Ken Gargett Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 SLR DC (AEP ENE 07) Was interested in Shrink's comment re the Mag 50 having a similar flavour profile as the DC – think he said the '04's so this isn't an exact comparison but it is what was to hand. Opening the cab to pick one was a joy – wonderful aroma. Waves of moist earth and comfortable leather. The cigar was a deep, quite dark brown, almost like some of the early LE's, though not quite. Had a lovely sheen, hints of veins. Terrific appearance. Construction looked perfect and aroma cold was kid leather, shoe boxes, gym bags. The entire package raised anticipation to peak levels. At this stage, if you were rating the thing, it would have to go 100/100. It appeared to be the perfect cigar. Opened powerfully with a firm draw, which it maintained throughout. Flavours of dark, slightly bitter coffee. Strong flavours. At this stage, not enough time to develop into any great subtleties but lovely strong flavours. Not a wallflower. It was a surprisingly cool smoke, and remained so for the entire thing. Flavours and aromas continue to evolve and morph throughout the entire cigar, which suggests to me that with time, it will be a wonderfully complex cigar. It had what I think of as early complexity. Moved into a little hint of chocolate, some roasted nuts, calfskin and quality tobacco notes. Clearly, still very youthful. It will undoubtedly be a better cigar in time but it is a cracker now. Burn throughout was consistent and slow. Maintained a nice little cone and the draw continued as firm. It was necessary to work a little with it but worth the rewards. Soon moved into more toasted notes and settled to a mix of dark coffee bean and more creamy hints. Then evolved into roasted meat notes and nutty hints. The last third was more rich tobacco and leather. By the end, and this was one that went right down to the nub, coffee characters. At no stage did it ever become harsh or hot. In fact, after two hours of sheer cigar joy, I wanted to light another immediately. I think these have massive potential. I'd give it 96 at the moment. Actually, I'd like to give it more but I think it still has potential for considerable improvement and I don't want to paint myself into a corner. Fabulous cigar, I just love these and this one from 07 was right up with the best. All that said, as for comparisons with the Mag 50, I can't say re the 04's, as a while since I looked at them, but for me, I didn't see anything here to make me link the two. But no matter, both are terrific cigars though as much as I enjoy the Mag 50s, this is the superstar.
terrantheman Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Wow I don't have any is all I kept thinking throughout that read... Great review Ken and I love some of the flavors that you pointed out, very nice!
Bill Hayes Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 I have a couple of SLR DC 04 that I'm saving for a grand celebration. This review made me want to raid the humidor asap. It's my favourite cigar so far.
PDC1 Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 I have but a few of these left and, it's all i can do to stop meself from lighting one up right now after reading your review, Ken. These are far and away my fave DC's and are all that Ken has said. It is indeed a bonus that they do taste as good as they look, and they do look 100/100. I fully agree with the 'superstar' title.
shrink Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Ken, I have yet to smoke one from my own cab of AEP ENE07. It's nice to know that these are such crackers, though. Agreed that these surpass the Mag 50 without breaking a sweat. In reading your review (which was quite good, by the way), there was no reference to the "stone fruit" essence of which you are so fond. I still have about a dozen '04s to finish off, and they are replete with sweet dried apricot notes, which has come to define the aged SLR for me. It was this comparison to which I was referring. Haven't you found stone fruit in previous SLR DC's? Or are there so many "stoned fruits" in your neighborhood that you've just grown used to 'em?
El Presidente Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Fantatstic review Ken. I lool forward to these over the years to come
Ken Gargett Posted January 12, 2009 Author Posted January 12, 2009 Ken, I have yet to smoke one from my own cab of AEP ENE07. It's nice to know that these are such crackers, though. Agreed that these surpass the Mag 50 without breaking a sweat. In reading your review (which was quite good, by the way), there was no reference to the "stone fruit" essence of which you are so fond. I still have about a dozen '04s to finish off, and they are replete with sweet dried apricot notes, which has come to define the aged SLR for me. It was this comparison to which I was referring. Haven't you found stone fruit in previous SLR DC's? Or are there so many "stoned fruits" in your neighborhood that you've just grown used to 'em? shrink, can't say i found any fruit, stoned or otherwise, in this one.
Colt45 Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 I find this interesting. The group tasting SLR DCs are AEP March 2007, and for the most part, members found them to be rather bland. We'll see how they've come along with another year. Thanks for the review.
terrantheman Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 I find this interesting. The group tasting SLR DCs are AEP March 2007, and for the most part, members found them to berather bland. We'll see how they've come along with another year. Thanks for the review. I 2nd that very interesting!
bassman Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 I have a cab from AEP FEB 07. The cigars are strong & delicious. IMHO, they taste very different than the 04s I have. These will develop for a long time.
Ken Gargett Posted January 12, 2009 Author Posted January 12, 2009 I find this interesting. The group tasting SLR DCs are AEP March 2007, and for the most part, members found them to berather bland. We'll see how they've come along with another year. Thanks for the review. i remember that. definitely was a disappointing tasting. perhaps this is a lucky box?? next time rob is over, i'll pull out a couple and we can try them and see what he thinks. after the one the other night, it is all i can do to stop myself going through them, one a night.
Colt45 Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 after the one the other night, it is all i can do to stop myself going through them, one a night. do you want to live forever?
Wiley Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Thanks! That was a good review. I don't think I've seen you give such an enthusiastic endorsement before.
El Presidente Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 next time rob is over, i'll pull out a couple and we can try them and see what he thinks. Smart move..... calling in the expert
Ken Gargett Posted January 13, 2009 Author Posted January 13, 2009 name='El Presidente' date='Jan 12 2009, 11:50 PM' post='101576' Smart move..... calling in the expert you think you are the only rob in town?
Ken Gargett Posted January 13, 2009 Author Posted January 13, 2009 Thanks! That was a good review. I don't think I've seen you give such an enthusiastic endorsement before. wiley, i reckon i've been very positive about these before (some older lusi's, the tang monarchs, early sig vi's and esplendido's, some of the early LE's, hamlet's roller cigars - i would have thought that there were times i was just as enthusiastic) but i tried to search the old reviews on this new system and fat chance of me finding them. more importantly, i just hope that i am as enthusiastic about the rest of the box. almost a third gone. have had some pretty enjoyable experiences from them but perhaps this was the pick.
Homebrew Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 And yet another cigar to put on my must try list. Thanks for a great review Ken. Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)
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