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Spirits & cigars

The Lonsdale legacy

Roll with it

Boxing and cigars – the Lonsdale legacy

The Montecristo “D” Limited Edition 2006 (6.75 inches x 43 ring gauge ) €21 I t is well known that the Churchill cigar format was named after the great British statesman Sir Winston. But not everyone is aware that yet another popular size of cigar came to be named after none other than Hugh Cecil Lowther, the sportsman, bon vivant and 5th Earl of Lonsdale. As the first president of the British National Sporting Club his most famous legacy was the founding of the Lonsdale Belt boxing trophy. Less well known, his relationship with London cigar merchant George Samuel during the early 1930s led to the creation of a new and original vitola which was to subsequently carry his name – the Lonsdale.

Today this slim, elegant and classic cigar is known as the Cervante in Cuba. The marginally larger version is known as a Dalia. Collectively, there are no less than nine Cuban brands that include a Lonsdale in their range. But I have selected three relatively recent debutantes to review.

Trinidad Ingenios (€24) Limited Edition 2007 (6.50 inches x 42 ring gauge ) The Montecristo “D” (€21) Available in varnished boxes of just 10 cigars in a unique 3-4-3 packaging, the “D” cigar was launched as an Edicion Limitada in 2005 and has remained consistently popular with fans of Montecristo who desire a richer, longer and more refined smoke. The long, thin shape of a Lonsdale has always been a test of the roller’s skill and provides a slow burning, cool and elegant smoking experience where the particular balance of strength and flavour is the most telling.

With its distinctive dark maduro wrapper this cigar offers a classy alternative to other cigars in the brand range.

Trinidad Ingenios (€24) Trinidad is now recognized as the second premium brand or blend after Cohiba. The “Sugar Mill” finally made its debut late in 2007 as the third and final Edicion Limitada for 2008. This Cervantes will suit smokers who enjoy subtle, slow burning cigars with plenty of aroma and a smooth finish. Presented in semi-boite nature boxes of only 12 cigars it may be too early to judge its aging potential, but given the success of the previous Robusto Extra I would recommend laying down a box or two for the future. A sleeping giant.

Davidoff Millennium Lonsdale (€17) Davidoff Millennium cigars originally made their appearance in 2001. Full bodied with a balanced, consistent level of taste and aroma, they immediately made an impact as cigars of real quality. Their dark Ecuadorian wrapper leaves are characteristic of the high degree of maturity achieved as a result of additional fermentation, hence adding strength and flavour to the blend. Although shorter than its Cuban counterparts the Davidoff Lonsdale has now sufficiently aged to provide an agreeable smoke at a very reasonable price.

Adrian Lesley is proprietor of CigarsUnlimited, south-west London’s leading cigar specialists and Habanos Gold Medal retailers.
www.cigarsunlimited.co.uk
+44 207 386 9000

x festivel del

habano

10th Annual Cigar Festival, Havana
This year marks a decade since Cuba first hosted a cigar festival. Sponsored and organised by the Habanos S.A Corporation and Tabacuba Business Group, the festival takes place between Monday 25 and Friday 29 February. As in previous years Havana will welcome over 1,200 delegates from all over the world, who regularly attend what has become the premier international forum for the appreciation of fine cigars.

The festival has evolved into a major event for distributors, retail specialists and consumers – it shares some of the elements of a trade fair, a symposium and a celebration, all centering on what is arguably the world’s finest cigar: th e Habano.

This year participants can visit the tobacco plantations of Jose Gener, in Pinar del Rio Province, where tobacco has been cultivated since 1845, or tour the famous H.Upmann factory to discover the intricacies of rolling a fine cigar by hand. New cigars will be presented and launched at events throughout the week culminating in a charity gala dinner that hopes to raise substantial funds for medical aid in Cuba.

For more information and the official itinerary for this year’s festival visit
www.cigarsunlimited.co.uk

Spirits

With vodka currently established as the most fashionable spirit, knowing which brand to choose has also acquired a deeper significance. Yes, there is a growing belief that ‘you are what you drink’, or at least you are the brand you are seen to be drinking. French craftsmanship, for example, can be enjoyed by the glass with Grey Goose vodka. Becoming a phenomenon after making its debut in 1997, flavoured variations now include Grey Goose Le Citron and Grey Goose L’Orange, with the latest release being Grey Goose La Poire (€52, www.greygoose.com). Yielding fresh, enticing aromas, the palate delivers a generous, ripe, juicy pear flavour, leading to a fresh, fruity finish.

As one of the most traditional French specialities, Cognac has a long and fascinating heritage, with various families having played a key role in its evolution. The Frapin family, for example, first settled in the Grande Champagne region of Cognac in 1270. The family currently owns more than 300 hectares of vineyards in the Grande Champagne region, which is renowned for producing the most sophisticated and complex cognacs. The Château Fontpinot lies in the heart of these vineyards, which means that Domaine Château de Fontpinot 1986 (€69 for a 35cl bottle, www.cognac-frapin.com) was distilled from grapes harvested on this estate, with each stage of the production process including ageing, blending and bottling, also taking place at the château. Domaines Frapin has launched this limited edition 20-year-old cognac, bottled from a total of five casks. Offering an elegant, rounded palate, vanilla and crème brûlée lead, with dried fruits and raisins emerging mid-way, together with a hint of chocolate.

The increasing choice of vintage malt whisky means that a growing number of years can prove to have been a good year, at least for a malt. One distillery offering an amazing range of choice is Glenfarclas, with the recent launch of the Family Casks. This comprises the distillery’s finest single cask for each year between 1952 and 1994, with prices ranging from €107 for the 1994 up to €1,535 for the 1952. A favourite of mine is the Glenfarclas Family Casks 1955 (€1,160, www.glenfarclas.co.uk). Fruity aromas are a perfect introduction, and are matched by a fruity palate with apples and apricots, together with vanilla sweetness, supported by a platform of dryness. The distinguished finish combines dryness, subtle oak and light sweetness.