PCA Magazine Fall 2019

20 PCA The Magazine | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG The Blend golden-brown leaf was originally created inMelillo’s home state of Connecticut back in the early 1900s and is the result of crossing Havana Seed, Broadleaf and Sumatra tobaccos. “The binder, Mata Fina Brazil, is one of my favorite tobaccos,” Melillo says. “Mata Fina is much darker, fuller-bodied tobacco compared to Connecticut Shade, and I knew they would complement each other perfectly. Since the wrapper is so thin, it was important for me to use a darker binder that would be able to buffer the strength of some of the heavier filler tobaccos, so the blend would not be too aggressive. With Connecticut shade blends, they are either way toomild for people and lack flavor or they are overly aggressive and sharp on the palate. TheMata Fina binder is the balancing point, the bridge that ties in the amazing filler leaves and the elegant wrapper.” The filler tobaccos are all Cuban seed varieties. Melillo worked with Abdel Fernandez to create a hybridized seed of Criollo, which brings spice and strength, and Corojo, which brings sweetness and body, all in to one tobacco, unique to this cigar. Melillo calls this hybrid “Nicadán.” To round it all out, Melillo uses Viso from the volcanic islands of Ometepe, a uniquemicroclimate that produces some of themost flavorful and special black tobaccos in the world. “While inNicaragua, in the tobacco fields and factory, I have gained a deep appreciation for the passion and skill that goes intomaking a super-premium cigar,” Lord Carnarvon says. “Like wine, there is a direct correlation with the soil, weather and artisanal craft of the cigar maker.” The first Highclere Castle cigar was launched in 2017 and quickly positioned itself as a cigar house that evokes the ambiance of Highclere Castle during the turn of the century. But the partnership with von Gootkin andMelillo was just beginning, and in 2019 the Highclere Victorian was announced. The Highclere Victorian is the Connecticut shade’s fuller, darker, elegant cousin. It features an upper priming (seventh priming to be exact) Habano Ecuadorian wrapper, “So, it’s amaduro but it’s more of a Coloradomaduro,” Melillo explains. The cigar boasts flavors of cinnamon, spice, nougat, and coffee and will be releasing late this fall. WhenMelillo is asked whether there will bemore Highclere/ Foundation collaborations, he responds, “Definitely, definitely, definitely.” “Cigars were smoked at the castle by leading statesmen, such as the PrimeMinister Lord Salisbury, a close friend of my great-great-grandfather,” Lord Carnarvon says. “In fact, Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, helped improve Anglo-French relations by smoking cigars withNapoleon III. Good food, good wine and the best cigars have long been part of our weekends and traditions, entertaining friends and guests fromaround the world.” And that tradition will continue for many years to come, thanks to Lord Carnarvon, von Gootkin andMelillo. The first Highclere Castle Cigar was launched in 2017.