Ken Gargett Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 i know we have done these before but could not find them in the review section of the forum (isn't that where they are supposed to be, rob?), so here goes again. August 05. Smoked this at home. Needed a lift after watching imbecilic and overpaid cricketers (may I say at this stage that as I have been in Spain/Portugal for the last month, I still have no idea of what happened in the Fifth Test but I received enough emails from pommy mates, all deleted unread, whom I suspect were not sending congrats - they never have before on the endless times that the world’s previously major sporting underachiever copped a hiding at anything and who can forget their bronze rush in the recent world swimming championships - to assume the worst and therefore I intend to remain in this state of denial until the next series, though I do believe that if Rob has managed to get me my cab of these that I owe a ten-cigar haul to some vagabond on the other side of the planet). And what a lift this was. Appearance was immaculate, a lovely chocolate brown with the merest hint of a few veins. Silky texture, just a shadow of oil. Construction looked, and was, perfect. Cold, the aroma was a complex mix of forest floor, milk chocolate and warm moist earth. Right from the start there is a lot of power. Looked back at past notes and they are consistent with one exception - as these slowly age, they just keep getting a tiny bit better each time. Dense smoke, ripe and rich flavours. Spice, coffee bean, warm earth, hint of floral and citrus, dark chocolate, cream and caramel. Seriously complex. An ideal, consistent, very slow burn. Took the best part of two and half hours (enough time for an entire Australian innings). They are tight, even the ash is tight, but not overly so. Still with years of improvement I believe, but so good now. This is the cigar equivalent of First Growth Bordeaux. If better cigars are coming out of Cuba at the moment, I’d like to see them. For me, an easy 96. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 WOW, a 96 nice review. I've never tried one but have always wanted to due to reviews such as this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironman Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 Very nice review it's right on the money!!! I am a big fan of the SLR DC, I have about a cab left, but never seem to have the 2 hrs to smoke one lately....so for now they sit and age!!! Ironman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocRKS Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 I was given a few of these by a Long Island Brother ---and these are just amazing cigars....A beautiful mix of flavors including chocolate and creamy coffee....a DELICIOUS cigar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harwellplant Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 » Very nice review it's right on the money!!! I am a big fan of the SLR DC, I » have about a cab left, but never seem to have the 2 hrs to smoke one » lately.... very true for me, as well. slr definitely is one of the better sleeper marcas. the regio and serie a are spot on consistent for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Ken,are these the recent issue or are they aged some?I didn't see the year mentioned...:-| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted September 28, 2005 Author Share Posted September 28, 2005 i've bought these over the last 2 1/2 to 3 years from Rob, so he may have more specifics. he first put them on, which was my first experience with them, at one of the cigar dinners (what ever happened to them?). i loved them but i remember that he couldn't sell them and was offering them at half price (how things change). i bought a bunch, and then got some more around 12 months later - they have 'merged' in the humidor so not sure exactly specifics. since then, have kept them separate and listed box details but have not touched any of the recent ones. so think that these would be 2-4 years. they don't appear much in the books - Nee has quite a bit on them but few others - and from what i understand (others may know more), there was a release in 1988 under the name 'prominentes' but it was extremely tiny. they were first released as DC's in late 2001 (and still in very small quantities), so i suspect that Rob must have had some of the very first and because they had no reputation at the time, i was lucky. hence, ageing is minimal and although i really think that they are certain to be superstars down the track, they have no track record yet. just checked the records and first bought from Rob in May 03 and then a few more in April 04 and then again in Jan this year with a box dated Nov 04. » Ken,are these the recent issue or are they aged some?I didn't see the year » mentioned...:-| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted September 28, 2005 Author Share Posted September 28, 2005 one other small thing - the first two purchases came unbanded but the ones this year were banded (i've only ever smoked 'em unbanded so that narrows it a little). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 looks like the only ones I see available are 05 production....which might not be such a bad thing,although I feel I should've gotten these when the 01's were around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CigarZen Posted September 29, 2005 Share Posted September 29, 2005 Ken -- I agree with your review, certainly one of the best. With time they could be classics. It sounds like the first ones you smoked were the 02s. I have smoked the Sep 02s and the Nov 02s, as well as the 01s (but not the 04s). The 02s were some of the best young sticks I have ever had, amazing flavor. They then went a bit mute, and since as time has passed have improved. You captured it well in your descriptions. I liked the 02s better than the 01s, but it could have been the stage at which I smoked the 01 -- that being the flat stage. My bet is hold on to them as they will get better. (No warranty of any kind is intended or offered, implied or express, as to the quality of your your cigars should you age them longer. Any risk of not smoking your cigars now is completely assumed by the reader. ;-) ;-) LOL!