Has anyone smoked a "diplomatic" Trinidad?

[Justins123]

Ten or fifteen years ago a fairly well known London vendor offered singles of what was claimed to be diplomatic Trinidads.  I almost never buy singles of that type of cigar, too much of a risk of fakes, but it was novel enough that I bought a couple.  Put them in a singles box and forgot about them.

Fast forward to today while was poking around the humidor and there they were.  Anyone ever smoked a diplomatic Trinidad?  I'll light one up this weekend and report back.

Here are pictures next to a CLE MAY01 Fundadores. "Diplomatic" on the left, Fundadores on the right.

[Fezztone]

Looking forward to the review! 

[Chas.Alpha]

Wow

 

[cdmclements]

Very cool... anyone know when Trinidad added the pigtail? I don't think I've ever seen one without, but then the oldest Trini I've had was from '08.

[mprach024]

Yowzers.  Nope I have not had the pleasure, but will definitely be reading your review.  

[BrightonCorgi]

When was the commercial introduction of Fundadores as a brand?  It must've been around '01.

[gojira]

28 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

When was the commercial introduction of Fundadores as a brand?  It must've been around '01.

1997 I believe. The oldest Fundadores that I've smoked was a EL NNSC (11/97).  I still have a EL OLSU (05/98) left.

 

[Justins123]

41 minutes ago, gojira said:

1997 I believe. The oldest Fundadores that I've smoked was a EL NNSC (11/97).  I still have a EL OLSU (05/98) left.

 

 

Very cool picture!

[Walter19]

That's pretty cool! Cant wait to here your experience.

[BrightonCorgi]

5 hours ago, gojira said:

1997 I believe. The oldest Fundadores that I've smoked was a EL NNSC (11/97).  I still have a EL OLSU (05/98) left.

I smoke the original release and thought they were better come '03 or so.  Friend of mine has a nearly full 50 cab she intends to sell at some point. 

[gojira]

1 minute ago, BrightonCorgi said:

I smoke the original release and thought they were better come '03 or so.  Friend of mine has a nearly full 50 cab she intends to sell at some point. 

A friend just sent me a 2004 and he said that it's better than the late 90s ones as well. It's acclimatizing right now and I will light it up in a few weeks.

[cigcars]

     *Yes - the 1993 first release of the kind that was given to diplomats and political dignitaries.  It's the only one of this size that met good flavor and aroma criteria and that I did enjoy in this size as this long and skinny is NOT my forte'.  And all these new Trinidads that are available today DO NOT satisfy me at all...they just fall flat of flavor and satisfaction. So the only Trinidads I've truly enjoyed were these first releases in 1993.

[Chas.Alpha]

Where do you find friends like that? Can I borrow him for the weekend? ?

[gojira]

1 minute ago, Chas.Alpha said:

Where do you find friends like that? Can I borrow him for the weekend? ?

Hahaha.

[yossie]

Our former prime minister and current minister of finance might smoke...

I wonder if He'd gift some diplomatic cigars for his vote.?

[NSXCIGAR]

11 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

I smoke the original release and thought they were better come '03 or so.  Friend of mine has a nearly full 50 cab she intends to s ell at some point. 

I had always heard very spotty things about the late 90s Fundies. I had my first one around 98 I believe and I don't recall being very impressed. I know I never bought any Trini until at least 04-05. 

A lot of 5 packs of 97-98s were hanging around vendors for a long time. Possibly an indication that those in the know we're avoiding them. 

[Tstew75]

So all things in consideration, whats some all time great Fundy vintages 97-on?

@El Presidente??

 

[Carrie Nation]

Diplomatic Trinidads are 38 RG. Commercial Fundadores have a 40 RG. Is one of yours thicker than the other? I can't tell from the picture and it might be difficult to ascertain after years of expansion and contraction. I'm guessing the pigtails have dried and fallen off.

 

But I urge you all to meet any "diplomatic" cigars with a great degree of skepticism, especially when they are sold as singles with no box and bands that look like they were printed yesterday. I know everyone wants a bit of the magic, but I can't overstate just how rare that magic is.

[Justins123]

1 hour ago, Carrie Nation said:

Diplomatic Trinidads are 38 RG. Commercial Fundadores have a 40 RG. Is one of yours thicker than the other? I can't tell from the picture and it might be difficult to ascertain after years of expansion and contraction. I'm guessing the pigtails have dried and fallen off.

 

But I urge you all to meet any "diplomatic" cigars with a great degree of skepticism, especially when they are sold as singles with no box and bands that look like they were printed yesterday. I know everyone wants a bit of the magic, but I can't overstate just how rare that magic is.

Look closer at the bands.  The diplomatic band is consistent with what you see from available pictures of diplomatic Trinidads. 
 

Could it be fake?  Of course.  But more importantly who cares?  Why derail an otherwise fun thread?  Seems like threads like this always have to devolve into a “they’re fake you idiot” pissing match.  What’s the point?