SLR DC 2007

[Ken Gargett]

Just picked up a box from Rob. These are the one smoke that I try and get every vintage, have loved them since day one. Minismithy and I went through quite a few boxes to select a good looking one. What amazed me was the variation in colour in the boxes, from a deep, healthy brown, almost bronze, to a miserable puke yellowy brown, that really did not look appetizing at all. The box I got looked fantastic, dark brown though not as dark as the Limited Editions.

Of course, so much for letting them rest. Two days later, could not resist so pulled one out for the Aussie Rules final (and wasn’t it great to see those grubs from Port get their come-uppance/almost as good as if it had been the Pies). Box code was AEP ENE 07.

If I was a fan before, now I’m a zealot. I think that this might just have been the finest young cigar I have ever smoked. Anyone out there tossing up whether to break the bank for a cab of these, hesitate no longer. They are far from cheap but what price can you put on something this good. I know we all rave about the first release of these (I think I have one left - sadly that is one cigar, not one cab, from the days when Rob was selling them at half price because no one wanted them), but from this one example, we are talking that good.

The construction was near perfect and the aroma cold was lovely subtle notes of nuts and leather. Really enticing.

Terrific opening, subtle and early complexity. It seems much more approachable than some of the previous SLR DC’s at this stage. Flavours an array of fruitcake, hints of raisins, new leather, nuts. More mellow in the early stages than past efforts. A very slow burn, even, consistent. By half way, the flavours started to build, get richer and the power grew (which was more than could be said for the Port Power at the same time). But moving into the last third, all came together, wonderfully balanced. These have a fantastic future ahead of them but if I don’t get them into deep storage real quick, I fear there will be few remaining (can see Rob smiling from here). It just got better and better. I have scalded fingers and scalded lips (yes, from the cigar). A few hours later, I can still taste the full array and have a buzz to go with it.

If they are all like this, what a magic cab ahead. Don’t want to be accused of sitting on the fence but I just loved this. In five or ten years, they’ll be mind-blowing. 97.

[anacostiakat]

Damn you Ken! ;-)

Must resist, must resist. . . . .

[Ken Gargett]

» Damn you Ken! ;-)

»

» Must resist, must resist. . . . .

Come over to the dark side....

[jdbrown]

Ken,

I agree with your assessment. I tried a single from Rob and after five minutes ordered a Cab. Very dark wrappers and the rich chocolate aroma when first opened was incredible. Has the substance to be a 95 plus in a few years. If going off potential only this is the finest example I have smoked in two years. Time will tell if it is as good as the Cohiba DC.

[Colt45]

Thanks for the review - I wish I could say the same for the '05s, one of which I fired up after reading

your review.

Let's just say, in my opinion, these have been but oversized Serie As, and leave it at that.

[anacostiakat]

» Thanks for the review - I wish I could say the same for the '05s, one of

» which I fired up after reading

» your review.

» Let's just say, in my opinion, these have been but oversized Serie As, and

» leave it at that.

My NOV05s are excellent based on the one or two I have tried out of the cab.

[Colt45]

» My NOV05s are excellent based on the one or two I have tried out of the

» cab.

I don't know the exact date code, but I've smoked at least four over the past year and half or so,

and while they haven't been bad cigars, they haven't been anything extraordinary either.

This is one of those cigars that almost always gets such glowing reviews, giving one rather high expectations.

When it turns out to be somewhat ho-hum, it's a bit of a let down. I have ten more left that are buried deep.

Hopefully they'll show better down the line.