Quick Smoke: Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series No. 2 (1997)

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

There aren’t many places where you can walk in and buy a cigar aged over two decades, but PG’s flagship shop, located in a easily-missed strip mall, has quite a few. This No. 2 (4.75 x 48) was rolled in 1997 and can be bought for $13.75. I didn’t detect the over two decades of age in the first half, which was mild- to medium-bodied with grass, toast, and mineral flavors. The second half was more integrated and complex with leather, hay, sweet cream, and roasted nut notes. Construction was flawless but, truth be told, I’ve enjoyed other aged PG cigars (including a 1995 version of this same cigar) far more.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys