This has always been the lesser of the two JJ's, in my mind, as I have always thought the maduro version to be superior. The cigar presents with a dark natural wrapper with few veins. The wrapper is well applied, but the cigar feels a little tight in a couple of spots. The pre light aroma is of tobacco and light spice. The pre light draw has peppery notes with an undertone of spice.
The cigar begins with full blasts of pepper, almost as if it is on a quest to prove that it is equal to it's darker cousin. The smoke booms out and the burn is sharp. The draw is smooth and fulfilling. The first inch is a real pepper bomb and I don't remember this cigar showing that much character before. After the first inch the peppery core settles down and some tobacco and leather notes appear.
At just past a third of the way into the smoke the core is of leather, there is a fabulous undertone of ginger and spice that has appeared at the back of the palate. The complexity of this cigar so early in the smoke has me inspired about the rest of it. The burn has stayed nice, maybe a bit lopsided, but not detracting from the experience.
The final half of this cigar maintains a leathery core, reminiscent of cuban Bolivars, but there are complex notes of ginger, spice, tobacco and earth in the background. The level of flavor here is astounding! I encounter only one burn flaw with about one third of the cigar remaining, but I am able to smoke through it.
The finish is long and excellent. There are notes of leather, earth, spice, ginger and tobacco. This JJ can certainly stand on it's own. A superior smoke.
Appearance- 90 the wrapper lacks some oils detracting from the appeal
Taste- 95 an excellent complex smoke with depth and character
Construction- 91 a little tight in the roll, one burn flaw
Strength- 91 and excellent medium/full smoke almost perfectly balanced with the character of the cigar. It could have used some more kick.
Overall- 91.75 excellent, a must smoke
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