jay8354 Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 Trinidad Fundadores Unknown Year – Assuming it is a recent production of 05. Purchased from El Prez as a sampler late last year. I happen to remember this cigar one evening due to other half having to work late and I was being lazy about cooking for myself. Bought the Cigar from CZ around 6+ months ago as a sampler, was curious what the cigar would like after the thread about champagne and cigar being great companions from Ken. Never got a chance to test out the theory. I decided that I would bring this cigar to the local club for dinner, drink and a smoke. Thought might as well indulge myself while watching the Rugby Union on the big projector screen. I have been very curious about the Trinidad and especially the Fundadores. Small ring gauge but around DC / Churchill length. Upon inspection, same length and ring gauge as the Cohiba Lanceros. I always wondered due to the smaller ring gauge, whether the cigar will be more intense and powerful smoke. After this though, if this can be a benchmark of other small ring gauge but long cigars, then I have been converted (I am more a DC / Churchill cigar lover). The Drink for this cigar is the Tooheys Strong Ale – the club did not have any other dark ale, unfortunately. However, the creaminess of the Ale does prove one thing to me. Champagne would be heaven with this cigar. Try it and then give thanks to Ken. More on this below. This cigar had a light tan wrapper, no soft spots or hard spots present. No noticeable vein on the wrapper, the whole cigar is excellent quality. Took a whiff from the body and the foot of the cigar, light cream and cappuccino. Used my Siglo Punch on the cigar, afterwards thought, should I have used the cutter instead (thought that I did not do it justice). Any the pre-lit draw allayed my fears, perfect draw. Flavours changed slighty, honey, dark cocoa flavours. After this just could not wait to light it up!! The cigar was very easy to light, perfect burn, with more whiteish grey ash the whole way through. I took my time with this cigar as I was drinking my Ale, the creaminess of the Ale with the flavours of cream, honey, cocoa and espresso coming to together. My lips were smacking the whole way through. Very even burn, no need to touch up at all, and the ash got so long that I regrettably had to knocked it off (about ¼ of the way). The flavours of the cigar did not really changed much, more it was that you kept pciking up hints of other flavours coming through. In the last 4 inches, it got a bit more spicy but I attributed to the build up of tar. Nubbed the cigar after 2+ hours, didn’t really want to put it down. Of course, burnt my fingers in the process. Definitely something that I would keep stock of constantly. After this, I don’t think I will smoke much of larger ring gauges. Totally blew me away about what smaller ring gauge offers. Length: 178mm / 7 inches Ring Gauge: 38 Construction – 8.5 Wrapper - 8 Draw - 9 Taste - 9 Summary Overall Points out of 100 – 91 ( I would have given it higher but I want to see how it compares with the Lancero, SdC no.1, Especiale no.1 and an aged Funi first) PS: I will give a revised review later with the ’01 later and how it compared with this review.
El Presidente Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 Great review Jay.....excellent. However, if you ever encourage Ken to "call me for a free tasting cigar" again....I will have some serious words with you . ;-)
Ken Gargett Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 jay i only get to review cigars rob is struggling to move.
Fatshotbud Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 » Very nice review on a great cigar! Ditto nice review! Your hands must be much steadier than mine to attempt to use a punch on this size ring - I probably would have drawn some of my blood. BUD
Shooter Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 Awesome review! I might torch a single I've got today!
Tampa1257 Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 Nice review Jay. I have often found the Fundadore to be one of the most complex Habanos I have ever smoked. The subtle changes might have been over powered by the choice of strong libation you had that evening. Might I suggest something paired with the Fundadore like a good Single Malt Scotch or a Tawny Port instead? Taking your time with a smaller ring cigar does wonders for the flavor IMHO, and I found them much more complex and vibrant flavored than large ring Habanos. Thanks for the review.
smk819 Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 I regret that I have no more, having smoked my last one last month. It was a great cigar with 2+ years of age on it. Do try the Lanceros, it is truly one of my favorites. You might add the ERDM Grandes des Espana to you list of thin guage cigars to try.
billyburg Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 Good review. I have a couple of '98's left from a box I got 3 years ago. Haven't had one in about a year, but reading yor review and Tampa mentioning trying it w/ scotch has wet my appetite! What I remember is how well this small gauge drew. The first 1/4 was on the lighter side but it then really opened up. Man I'm talking myself into one right now!
jay8354 Posted March 28, 2006 Author Posted March 28, 2006 Thank you everyone for your kind comments! Tampa, I will try the 01 with some single scot whiskey and try to find more of the subtle flavours in this wonderful cigar. I have to admit though, wasn't sure if it was a good thing to post since this means Rob gets to move more of this stock. But it is such a shame not to share it. I almost have my unholy foursome - just need to get the Especiale No. 1. :-D
Fatshotbud Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 » Good review. I have a couple of '98's left from a box I got 3 years ago. » Haven't had one in about a year, but reading yor review and Tampa » mentioning trying it w/ scotch has wet my appetite! What I remember is » how well this small gauge drew. The first 1/4 was on the lighter side but » it then really opened up. Man I'm talking myself into one right now! Was wondering how the '98 smoked - thanks to you too!
