Trinidad Fundadores - OCT 98 - Weekend Review Competition

[Philc2001]

To my recollection I don’t believe I ever had a Trinidad Fundadores before, so these are my first impressions. At 192mm (7.56 inches), this is a formidable cigar, despite it’s svelte 40 ring gauge girth. The format is a Laguito Especial, which seems to be the only vitola from Cuba with these dimensions. It is my understanding the Trinidad Grand Panetela was the predecessor to the Fundadores, which was a Laguito No. 1 like the Cohiba Lancero and Montecristo Especial No. 1,  but I don’t think the Grand Panetela was ever commercially produced. There was a rumor at one time that the Trinidad Gran Panetela was Fidel Castro’s favorite cigar, exclusively made for him, and he occasionally gifted small quantities to special diplomats and VIPs. Even its name; Fundadores, which translates to “founding”, as in the founding father, seems to imply a tribute to Fidel.  However, the rumor apparently contradicts Fidel's autobiography wherein he states he only gifted Cohibas. When the Fundadores finally went into production it was expanded to 40 ring, which seems to be a hallmark of the Trinidad brand. 

 

This particular specimen, which found its way into my humidor via trade with @Sudzdaddy, is expertly wrapped in a light milk chocolate and slightly reddish hued wrapper leaf, and there is a nice sheen to it, almost oily. For a 20-year old cigar, it is in near perfect shape save for a couple of odd blemishes near the middle of the cigar. Aesthetically the cigar is elegant and classy with the little pigtail cap, and it feels solid throughout with no soft spots detectable. The golden band with black print is very slightly imperfect, just what you would expect from Cuba. The cigar is very nearly perfectly straight, which is notable for such a long cigar. I can only assume that Cuba’s top torcedores were retained to roll this special vitola.

 

For pairing I chose a large 650ml bottle of Pike Double Trouble, and reddish smooth medium hopped IPA (8% alcohol). Draw is slightly tight, but adequate. The first few draws produce modest smoke, and almost immediately the cigar filled my patio with a lovely aroma of baked bread and sweet spices. Body at this early stage is light, and the flavor profile has a lovely rich black tea essence with a hint of sweetness. It is evident from the start this is a rich and balanced blend of premium tobacco. The ash started out a bit crooked, but the burn is sharp and straight. At two inches I knocked the ash off before it soiled my shirt. At the end of the first third, the flavor has evolved slightly with some vanilla bean in the backdrop. Lovely smoke. 

 

Progressing into the second third, the draw has loosened and it is near perfect for this girth. Flavor is still exhibiting rich black tea, with a hints of melted butter and sweet spice. Body has evolved slightly to a mild/medium. Smoke volume has increased slightly and the cigar is burning perfectly. As the burn approached the halfway mark tea became more pronounced, and the sweetness subsided. At this point the smoke became very creamy and rich, body amped up a bit further.  The aroma changed and now exhibits delightful hints of cedar and rich loamy earth. A sure sign that I’m enjoying a cigar is when I start to lose track of time, and this is now evident as I just looked at the score of the Jaguars and Patriots playoff game and realized the first half is over. I barely saw any of the half after the Jags’ first touchdown. 

Into the last third a hint of stewed prunes has entered the flavor profile, along with rich black tea, some coffee cake. Strange combination, but very pleasing. Body has further developed into a solid and satisfying medium. There is a very notable rich, elegant style to this flavor profile, it’s very refined and expertly balanced denoting the premium pedigree of the quality tobacco used in its making. This is an impressive smoke. I find my myself searching for equivalence in my cigar smoking experience, and it is challenging to equate to any other cigar I’ve smoked before.  The aroma has again started to evoke impressions of baked bread and some sourdough, it reminds me of the exquisite aroma of steeping grains to make beer worth. The finish is rich and buttery, it just coats the mouth in rich flavor, absolutely chewy and delicious. The burn continues to be perfect, no wavering, no touch-ups, just flawless. 

Approaching the finish this cigar has become irresistible, but I am pacing myself so I don’t overheat it. With less than 3 inches left the cigar snuffed out, but it quickly came back to life, with no bitterness or roughness. It just picked right back up where it left off. I am already starting to regret not having more of these to savor. Every drag is like biting into a thick loaf of freshly baked sourdough bread right out of the oven, smothered in butter. Hints of clove and nutmeg have now joined the rich tea essence, and there is a little sweetness again. Oh my, I am completely immersed in this experience and the Jags are now leading 20 to 10 with 10 minutes left in the 4th, who would have guessed?  I don’t think the Jags were even expected to make the playoffs this year. 

 

Alas, the inevitable end closes in and I have to let this nub go. This was a truly moving experience. I rate this a 9.8 on my personal scale, a very memorable collectible worthy cigar. Much gratitude is extended to Dirk who graciously endowed me with this vitola. Totally satisfying, elegant, complex and fulfilling, two hours and 20 minutes of pure bliss.

[99call]

Only ever had a handful of oldschool fundys, they were all magical.  Personally I 100% buy into the hushed whispers and conspiracy theories, that these were tipped to be better leaf than the CoLa

[Philc2001]

16 minutes ago, 99call said:

Only ever had a handful of oldschool fundys, they were all magical.  Personally I 100% buy into the hushed whispers and conspiracy theories, that these were tipped to be better leaf than the CoLa

If this specimen is any indication, I have to agree - there is ample evidence of premium tobacco is this mighty vitola. 

[99call]

Just now, Philc2001 said:

If this specimen is any indication, I have to agree - there is ample evidence of premium tobacco is this mighty vitola. 

Yep, either that or there is just more body to fundys. In general I find all of Cohiba a bit too clinical and clean. and generally avoid them.  Lanceros are good (i'm currently smoking through some 2000s), but they have too much finesse, if anything.  

 

[Corylax18]

I've never had one this old, but I've loved just about every Fundy I've smoked. I smoked through an entire box of Coloniales during the 2 weeks I was in Cuba last year. I bought them with the intent to bring home and age, I tried one, and I couldn't keep my hands off the rest. Its really a special Marca.

[NorCalAaron]

Great review, sounds like I should put the flame to my last 98' fundy.  Thanks for sharing such a memorable smoke.

[Habana Mike]

Nice review! I smoked through many cabs of these in the late '90s, early '00s when they were readily available and quite reasonable by today's pricing.

Only just a few on hand now which I smoke judiciously. 

[MooseAMuffin]

Great read. I enjoy reading about aged cigars. Neat to read up on what has changed and what hasn't.

[omgpauljr]

Thanks for the great review. 

[TheMonk]

Great review! A good Fundi is indeed almost unbeatable.