVO Classic No. 2

The Classic have always been great morning cigars, but I was interested to see if age took too much off of this milder cigar.

The white on the band has since yellowed, always a good sign, and the wrapper has darkened a bit but still is satiny with few veins.

The draw is easy and the initial quarter yields lots of smoke rich with that famous Kelner mustiness, wood and light coffee.  Already I see that my fears were for naught, as the cigar still has ample flavor even after 5 years.

Halfway through the cigar actually picks up a bit with increased shots of espresso and just a bit of cocoa and nuts.

The burn got off for a second but corrected itself and was dead even through the remainder of the cigar.

The woodiness came back strong in the second half of the smoke and it brought some leather with it!

The last quarter was creamy and chewy with coffee and chocolate notes.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a Classic, and I forgot how much I loved this cigar!  This aged wonderfully and I can’t thank Matt (Cyrann) enough for the chance to try an aged beauty such as this!  Look for the next installment of the Kelner Bomb Review Series later this week!

Rating: 91 (A-)