SLR Serie A - 1998 (JBWP4RW)*

[Chucko8]

Chose out a great stick in the past for this review, SLR Serie A from a 1998 dress box which I’m down to handful left now.

 A double meaning review for myself today, as it would have been the 54^th birthday of a great friend who sadly departed us 3 months back. Pairing the cigar with a West Coast IPA which the Black Hops brewery on the Gold Coast Australia put out to commemorate the good fellow and aptly named Early Departure. Went to some lengths to have 8 of these cans posted over here to Honkers so as I could try them out. Had the pleasure of working alongside Rod on the F111 aircraft in the Royal Australian Airforce for a few years. He truly was a loveable larrikin and fondly missed. 

First 1/3:

First few puffs are some musty aged taste which settles to a little wood and a salty cream aspect. Not long after I start to detect some sweeter honied notes along with the taste of some pu-er tea. Crack open the can of beer and sample some along side the cigar. I obtain distinct pine notes from the IPA and am finding all very pleasant and mellow. Enjoying the ride.

Halfway

Oh boy oh boy. I think Rod must be smiling down on me! The honied notes have now morphed into a stone fruit appeal along with lashings of cream and pinches of salt. The tea feels to have transferred to a light black coffee note. Beer is holding its own and feels to be enhancing the stone fruit a touch. Burn has been great and strength is at medium.

Last 1/3

Stays true to the second 1/3 with the stone fruit and cream shining through. Woody notes also start to come back on show and it melds beautifully with the salt. Thoroughly enjoying the balance and strength stays at a steady medium, I’m sure the Big Fella would approve. Nothing but smooth sailing on this one thankfully.

I give the whole experience a 98 and hope I’ve done Rod proud.

[smbauerllc]

Excellent review. Thanks.

I have actually come to kinda like the hint of musty taste in 10+ year old smokes, as long as its not the dominant taste like with some vintage 1940's cigars I have had.


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[ReturnFreeRisk]

Really enjoyed your comments and happy you took the time to celebrate your friends life. I sometimes dedicate boxes to remember departed family members. Also your pu-erh tea description was like a light bulb going off for me — most of the tea notes I get from cigars are way more accurately described by pu erh, but I’ve never really put my finger on it until you said it


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[smbauerllc]

8 minutes ago, ReturnFreeRisk said:

Really enjoyed your comments and happy you took the time to celebrate your friends life. I sometimes dedicate boxes to remember departed family members. Also your pu-erh tea description was like a light bulb going off for me — most of the tea notes I get from cigars are way more accurately described by pu erh, but I’ve never really put my finger on it until you said it

Sorry to get off topic, but what is pu erh?

Have never heard the term before...

[ReturnFreeRisk]

Sorry to get off topic, but what is pu erh?

Have never heard the term before...

Its fermented tea. To my pallets that process seems to refine the tannins, makes it much more mellow/deeper earth, smokey and more unique herbal notes appear.

https://www.seriouseats.com/what-is-puerh-tea-where-to-buy


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[smbauerllc]

Its fermented tea. To my pallets that process seems to refine the tannins, makes it much more mellow/deeper earth, smokey and more unique herbal notes appear.

https://www.seriouseats.com/what-is-puerh-tea-where-to-buy


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Interesting, thanks

Had never heard of fermenting tea before

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[Nino]

Great tribute your friend and very sorry for your loss !

Good of you to celebrate his life - that is true friendship.

[SpecialK]

8 hours ago, Chucko8 said:

Chose out a great stick in the past for this review, SLR Serie A from a 1998 dress box which I’m down to handful left now.

 A double meaning review for myself today, as it would have been the 54^th birthday of a great friend who sadly departed us 3 months back. Pairing the cigar with a West Coast IPA which the Black Hops brewery on the Gold Coast Australia put out to commemorate the good fellow and aptly named Early Departure. Went to some lengths to have 8 of these cans posted over here to Honkers so as I could try them out. Had the pleasure of working alongside Rod on the F111 aircraft in the Royal Australian Airforce for a few years. He truly was a loveable larrikin and fondly missed. 

First 1/3:

First few puffs are some musty aged taste which settles to a little wood and a salty cream aspect. Not long after I start to detect some sweeter honied notes along with the taste of some pu-er tea. Crack open the can of beer and sample some along side the cigar. I obtain distinct pine notes from the IPA and am finding all very pleasant and mellow. Enjoying the ride.

Halfway

Oh boy oh boy. I think Rod must be smiling down on me! The honied notes have now morphed into a stone fruit appeal along with lashings of cream and pinches of salt. The tea feels to have transferred to a light black coffee note. Beer is holding its own and feels to be enhancing the stone fruit a touch. Burn has been great and strength is at medium.

Last 1/3

Stays true to the second 1/3 with the stone fruit and cream shining through. Woody notes also start to come back on show and it melds beautifully with the salt. Thoroughly enjoying the balance and strength stays at a steady medium, I’m sure the Big Fella would approve. Nothing but smooth sailing on this one thankfully.

I give the whole experience a 98 and hope I’ve done Rod proud.

Sorry for your loss and a great review... I was avionics on F-15's many many moons ago and most of my supervisors came of F-111's from back in the day.. I still look on the days spent on the flight line as some of the best of my life.. 

[Connoisseur Kim]

Great CC review and sorry for your loss @Chucko8. I've seen SLR Serie A box once when I was in Malaysia and I regretted a lot for not paying attention to that box 😢.

[Edicion]

Great tribute to your friend. 

[Rhinoww]

Well played. May his memory always make you smile. 

[Chucko8]

11 hours ago, Rhinoww said:

Well played. May his memory always make you smile. 

Thank you mate