This is a new offering from RyJ. The cigar presents well with a muted wrapper that is somewhat less dark than I would anticipate from a maduro cigar. There is some prominent veining and the cigar appears and feels a little dry. There is some significant tooth to the wrapper and the cigar feels firm, but not too firm. The pre light aroma is of light tobacco and citrus. The pre light draw shows notes of cocoa and earth.
The cigar begins with a very mild, but flavorful, profile. There are notes of light cocoa and nice toasty tobacco flavors. The draw is smooth and easy. The burn is sharp and produces a nice white ash.
The first two inches of the cigar develop with a profile of cocoa, earth and tobacco notes. At the back of the palate the smoke tastes a bit dry and is somewhat sharp. The draw and burn stay consistent for the first several minutes.
At the halfway point the cigar continues to show cocoa notes and some other floral sweetness. There is still a tobacco tinge at the back of the palate, but the smoke is still a bit dry. There is a lack of depth and complexity, and I find that I am wanting more from this smoke.
The final half of the cigar remains much the same. There are notes of cocoa, earth and there is still some floral sweetness at the back of the palate. The smoke remains dry and a bit sharp at the back of the palate. The burn and draw have stayed consistent. The was a large run at the end of the cigar that was not worth touching up.
The finish is a touch short, but has some sweet notes and light earth dominates.
Appearance- 86 the veins and dry appearance hurt the score
Taste- 83 the dry smoke and lack of depth and complexity hurt the score
Construction- 88 the run at the end hurt the score
Strength- 86 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 85.75 slightly above average, could have used more depth and complexity
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Partagas Lusitania (Box Date 2001?)
I am not sure about the box date on this one, but the belief is that it comes from a 2001 box. The cigar is breathtaking to behold. Big, firm and leathery this cigar has not a single visual flaw anywhere on the wrapper. The wrapper is oily, the construction is tight and the only problem is that the foot has frayed a bit. The pre light aroma is of spice and cedar. The pre light draw is of clove and raisin.
The cigar begins with a subtle, yet complex profile, of clove, spice and raisin. At the back of the palate there is a fine dusting of leathery flavor that adds to the experience. The draw is a bit tight, but I expect that of Habanos. The burn is sharp and there is an approximately one eighth inch shoulder between the wrapper and ash. I settle in for a long smoke.
The first quarter of the cigar burns well, but continues to draw a bit tight. The profile has settled into a nice mix of leather, spice and clove. There are very satisfying notes of toasted wood and a cedary sweetness through the nose and at the back of the palate. The ash is a dirty gray, but is very firm, holding to nearly two inches.
At the halfway point the profile develops even further. There are core notes of leather, spice and cedar, but there are some vanilla notes as well that have added to the complexity of the smoke. Through the nose I am still experiencing some beautiful notes of toasted wood. The burn is still excellent and the ash is firm and strong.
The third quarter of the cigar maintains a core of leather and spice, but the vanilla flavors have become more prominent. The cedar notes and toasted wood continue to show through as well and this cigar is showing a lot of cat and mouse subtlety for such a large vitola. Most people typically expect a big cigar to be in your face. The come hither disposition of this cigar is a surprise, and a pleasant one. The draw is still a touch tight and it causing some heat in the smoke.
The final quarter of the cigar really hits home. The profile becomes a final rush of powerful leathery and cedar notes. There is still some sweetness at the back of the palate, but the core leathery flavor dominates.
The finish is long and smooth. It holds a profile of leather and cedar for many minutes. I smoked this over a two and three quarter hour period and I can say I would have gladly spent double that time smoking a cigar of this quality.
Appearance- 97 one of the finest looking cigars I have seen
Taste- 96 an excellent profile that was very complex, some of the flavors could have used some more depth
Construction- 88 the tight draw and the resulting heat cause a reduction here
Strength- 92 a medium/full offering that compliments the profile well, but could have shown more power
Overall- 93.25 a fabulous smoke of very high quality, without the draw issues it would have been classic
The cigar begins with a subtle, yet complex profile, of clove, spice and raisin. At the back of the palate there is a fine dusting of leathery flavor that adds to the experience. The draw is a bit tight, but I expect that of Habanos. The burn is sharp and there is an approximately one eighth inch shoulder between the wrapper and ash. I settle in for a long smoke.
The first quarter of the cigar burns well, but continues to draw a bit tight. The profile has settled into a nice mix of leather, spice and clove. There are very satisfying notes of toasted wood and a cedary sweetness through the nose and at the back of the palate. The ash is a dirty gray, but is very firm, holding to nearly two inches.
At the halfway point the profile develops even further. There are core notes of leather, spice and cedar, but there are some vanilla notes as well that have added to the complexity of the smoke. Through the nose I am still experiencing some beautiful notes of toasted wood. The burn is still excellent and the ash is firm and strong.
