Cigar evening with Noel Labourdette of Navarre

Yesterday I was joining the cigar evening by Huis Verloo at Salle Jeanne (in English you could translate that to "room Jeanne" or "dirty Jeanne"). It was a special evening, Noël Labourdette of the Navarre brand was speaking!

For those who don't know Navarre: This is a cigar company that creates French handmade cigars. The cigars are entirely produced in France, with cuban seeds. They are grown, collected and fermented in France. For the rolling of the cigars, they had cuban rollers teaching their trade to french workers. Their market is mostly Europe and Japan. They have a limited quantity of tabacco, and really only want the best.

Together with about 30 people we listened to Noël talk about his cigars, while puffing away a petit-robusto from his brand. Very enjoyable cigar, which to my opinion tastes a lot like Partagas cigars: very earthy and cedary, with a hint of floral touches. I did notice on mine and other cigars an very uneven burn, and I had to relight the cigar a lot when in the last third.

Noël was talking about the fact that he clearly wants quality over quantity and I really believe him. He found a little place in France where the micro-climat is exactly the same as the famous Pinar-del-rio in Cuba.

The second cigar of the evening was the limited edition maduro version, which I found even more enjoyable. Less earthy, and more complex flavors on this "not-too-dark" maduro version of the robusto.

Noël was a really cool guy, he answered all questions with a lot of humor and honesty. He did say that they are going to release some new sizes in the future.

We also has a little premiere: the existing Corona Gorda, combined with notes of Armagnac. Noël also gave us a glass of Armagnac, coming from a friend in the neighbourhood where he lives. This pairs really great with the maduro!