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The outstanding cigars of Savinelli Los Angeles, August 11 – A small pipe shop called Savinelli opened in Milan, Italy in 1876. As the decades passed, Savinelli became a widely-respected name in pipes, so much so that after World War II, a Savinelli pipe factory was opened in 1948. It is still in operation today and the Savinelli family still owns and operates it. What does that have to do with cigars? Nothing. In the U.S., that would change under the leadership of Ruben and Robert Ysidron, who have headed Savinelli in this country since the 1970s. While growing the pipe business here, they also took advantage of the position as one of the most highly-respected distributors in the business to branch out into cigars when the Boom began in the middle of the 1990s. Today Savinelli remains as one of the titans of the pipe trade, but the cigars aren’t to be dismissed. With a total of five lines available, we got fired up and found out that the Ysidron’s tastes are just as formidable in cigars as they are in pipes: Savinelli Extremely Limited Reserve: [Dominican Republic: available in 7 sizes] The Savinelli “ELR” was an immediate hit as soon as it hit the market in 1995, thanks to its excellent construction and flavorful blend created by the Tabacalera A. Fuente. Very well made, ELRs have a spicy aroma and a definite caramelized flavor that’s rich with a sweet, long finish. It’s relaxed but not monotonous; it smokes slowly and evenly with a pleasant, enticing, sweet charm. Medium in body, there’s a touch of spice to flatten the sweetness of the flavor in the second half of the cigar and some we tried had a peppery note on the aroma near the end. It was a nice way to end a terrific experience. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Savinelli Fuerte: [Nicaragua: available in 6 sizes] The Fuerte came out in 2004 and was the second Nicaraguan blend to be offered under the Savinelli name. It’s made at Tabacos Puros de Nicaragua, well known for the Joya de Nicaragua lines. This blend is forthright, with a medium-to-full body and plenty of character that becomes apparent as soon as you light it. Considering its maker, that’s no surprise. The aroma is spicy, but not overwhelming. Rather, the lasting impression is of the presence of this blend in your mouth and the way it draws your attention. The flavor has a caramelized aspect, which can seem heavy if you draw too hard, but it’s just the fullness of the cigar that convinces you to ease off. Given its power, the faint note of spice on the back of the throat during the second half is a welcome distraction. But the finish is consistent and can be heady if smoked right to the fingertips. %%pagebreak%% At suggested retail prices of $3.75 to $5.00 (before local tobacco taxes), the line can only be classified as an outstanding value, as well as a top-line cigar. Overall grade: A: Exceptional. Savinelli Liga Especial: [Nicaragua: available in 4 sizes] This line debuted in 2005 and is also made at Tabacos Puros de Nicaragua. It’s double banded with the words “Liga Especial” (in Spanish, “special blend”) below the same band as on the Savinelli Fuerte. The Liga has a dark, oily wrapper and showcases both caramelized sweetness and a spicy finish right from the start. This parallel taste experience offers a complexity that’s easy to appreciate and is accented by the richness of the caramel-like flavors in mid-course. The flavors are more muted in the second half and the spicy aspects come out more strongly toward the close. It’s once again a bargain at retail prices of $4.50-$5.75 each (before local tobacco taxes). Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Savinelli Nicaragua Reserve: [Nicaragua: available in 6 sizes] First offered in 2002, this is the first of the Nicaraguan-made Savinelli lines and it is still going strong. The line is all box-pressed, with rich-looking Nicaraguan-grown wrappers. But the body is medium and it features a very sweet flavor that’s almost transparent in its purity, compared with the more common caramelized nature of many blends. It’s an unusual and striking contrast and one worth discovering. There’s a dash of spice that comes into play in the second half, which is well balanced and makes the cigar a little more lively. Made by the Tabacalera Esteli, it’s again well priced at $3.50-5.50 each (before taxes). Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Savinelli Special Selection: [Nicaragua: available in 3 sizes] The “Special Selection” 2004 debuted in 2005. Also double-banded, all three sizes are torpedos, with pointed heads. It’s medium-to-full in body with a spicy aroma and an even burn. There’s a very rich caramelized presence to the flavor which continues throughout most of the cigar. Although the blend fills the mouth, it’s not heavy and leaves no mark on the head as you enjoy it. As with the other Savinelli Nicaraguan-made blends, there’s a little spice on the finish beginning in mid-course, but well balanced and under control. A little more expensive at $5.00-5.50 (before local tobacco taxes) the Special Selection is just a pleasure. Overall grade: A: Exceptional. Five different blends and five grades of “A” or “A-minus” makes Savinelli an “A-list” line that should be on the list of any smoker who enjoys cigars that are well-made, well-priced and – for the most part – on the sweeter side. That’s no surprise to those who know the Ysidrons, two of the nicest people in the cigar business. At least where cigars are concerned, baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Leo Durocher was wrong. Nice guys do finish first. ~ Rich Perelman |
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