Trinidad Coloniales – Lola y Vera Gin. 

Trinidad Coloniales – Lola y Vera Gin. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

The Santamania ‘Lola y Vera’ Gin comes in a bottle which looks a bit like a cross between a bottle of kids’ medicine and a bottle of Malibu on acid. It was released a few years ago as a collaboration between the Spanish distillery, Santamania, and our own Four Pillars, though the latter rarely appears in any info on it. Spain is a huge consumer of gin and they do it extremely well.

‘Lola y Vera’ is a fine example. Named after their stills, it is described as a Madrid Dry, based on the juniper-flavoured London Dry with which most are more familiar. The Spanish spirit which Santamania contributed is based on Spanish Tempranillo. It was made in sadly limited quantities. Each distillery contributed gin which was blended. The result is terrific. I suspect it sold out ages ago.

It is clean, zesty and flavoursome with

Tres Hermanos Robusto (No. 3) – Taylors Vintage Port 1980 (half bottle).

Tres Hermanos Robusto (No. 3) – Taylors Vintage Port 1980 (half bottle).

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

I am the first to confess that my expertise, such as it is, is almost non-existent when it comes to non-Cubans. I honestly doubt that my total for NC’s smoked would make 1% of the cigars experienced.

And so when kindly presented with an array of NC’s for review – in this case from Tres Hermanos – I do what any ex-lawyer would do and completely fake it!

More seriously, this intriguing selection arrived recently and I am working my way through them, though a few have been, at first glimpse, a little daunting – a 70 ring gauge? That was only a 100mm cigar, but also awaiting is a 66 ring gauge in a 180mm cigar called ‘Big Hermano’. The mind boggles and I think I might need to leave half a day for that one. There is also a Salomones – 57mm ring gauge and 190mm in length. I'm looking forward to that one as I do believe that if…

The Corona Gorda Crush - Punch Punch (REG ENR19) – Seppeltsfield Barossa Shiraz 2020 Gin - Glenfarclas 15-Year-Old Malt Whisky. 

The Corona Gorda Crush - Punch Punch (REG ENR19) – Seppeltsfield Barossa Shiraz 2020 Gin - Glenfarclas 15-Year-Old Malt Whisky. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

The Punch Punch will surely be a cigar familiar to most, as we come towards the end of our little journey through the Corona Gorda world, as brief as it has been.

And what a joy it turned out to be. They come in good old-fashioned boxes of 25 (none of the ten or eight or whatever malarkey). 143 x 46mm.

Opened with a good draw. The construction looked fine, though obvious box press. A fine wrapper with plenty of those attractive russet notes. The opening flavours were dominated by a lovely walnut character. Some earthy tones, woody, spicy and perhaps even a smidge of vanilla. Some leather. Richly flavoured and sitting above medium-bodied. Earthy notes emerged more and more. This is a cigar which…

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 1 – Seppeltsfield Savoury Allsorts Gin -Navazos PX Gran Solera

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 1 – Seppeltsfield Savoury Allsorts Gin -Navazos PX Gran Solera

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

I really am living in the wrong era. If the equivalent to Mr Jordan for arrivals, not departures, could check his records and shift me to the appropriate century, I'd be grateful. Or even decade.

Technology. Isn't it supposed to make one’s life easier? I think it is simply compelling evidence the divinities have a sense of humour.

I decide to head down to the family beach shack in northern NSW. Need to get my nephew to do the permit as otherwise, the pumpkin that runs our State will not let me back across the border – 30,000 jammed together to protest is fine but a bloke, solo, in his car going from one place to the other without bothering anyone or even talking to anyone, and I need paperwork. George Orwell, come on down.

Anyway, plan on being here for a week. Supposed to do a zoom review with…

Romeo & Julieta Belicosos – Foursquare Rum 2004

Romeo & Julieta Belicosos – Foursquare Rum 2004

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

One of those days. Never rains… One thing after another.

I'm woken up by, of all things, a whopping great haemorrhoid. Yes, I said it. Not like I chose to inflict that particular joy on myself and I am sure I am not the first among us to be blessed in that manner. First one I have had for about a decade, so I really shouldn’t complain, but when it feels like someone parked the Queen Mary between the cheeks, I must say I am not feeling very charitable to the world.

Hobble, bow-legged, to the computer for the morning emails. Two of my very best, longest (known them both for more than forty years) mates and I have all shared very similar political views (no, I am not going to break the rules) for decades. I believe I have not changed, just that the world has shifted, and not for the better (but I suppose people have been saying that for centuries). The events of the last few years have caused me to reflect and perhaps adjust in certain ways that

The Corona Gorda Crush (the last of the line-up so no more struggling to get a better name) – Juan Lopez Seleccion No 1 (UTC May 19) – Pol Roger Blanc des Blancs 2012

The Corona Gorda Crush (the last of the line-up so no more struggling to get a better name) – Juan Lopez Seleccion No 1 (UTC May 19) – Pol Roger Blanc des Blancs 2012

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Another, indeed the final corona gorda in our mini line-up and another cigar that smoked very well. A fine example.