The third quarter of the cigar maintains a core of leather and spice, but the vanilla flavors have become more prominent. The cedar notes and toasted wood continue to show through as well and this cigar is showing a lot of cat and mouse subtlety for such a large vitola. Most people typically expect a big cigar to be in your face. The come hither disposition of this cigar is a surprise, and a pleasant one. The draw is still a touch tight and it causing some heat in the smoke.
The final quarter of the cigar really hits home. The profile becomes a final rush of powerful leathery and cedar notes. There is still some sweetness at the back of the palate, but the core leathery flavor dominates.
The finish is long and smooth. It holds a profile of leather and cedar for many minutes. I smoked this over a two and three quarter hour period and I can say I would have gladly spent double that time smoking a cigar of this quality.
Appearance- 97 one of the finest looking cigars I have seen
Taste- 96 an excellent profile that was very complex, some of the flavors could have used some more depth
Construction- 88 the tight draw and the resulting heat cause a reduction here
Strength- 92 a medium/full offering that compliments the profile well, but could have shown more power
Overall- 93.25 a fabulous smoke of very high quality, without the draw issues it would have been classic
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Illusione Epernay
This is a newer cigar from the excellent Illusione line of smokes. I have not reviewed any of these here, but I have always found them to be excellent. This cigar presents with a beautiful wrapper, the shade of lightly creamed coffee. There are minimal veins and the wrapper has a silky texture. The cigar seems a bit soft to me, but I decide that there will probably not be any issues. The pre light aroma shows notes of coffee, cocoa and dark fruit. The pre light draw smacks of coffee and nutmeg.
The cigar opens with a breathtaking profile of sweet cream, coffee, nutmeg and some vanilla. The complexity of this cigar is outstanding from the start and the flavors are well developed and superior. The draw is loose, but not so much so that heat is an issue. The burn is sharp and the ash is solid and white.
The first third of the cigar shows a deep, complex profile of cream, coffee and vanilla. I am stunned by this cigar at this point and I am slowing down so as not to plow through and miss what this cigar is telling me. The draw continues to luxuriate my palate with thick masses of smoke that boom out and hang satisfactorily around my head. The burn is still sharp and the ash is a nice bright white.
The next third of the cigar continues to impress, there is so much going on in this smoke it is hard to figure out what it all means. The profile shows rich coffee notes, cream and vanilla. At the back of the palate I am picking up satisfying notes of nutmeg and clean tobacco flavors. The draw and burn continue to show favorably to this point.
The final third of the cigar is simply stunning. The profile has notes of toast, coffee, sweet cream, nutmeg and toffee. At the back of the palate there is a sweetness that has the flavor of caramel. The burn and draw continue to be excellent.
The finish is long and smooth and shows notes of coffee and caramel with beautiful undertones of toasty bread. This is a definitely a winner and one of the finest cigars I have smoked in recent memory.
Appearance- 94 visually stunning
Taste- 97 a fabulous taste experience
Construction- 91 the loose draw hurt the cigar at the end, but still excellent
Strength- 96 a wonderful medium that compliments the profile unlike any other cigar I have smoked
Overall- 94.5 an absolutely fantastic cigar experience that should not be missed
The cigar opens with a breathtaking profile of sweet cream, coffee, nutmeg and some vanilla. The complexity of this cigar is outstanding from the start and the flavors are well developed and superior. The draw is loose, but not so much so that heat is an issue. The burn is sharp and the ash is solid and white.
The first third of the cigar shows a deep, complex profile of cream, coffee and vanilla. I am stunned by this cigar at this point and I am slowing down so as not to plow through and miss what this cigar is telling me. The draw continues to luxuriate my palate with thick masses of smoke that boom out and hang satisfactorily around my head. The burn is still sharp and the ash is a nice bright white.
The next third of the cigar continues to impress, there is so much going on in this smoke it is hard to figure out what it all means. The profile shows rich coffee notes, cream and vanilla. At the back of the palate I am picking up satisfying notes of nutmeg and clean tobacco flavors. The draw and burn continue to show favorably to this point.
The final third of the cigar is simply stunning. The profile has notes of toast, coffee, sweet cream, nutmeg and toffee. At the back of the palate there is a sweetness that has the flavor of caramel. The burn and draw continue to be excellent.
The finish is long and smooth and shows notes of coffee and caramel with beautiful undertones of toasty bread. This is a definitely a winner and one of the finest cigars I have smoked in recent memory.
