All in By Ken Gargett - 2020

Partagas E2 – Ron Cubaney 25-Year-Old - Lighthouse Gin

Partagas E2 – Ron Cubaney 25-Year-Old - Lighthouse Gin

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Catching up on a few planned matches which slipped through the cracks. This was such a good cigar and drinks match that it would be an injustice not to cover it. Not an injustice of the level that the world is now protesting, but an injustice, nonetheless.

It seems odd to think that the Partagas E2 has been with us less than a decade (introduced back in 2011), but also that it seems to miss out on the love it deserves. Why? But I know plenty of you guys are fans. Deservedly so! This is one of my faves in the Partagas line-up. Lusi and D4 take the Gold and Silver, but this is close.

A Robusto Extra, 54 by 140. Mine had a slightly…

Robusto Rumble – Cohiba Robusto – Sullivans Cove American Oak Old and Rare Whisky - Holgate ‘Gate Series’ ‘Double Trouble’ 2015 Release. 

Robusto Rumble – Cohiba Robusto – Sullivans Cove American Oak Old and Rare Whisky - Holgate ‘Gate Series’ ‘Double Trouble’ 2015 Release. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

We are coming to the end of the Robusto Rumble (I will finish with one from my own humidor, an aged Partagas D4). Next, we’ll look at some Corona Gorda cigars but first, the legendary CoRo. I had put this one aside to finish the Rumble, as by reputation, it should have been our star. And I wanted some special Aussie drinks to try and match.

First, the CoRo. Apols, but I have no idea of code, but it is a young release. It opened with everything one could have hoped for – a gorgeous creamy coffee note. There was dense velvety smoke, real length of flavour here. Could not have hoped for more. Sadly, it did not persist as much as one would wish. Remained an excellent cigar, but it went from one…

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especiale LE 2004 (FJN Feb 05) – Navazos La Bota 88 de Malt Whisky - Navazos La Bota 87 de Gin

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especiale LE 2004 (FJN Feb 05) – Navazos La Bota 88 de Malt Whisky - Navazos La Bota 87 de Gin

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Sometimes, the stars simply align. Sadly, that might just mean one whopping black hole.

Decided last night, that with the rugby league back and isolation finally on the skids, I needed, nay I deserved, a cracking cigar. Plus, a couple of spirits I have been chasing for a long time, eventually successfully getting a bottle or two of each, that these could be the drinks. All of this was to offset the possible humiliation that the local footy team was likely to cop. And didn’t they get bent over and proverbially… It was almost bad enough to ruin the cigars and drinks matches.

Nuff said on that. We shall move on.

The cigar suggests that dodgy labelling on Limited Edition cigars is not new. An 05 code on a box of LE’s from 2004? No matter. This was a box I picked up many…

Por Larranaga RR Reino Unido UK ‘Regalias de Londres’ 2010 – Montecristo Edmund Dantes 25-Year-Old Rum - Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Malt Whisky - To’ak Tequila Cask (4 Years) Ecuadorean Chocolate.

Por Larranaga RR Reino Unido UK ‘Regalias de Londres’ 2010 – Montecristo Edmund Dantes 25-Year-Old Rum - Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Malt Whisky - To’ak Tequila Cask (4 Years) Ecuadorean Chocolate.

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Forgive this break in the scheduled programming. I still have several of the Corona Gorda series to go but as many will know, our Lord and Master posted a thread about a few cigars he knew nothing about. Turned out, thanks to the amazing generosity of our good friend, Alex, I had one in the home humidor. So Presidential decree meant it was to be withdrawn and smoked. I serve at the pleasure… (and also because he promised me something exciting in its replacement, although I would most happily have done so without the mercenary element to this).

I thought, as we have descended into bitter winter (yes, all relevant) and I finally got the full set of Game of Thrones DVDs so Winter really is coming, I should binge and match it with some of the good stuff.

Cigar first. I need to confess that…

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I still can’t think of a better name) – Cohiba Siglo IV (HRS Mar 19) – Monkey 47 Sloe Gin.

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I still can’t think of a better name) – Cohiba Siglo IV (HRS Mar 19) – Monkey 47 Sloe Gin.

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

To be honest, I have used this gin with a number of cigars as it is proving an allrounder of sublime ability. In fact, I really struggle to think of another individual drink which has worked so well with such a wide array of cigars.

The cigar is a legend – no one needs me to tell them that. The Cohiba Siglo IV (HRS Mar 19). And it more than lived up to that reputation. As I mentioned in Rob’s last video, it was as good as, if not better, than any Sig IV I can ever recall. If this is current form, then load up!

Looked immaculate and there was a firm draw. It was rich and dense from the very start. Honey crept in. A hint of milk chocolate. Richness here. We then moved into creamy coffee, cinnamon and citrus touches. Dense and rich, it continued. For me, this was smoking as a little fuller and richer than most Cohiba. The flavours got darker and (yes, a most overused word here) richer as we progressed. An absolute cracker. I thought it was worth 96. It was that good.