The Juan Lopez Seleccion No 1 is the same size as our previous CG (not surprisingly), with a ring gauge of 46 and length of 143 mm. Again, may the heavens resonate with the trumpets of glory for such sizes. Again, a slide lid box of 25.

Mine was perhaps in not quite the same condition as the previous CG, with one leaf doing its best to unravel, but it managed to hold together for our purposes. A nice earthy brown colour with hints of russet. Looked good. Firm with a perfect draw.

Started beautifully with…

The Corona Gorda Crush (still struggling with that name) – Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 1 (JUS OCT17) – Pol Roger 2012

The Corona Gorda Crush (still struggling with that name) – Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 1 (JUS OCT17) – Pol Roger 2012

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

For the last two cigars in the Corona Gorda reviews, I matched both with Pol Roger champagnes. I was doing a review of the 2012s, brilliant stuff, and so did not want to waste the bottles. Isolation had prevented the usual vultures descending to scoff my good stuff! So I made the sacrifice to slog through the bottles myself. As I write this, I'm forced to wade through some fabulous 2016 Barolos for the same reason (but the is cigar long finished).

The Epi 1, as the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 1 seems to be universally dubbed, is a 46 ring gauge (cue a crescendo of applause) and 143 mm in length, coming in slide lid boxes of 25.

My example was of superior construction, firm and yet with a good draw. Opening with some nice toasty notes, quite rich. A touch woody. Some coffee grinds. For me, this is all along the Hoyo DNA. Quite powerful throughout. Good strength. Richness prevailed throughout and then…

Partagas E2 – Ron Cubaney 25-Year-Old - Lighthouse Gin

Partagas E2 – Ron Cubaney 25-Year-Old - Lighthouse Gin

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Catching up on a few planned matches which slipped through the cracks. This was such a good cigar and drinks match that it would be an injustice not to cover it. Not an injustice of the level that the world is now protesting, but an injustice, nonetheless.

It seems odd to think that the Partagas E2 has been with us less than a decade (introduced back in 2011), but also that it seems to miss out on the love it deserves. Why? But I know plenty of you guys are fans. Deservedly so! This is one of my faves in the Partagas line-up. Lusi and D4 take the Gold and Silver, but this is close.

A Robusto Extra, 54 by 140. Mine had a slightly…

Robusto Rumble – Cohiba Robusto – Sullivans Cove American Oak Old and Rare Whisky - Holgate ‘Gate Series’ ‘Double Trouble’ 2015 Release. 

Robusto Rumble – Cohiba Robusto – Sullivans Cove American Oak Old and Rare Whisky - Holgate ‘Gate Series’ ‘Double Trouble’ 2015 Release. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

We are coming to the end of the Robusto Rumble (I will finish with one from my own humidor, an aged Partagas D4). Next, we’ll look at some Corona Gorda cigars but first, the legendary CoRo. I had put this one aside to finish the Rumble, as by reputation, it should have been our star. And I wanted some special Aussie drinks to try and match.

First, the CoRo. Apols, but I have no idea of code, but it is a young release. It opened with everything one could have hoped for – a gorgeous creamy coffee note. There was dense velvety smoke, real length of flavour here. Could not have hoped for more. Sadly, it did not persist as much as one would wish. Remained an excellent cigar, but it went from one…

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especiale LE 2004 (FJN Feb 05) – Navazos La Bota 88 de Malt Whisky - Navazos La Bota 87 de Gin

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especiale LE 2004 (FJN Feb 05) – Navazos La Bota 88 de Malt Whisky - Navazos La Bota 87 de Gin

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Sometimes, the stars simply align. Sadly, that might just mean one whopping black hole.

Decided last night, that with the rugby league back and isolation finally on the skids, I needed, nay I deserved, a cracking cigar. Plus, a couple of spirits I have been chasing for a long time, eventually successfully getting a bottle or two of each, that these could be the drinks. All of this was to offset the possible humiliation that the local footy team was likely to cop. And didn’t they get bent over and proverbially… It was almost bad enough to ruin the cigars and drinks matches.

Nuff said on that. We shall move on.

The cigar suggests that dodgy labelling on Limited Edition cigars is not new. An 05 code on a box of LE’s from 2004? No matter. This was a box I picked up many…

Por Larranaga RR Reino Unido UK ‘Regalias de Londres’ 2010 – Montecristo Edmund Dantes 25-Year-Old Rum - Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Malt Whisky - To’ak Tequila Cask (4 Years) Ecuadorean Chocolate.

Por Larranaga RR Reino Unido UK ‘Regalias de Londres’ 2010 – Montecristo Edmund Dantes 25-Year-Old Rum - Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Malt Whisky - To’ak Tequila Cask (4 Years) Ecuadorean Chocolate.

