Produced: 2000
Made by: Dalias
Vitola: 507
Shape: Parejo
Ring Gauge: 43
Length: 6 3/4 inches
Purchased: Baranows, Melbourne, Australia, 2006.
Date: October 21st, 2006
Time: 3:00pm Pacific
Location: K&L’s Fete du Champagne, San Francisco, California
Conditions: Warm, Mild 79 degrees
The Locations
A warm day in the city with the endless (and mindless) tourists out in-force as we are making our way south-of-market to the annual K&L Wines, Fete du Champagne.
I convince L to stop at Fatt Dog so that I do not arrive with an empty stomach. Nothing like a kosher beef dog with sauerkraut, relish and Russian mustard before a Champagne tasting! K & L Wines in my humble (non-compensated) opinion, is one of the best wine stores anywhere. The inventory is extensive and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Throughout the year they have a number of events and this annual pre-holiday Champagne party is very popular. In a large tent adjacent to the store we tasted both well known and boutique Champagnes.
Some that we really enjoyed included:
2000 Philippe Gonet Spécial Club Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne
Tarlant Brut Zero Champagne
Laurent Perrier Brut Champagne
Laurent Perrier "Grand Siecle" Champagne
The Laurent Perrier was a standout for me and I did succumb to purchasing some for the holidays. One of the owners of LP was very outgoing in sharing his knowledge and his female partner was, well, very pleasant!
The Champagne at Louis Roederer, Moet and Dom Pérignon were disappointing and seemed mass-produced compared to the others we sampled. Their representatives had an arrogance and air about them that one comes to expect in dealing with the Gauls. I don’t expect them to be grateful but come-on people…you are trying to sell product, right?
After sampling as much Champagne as I could and digging into the honey drizzled proscutto, peppers stuffed with tuna, shrimp cocktail and errrhhhhh, I’m starting to feel that Fatt Dog now…..we decided to take Amber for a walk so I could have my smoke.
The Smoke!
My first LGC was in fact a non-Cuban version that was rolled in Miami at the El Credito factory on Calle Ocho (SW 8th street). Ernesto Perez-Carrillo was standing outside on the corner and noticed me snooping around peering through the windows.
The factory was still a real factory and hadn’t become the shrine it would ultimately become. I was in Florida attending a conference and had decided one morning to explore Little Havana. This was back in 1996 before LGC, El Credito and Ernesto became popular from a Cigar Aficionado article. As some of us may remember, it was never the same after that exposure and their quality was severely impacted. El Credito was eventually bought out by General Cigar Company (The Wal-Mart of the cigar industry).
Suspecting that I was not a peeping tom, Ernesto invited me into the Factory and gave me a private tour. He selected a box and a free “handful” for me to take. He told me he was close to bankruptcy and that he appreciated me taking some of these back to California to share around. Little did we know how things would dramatically change for him.
After leaving Ernesto I recall having a Cuban coffee and smoking a robusto at a nearby café with the local residents, sweating like a pig and having heart palpitations from all the caffeine and nicotine working its way through my system….it was a great smoke and have always wanted to have “the real thing”.
Today is my first opportunity!
The La Gloria Cubana brand has a long pre-revolution history beginning in 1885. As with many Habanos it was bought and sold over the years and is now owned by the Partagas Factory. They are known for their quality and in-fact are very tough to find anywhere, even in the EU.
Light tan in color the cigar is in fairly good condition. It’s has a smooth wax sheen and there are a couple of pronounced veins running its length. The cap catches my eye as it has three layers neatly ringing the top.
This vitola is not a comfortable hold for me ….perhaps the gauge could be a little larger? I apply a traditional cut with my Zino and easily light up. A very mild earthy taste with some tobacco, it’s smooth and subtle and definitely creeps up on you. The ash is grey with some spots and stiff.
LGC’s are advertised as being blended for ageing and this could probably go another five years. The smoke has a long finish and begins to get a little more spice two thirds through. The aroma is very subtle and sophisticated; this is an enjoyableexperience and best suited late morning or after lunch.
I notice I am smoking this down to the stub….a VERY GOOD smoke that should be sampled soon. As I walk along the dog I figure I'll need to make that trip down to the island to get my hands on a box of these….
Rating: (3) VERY GOOD
(5) Classic, (4) Outstanding, (3) Very Good, (2) Average, (1) Don’t Bother
Humidor: SMOKE SOON: 2007 - 2009
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years
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