Explore the luxurious pairing of Habanos 2021 Limited Edition cigars with the distinguished Facundo Rum Collection, celebrating the art of connoisseurship through a journey of rich flavors and heritage.
Immersing oneself in the sumptuous embrace of the Habanos 2021 Limited Edition cigars becomes a passage into a realm where luxury transcends the mundane. Each puff is a reminder of the artistry and heritage that has coursed through the veins of the finest tobacco leaves. It is in this spirit of connoisseurship and exclusivity that one finds the perfect companionship in a selection of rums, each as luxurious and distinguished as the cigars themselves.
These rums, distilled from the essence of the Caribbean's sun-kissed sugarcane, aged with magic whisper tales of time and present a symphony of flavors that dance gracefully with the robust and nuanced notes of the Habanos. It is a celebration of the finer things in life where each sip of rum enhances the cigar's complexity, and each draw of the cigar elevates the rum's character.
To indulge in this it is, indeed, an affair that transcends mere enjoyment, becoming a journey of discovery through the landscapes of taste and aroma.
Greetings once more, esteemed connoisseur, as we venture further into the opulent domain of cigar pairings. On this splendid dawn of April, I am delighted to present to you an array of pairing propositions that are poised to captivate your senses and elevate your spirit.
This pairing, dear reader, is an ode to the art of living well, a celebration of the meticulous care and passion that shapes the world of fine tobacco and exquisite spirits. As we savor the complex beauty of the Habanos against the backdrop of these exclusive rums, we not only pay homage to tradition but also embrace the joy of discovery, the thrill of experiencing something truly unique and fleeting.
Let us, then, raise our glasses and prepare to embark on this sumptuous voyage, guided by the stars of Cuban tradition and the winds of unparalleled luxury.
The year 2021 announced the much-anticipated resurgence of a trio of thrilling novelties within the realm of tobacco connoisseurship. Each leaf selected for this illustrious series is acclaimed as the peak of that year's harvest, having been aged with the utmost care for no less than two years more than other leaves destined to create the regular production Habanos we so much love. The production of these treasures is meticulously capped, ensuring that each box swiftly ascends to the status of a collector's item. Such cigars are lauded not only for their potential to gracefully age but also for the exquisite flavors they unveil when indulged in upon their arrival. It is a practice among aficionados to acquire two boxes: one to savor in the immediacy of the moment, the other to witness its evolution over time—a ritual I implore every enthusiast to embrace for all cigars that capture their attention.
Turning our attention to the sphere of distinguished spirits, the spotlight falls upon the Facundo Series by Bacardi—a name that requires little introduction. Bacardi, the titan of rum, established its legacy in 1862 within the vibrant heart of Santiago, Cuba. For decades, it stood as a bastion of Cuban authenticity, weaving its narrative and essence indelibly into the fabric of Cuban culture. Though the tides of time have shifted its current standing, the roots of Bacardi remain deeply entrenched in Cuban soil, a testament to its enduring legacy and influence in the world of premium spirits. This series, a homage to its rich heritage, beckons us to explore deeper, to uncover the stories and craftsmanship that continue to define Bacardi's prestige in the annals of rum production.
In the year 1828, a young Catalan immigrant by the name of Facundo Bacardí Massó embarked on a journey that would lead him to the streets of Santiago, Cuba. There, amidst a community where his brothers had already laid down roots, he found himself in a society where Catalan immigrants were esteemed for their indomitable spirit of hard work and professionalism. These traits were the cornerstones of trade throughout Cuba, and it was within this vibrant economic landscape that Don Facundo began his own venture as a trader. Yet, it was only after many years, during a period marked by the burgeoning growth of Cuban rum's production and exportation, that he turned his sights towards the art of rum making—a field ripe with potential for innovation and improvement in quality.
In a tribute to the visionary spirit of Don Facundo Bacardí Massó, the Bacardí family sought to encapsulate his legacy within the creation of the Facundo Rum Collection. This endeavor was not merely about crafting rum, it was about creating a masterpiece, a liquid art form that the world had yet to witness. With this vision in their hearts, the Bacardí family meticulously selected from the most exquisite rum reserves, culminating in the birth of four distinct and unparalleled rums. Each bottle in the Facundo Collection is a testament to the innovation, craftsmanship, and enduring spirit of excellence that Don Facundo himself championed, offering a taste of history, tradition, and the relentless pursuit of perfection that defines the Bacardí legacy.
The FACUNDO Rum Collection emerges as a monumental first—a quartet of aged sipping rums, each a jewel gleaned from the Bacardi family's most guarded reserves. In a momentous celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the Company in 2012, the Bacardi family made a pivotal decision to unveil their cherished reserves, thereby introducing a collection previously veiled from public view.