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Forgive this break in the scheduled programming. I still have several of the Corona Gorda series to go but as many will know, our Lord and Master posted a thread about a few cigars he knew nothing about. Turned out, thanks to the amazing generosity of our good friend, Alex, I had one in the home humidor. So Presidential decree meant it was to be withdrawn and smoked. I serve at the pleasure… (and also because he promised me something exciting in its replacement, although I would most happily have done so without the mercenary element to this).

I thought, as we have descended into bitter winter (yes, all relevant) and I finally got the full set of Game of Thrones DVDs so Winter really is coming, I should binge and match it with some of the good stuff.

Cigar first. I need to confess that…

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I still can’t think of a better name) – Cohiba Siglo IV (HRS Mar 19) – Monkey 47 Sloe Gin.

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I still can’t think of a better name) – Cohiba Siglo IV (HRS Mar 19) – Monkey 47 Sloe Gin.

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

To be honest, I have used this gin with a number of cigars as it is proving an allrounder of sublime ability. In fact, I really struggle to think of another individual drink which has worked so well with such a wide array of cigars.

The cigar is a legend – no one needs me to tell them that. The Cohiba Siglo IV (HRS Mar 19). And it more than lived up to that reputation. As I mentioned in Rob’s last video, it was as good as, if not better, than any Sig IV I can ever recall. If this is current form, then load up!

Looked immaculate and there was a firm draw. It was rich and dense from the very start. Honey crept in. A hint of milk chocolate. Richness here. We then moved into creamy coffee, cinnamon and citrus touches. Dense and rich, it continued. For me, this was smoking as a little fuller and richer than most Cohiba. The flavours got darker and (yes, a most overused word here) richer as we progressed. An absolute cracker. I thought it was worth 96. It was that good.

And as I mentioned, a wonderful…

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I couldn’t think of a better name) – H. Upmann Magnum 46 – Holgate Double Trouble - Equipo Navazos ‘La Bota de Ron’ No 65. 

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I couldn’t think of a better name) – H. Upmann Magnum 46 – Holgate Double Trouble - Equipo Navazos ‘La Bota de Ron’ No 65. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

First up for the new series (and can someone please come up with a better name) looking at some of our Corona Gorda (plural?), H. Upmann Magnum 46. The code, if I can decipher Whipcrack’s scribblings, TOU ABR 19.

I thought I had probably done this cigar too many times for Kenfessions over the years, so I checked. As it turns out, only twice, including once quite recently. The first time, for reasons that probably seemed appropriate at the time, was when I decided to give a dissertation on funerals, the good, awful and hilarious. It went with a Tassie gin, Dasher & Fisher Meadow Gin, and got 92. The much more recent one, just 86. With a weird Kiwi Orange Liqueur called Rose Rabbit and a terrific Blanton’s Bourbon. No mention of funerals.

When I first started looking at cigars seriously, I smoked a lot of these. I remember my thoughts being…

Robusto Rumble – Partagas D4 (Vintage Collection) SEU Nov 04 – Glenfarclas 30-Year-Old Malt - James Squire ‘150 Lashes’ Pale Ale.

Robusto Rumble – Partagas D4 (Vintage Collection) SEU Nov 04 – Glenfarclas 30-Year-Old Malt - James Squire ‘150 Lashes’ Pale Ale.

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

The final cigar for the Robusto Rumble is one from the depths of my own humidor, one of my very last from this box. And what a cracking box it has been – the Partagas D4 (Vintage Collection) SEU Nov 04. Looking back over notes, there was an 89 and one or two 90/91 scores but most have been 94, 95 or 96. Can’t be unhappy with that.

Love the Partagas D4. If someone said we are drawing lots for cigars for the desert island and you can never smoke anything else, if you got the D4 then you would not complain (well, you might whinge endlessly about being exiled to a desert island but that is a different matter). Might prefer a Lusi or a SLR DC, but I'd take the D4. And I would especially take them if they were all as good as this stick. It might just have been the best from the entire box.

Draw was fine. A very pale Colorado wrapper. Cigar was in…

Punch Regional Release Asia Pacific 8-9-8 – Lagavulin 8-Year-Old - Chateau Thivin Beaujolais. 

Punch Regional Release Asia Pacific 8-9-8 – Lagavulin 8-Year-Old - Chateau Thivin Beaujolais. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Okay, this one might be cheating a little. Well, perhaps not cheating – fudging.

It is not that long since we did this cigar on video (I am delighted/amazed that I remember it – perhaps the memory is not quite so poor), so I would encourage anyone interested to have a look as there was not much change. Also, as many might be aware, I think matching red wine and cigars would like pouring ice-cream over wagyu. Actually, I would prefer that.

So why? Why would I try something I know to be a trainwreck? Well, because I had a look through a range of absolutely cracking Beaujolais recently and had some left, so shoehorning them into this review allows me to expound on them. Didn’t want anyone missing out.

Right, first, the cigar. The Punch…

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