And as I mentioned, a wonderful…

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I couldn’t think of a better name) – H. Upmann Magnum 46 – Holgate Double Trouble - Equipo Navazos ‘La Bota de Ron’ No 65. 

The Corona Gorda Crush (well, I couldn’t think of a better name) – H. Upmann Magnum 46 – Holgate Double Trouble - Equipo Navazos ‘La Bota de Ron’ No 65. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

First up for the new series (and can someone please come up with a better name) looking at some of our Corona Gorda (plural?), H. Upmann Magnum 46. The code, if I can decipher Whipcrack’s scribblings, TOU ABR 19.

I thought I had probably done this cigar too many times for Kenfessions over the years, so I checked. As it turns out, only twice, including once quite recently. The first time, for reasons that probably seemed appropriate at the time, was when I decided to give a dissertation on funerals, the good, awful and hilarious. It went with a Tassie gin, Dasher & Fisher Meadow Gin, and got 92. The much more recent one, just 86. With a weird Kiwi Orange Liqueur called Rose Rabbit and a terrific Blanton’s Bourbon. No mention of funerals.

When I first started looking at cigars seriously, I smoked a lot of these. I remember my thoughts being…

Robusto Rumble – Partagas D4 (Vintage Collection) SEU Nov 04 – Glenfarclas 30-Year-Old Malt - James Squire ‘150 Lashes’ Pale Ale.

Robusto Rumble – Partagas D4 (Vintage Collection) SEU Nov 04 – Glenfarclas 30-Year-Old Malt - James Squire ‘150 Lashes’ Pale Ale.

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

The final cigar for the Robusto Rumble is one from the depths of my own humidor, one of my very last from this box. And what a cracking box it has been – the Partagas D4 (Vintage Collection) SEU Nov 04. Looking back over notes, there was an 89 and one or two 90/91 scores but most have been 94, 95 or 96. Can’t be unhappy with that.

Love the Partagas D4. If someone said we are drawing lots for cigars for the desert island and you can never smoke anything else, if you got the D4 then you would not complain (well, you might whinge endlessly about being exiled to a desert island but that is a different matter). Might prefer a Lusi or a SLR DC, but I'd take the D4. And I would especially take them if they were all as good as this stick. It might just have been the best from the entire box.

Draw was fine. A very pale Colorado wrapper. Cigar was in…

Punch Regional Release Asia Pacific 8-9-8 – Lagavulin 8-Year-Old - Chateau Thivin Beaujolais. 

Punch Regional Release Asia Pacific 8-9-8 – Lagavulin 8-Year-Old - Chateau Thivin Beaujolais. 

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Okay, this one might be cheating a little. Well, perhaps not cheating – fudging.

It is not that long since we did this cigar on video (I am delighted/amazed that I remember it – perhaps the memory is not quite so poor), so I would encourage anyone interested to have a look as there was not much change. Also, as many might be aware, I think matching red wine and cigars would like pouring ice-cream over wagyu. Actually, I would prefer that.

So why? Why would I try something I know to be a trainwreck? Well, because I had a look through a range of absolutely cracking Beaujolais recently and had some left, so shoehorning them into this review allows me to expound on them. Didn’t want anyone missing out.

Right, first, the cigar. The Punch…

Robusto Rumble – Por Larranaga Robustos de Larranaga. 2007 Regional Release Asia Pacific. EMA Oct 07 – Zacapa Royal - Palo Cortado

Robusto Rumble – Por Larranaga Robustos de Larranaga. 2007 Regional Release Asia Pacific. EMA Oct 07 – Zacapa Royal - Palo Cortado

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Well, this is a bit embarrassing. Was doing some isolation cleaning up yesterday and came across an empty half-bottle of Palo Cortado sherry, amongst full bottles on the kitchen bench. So of course, I tossed it in the rubbish. Collected. Gone. Forgotten.

Today, I sit down to do the next Kenfessions and remember why I kept the empty – to remind me which Bodega made it, plus details. Whoops. So all I can tell you now is that it was a palo cortado.

This, the Por Larranaga Robustos de Larranaga. 2007 Regional Release Asia Pacific. EMA Oct 07, is also a cigar we looked at recently. A post on the forum recently revealed just how extensive the number of Robustos were, so we are not going to get through them all for our Robusto Rumble, but we are doing our best (and yes, there is a valid…

Trinidad La Trova (RAG AGO 17) – Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 1894 Bourbon - Kahlua - Homemade Ginger Beer

Trinidad La Trova (RAG AGO 17) – Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 1894 Bourbon - Kahlua - Homemade Ginger Beer

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

A real range of drinks to try as a combo with this classic and cracking cigar, the Trinidad ‘La Trova’ from RAG AGO 17. I checked the records after smoking it and found that this is the third time I have done a Kenfessions with it. On one occasion, paired with the Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Japanese Malt. On the other, and I swear I did not know this, or at least did not realise it, before I selected the drinks, the Wild Turkey ‘Master’s Keep’ ‘1894’ Bourbon. By pure chance, or divine intervention, same choice.

In keeping with the trend of late, tried the cigar with more than the single drink. So some of my very own homemade ginger beer and also Kahlua.

