Cohiba Esplendido AMO Abr 16/Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon (FCFARW)

[Islandboy]

Okay, I have to admit I didn’t put a lot of forethought into this, it just came to me this afternoon when I decided to raid the “special” box of Esplendidos I’ve been patiently waiting on for the self-imposed 5 year threshold to occur. No time like the present, someone recently stated here. 

At just over 4 years for a classic Cohiba, I figure the experience will be a meaningful one of precise performance, if nothing else. That’s when Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon popped into my head as the perfect companion.

Dark Side of the Moon is a favorite going back to my college days. Back then, the sounds of this breakthrough album merged perfectly with my state of mind. It would be decades later, when my appreciation for wordsmithing would surface, that I would actually focus on the words being sung and realize just how special and timeless the songwriting is with this album.

 I have 2 albums of Dark Side on vinyl in my collection. One is the tattered and torn well-worn disc I played hundreds of times. The other, which still contains all of the original posters and stickers that came with it, has been touched by a turntable needle only a handful of times. It was given to me by my father many moons ago, when he realized even his eclectic tastes back then weren’t aligned with the music. My family lost him back when I was barely in my 20’s, and I still treasure this album as one of the greatest things he left me.

Unfortunately my turntable isn’t at all in the same place I can enjoy a cigar, so a wireless digital version will have to suffice. The age we live in that makes this possible is mind-boggling.

It’s a beautiful cigar - golden brown and elegant. Pre-light aroma is one part honey, one part citrus, and one part roadkill - of the fairly fresh variety, but roadkill nonetheless.

I’m pairing this with club soda and lime with a splash of Aviation gin - my favorite. Classic Cohiba tastes and aroma flood my senses once lit - lemongrass, honey, cocoa powder, and some nuttiness. Both the music and cigar are equally precise, and thankfully, the cigar is delivering as advertised.

I don’t expect much in the way of transitions, and that’s fine with me as I enter the second third. Draw and smoke output is perfect, and no touchups are needed. There’s something about the aroma and flavor of a fine Cohiba experience that seems both familiar and calming, but making out individual flavors is elusive. Some caramel is there somewhere, and the citrus turns to orange-like.

Listening to some of the words being sung completely resonates with current events. Hairs stand up on the back of my neck, but in a pleasant tingly way.

As I enter the final third, I break out a few drams of Blantons - a match made in heaven if I’ve ever experienced one. There’s a notable richness building in the cigar, and I’m soon tasting hints of vanilla extract. I’m as far from a cosmic yoga-type as it gets, but the word Namaste comes to mind. Life is good.

The music ends before the cigar, but just prior, in what has to be one of the finest grand finales of music, I hear several lines that stick in my mind - “all that we love, and all we hate....all we create, and all we destroy...” Hmm.

What a fine experience, with both the cigar and revisiting one of my favorite albums, my hat’s off to FoH for coming up with the concept. This was a thouroughly enjoyable way to spend my Sunday evening. I give the cigar a solid 95, best one I’ve had in months. Looking forward to the next one out of the box. 

 

 

[Chibearsv]

Finally, Pink Floyd gets posted. Nice review.  If I had more time this weekend, I would have made a similar review; pairing Esplendido with Animals.  My backdrop wouldn't have been as nice though.  Thank you

[BellevilleMXZ]

Excellent !!! I still have all my Floyd vinyl, ....but no turntable. Something I'm going to have to search out....it certainly does have a unique sound. Thanks for the reminder,, putting some on right now, just not on vinyl?

[Bri Fi]

This review was very enjoyable. I’ll give it a 95 as well.