This is a big, bold looking cigar with a dark nearly black wrapper that has a nice oily sheen. The wrapper is slightly veiny, but overall appears to be applied well. Upon inspection the construction appears to be acceptable, but there are some firm spots. The pre light aroma is of dark fruit and rich tobacco. The pre light draw is strong with notes of earth and heavy tobacco, there is a harbinger of nicotine to come.
The cigar opens with blasts of tobacco and nicotine, there is a prominent sour note to the opening that is detracting from the overall early experience. The draw is a bit tight, but the burn starts well, forming a gray ash that appears to be solid. There is little development through the first half of the cigar.
At the halfway point the nicotine and tobacco take center stage. The strength of the cigar cloys the profile and causes some problematic notes due to the numbing of the palate. There is a mixture of tobacco, earth and dark fruit flavors but dry vegetation is also present. The draw has remained tight, but the burn continues to perform well.
The final half of the cigar shows notes of pepper, dark fruit and spice. The depth just is not present though and the strength of the cigar overshadows some of the complexity that I expect from a cigar with an advanced profile of flavors. The draw is a little dead and I labor to produce acceptable amounts of smoke. The burn becomes slightly lopsided, but there are not any other issues of note.
The finish is fair and contains notes of pepper and dark fruit, the nicotine has stayed true throughout.
Appearance- 87 some veining hurt the score
Taste- 80 the profile was muddled by the strength, but there are some nice flavors present
Construction- 75 below average, draw problems diminished the performance
Strength- 77 a full plus presentation, but the strength deflects the complexity and depth of the profile in a negative way
Overall- 79.75 below average, but has some of the makings of a fine cigar
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