HUSW 2007 (XNY23)

[Glass Half Full]

A relaxing Boxing Day evening on the deck (despite the weather) -- decided to celebrate with special one from Ross' collection -- an H. Upmann Sir Winston (unknown code; said to be a 2007).  

I'm always amazed by how cigars can develop wonderfully with time.  I paired with a single pour of Ron Santiago de Cuba 25 year (also saved for special occasions).  

Cold draw was light honey and graham cracker.

1st/3rd began very mild with lots of caramel sweetness, plus plenty of that graham cracker and baking flavors.  Those were followed by light leather though the HU caramel stays on.  

An hour in and I'm just halfway into the 2nd/3rd.  This part flits up to full medium with orange notes, though the retros are wonderfully soft.  Now flavors shift again more to those baking spices, with hints of a pleasant mustiness, then various kinds of "forest floor" flavors and hints of the Olor tobacco flavor I learned about from Charlie Minato (when he writes about an aged Davidoff).  (Especially so for the retohales.)  (There's no chance of that tobacco being in this, but somehow some of those flavors are here.)  

By the 3rd/3rd strength ticks up to medium plus.  Olor flavors picked up more too and it's become really quite creamy, with hints of lemon zest.  Caramel notes only show in the retros now.  Nearing the end  a bit of white pepper bitterness pops up but the rum moderates that nicely.  ...And just when you think the "flavor ride" is going to be over, there's a set of unsweet cookie dough flavors, of all things.  (To be clear, I have never tasted cookie dough without the sugar mixed into the butter first  -- those are just the flavors that come to mind.)  Retros are good to the last drop.  

2 hours and 10 from start to finish.  Perfect construction; remarkable transitions.

For me, this was a full-on 94 maybe even a 95.  Really something.  I haven't focussed on a full review in a while.  Adds to the enjoyment!  Thanks for the opportunity @Colt45.  ...Thanks too for the inspiration good people of FOH!

 

[Ford2112]

Amazing! I love that ashtray as well!

[Fugu]

Likely to be a bit older. If I am not completely mistaken, the 2005 vintage (excellent production year for SW, ‘05 as well as ‘03) had been the last Swinney bearing the brown band. Was perhaps purchased by Ross in 2007.

[cnov]

I didn't know Ross but I've enjoyed reading the reviews of his cigars that yourself and others have posted over the last year or so since you split them.