Roll with it
Boxing and cigars – the Lonsdale legacy
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.
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Davidoff Millennium cigars originally made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.
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