Trinidad Fundadore - Lighthouse Gin; Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky

The world’s third largest (and fast heading to utter irrelevancy with the moronic and completely incomprehensible interpretation of rules, and the fact that every single scrum bores us senseless for almost two minutes – but let’s leave rugby to destroy itself) sporting event is currently yawning its way to its conclusion (I say all this as someone who did not miss attending a Reds game for some forty years if I was in the State, blah, blah, blah, the good old days, blah, blah, glory days…). What should have been one of the Rugby World Cup’s showpieces, the Wallabies against the Welsh, stumbled its confused way to I have no idea what, other than definitely not a win for us, on any level.

But, we should give them at least a nod for providing us with the opportunity to enjoy a good cigar. 

I pulled out one of the seconds Rob left, the famous Trinidad Fundadore – absolutely no idea of age, but not too old, I think. Also, a ‘second’ it might have been in name, but it really deserved to be thought of a little more highly. Still, t’was not I who doomed it to such derision. And it worked well with two completely different drinks. 

What could be more appropriate than mixing alcohol with the Welsh (I'm part Welsh so I can get away with saying this). 

Many years ago, when rugby was a serious game and you did not get penalised because you ran too hard at the opposition and so made it difficult for them to tackle you, I made the pilgrimage to Cardiff Arms Park. It was for Wales against England (sadly, a thoroughly dull game in which the participants seemed to mistake their role and assumed they were playing soccer because it was endless kicking – but a great experience, no matter). The highlight came pre-match when I was adopted by a bunch of insaneWelshrugbyfans (for reference, ‘insaneWelshrugbyfan’ is not really one word although one suspects that children across the UK grow up thinking it is). 

We were all sitting on the hill behind the posts, sharing what we’d snuck into the ground, and a tweed-jacketed Pom, over for the annual tussle, asked for directions to the facilities. He was told it was the large post in the middle of several thousand people on the hill. He took a little convincing but, and I will swear on any divinity you require that I am not making up a single word of this, can you imagine the amusement this gave the insaneWelshrugbyfans when our born-to-rule friend actually used it (how on earth did they ever have an Empire? I can say that as well as I am also part English). 

One suspects that alcohol may have also been involved in the actions of Geoff Huish, another insaneWelshrugbyfan, before yet another clash with the Old Enemy some years ago, and again, I swear not a word of a lie.  

Apparently young Geoff, lacking the faith of most of his countrymen, announced during pre-game drinks that if Wales were victorious against England, he would, as he so eloquently put it, evoking memories of such great Welsh articulates from the likes of Dylan Thomas to Richard Burton, “cut my balls off." When Wales unexpectedly got up, the hero of our tale took himself off home, pulled out a knife and separated himself from the family jewels. Not content with that, he wandered back to his local to proudly reveal the severed wedding tackle to his mates before collapsing. Good news is that, although he didn’t quite make the Darwin Awards, there will be no family tree to carry on his stellar work. 

Trinidad. Many see this as Cohiba-lite, which seems unfair. Very different styles. I think this comes about as Trinidad, and especially this cigar, took over as the diplomatic gift du jour, from Cohiba. Hence, the link in many minds. 

Trinidad was established in 1969, but only launched as a commercial cigar in 1997. It is in no way related to a pre-revolution Trinidad brand which was discontinued in 1958. Named after the city of La Santísima Trinidad (the Holy Trinity, apparently), which was established in the 16th Century, Trinidad has always been extremely popular. The range has slowly expanded over time, but the Fundadore is usually seen as the pinnacle. Fighting against that popularity is the ignominious trend to short, fat cigars. This is anything but. They are described as medium-bodied though I often find them edging above that. 

As I said, definitely not short and fat. Technically, a Lonsdale with a length of 192 mm and ring gauge of 40. It took several hours to smoke and, for such a thin cigar, was immaculately constructed. Seconds, indeed! 

One fears for their future. First, not looking like an overweight dwarf. Secondly, over time, these have been offered in many forms. The box of 24 is still with us but beyond that: varnished box of 12, discontinued in 2012; box of 12, discontinued in 2004; cardboard pack of 5, discontinued in 2010; and Cab of 50, discontinued in 2006. How long have these got left? 

For me, this was a good smoke. The draw was perhaps overly firm. Indeed, at one stage it seemed like cigar smoking as exercise! Flavours moved through subtle cinnamon notes, spices, nuts and more. It was well balanced and morphed into a lovely chocolate cake note for a while. It did take well over two hours to smoke. Lots to like and a cigar that will/should age. 92. 

To match, first up the Lighthouse Gin from New Zealand. Why this one? Well, I had tried it with a different cigar a few days earlier and this was to finish the bottle. Don’t you love well thought-out reasoning! It is a lovely fresh briny gin. Juniper and oystershell characters. Lots of herbs. Soft and lingering. In truth as a match, probably no better than fair, but for enjoying near the ocean with a good cigar and a great book, it mattered little. 

Second cab off the rank was another we have seen before – the Archie Rose Rye Malt. 46% and an excellent Aussie malt from a producer more renowned as a gin distillery. This was from the first batch. I think they are on Batch 3 at the moment. I could not recommend it more highly, both as a cracking malt and as a fine match for a cigar. It certainly was here. Hay, nuts, spices, hints of caramel and honey, it really is a superb cigar whisky. 

Even good enough for any insaneWelshrugbyfan.

KBG.