Havana 2015 – Min Ron Nee Vintage Cigar Tasting
16 Mar
There was a very keen interest in participating in this very exclusive smoking of two pristine rare boxes from the collection of famed Hong Kong collector and author Min Ron Nee in Havana.
Fortunately I had brought an extra 15 rare vintage sticks which I would put to good use sharing them in Cuba with good friends, factory directors and the Chinese Ambassador.
All 50 cigars in the boxes plus 14 out of the 15 extra cigars were smoked in Havana – to excellent critiques.
The main event was the tasting on Sunday afternoon in Miramar.
Outside of the Portmann group members I had invited my friends Michel ( see his last 5 pictures of the Presidentes ), Luca, Stephan and John De Costa. At Mr Portmann’s suggestion our Cubatabaco friends Rodi and Roberto were also invited.
Thomas and I welcomed our friends and Thomas passed the cigars from the first box, a Partagas Presidentes early 1950’s while I passed around the tasting sheets.
The cigars were paired with anything from water, coffee, beer to Añejo Mulata 15 and Santiago 11 rum according to individual preferences.
While opinions on their taste varied, all were astonished at the cigar’s vitality and aromas. Proving that a well-kept and correctly stored cigar in an unopened box has a tremendous smoking potential.
It was interesting to see experienced cigar smokers exchange their opinions and notes on the cigar as well as the amazement in some of their faces to be smoking such a well conditioned aged cigar.
I have experienced it with even older cigars like the SOL Aromosos from the 30’s/40’s and would again experience it a few days later at my neighbour’s John De Costa 1930’s/40’s Partagas Bohemios tasting.
It never ceases to amaze me.
The second cigar, a box of 1987 Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdales found more acclaim, being a perfectly well aged, creamy, smooth and aromatic gem pleasant to both experienced and new smokers.
Pleasant also to know that the proceeds from this unique cigar experience went to support a social welfare project in Havana.
The long afternoon went remarkably well, appetite was stilled with tasty baguettes from El Rejoneo around the corner, and my impression was that the affair was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The day concluded with a long dinner at Ivan Justo – all I remember from that is the Tres Leches dessert and sharing a bottle of Santiago 11 with Yannick and Jorgito …. sure was funny.
Nino
Hi Nino,
again a very generous gesture from MRN! I can only imagine your great Experience with fellow Aficionados and how those Vintage Treasures taste.
Best Regards to you and our common friend
Robert
Danke Robert !
It was an incredible experience indeed. Wish you had been there.
Regards / Nino
LOL – man, I WISH I was able to be down in Havana for that part of it!!!
Sounds amazing, and a very generous gesture indeed. We need to petition for more long and skinnies again, but specifically for more cigars again to be wrapped in cellophane!!!
Hey Buddha !
Yeah, you just missed it by a few days, but I am certain it will be repeated. Long & skinny it will be then. Not sure about the cellophane ….
Hugs / Nino
Not necessarily meaning for a next time. I meant we need to petition H S.A. for more long and skinnies in cellophane – such a shame that’s not done anymore. I can only imagine what recent Ramon Allones and Quai d’Orsay releases would be like with that extra micro-climate then!
Amazing cigars, people and scenery, thank you Nino for telling the story and to MRN for his generosity. A moment to remember for any cigar lover!