Charles Denby (Clear Havana) Review

One morning, just as it began to get light outside, I was awakened by a loud, raucous, squawking bird sound I had never heard before. It was right outside the bedroom window, where the pond is. I almost got out of bed to see what was going on, but quickly convinced myself it was just a bigger-than-usual gang of grackles arguing over drinking rights during their morning rituals.

Later that morning, however, I saw this guy hanging out by the pool:

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I'd never seen this sort of water bird around the neighborhood, but I was able to identify it as a green heron. Yes, I counted the koi in the pond - he didn't grab any. Well, seeing that bird reminded me of a lakeside herf with a good friend, where we were visited by multiple herons. I had to go to work for a while to catch up on some stuff, and that evening, when I got home, I was ready for some relaxing cigar-time. It was a perfect evening for it, too. So, in honor of sighting an unusual bird, I thought I'd try an out-of-the ordinary cigar. And because I was reminded of said friend, I knew just exactly which one I wanted to try.

The Charles Denby:

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When I got this cigar as a gift, I tried to dig up some info about it, but found not a lot available. From what I could discover, the cigar was introduced in 1902 by one H. Fendrich of Evansville, Indiana. In 1912, Mr. Fendrich built a factory in Evansville, capable of producing 350,000 cigars a day. He named this one in honor of Colonel Charles Denby, an Army officer and statesman. Apparently National Cigar Corporation still produces a line called "Charles Denby Invincibles," although they obviously are not made from any Cuban tobacco - "Clear Havana" or otherwise.

This cigar is 60-70 years old. The cellophane was actually crumbling when I took it out of the shipping box, but the cigar was in mint condition. A beautifully-crafted figurado with the square shape of a pressed cigar. Whether it gained that form through time spent in a tightly-packed box, or whether it was mold-pressed, I don't know.

The foot:

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And the head - doesn't need cutting because the spindle hole from the machine that helped roll it is sufficient for smoking:

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Note the helpful advice. Not at all necessary for me, as the band slipped off effortlessly:

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Prelight draw tasted like all kinds of cedar, a little leather, and just an antique flavor. Sort of like the smell of an old book, but not musty. I couldn't help thinking that it's possible that when the US Customs agent in Indiana checked the bale of tobacco that this cigar was made from, and pronounced it "Clear Havana," somewhere, clear across the continent, a minister was pronouncing "man and wife" at my parents' wedding. It would be an enormous coincidence, and extremely unlikely, but that's how the general timeframes line up. I also realized that I may have puffed in a breath of air stored inside that cigar since the 1940's.

The cigar lit easily and burned perfectly until the very end, when it canoed a bit, as you'll see. The draw was a little loose, even through the small punch hole, but I would guess that was due to the age of the cigar.

We started off with warm, toasty leather. Lots of smoke and lots of flavor - it literally felt like I could chew the flavorful smoke! After the third puff, the leather was followed by cream and tart twang. About an inch in, and the leather - cream - twang flavors were followed by a gentle tickling of pepper on the tongue. As the cigar progressed, the flavors all intensified.

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About the halfway point, rich chocolate and coffee burst onto the scene, and with each puff, these flavors were first, followed by the original progression.

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Coming into the final third, the chocolate and coffee faded, and we're back to this:

First - leather
Second - cream, overlapping the third sensation
Third - tart, rich, thick, chewy twang
Fourth - as the twang faded, a gentle peppery tickle on the tongue.

You can see a little dot on the wrapper. I tried to insert a wooden nubbing pick. It penetrated the wrapper easily, but just bounced off the binder. I never got the pick installed, so I had to burn my fingers. The things I do for cigars!

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Getting close now!

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The canoe!

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We're done. I was absolutely amazed at the intensity and complexity of flavors in this very old cigar. I expected something milder and simpler. My worst fears are realized - this one-of-a-kind cigar was delicious, amazing, and fantastic! I could get used to smoking cigars that taste like this.

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The moon peeked through the tree branches as I relaxed and reflected on the privilege I had to smoke and enjoy a piece of history. Indeed a most generous gift!

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