The Old Toro and The Road.
I'm hitting the road with cigar in hand. This time it's the Hugo Cassar Mystique Toro that I purchased in March 1998 at the old Don Pablo Smoke Shop, Aloha Tower in Honolulu. Since that time it's been aging in my humidor - for nearly thirteen years.
The Mystique was a curious cigar when it was released, featuring a candy cane dual wrapper it attracted quite a bit of attention back then. I remember it being a decent cigar. Nothing amazing, just decent.
Sometimes, with aging, you discover something fantastic. Something amazing. Aging cigars is a gamble. Lay down a box of Paul Garmirian cigars and you're almost guaranteed ecstasy over the long term. Other cigars, like the Arturo Fuente Double Chateau Fuente, in its cedar wrapper, tend to give off explosive spicy notes over time.
As with any gambling endeavor, sometimes you go bust. Sadly, this was one of those times. After many years aging, the Mystique has faded into a musty and unremarkable cigar. A shame and a difficult companion to pass the hours on the road away.
Sad.
