El Rey Del Mundo Gran Corona 1998 DDRW

[Monterey]

Problem with reviewing discontinuing cigars is that the result is in the range of "I see why they discontinued  this awful Cigar (Such as the Sancho Panza Non-Plus"  to the cringe/cry worthy cut of the Punch Super Selection.  Where would this cigar fall?

Well, I'm REALLY stretching with this one as it was discontinued in 2002!

It was a gift from @Chucko8, so I don't have the box code month or factory, but it is roughly 22-23 years old.  Now, I didn't have  a lot of hope for this cigar as it has 2 things going against it. 

1)  It was made during the black period of 98-01

2) 22+ years old would very likely leave this cigar really mild

The cold draw was totally flavorless.  I thought, this wasn't a good sign of things to come.  I was wrong.

Right from the first draw this cigar was FULL body.  The strength of flavor blew me away.

Dark chocolate, coffee, woody and honey.  Very rich.

As it progressed the primary flavor became chocolate, coffee,  and honey.  The wood slowly faded away

Nuts, peanut more specifically, joined in and created the cigar to become very velvety, stick to the top of my mouth velvety.

The last half saw the honey turn more burnt caramel.  Burnt caramel with chocolate, nuts and coffee.  Coffee turning from dark roast to more cafe latte in flavor.

Oddly, the strength that started mild turned up a notch.  I don't even know how that is possible after 2 decades.  Strength and flavor so ramped up.

Lasted 1 hour and 5 minutes.

So, where does this go in the discontinued category?  For sure under the column under the Punch Super Selection.  The non-plus (a cigar that tastes NOTHING like it's wonderful belicoso brother) should have been cut in 2002 and this cigar remained in production.

I don't really do points, but if I did, it would be in the upper 90's.   Thank you Chuck for this journey!

[havanaclub]

Nice!! ERDM so underrated! Great gift!


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[Chucko8]

Glad to hear that you got some pleasing enjoyment from this stick buddy! From the examples I've tried, would have to agree with your assessment. They are very surprisingly full bodied.  

[PigFish]

Thanks for sharing. These were great cigars, sadly no more on my shelves.

-the Pig