A Stradivarius, Well Played

It was for the occasion of my 55th birthday that Dr. Chet Sunde presented me with a Stradivarius Lonsdale, complete with one of the finest cigar "coffins" I have ever held. Chet is not only a fine BOTL but the current Patron Saint of the Grindstone Cigar Club, a tradition in these "parts" for over 100 years and this was our weekly "meeting" 2 days after my birthday.

Stradivarius de los Maestros Lonsdale

Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 6.75
Ring: 43
Strength: Mild-Medium
Wrapper Color: Light Brown (N)
Wrapper Type: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: DR/NIC/MEX
MSRP: $30

Handcrafted in the Dominican Republic by a team of the most experienced tobacco experts under the direction of Daniel Núñez. Perfectly aged Dominican, Nicaraguan and Mexican filler tobaccos are skillfully blended together and paired with Dominican Havana seed binders that were aged in Tercios (bales wrapped in palm leaves) for 2 years. The vintage, Connecticut shade wrappers from the 1992 crop that have been cloistered for almost 15-years, give these mild to medium bodied, complex masterpieces the perfect harmonizing finish. Each humidor-quality box contains 10 cigars packed individually in wooden coffins that are closed with a protective wax seal and adorned with a ribbon.

As would be expected given the price tag and opulent presentation, this was truly a finely crafted cigar. From the moment I took it from it's box, moistened the cap an punched the hole until it threatened to burn my fingers & lips this gathering of leaf was consistent, in burn, draw, ash & flavor.

The pre-light draw tempted my palette with a subtle cedar sweetness that only a well aged Connecticut shade leaf can deliver. A perfect draw, giving up plenty of smoke without effort, one might get the impression that it was actually smoking itself. Let me remind you that this is a mild cigar and as such it required ones attention or focus to enjoy. The creamy toasted tobacco notes flowed through the cigar from beginning to end, complex in the way that Fleur de Sal differs from table salt.

There where many reasons why this cigar was memorable and given the opportunity to smoke another I would do so to see if the experience could be repeated or even expanded upon. Perhaps it was the time, place & company, not to mention the great little box. I would have a difficult time paying the MSRP but you know how that goes, I think they have dropped to $15 when purchased by the box, but remember they are mild-medium.

And now for the barrage of photos, after all isn't that why you really stopped by?

I was thoughtful and sampled them down.