mk05 Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Editing out some names Well, I figured it was about time I smoke one of these, as it had been a while. I smoked one of these a couple years back and they were in their dumb period, much like the PL Robusto a year back. As you will see below, I believe these are one of the most fantastic cigars, ever. Good feel to the cigar. Nice roll and void of stems. Cold draw reveals sour tobacco and dried oregano, scent of tobacco shop, but most prominently gingerbread biscuit. First draws are very un-PL...it's a very familiar profile. It's got some ginseng and ginger in here, but it's not sharp. It's balanced by the familiar PL honey undertones, but exhibits a depth in profile beyond its youth. It tastes very similar to the blue banded ERdM Larry passed. Hmmm. Inch in and the cigar continues its light ginger/ginseng profile with PL honey and depth provided by a hint of Upmann leather (metallic-ish leather you taste in vintage Upmanns that I hate, like chlorine). One thing that was clearly evident was that there was absolutely no harshness. I took a pause to try my friend's Monte C. Wow, jet fuel trough the nose and I wanted no more out of that - he agreed. Switched back to my PL, and a change took place. A bit of creaminess built up to round out more of that herbaceous profile. This cigar really exhibits an age beyond its years. The honey is coming out of the background now and competing for center stage - a very enjoyable stage and experience so far. It is pure graham cracker and honey, Teddy Grahams. The finish resembles that of the '70s Upmann 23 my friend is so fond of, but not as metallic. A bit more, and now the cigar exhibits a buttery mouth feel, accompanied by equivalent increase in strength. Pure Teddy Grahams and Club cracker. So rich and luxurious, very reminiscent of the CGR finish. Entering 2/3 now and the cigar turns into something beautiful. Full graham cracker and honey - no bite. It's very enjoyable as it progresses. Halfway point, still very rich and buttery with the herbaceous profile. The cigar, when patiently sipped, continues this profile with increasing strength. This is a marvelous cigar...behaves like a vintage. I can't believe how good this is. It is probably the best PL I have had to date...just an absolute shocker. Seeing how these have progressed in a couple years, I would have to guess that this will only get better and better through the years. Absolutely fantastic, one of the best of this year.
Lotusguy Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Problem is, they are close to impossible to get now, even in Germany
mk05 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Posted October 15, 2012 Why must you crush all my hopes and dreams
westg Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Wow..Never heard of these, relly like this fornmat. That wrapper looks rich. Nice review thanks for sharing.
greenpimp Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 These were around for quite awhile, they had trouble getting rid of them and the price was pretty reasonable. I bought two boxes. Just smoked one of these last week, actually, and I agree these have really come a long way. Will be truly great one day, I think. Damn thing took me 2 hours to smoke, never went out. Powerful and focused but smooth. Completely disagree with you about aged Upmanns, however. Among the best profiles for long-term aging, IMO... Never tasted anything akin to metal or chlorine in any aged Upmann. Nice review! Good luck finding more.
shrink Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Completely disagree with you about aged Upmanns, however. Among the best profiles for long-term aging, IMO... Never tasted anything akin to metal or chlorine in any aged Upmann. Neither have I. But this was an enticing review. Maybe, just maybe it's time to crack my box.
Michel1968 Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 I have two singles left... perhaps it's time to check one of them (and perhaps getting frustrated to have never bought a box while I could). Great review!
mk05 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Posted October 15, 2012 These were around for quite awhile, they had trouble getting rid of them and the price was pretty reasonable. I bought two boxes. Just smoked one of these last week, actually, and I agree these have really come a long way. Will be truly great one day, I think. Damn thing took me 2 hours to smoke, never went out. Powerful and focused but smooth. Completely disagree with you about aged Upmanns, however. Among the best profiles for long-term aging, IMO... Never tasted anything akin to metal or chlorine in any aged Upmann. Nice review! Good luck finding more. I am almost alone in that I believe the vintage Upmann's have a chlorine-like finish. To me, the Upmann profile undergoes several thematic changes. In most young Upmanns, you just taste the cedar - most prevalent in #2 with 4yrs or so. Then with couple more years, that cedar imparts sweetness, and you see this most clearly in the PC ('03-05). Then the leather base really melds in nicely with the cedary sweetness and you get that beautiful synchronous deep, creamy, woody sweetness, found in Sir Winston's from '02-03. Then as you get to the older Upmann's. As we approach 20+yrs, the flavors start to degrade and the tannins of the tobacco start to creep out. And to me, once you break that balance of degrading cedary sweetness with a leather base, and the mouthfeel of residual tannins - that is the finish that I simply describe as "metallic" or "chlorine."
LGC Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Nice review. Sounds like I need to break into my box.
Ophidion Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Nice review. I'm a big fan of the PL smokes myself.
joeypots Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 I've been sitting on a box of these. I lucked into 10 PL Lonsdales from a pal a while ago and have smoked five in the last month. They are fantastic. Just tremendous cigars and any draw issues have been resolved by time. I was getting ready to post that they are good to go when I saw this thread. I wonder if the Encantos are in the same league as the Lonsdale? If so I may need to stock up .
ramon_cojones Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 I did, no dice. I've one more in the desktop. I've pretty much written off pl for my inventory though I wouldn't turn one down.
mk05 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Posted October 15, 2012 Hmmm, I didn't like regular release PL unless it had serious age on it. That might be the problem. The PL Robusto is easy to find and has a good amount of age, maybe try a 5er of that? Those are tasty.
Blnguy Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 I was lucky enough to catch some of them duty free on the island of Helgoland. I like them very much and I think they are ready to smoke right now.
joeypots Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Trying an Encantos soon to compare. I'd love to hear how you like the Encanto.
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