Top 5 Limited Release Cigars of 2009
Dec 17, 2009 Cigar
Now this is really getting fun…
Tonight’s look back on 2009 highlights the Top 5 Limited Release Cigars of 2009.
This list includes any cigar released in 2009 that is either a one-off, limited production release or special edition. It includes cigars that are meant to be a one-shot deal or limited run and are not part of a regular, readily available line. Lack of availability did not factor in to the evaluation, meaning a cigar didn’t lose any points because it was impossible to find.
NOTE: These reviews may include cigars where only one sample was smoked. Due to the limited availability of some of these cigars, multiple tasting samples may not have been possible.
Away we go…
#5 – AVO Limited Edition 2009 Companero
In 2009 Davidoff commemorated Avo Uvezian’s 83rd birthday with a special release called “Companero.” The Avo line is generally a mild to medium bodied line, but the 2009 edition is a departure. It is medium to full bodied and loaded with flavors of leather, toast and sweet wood. Oddly it’s also one of the heaviest sticks I’ve ever smoked. Not in body, but in actual weight. It’s large and weighty and feels substantial. A wonderful Limited Edition smoke that Davidoff can be proud of and one that I made sure to buy a handful of before they are all gone.
#4 – CAO Mx3
CAO maintains an inventory of specific tobacco that they use in special blends called “The Escaparate Collection” The collection is an assortment of different cigar blends that utilizes these special tobacco lots. What makes these blends unique is that they are generally not released to the public or released in very small amounts since there is not enough of the Escaparate tobaccos to be used in standard release blends.
One of these mysterious, Escaparate cigars is the CAO MX3. The MX3 is available only at Drapers Tobacconist in Washington D.C. – (800) 572-2382. It is exclusive to them and will most likely remain so as long as they last.
The Mx3 is a rough, rustic looking stick, but the beauty is in the smoking. The Mx3 explodes on the palate with flavors of bitter chocolate, espresso and a tanginess that I really enjoyed. The flavor profile of this stick blew me away and made me realize why it is I love Maduro cigars so much. Just wish they were a little easier to get a hold of.
#3 – Tatuaje Monster Series “Boris”
Anyone who knows me or reads SmokeScore, knows that I am a huge Pete Johnson fan. That being said, I do occasionally run across one of Pete’s cigars that sticks out in my mind as a classic. The 2009 Monster Series “Boris” is one of those cigars. The Boris is essentially the same blend as last year’s Monster Series “Frank” but with a different wrapper and not boxed press. While I liked the Frank a lot, I ADORE the Boris. The smoke has a minty sweetness that I’ve never tasted in a cigar before. It also has flavors of sweet spice that are so prevalent in Don Pepin’s work. Pete has a winner with the Boris which incidentally has a production of only 1000 boxes of 10 compared to the “Drac” which has 1,300 boxes of 13 available.
#2 – Tatuaje Regio Reserva
Yes, more Pete Johnson. As a fan of the standard Regio vitola, I immediately gravitated to the Regio Reserva when it was released in early 2009.
The Regio reserva has a very dark oscuro wrapper that bleeds oils. It has a yummy aroma of sweet wood and some raisin. Lighting it, I got a myriad of flavors such as wood, leather, spice, caramel and even some grape flavors. It has a remarkable spectrum of flavor to go with the medium to full body. Very clean finish and burns very well with a little flaking. The stick also gives off a wonderful smell while it’s burning. I honestly feel that the Regio Reserva could be Pete’s masterpiece. Luckily I bought a box and still have some left. I can only hope this line will return in the future.
#1 – Padron Family Reserve 45 Years
To celebrate the milestone of reaching 45 years in business, the Padrón family released the Padrón Family Reserve No. 45, a six-inch long, 52 ring gauge, box-pressed cigar made from very old Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigars are made in very limited quantities, and shipped at various times.
Having an MSRP of over $25, I was a little cautious about this cigar when first released. I love the 1926 series and those are expensive enough. I bought one to smoke and later that day bought the rest of the singles my local shop had, then went online and bought a box.
The Family Reserve is a textbook perfect box-pressed stick. It is teeming with oils and has an aroma of cocoa and spice on the wrapper and foot. The stick transitioned so many times while I smoked it, it was remarkable. Flavors included cocoa, earth, spice, cloves, dense chocolate cake and rich tobacco sweetness.
The Family Reserve quite simply is one of the best cigars I’ve ever smoked. It’s that simple. Availability and price aside, this cigar reminded me of why I started smoking cigars in the first place.
