SCDLH Principe AME SEP 13 R90

[Wailbait]

My brother is a serious wine collector.  Every bottle he opens he takes copious notes and has binders worth for the last 35 years.  He was fortunate enough to go in pretty deep starting in the late 70s and early 80s so the purchase prices were substantially easier.  He came by for dinner a few months back and brought an 83 and 85 Le Pin.  And our conversation trailed to what it constantly does.  “How much does value play into rating?”  For me it’s huge, for him less so.  For him, a 90 is shorthand for “I’d buy it again.”  And I like that system.  But there is a special place for things that punch above their financial weight class.  He and I are likely to disagree forever about this.  I had an Allones 898 last week and it was stunning.  But it was also pretty spendy.  I also had a 2013 Principe.  Also great but I kept thinking - this is such a great cigar and it was under $6 a stick.  Value plays a part.  So this is a review of two things that really punch above their weight class.  
 

I love this cigar.  It’s complex.  Sweet.  Draw is lovely and smoke production is perfect.  It’s not as complex as the Allones 898 I had last week but it reminds me of a cross between a Diplo 2 with the gingerbread qualities of Quai Coronas.  I love it.  
 

Lately I’ve become obsessed with these single barrel expressions of Elijah Craig.  Some of the stores can get 10-11 year barrels and they are usually sub $30.  
 

This particular bottle was 11 and it’s been great.  Fruity and complex. 

Ive had questionable success with the SCDLH Fuerzas with age.  But somehow the Puntas can go 5+ without a problem and the Principes even longer.  The back half of this cigar ramped up in strength and reminds me that it’s still got time to mellow out.  This is a great cigar and I’m hopeful some of those recent Principes that have come out age to be as good as this box has been.  

[Goodfortune]

Nice review! I’m currently sipping on Elijah Craig SB as well. 

[Wailbait]

Amazing!  How’s your bottle?

[Çnote]

Fantastic cigar

[SenorPerfecto]

I’m smoking one now!

[Wailbait]

Uhhh.... agree.

[Wailbait]

Ummm.  You just made my entire day with this.  The best bourbon I had all last year (including tasting some uber expensive ones) was a knob creek store pick from kl.  It was supposedly “9” but in truth it was a 15.  Bonkers good.  I’ll hit it tomorrow.  I still haven’t tasted my b19 and c19.  I really should get on that.  I cracked the mission ec yesterday.  Curious to get your thoughts on that.  I got a bubble gum/tutti frutti quality that I’m not so sure about.  

[dshot]

On 4/22/2020 at 4:05 PM, Psiman said:

Yep.  Got a couple of of each of those and a few Buffalo Trace and Larceny store pics from Mission. Elijah Craig A120 Barrel proof came out today for $60 at Internet Wines,com. Jump on them quick because they will be gone in a heart beat because Fred Minnick said it's the best one in years. I bought 3 and the shipping is crazy cheap and no tax. Remedy Liquor in Glendale has Knobcreek single barrel select store pick for $38 that they bought from September's Taproom bar that didn't need all the bottles from their barrel pick. Jump on it , it's a steal. they also have the Maker's Mark Private Select cask strength store pick for $60 and that's another steal. Remedy Liquor is insane on certain things. Not as good of a selection of stuff as some other places but the prices are crazy good for a lot of what they do have.    Enjoy !!!!

Thanks for the tips! Really insightful I live in the area. 

[ilubtv]

I also had a Principe last night. It was so sweet and floral. Mine is from 2017. It is so smooth and nice to smoke now.