Corneighdo
Corneighdo
It was in the afternoon on the last day of the year, the Dawgs fate was dwindling in the football game, and so was our Chardonnay. It was at that moment, when the A side of the Waylon & Willie record ended that I realized I NEEDED to smoke this cigar today. It was a gift from the wife over the holidays and a great way to ring in the new year.
We decided to head to the place she purchased the stick, Vendetta, in the Fairmont Hotel. We were surrounded by other cigars from this era, and in the setting of a 100+ year old building, it just felt right. I was even sporting a vintage drab green military parka and my wife was decked out in a few of the many vintage jewelry pieces she owns. We were trying to turn back time with this cigar.
FOR THOSE WHO DON’T WANT TO BE BORED START HERE (TL;DR):
1955 Vintage Montecristo Robusto
Pairing: Random 12 year rum, San Pellegrino (not together)
The cigar had a bit of sheen, but was not overly oily, and was the color of brown sugar. Despite a few small veins, and a visible seam, the texture overall was smooth and the construction was precise. A firm cigar, still, after all these years, and built better than some modern Cubans I’ve seen. The wrapper is a tad fragile.
We head into the smoking room, and are encountered by a couple of self declared ‘aficionados’ who were in the mood to have some pretty potent conversations. :| I try to focus on the cigar.
The foot smells like the beach at low tide, a bit salty. After a careful inspection, I noticed no triple cap (as far as I could tell), and I gave a solid punch cut to open this baby up.
Pre flight draw doesn’t offer much, over than the saltiness noticed before, and a bit of hay. Bruce, the proprietor, brings us a complimentary pour of ‘Montecristo’ 12 year Rum. Fitting.
The cigar lights well, and doesn’t need relighting or run adjustment at all throughout the smoke. The first third was very mild, offering light notes of that barnyard hay, leather, and cedar, accompanied by the casual sexism and homophobia of our boisterous company. The ash is very light grey and holds onto the stick for dear life.
Our second third is greeted by peace, we now have the room to ourselves, and the wife and I can really start to talk about what we’re tasting. Once the first ash comes off, damn near half way down the stick, I am greeted by a fizzy texture, and the cigar is leaning on medium strength at this point. The lighter notes of hay are traded for a nutty and shortbread combination that sings. Very mild retrohale where I get a bit of cedar, but the strength is picking up.
Bruce's stories of traveling through Spain ages ago, in a VW bus are a welcome change of pace to a lighthearted conversation about life and travel. The sun is setting on Nob Hill outside and my senses are alive. The trolley sounds louder, my wife is more beautiful than she has ever been, and this stick is tasting like hedonistic opulence. The final third went down to the nub and was where this cigar lives. Creaminess, Malt, and Chestnut all harmonize into what was not the best cigar I’ve ever had, but right up there.
We decided to head to the place she purchased the stick, Vendetta, in the Fairmont Hotel. We were surrounded by other cigars from this era, and in the setting of a 100+ year old building, it just felt right. I was even sporting a vintage drab green military parka and my wife was decked out in a few of the many vintage jewelry pieces she owns. We were trying to turn back time with this cigar.
FOR THOSE WHO DON’T WANT TO BE BORED START HERE (TL;DR):
1955 Vintage Montecristo Robusto
Pairing: Random 12 year rum, San Pellegrino (not together)
The cigar had a bit of sheen, but was not overly oily, and was the color of brown sugar. Despite a few small veins, and a visible seam, the texture overall was smooth and the construction was precise. A firm cigar, still, after all these years, and built better than some modern Cubans I’ve seen. The wrapper is a tad fragile.
We head into the smoking room, and are encountered by a couple of self declared ‘aficionados’ who were in the mood to have some pretty potent conversations. :| I try to focus on the cigar.
The foot smells like the beach at low tide, a bit salty. After a careful inspection, I noticed no triple cap (as far as I could tell), and I gave a solid punch cut to open this baby up.
Pre flight draw doesn’t offer much, over than the saltiness noticed before, and a bit of hay. Bruce, the proprietor, brings us a complimentary pour of ‘Montecristo’ 12 year Rum. Fitting.
The cigar lights well, and doesn’t need relighting or run adjustment at all throughout the smoke. The first third was very mild, offering light notes of that barnyard hay, leather, and cedar, accompanied by the casual sexism and homophobia of our boisterous company. The ash is very light grey and holds onto the stick for dear life.
Our second third is greeted by peace, we now have the room to ourselves, and the wife and I can really start to talk about what we’re tasting. Once the first ash comes off, damn near half way down the stick, I am greeted by a fizzy texture, and the cigar is leaning on medium strength at this point. The lighter notes of hay are traded for a nutty and shortbread combination that sings. Very mild retrohale where I get a bit of cedar, but the strength is picking up.
Bruce's stories of traveling through Spain ages ago, in a VW bus are a welcome change of pace to a lighthearted conversation about life and travel. The sun is setting on Nob Hill outside and my senses are alive. The trolley sounds louder, my wife is more beautiful than she has ever been, and this stick is tasting like hedonistic opulence. The final third went down to the nub and was where this cigar lives. Creaminess, Malt, and Chestnut all harmonize into what was not the best cigar I’ve ever had, but right up there.
...... I think I just didn't understand your post to mean that it's hard for us colder climate guys to get a smoke in for a review (If that's what you did mean) like Mr. Montoya pointed out to me. As someone who has an indoor lounge, didn't occur to me what you were saying........
