“Lampert International Stands For Diversity”
Nicaragua – Dominican Republic – Costa Rica – Panama
What Makes Edición 1675 Morado Special
I had the pleasure of meeting Austrian cigar connoisseur Stefan Lamper,t at Norwood Royal Cigars in Chicago. I immediately became very fond of him and his cigars, especially his Oro Line Don Patron and the bolder Edición 1675 Morado. This is Stefan’s first Maduro which features a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper. Stefan related his goal was to provide a bolder, but sweeter, smoking experience that cigar aficionados of all levels, worldwide, could enjoy.
Its Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper leaf is grown in the volcanic soil of the San Andres Valley, and can be traced back to ancient Mayan carvings in Veracruz. Known as “Morron” or “Negro,” for its dark brown color, this tobacco is stalk-cut (entire plant) versus primed (leaves picked off the plant two or three times). So it is thicker, naturally sweet, and earthy. Its Nicaraguan binder and fillers provide the perfect leathery spicy punch to balance out the sweetness of the wrapper.
Definitely look into all the amazing cigars, and 12-year -ld rum blend, that Stefan has presented for us to enjoy at Lampertcigars.com.
Edición 1675 Morado
Brand: Lampert Cigars
Vitola: 5×50 Robusto
Filler: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Body: Medium Plus Boldness
Price: $14
“Notes of roasted espresso beans, dark cocoa, wood, and sweet spices emerge throughout an ample profile with a well-balanced finish.” ~ Lampertcigars.com
Visual/Pre-light Draw
The dark brown San Andres wrapper has a light layer of oil, hard construction, and is tightly packed. The elegant gold and deep purple band displays Lampert over one of the two Lampert Family Emblems, this one granted in 1675. There are bold notes of barnyard hay on the side sniff, with cranberry raisins on the dry foot odor. There is no spice on the palate when prepping the head for my favorite Colibri V-cut, which produces cocoa and coffee beans on the dry draw.
First Third
Immediate burst of charred dark chocolate on the first puff, hell yes! Chocolate pudding on the foot smoke odor. Some charred, fruity, raisin notes to follow up the intense chocolate notes. The draw is a bit tight but anticipate it will open up when the time is right. Excellent smoke input/output, while its palate coating sweetness lingers on the finish. Very delicious! Now some vanilla and chocolate swirl notes come to the forefront. The bright white tough-looking ash holds well with a nice even burn. There is a creamy vanilla leatheriness and slight char on the spiceless retro-hale. So far a medium body, easy smoking chocolate bomb cigar.
Second Third
We’re quickly into the second third of this Robusto, as I am fully enjoying every puff! Some nuttiness is coming through and that ash is still going strong. The retro-hale is creamier with notes of vanilla frosting and light leather. The nice char remains on the finish of every chocolatey puff. As that ash finally falls off with dignity, I realize it’s time for some whiskey. Introducing The Cabinet by Proof and Wood, a blend of straight whiskeys bottled in 2023. This fruity chocolate spice-bomb combo is simply “Easy To Love” by Armin van Buuren, Matoma, and our talented Whiskey Network friend, Mr. Teddy Swims.
Final Third
The band comes off, and its time to really dig into this Morado! Sweeter notes of charred chocolate pudding emerge, with sweeter and creamier vanilla char on the still spiceless retro-hale. This simple Robusto is a delicious dark chocolate bomb smoke. A perfect little smoke to round off a great meal, and perfect with this Cabinet barrel-proof blend of Rye and Bourbon. I loved it all the way to its perfect buzz nub!
The blend contains whiskies aged between five and nine years old. All distilled in Indiana; entered into new charred oak at 120 proof; aged, blended and bottled in Kentucky.
DISTILLATION DATE & MASHBILL
2014 Rye – 95% rye, 5% barley
2015 Rye – 95% rye, 5% barley
2016 Rye – 95% rye, 5% barley
2017 Rye – 95% rye, 5% barley
2016 Bourbon – 99% corn, 1% barley
2017 Bourbon – 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley
The Pairing
This 2023 Cabinet release is a barrel-proof limited edition from Proof and Wood’s (Washington) DC Collection. Proof and Wood blender and founder Dave Schmier has over thirty years of experience in the spirits industry. This has influenced his focus on the two components he as blender has the most control over: the proof his whiskey is bottled at, and the wood of the barrels it is aged in.
Schmier is an accomplished blender, most notably for his Senator Rye, which was named Best American Rye at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards. Also, his Representative blend was named World’s Best Bourbon at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards.
Schmier explained, “The Cabinet showcases some intense rye flavors; spices and floral notes waft out of the glass with flavors of dried fruits, nutmeg and mint, complemented by sweetness and full bourbon flavors of vanilla and tobacco. Rich mouthfeel and spice complete the flavor experience. While The Cabinet, a blend of bourbon and rye, is geared for the rye drinker, it pairs well with a cigar and contemplative thoughts.”
So let’s see how well Dave’s new bold blend, which combines the strength of American rye and bourbon, pairs with this amazing and bolder Lampert Maduro:
Cigar to the whiskey: The chocolaty char of the cigar melts away to fruity cinnamon-infused pecan pie, doused in creamy vanilla frosting on the finish. Absolutely delicious, and this Lampert cigar is “simply easy to love!”
Whiskey to the cigar: Hold that delicious caramel spiced whiskey on the palate, as its fruity and vanilla spice notes really develop before merging perfectly with the chocolate leather notes of the cigar. “Tonight I want to be with you’ Wood and Proof, you’re ‘running away with my heart.”
Cigar smoked whiskey: Big cherry and strawberry fruitiness emerges with big notes of charred vanilla on the finish. Incredible and a mind blowing surprise!
Acknowledgment & Live Pairing
Thank you to Proof and Wood owner Dave Schmier; Lampert Cigars owner, Stefan Lampert; and Whiskey Network’s own Vicki Higginson, our cocktail recipe specialist, for joining us Chooches on The Great Cigar & Pipe Show.
Definitely check out this live pairing (link below) as the crew memorializes the recent passing of Zeal Cigar star, Bradley Reith, with an amazing video presentation, while still having the fun Bradley would encourage, over the detailed pairing of these amazing products:
Photography by: James Archie