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novasurf Posted September 29, 2005 Share Posted September 29, 2005 Scored a few of these from a friend. They are simply delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkay Posted September 30, 2005 Share Posted September 30, 2005 The '01s are simple the best DCs I've ever smoked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumrogue Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 I just love the SLRDC's & I am really looking forward to the 10 that will be winging their way to me soon, Ken. Whereupon they will assume pride of place in the cellar. Just the best wager. Must do it again. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 Rummy, interesting how Mr. Gargett has had to leave town a few times since losing your bet......... Coincidence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 I have added these to my must try list.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrink Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 Just finished an '04 SLR DC tonight. Not quite as smooth as the '01 I smoked a few weeks ago, but very, very good. Construction was first rate on this cigar. What I most enjoy is the complexity, perfect balance, and the variety of different spices. Some lip-tingling, some savory, and some sweet. A real "finesse" piece that is worth taking time to enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strayvector Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 How do these compare to the HdM DC and Lusitanias? I've never tried these, but I think I will add them to my next order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dysfunctional Posted October 3, 2005 Share Posted October 3, 2005 Always wanted to be able to write a review..... but never had the skills so all I do is read those reviews here and then go out and try to see if I like....good enough for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay8354 Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 Does Rob have any stocks of these still? Doesn't seem to be in the Czar website or the Aged, Limited or specials Forum page... Would love to get some, since everyone seems to have a good word for the SLR DC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 Now Ken a 96?? Have you not had a cigar is a week or two? I got some from Rob a while back that were part of a sting on an illegal operation and the dates were not known to me, but they are in the 90's as you say. I have some newer release that did not come with the box or info on the dates and were banded and they are not quite the same. Rob if you are there, and awake, tell me what I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elric Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 The SLR is the best regular production DC, Punch is in at #2. This is coming from the #1 Partagas fan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted October 24, 2005 Author Share Posted October 24, 2005 One of the Fraser Island traditions (two years makes a tradition) is that when it comes time to go, a mate and I head off the Island in his old ute. It is about two hours from the Lodge to the ferry and that is almost all down the beach - a fabulous drive. So we each light up a big smoke for the trip. Last year, mine was a RAG from my mate. This year, I gave him the choice of an SLR DC or an 8 year old Partagas Lusi. He chose the Lusi - don’t think you could go wrong. The SLR DC was an absolutely stunning smoke. Pick of the week for me. Long, slow smoke. Richly flavoured and continues to build complexity. Spice, leather, forest and earthy notes. Dense smoke and balanced. Very powerful. Citrus, dark choc and caramel. Smoking this at about 6am as we zipped along the beach watching the whales offshore - doesn’t get much better. Was very powerful and gave me a serious buzz. 97. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smk819 Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 I had one at LCDH in Vancouver, BC a few years ago. It was quite a smoke. I chose it as it was the oldest cigar in the shop. About 3 years old. This beautiful cigar changed flavours 3 or 4 times in the 2 or so hours it took to smoke. caramel, chocolate and vanilla come to mind. Certainly one of the best cigars I have smoked. Boughts some from Rob just as he ran out last Jan. I don't regret the purchase one bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunker1028 Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 » I had one at LCDH in Vancouver, BC a few years ago. It was quite a smoke. I » chose it as it was the oldest cigar in the shop. About 3 years old. This » beautiful cigar changed flavours 3 or 4 times in the 2 or so hours it took » to smoke. caramel, chocolate and vanilla come to mind. Certainly one of the » best cigars I have smoked. Boughts some from Rob just as he ran out last » Jan. I don't regret the purchase one bit. I've only had one SLR DC, but it was memorable. The wrapper was medium chocolate color, and the burn was razor sharp the whole way down. I remember the flavors building the entire time, which included an almost slight citrus undertone. Very bright tasting cigar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkay Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 Smoked another '01 last night and man these cigars are on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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