cigardawg Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 Very nice review of a fantastic cigar. Just got in a box from October 2004. They look fantastic.
josie67 Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 Excellent review. I had the pleasure of trying my first Fundadores last Saturday. Our local tobacconist just moved into a bigger building, and he had his grand opening event last Friday and Saturday. I figured that there would be no better time to break out the Fundadores for the festivities. I picked this cigar up back in August 1998 at the LCdH in Tijuana, and for some reason, it just sat in the humidor, all but forgotten. WOW was I surprised at how fantastic this thing was. I normally do not like small ring gauge cigars, but this one made me into a convert. SUPER smooth, earthy flavors with a hint of cocoa hit me immediately; medium bodied and a perfect burn. I would rate this as a solid 96/100.
sleeper Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 If I had to narrow it down to one cigar everyday, it would be the Fundadore or the Cohiba Lancero(or the SdC 1 or the CCE).
NJLimoDriver Posted April 1, 2006 Posted April 1, 2006 » Trinidad Fundadores » » Unknown Year – Assuming it is a recent production of 05. » Purchased from El Prez as a sampler late last year. » » I happen to remember this cigar one evening due to other half having to » work late and I was being lazy about cooking for myself. » Bought the Cigar from CZ around 6+ months ago as a sampler, was curious » what the cigar would like after the thread about champagne and cigar being » great companions from Ken. Never got a chance to test out the theory. » » I decided that I would bring this cigar to the local club for dinner, » drink and a smoke. Thought might as well indulge myself while watching the » Rugby Union on the big projector screen. » » I have been very curious about the Trinidad and especially the Fundadores. » Small ring gauge but around DC / Churchill length. Upon inspection, same » length and ring gauge as the Cohiba Lanceros. » » I always wondered due to the smaller ring gauge, whether the cigar will be » more intense and powerful smoke. After this though, if this can be a » benchmark of other small ring gauge but long cigars, then I have been » converted (I am more a DC / Churchill cigar lover). » » The Drink for this cigar is the Tooheys Strong Ale – the club did not have » any other dark ale, unfortunately. However, the creaminess of the Ale does » prove one thing to me. Champagne would be heaven with this cigar. Try it » and then give thanks to Ken. More on this below. » » This cigar had a light tan wrapper, no soft spots or hard spots present. » No noticeable vein on the wrapper, the whole cigar is excellent quality. » » Took a whiff from the body and the foot of the cigar, light cream and » cappuccino. Used my Siglo Punch on the cigar, afterwards thought, should I » have used the cutter instead (thought that I did not do it justice). » » Any the pre-lit draw allayed my fears, perfect draw. Flavours changed » slighty, honey, dark cocoa flavours. » » After this just could not wait to light it up!! » » The cigar was very easy to light, perfect burn, with more whiteish grey » ash the whole way through. » » I took my time with this cigar as I was drinking my Ale, the creaminess of » the Ale with the flavours of cream, honey, cocoa and espresso coming to » together. My lips were smacking the whole way through. » » Very even burn, no need to touch up at all, and the ash got so long that I » regrettably had to knocked it off (about ¼ of the way). » The flavours of the cigar did not really changed much, more it was that » you kept pciking up hints of other flavours coming through. In the last 4 » inches, it got a bit more spicy but I attributed to the build up of tar. » » Nubbed the cigar after 2+ hours, didn’t really want to put it down. Of » course, burnt my fingers in the process. » » Definitely something that I would keep stock of constantly. » After this, I don’t think I will smoke much of larger ring gauges. Totally » blew me away about what smaller ring gauge offers. » » Length: 178mm / 7 inches » Ring Gauge: 38 » » Construction – 8.5 » Wrapper - 8 » Draw - 9 » Taste - 9 » » Summary » » Overall Points out of 100 – 91 ( I would have given it higher but I want » to see how it compares with the Lancero, SdC no.1, Especiale no.1 and an » aged Funi first) » » PS: I will give a revised review later with the ’01 later and how it » compared with this review. Great review - this vitola is one of my all time faves even better aged. Was my St Paddy's smoke and agree on the Ale pairing - once again - great review Mike
MrQ Posted April 1, 2006 Posted April 1, 2006 Nice review I've never smoked one before, but I have one or 2 on the way from Rob :-D
connoiseur29 Posted April 2, 2006 Posted April 2, 2006 Aged, I'll put these up against any cigar, period. If they are loaded with bloom and have been resting comfortably, prepare to be blown away with class, finesse, flavor, and the essence of El Laguito.
dysfunctional Posted April 4, 2006 Posted April 4, 2006 Gone through the 98 launch boxes (2) and now left with one box...gonna age that baby...excellent smoke but must be smoked slowly as with all small ring guages or they will get hot and bitter....
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