Lotusguy Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Cigar: 5th Avenue "10 Jahre" Anniversary Cigar Paired with Rhum Agricole Total smoke time 1:40 I was gifted this particular cigar by a very generous BOTL in Germany. It was issued in 1999 for the 10th anniversary of the German importer 5th Avenue. It is in a Churchill format but the only band is the anniversary band, and the marca was never officially confirmed. Rumor has it that they were special versions of RyJ Churchills. If that's the case, I need to get my hands on some 1999 Churchills because this stick tasted leagues better than the best RyJ Churchill I ever had. My example unfortunately suffered some transport damage so I had to re-glue the wrapper with some gum arabic. Worked like a charm! Pre-light draw is perfect with just the right amount of resistance. Aroma at cold slightly woody. First puffs had a little leather but that quickly gave way to sweet hazelnuts with cream. Rather light in body - could easily be a morning cigar. Very even burn. The retrohale reminds me of those canned milk teas that you can buy at 7-11 in Taiwan (and which I love - I need to go back there ASAP!). Taking it easy on the Rhum since I don't want to overwhelm the very subtle aroma of this cigar. There isn't a whole lot of evolution so far, but I like what I taste. Classy, well-aged tobacco! Ash holds very well. Even after the ash falls (on my shirt...) towards the end of the first third, the aromas remain quite subtle - you have to focus on this cigar. I rather enjoy light cigars so I don't mind, but a Partagas smoker would probably complain that there isn't enough oomph in this stick. It seems that even my 1930s clear Havanas have a bit more strength left In the second third, the aromas turn more woody. Not as much as a HDM Des Dieux, but in the same department. Fantastic burn still. A bit of tangyness kicks in as well. The cream never leaves, though. Delicious! Finally the body builds a bit but this cigar is still firmly in the light category. Retrohaling every puff to get the most of the aromas. Beautiful mix of nuts, cream, wood, and tangyness. Really not much more to report - the flavors, body, and burn remained the same all the way to the nub. Final conclusion: if I was lucky enough to own one of the 100 special humidors with these sticks, I would probably smoke them all in rather short order - I don't believe they will get better with further age and there is danger that they will just get too weak after a few more years. Very enjoyable today, if a bit monotonous. I am very grateful to the donor for giving me the opportunity to try this rare cigar and I'd give it a 92/100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckSARTech Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Tsk, tsk. Socks with sandals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 They're Birkenstocks so I'm a nerd already even without the socks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finecigar Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Great review, thanks. I have never even hard of these actually. Sounds like a pretty nice cigar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 A great review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritan Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 They're Birkenstocks so I'm a nerd already even without the socks Birkies...seriously comfortable! Also, great review, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMack Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Great review, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckSARTech Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 They're Birkenstocks so I'm a nerd already even without the socks LOL. Damn hippie!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ophidion Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Socks with sandals? Typical German Great review, really like seeing reviews on some of the rarer sticks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celtmick1984 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 wore my Birkies till they fell apart (and couldn't be taped back together). Need to get another pair . . . Thanks for the review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 wore my Birkies till they fell apart (and couldn't be taped back together). Need to get another pair . . . Thanks for the review! Bought mine at Amazon - better deal than bringing them in from Germany myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk05 Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Very generous friend there Claus, these aren't easy to have people part with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3n Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Hey C. great review! I finally found the time smoke one of my copies from the same source. I paired mine with water only as I usually do when reviewing cigars and taking notes to publish. My experience is very similar, unfortunately mine did suffer from weakness in the second third. Cold smell is slightly sweet, very subtle and loaded with vintage tobacco. Throughout the first third there is mild and sweet ground aroma and hardly any spice; floral, perhaps a bit herbal and very mild. Those aromas get accompanied by very gentle spice and subtle white pepper accents on the retro-hale later on; perhaps cinnamon or nutmeg. It is very difficult to get hold of the aroma as it is so subtle. The sweet aroma might have a nutty (hazelnut) and sugar candy character. From time to time tanginess makes its way through, the Cuban twang, but delicate and tamed. Towards the end of this third the sweetness decreases significantly. As already mentioned the second third is suffering from decrease in intensity and complexity of aromas. Around the start of the second third the cigar begins toweaken. A slightly bitter almond aroma is most prominent with some leather and a hint of herbes in the background. Around half-time the cigar begins to come back with more pleasant woody aromas but not on the cedar side. At the beginning of the last third the refined sweetness comes back into play. Pure taste of old tobacco and vanilla notes predominate here. The cigar picks up speed again and gains complexity and a bit of strength as well. Some nice saltiness comes to the foreground now and then with the sweetness gaining complexity as well; honey maybe even honeyed roasted nuts, if that makes sense to anybody and the umami sense seems to be triggered here as well. The aroma of this cigar is amazing at this point and very unique. Towards the final this Habanos SA Special Release turns up again slightly: subtle spice comes up again on the retro-hale and complements the sweet, nutty and woody aromas. Roasted coffee beans and a hint of liqorice join with the liqorice getting more dominant at the end literally leaving a juicy impression. Smoke produced by this special release churchill is full and creamy over the whole length; burn was perfect, razor sharp and as though painted. The ash was a very light grey, slightly grained and very firm and stable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cottierm Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Stunning pictures B3n! Well done. Best, Michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Great reviews and pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Love the pics, as usual, Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nino Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Thanks for sharing a great review and stunning pictures, Ben !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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