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 cracked wrapper, but that proved no hindrance. The size – I refuse to accept that a 54 ring gauge is either the new norm or anything other than fun as an occasional novelty. 

That said, right from the start, this was a terrific smoke (it is a bit of a problem when those of us who love the skinnies so often enjoy the fat boys – and there is a sentence I never thought I'd write). The cigar smoked beautifully throughout with a lovely soft cushiony texture and waves of caramel. The caramel came and went and came again. It was the dominant feature with daylight second. For me, a 93. 

I know I have mentioned this before but the Partagas D4 was once not a solo act. Back in the ’30s, Partagas had 1 to 4 for A to D, so 16 different cigars. Gradually, by the 1960s, they were all discontinued. Including the D4. Which was the first revived, when sanity prevailed (and there is a sentence written far too rarely these days) back in the mid-1970s. Now we have an ever-increasing and slightly confusing alphabet soup. But there are some crackers among them. D4 and E2 might just be my faves of the lot. 

The rum, the Ron Cubaney 25-Year-Old, was stunning and made an absolutely brilliant match with the cigar. You could smell the rum from feet away. Ripe peaches, nectarines, almonds with a soft and plush texture. The flavours moved into more tropical notes, mango, old teak and caramel. An ideal match with this rum. Smooth as silk, this was like liquid honey. Very good length. For me, 97 to 98. 

Although its origins are Cuban, this is now a product of the Dominican Republic. The family fled Cuba in the aftermath of the Revolution and started up again in the DR in 1963. For locals (Aussies), I am a bit befuddled, as their local website does not mention this rum. 18, 21, 30 years are all fine but this has disappeared. Hopefully, that is a glitch that is being rectified. 

The other match was pleasant, especially on a Spring afternoon near the beach (and an interlude for a turkey visit – perhaps I should have opened a Wild Turkey). But as a match for the cigar, fair at best. This was the Lighthouse Gin from New Zealand. Citrus, lots of herbs, juniper notes. Some delightful oyster-shell notes. Fresh, with a lingering finish. Can’t go wrong, but there are other options for the cigar. 

And as a finishing note, I believe that there are now more than 500 different gins being produced in Australia. That is insane. If 10-15 years ago, I had told you that (or been told that), then I'd have been locked in a rubber room. How long before we have a gin for every person? Mind you, this isn't even one of them, being a Kiwi, and there is also a plethora of them. 

Gincredible. 

KBG