Capn_Jackson
A Razorback lost in Texas land
1949 Black Gold, by Rothenberg and Schloss
I wanted to take the time and let y’all know something..... today, in honor of D-Day I smoked a 73-year-old cigar, from 1949. In my mind I imagined our nation’s troops, in the years shortly after that war, enjoying a smoke from the good people of Rothenberg and Schloss. But wait, there’s more.... it was good. Really, really damn good. Many thanks to @Nacho Daddy for this gem! Check out the yellow cello!
Pre-light draw: Sugar and vanilla.
First puffs: Strong vanilla flavor! I honestly thought this might’ve been an infused cigar with vanilla flavoring. That’s how potent the flavor was, truly. Behind the vanilla sugar lied a sweet tobacco and black tea. Tiny hint of saltiness left in its old age, too. Pleasant aroma, excellent draw, and FANTASTIC smoke output.
After the first few puffs, the vanilla went bye-bye and I was left with a very nice earthiness, and just a bit of a rich woody “twang.” Approaching the second third, the mineral or salt note poked its head up a bit more, still hiding behind the sweet and earthy tones. I was very impressed with how well the ash held on. “Must be long filler,” I thought.
The second third was announced by a bold dose of hot chili oil, right before the first chunk of ash fell off. Gotta say, I was surprised this septuagenarian’s ash held on as long as it did!
The second third was characterized by a bit more nuttiness, kind of a dark roasted peanut actually. Wow! Interestingly, the sweet vanilla came back in this part of the cigar, hiding behind the nuttiness. The chili oil was still there, faintly, tying it all together. Near the end of the second third, a dark butterscotch flavor started to creep in, but never really came to the forefront. It was gone as soon as I noticed it.
Last third, I tasted mostly coffee and cocoa. Just a hint of pastry sweetness, too. Not even a touch of bitterness as I approached the last inch. At the very end of this great smoke, I tasted some raisin along with the coffee. Very good burn right to the end.
No lie, someone down the road was playing “Taps” on a trumpet as I smoked this cigar. They played it several times over, which made me think it was a neighbor rehearsing for a National Cemetery service. It lended well to the reverence I felt, enjoying a cigar that was rolled a few years before even my parents were born, and so shortly after WWII. Not really sure what I expected from a 73-year-old smoke, but it wasn’t this. Quite honestly, I’ve had new cigars from major labels that didn’t compare to this one. I don’t know the story of the company, or the men and women who worked there, but after tasting this cigar I’m wondering what happened to the good people of Rothenberg and Schloss, and what they might’ve given us if they were still around. This cigar was packed to the brim with pretty bold flavors, and I’m glad I took the time to write this. Hope you enjoyed reading about it!
I wanted to take the time and let y’all know something..... today, in honor of D-Day I smoked a 73-year-old cigar, from 1949. In my mind I imagined our nation’s troops, in the years shortly after that war, enjoying a smoke from the good people of Rothenberg and Schloss. But wait, there’s more.... it was good. Really, really damn good. Many thanks to @Nacho Daddy for this gem! Check out the yellow cello!
Pre-light draw: Sugar and vanilla.
First puffs: Strong vanilla flavor! I honestly thought this might’ve been an infused cigar with vanilla flavoring. That’s how potent the flavor was, truly. Behind the vanilla sugar lied a sweet tobacco and black tea. Tiny hint of saltiness left in its old age, too. Pleasant aroma, excellent draw, and FANTASTIC smoke output.
After the first few puffs, the vanilla went bye-bye and I was left with a very nice earthiness, and just a bit of a rich woody “twang.” Approaching the second third, the mineral or salt note poked its head up a bit more, still hiding behind the sweet and earthy tones. I was very impressed with how well the ash held on. “Must be long filler,” I thought.
The second third was announced by a bold dose of hot chili oil, right before the first chunk of ash fell off. Gotta say, I was surprised this septuagenarian’s ash held on as long as it did!
The second third was characterized by a bit more nuttiness, kind of a dark roasted peanut actually. Wow! Interestingly, the sweet vanilla came back in this part of the cigar, hiding behind the nuttiness. The chili oil was still there, faintly, tying it all together. Near the end of the second third, a dark butterscotch flavor started to creep in, but never really came to the forefront. It was gone as soon as I noticed it.
Last third, I tasted mostly coffee and cocoa. Just a hint of pastry sweetness, too. Not even a touch of bitterness as I approached the last inch. At the very end of this great smoke, I tasted some raisin along with the coffee. Very good burn right to the end.
No lie, someone down the road was playing “Taps” on a trumpet as I smoked this cigar. They played it several times over, which made me think it was a neighbor rehearsing for a National Cemetery service. It lended well to the reverence I felt, enjoying a cigar that was rolled a few years before even my parents were born, and so shortly after WWII. Not really sure what I expected from a 73-year-old smoke, but it wasn’t this. Quite honestly, I’ve had new cigars from major labels that didn’t compare to this one. I don’t know the story of the company, or the men and women who worked there, but after tasting this cigar I’m wondering what happened to the good people of Rothenberg and Schloss, and what they might’ve given us if they were still around. This cigar was packed to the brim with pretty bold flavors, and I’m glad I took the time to write this. Hope you enjoyed reading about it!