Within the esteemed ranks of the Facundo Collection are four distinctive rums: Neo, Eximo, Exquisito, and Paraiso. Neo, unique in its clarity, diverges as a white rum, a category often not associated with the traditional sipping experience.
However, despite its classification and contrary to my personal stance on sipping rums, it has been presented as a candidate for such leisure.
In acknowledgment of its unique position and to ensure it is not overshadowed, I will reserve Neo for the conclusion of our exploration. It is here that I plan to blend tradition with innovation, pairing Neo in a cocktail recipe with a habano—a pairing that ventures boldly into uncharted territories. I eagerly anticipate sharing this inventive recipe with you, dear reader, and am most curious to garner your insights on what promises to be a daring finale to our rum and cigar symphony. Take this as an invitation to share your thoughts and ideas within the comment section.
Let us, then, proceed without further ado to the eagerly awaited pairings.
We begin our foray into the Habanos 2021 Limited Editions with the Hoyo de Monterrey Monterreyes No. 4, a cigar that marks a novel chapter in the history of Hoyo de Monterrey with its unprecedented dimensions of a 55 ring gauge and 145mm length (vitola de galera Maravillas No. 4), echoing the grandeur of the bygone Grand Epicure Limited Edition. From the outset, this cigar whispers tales of cedar and pepper, weaving a narrative that evolves with each draw. As the oils begin to unfurl, the essence of the cigar blossoms, sweet notes pirouetting upon the palate, melding seamlessly into a symphony of flavors. A crescendo of cedar weaves through the experience, adorned by a spicy oak aroma that captivates the senses, promising a journey towards intensity where pepper ascends, caressing the tongue with a zestful embrace.
With this amazing habano we pair the Facundo Eximo, a rum that presents itself with audacity not only in taste but in its very essence. The bottle, a testament to boldness in size, design, and material, draws inspiration from the vibrant, cigar-laden nights of Cuba's golden era. Its design pays tribute to the luminaries of Cuba's zenith, with nods to the iconic Habana Bar, a nexus of rum and cigar aficionados. The radiance of the Eximo bottle, with sunrays reminiscent of Bacardi's golden days in Cuba, beckons the warmth of the Caribbean sun.
The Eximo's bouquet is a complex landscape of vanilla, banana, resin, pepper, wood (cedar and oak), enticing from the very first breath. Upon the palate, it unfolds into a rich narrative of vanilla, raisin, chocolate, espresso, chestnuts, oak, and a subtle trace of smoke, leading to a denouement that lingers with notes of caramel, oak, and cocoa—a pairing destined to create an experience of uncharted delight and sophistication.
As we delve deeper into our exploration of fine pairings, the spotlight now falls upon the last of the 2021 releases to grace our palates—the Bolivar Regentes. This cigar arrives fashionably late, yet every moment waited is amply rewarded by its presence.
The Bolívar Regentes, a jewel in the crown of the Edición Limitada 2021 series, marks the fourth instance of this venerable brand's selection for the prestigious Limited Edition lineup. Bolívar, a name synonymous with full-strength blends and highly sought-after regional releases, reaffirms its legacy within the most exalted ranks of the Habanos S.A. repertoire.
This cigar, crafted in the Discretos vitola—a size only previously embodied by the Partagas Maduro No.1—boasts dimensions of 130mm by 52 ring gauge. True to the tradition of Limited Editions, each leaf wrapped within this masterpiece has been aged an additional two years, ensuring a smoking experience of depth and complexity. Upon lighting, the Bolívar Regentes greets the smoker with a distinctive sweetness and whispers of cinnamon, soon joined by a chorus of raisin notes. As the experience deepens, layers of cedar and leather meld into the profile, crafting a tapestry of flavors as enjoyable as they are intricate. The journey of the Regentes is one of evolving dominance, with cedar initially leading before giving way to an increasing chorus of spices, culminating in a crescendo of espresso and a symphony of spices that usher in a smooth yet intensely spicy finale.
The perfect counterpart to the Bolívar Regentes, in our small world of challenging pairings, is found in the Facundo Exquisito, a rum that captures the spirit of Cuba’s Golden Era. The Exquisito is a homage to the Havana Riviera—once the epitome of Caribbean luxury, where dazzling restaurants, a cosmopolitan vibe, and tropical elegance reigned supreme. On the nose, the Exquisito unfurls with dried tropical fruits, notably pineapple and banana, intertwined with notes of walnut, vanilla, and oak. The palate is greeted with a relaxed ensemble of toffee and spice, leading to a long finish rich with molasses, robust oak, and a hint of espresso. This pairing not only complements the evolving flavors of the Bolívar Regentes but also evokes the luxurious ambiance and sophistication of a bygone era, creating an experience that is both a journey through time and a feast for the senses.
Concluding our journey through the Limited Edition releases of 2021, we arrive at a creation that embodies the pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship: The Cohiba Victoria, celebrating the 55th Anniversary of Cohiba. This remarkable vitola, the Victoria, unveils itself as a novel marvel in the Cohiba lineage, boasting an impressive 57-ring gauge by 150mm length, thus standing as one of the most substantial Cohibas to ever grace the aficionado's world.
From the very first light, the Cohiba 55th seizes the senses, weaving a rich tapestry of spice, cocoa, cedar, and a subtle hint of almond. As the journey unfolds and the oils begin to express themselves, a transformation occurs… the almond note deepens into the richer, sweeter tones of marzipan, elegantly accompanied by a warm breath of cinnamon spice. Approaching the midpoint, a delicate peppery nuance emerges, adding a gentle zest to the palate, while coffee notes quietly make their entrance. As the finale approaches, the coffee intensifies into robust espresso, leather accents materialize, and pepper persists, completing this virtuous and complex symphony of aromas.
For this fantastic cigar, only the most exceptional pairing will suffice: the Facundo Paraíso. This rum represents the peak of the Facundo Collection, a treasure distilled from 150 years of rum-making artistry, rich with Cuban tradition and the Bacardi legacy. The Paraíso is a tribute to family, legacy, and the unbreakable bond between Spain and Cuba, encapsulated within a bottle that represents the essence of Bacardi paradise. The packaging of Paraíso captures the idyllic beauty of an island sunset, enveloping the history of Bacardi with symbols that resonate with the brand's heritage, from its original distillery to the iconic bat and palm tree.
The nose of the Paraíso is a complex bouquet of vanilla, shortbread, plum, nutmeg, and honeycomb, leading to a palate that enriches these flavors into a luxurious experience, culminating in a long, indulgent finish of pralines and oak. Together, the Cohiba Victoria and Facundo Paraíso form a pairing that transcends mere taste, offering a journey through the annals of tradition, craftsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—a fitting homage to the legacies of both Cohiba and Bacardi.
Rounding off our exploration of the FACUNDO Rum Collection, we turn our attention to the NEO, a white rum that, while perhaps not traditionally embraced as a sipping rum, stands out as an exceptional component for crafting cocktails, in my opinon. To harness the full potential of the NEO in a pairing that promises to delight and surprise, let us concoct a special cocktail that will serve as the foundation for this unique experience.
Introducing the Salted Caramel Daiquiri—a recipe that marries the NEO's crispness with the indulgent complexity of salted caramel and the vibrant zest of lime. The recipe is as follows:
- 60ml of Facundo NEO rum
- 30ml of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 10ml of salted caramel demerara sugar syrup (prepare by caramelizing brown sugar in a pot, adding a touch of water to achieve a dark brown syrup, and finishing with a pinch of salt)
Shake and strain into a cocktail glass to unveil a beverage where the caramel's richness, the citrus's freshness, and the rum's sweetness achieve a symphony of harmony.
To accompany this delectable cocktail, the cigar selection falls upon the Romeo y Julieta Cupidos. Released by Habanos S.A. in the final quarter of 2023—despite initial plans for a 2022 launch—this cigar is distributed globally through Casa del Habano and Habano Specialist stores. The vitola is Veronas (55x148mm), in a nod to the city immortalized by Shakespeare's tale of "Romeo and Juliet," this unique shape is presented in an elegant 20-count box, encapsulating romance and tragedy in each puff, or just reminding us about it anyway.
From the start, the Romeo y Julieta Cupidos unveils a smoke characterized by sweetness and creaminess, with a robust woody foundation complemented by nuances of earth, white pepper, and coffee, striking a medium strength. The journey through the cigar's heart reveals a sweetness and increased intensity, as honey joins the initial woody notes, augmented by an evolving array of pepper and peanut. Approaching the finale, a subtle bitter touch emerges, introducing a mild bitterness, while the flavor profile deepens into wood, pepper, nuts, and espresso.
This pairing of the Salted Caramel Daiquiri with the Romeo y Julieta Cupidos creates a juxtaposition of flavors and sensations that, while unconventional, promises a memorable experience. The cocktail's indulgent sweetness and the cigar's evolving complexity dance in a perfect balance, challenging the palate yet rewarding it at the same time. This pairing, though not the safest of choices, is one I honestly recommend for those adventurous enough to explore the depths of flavor and sophistication.
I hope you enjoyed our journey through “El moundo de los Sabores” where we forever remain clandestine.