Cigar first. Most of us think Fundys when we talk Trinidad and who doesn’t love…

Robusto Rumble – Por Larranaga Robustos de Larranaga. 2007 Regional Release Asia Pacific. EMA Oct 07 – Bollinger Grand Année 2012

Robusto Rumble – Por Larranaga Robustos de Larranaga. 2007 Regional Release Asia Pacific. EMA Oct 07 – Bollinger Grand Année 2012

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Well, this was a bit embarrassing. I had to do a tasting of the new Bolly and so, once done, the stopper went back in and the bottle to the fridge for that evening. As it really is a scintillating champagne, I wanted a really good cigar. And as we were coming towards the end of the Robusto Rumble, I thought it was time for the CoRo. So I searched high and low. I was thinking how awkward it was going to be explaining to Rob that I had unfortunately misplaced the prized Robusto.

So I thought I would pull one out from my own humidor as a replacement (a Robusto, not a CoRo). Hence, this one, the Por Larranaga Robustos de Larranaga. 2007 Regional Release Asia Pacific. EMA Oct 07. And then I noticed that in the notes, I had already smoked…

H Upmann Magnum 46 – Cardrona Distillery Rose Rabbit Orange Liqueur - Blanton’s Single Barrel Special Reserve Bourbon

H Upmann Magnum 46 – Cardrona Distillery Rose Rabbit Orange Liqueur - Blanton’s Single Barrel Special Reserve Bourbon

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

Is any fictional character more perfect for today’s chaotic and isolationist times than Gene Hackman’s ‘Harry Caul’, from the ‘The Conversation’. Harry is one of film’s great characters, a security expert obsessed with his own security and privacy.

The film is by Francis Ford Coppola and was tipped out of Oscar for Best Pic by ‘Godfather II’, another of Coppola’s films (Chinatown was also up that year – a bit of a golden era). The films might be famous but I doubt many could name the winners of Best Actor, Best Actress, from that year, but I remember as a kid seeing the movies they were in and loved them both.

Art Carney in ‘Harry and Tonto’ (okay, I had assumed a western when I went but…

Ramon Allones Estupendos Regional Release Asia Pacific (TEB OCT 07) – Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin - Yalumba ‘The Caley’ Cabernet Shiraz 2014

Ramon Allones Estupendos Regional Release Asia Pacific (TEB OCT 07) – Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin - Yalumba ‘The Caley’ Cabernet Shiraz 2014

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

I have long believed that south-east Queensland/northern NSW, for the period from mid-March to early September, has simply the best weather on the planet. Bar none. That horrible enervating, soul-soaking heat and humidity have gone. Day after day, nothing matches it. I reckon I have travelled enough to be able to make a reasonably unbiased judgement on this and if anyone doubts my impartiality, I will also concede that the rest of the year is possibly the worst weather on the planet. Hate it.

For a short period of isolation, I have decamped to the little place by the coast for a few days. For the last two/three days, there has not been so much of an illusion of a hint of a whisper of the merest cloud at any time throughout the day. The sky is a radiant blue. The ocean is…

Bolivar Royal Corona – Melton Sparkling Red NV (d’gorged 2019) - Michter’s US*1 Straight Rye

Bolivar Royal Corona – Melton Sparkling Red NV (d’gorged 2019) - Michter’s US*1 Straight Rye

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

We are into the home straight for the Robusto Rumble and here we have one of the big guns – the Bolivar Royal Corona.

Now, I may have to offer Whipcrack an apology. During a recent video review, he was banging on about some Boli being exceptional of late. I wasn’t paying attention. Well, be fair, how many of you do? I have a vague feeling it was the Boli RC. But it has long been a highly regarded, and I think too often neglected, robusto. It was the Cigar of Year for a popular cigar publication, way back in 2006, if I recall. And not often a Cuban gets over the line for that honour.

This was also a chance for redemption for Bolivar, after their very ordinary performance with the Hong Kong Regional Release. And redeem themselves, they did.

50 ring gauge, so large enough, without being the hideous monster we see so often these days.

This was incredibly aromatic, with…

Bolívar Regional Release Hong Kong ‘Silver Jubilee’ – Smith & Sheth ‘Cru’ Heretaunga Syrah 2017 - Mystery Scottish Malt - Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin

Bolívar Regional Release Hong Kong ‘Silver Jubilee’ – Smith & Sheth ‘Cru’ Heretaunga Syrah 2017 - Mystery Scottish Malt - Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2020

As has been mentioned before, Rob very kindly left me a variety of smokes for Kenfessions recently – we will get back to the last of the Robusto Rumbles soon, fear not – and this was one of them. The Bolívar Regional Release Hong Kong ‘Silver Jubilee’, which I was delighted to see never having tried it before. Never having heard of it before. After smoking it, I thought it worth seeing what other members of the forum thought. Which is when I discovered that we had actually done a video review of this very cigar some four months ago. In other words, put me out to pasture now. The memory is clearly stuffed.

Otherwise, it got mixed reviews. And that tracked…

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