Appearance- 94 visually stunning
Taste- 97 a fabulous taste experience
Construction- 91 the loose draw hurt the cigar at the end, but still excellent
Strength- 96 a wonderful medium that compliments the profile unlike any other cigar I have smoked
Overall- 94.5 an absolutely fantastic cigar experience that should not be missed
Arturo Fuente Chateau Sungrown
This is another old standby, and was a standard cigar in my lineup for years. The cigar presents in a cedar sleeve with the famous black satin band at the foot. The cigar itself has some prominent veins and the construction feels a bit firm. The pre light aroma is of earth and spice. The pre light draw shows notes of spice, earth and some grass.
The cigar begins with a spicy profile that shows notes of pepper and earth. There is a clean tobacco flavor that I have always noticed in this cigar, and this one is no exception. The draw is a bit tight, making the smoke thin. The burn is somewhat lopsided, but a crisp white ash is forming. There are some grassy flavors at the back of the palate and through the nose, which is disturbing.
The first half of the cigar shows plenty of spice and pepper, but the continuation of grassy flavors detracts from the smoke. The draw opens slightly and the production of smoke is satisfactory. The burn is still slightly akimbo, but the white ash is firm.
The last half of the cigar continues with a profile of spice and pepper, but the grassy notes persist and detract from the experience. The draw and burn have both improved and show no defects. There is some sweet earthiness at the back of the palate that helps offset some of the grassy effects.
The finish is troubling and shows a melange of spice, earth, pepper and grassy notes.
Appearance- 87 some veining hurts the score
Taste- 84 grassy flavors throughout detract from the score
Construction- 86 early draw issues limit the possibilities here
Strength- 87 a nice medium/smoke
Overall- 86 a slightly above average smoke
The cigar begins with a spicy profile that shows notes of pepper and earth. There is a clean tobacco flavor that I have always noticed in this cigar, and this one is no exception. The draw is a bit tight, making the smoke thin. The burn is somewhat lopsided, but a crisp white ash is forming. There are some grassy flavors at the back of the palate and through the nose, which is disturbing.
The first half of the cigar shows plenty of spice and pepper, but the continuation of grassy flavors detracts from the smoke. The draw opens slightly and the production of smoke is satisfactory. The burn is still slightly akimbo, but the white ash is firm.
The last half of the cigar continues with a profile of spice and pepper, but the grassy notes persist and detract from the experience. The draw and burn have both improved and show no defects. There is some sweet earthiness at the back of the palate that helps offset some of the grassy effects.
The finish is troubling and shows a melange of spice, earth, pepper and grassy notes.
Appearance- 87 some veining hurts the score
Taste- 84 grassy flavors throughout detract from the score
Construction- 86 early draw issues limit the possibilities here
Strength- 87 a nice medium/smoke
Overall- 86 a slightly above average smoke
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Jose Seijas Robusto
This is a very high end smoke from the master blender at Tabacalera Garcia. It presents with a very dark and toothy wrapper that appears to be expertly applied. There is some veining, but an inspection of the cigar leads me to believe that it is well made. The pre light aroma has notes of earth and rich wood, there is a nice tobacco essence to the nose. The pre light draw shows some bitter notes, but has some nice tobacco and earth flavor.
The cigar begins with a core profile of rich tobacco and dark wood flavors, there is a slightly charred overtone at the back of the palate. The draw is excellent and produces ample smoke. The burn is a bit lopsided and the ash is flaky, but it has a nice crisp white color.
The first third of the cigar shows little development. There are notes of wood, tobacco and earth, but the charred bitterness persists and is hurting the experience. The burn has evened out and the draw is exceptional.
At the halfway point the profile has picked up some more flavors of rich wood and strong coffee, but there is still bitterness that is distracting and hinging on unpleasant. The burn and draw have stayed strong and aside from the flaky ash the cigar is performing well.
The final half of the cigar continues to show notes of strong coffee and rich wood. There is still a charred, bitter overtone to the flavors. The burn and draw have continued to perform well.
The finish is middling, with notes of coffee, wood and charred paper.
Appearance- 87 veining hurts the score
Taste- 84 the charred notes hurt the under developed profile that needed more complexity and depth
Construction- 93 a very well made cigar that performed well
Strength- 85 an unremarkable full that could have complimented the profile in a better way
Overall- 87.25 not bad, but not good for the price tag
The cigar begins with a core profile of rich tobacco and dark wood flavors, there is a slightly charred overtone at the back of the palate. The draw is excellent and produces ample smoke. The burn is a bit lopsided and the ash is flaky, but it has a nice crisp white color.
The first third of the cigar shows little development. There are notes of wood, tobacco and earth, but the charred bitterness persists and is hurting the experience. The burn has evened out and the draw is exceptional.
At the halfway point the profile has picked up some more flavors of rich wood and strong coffee, but there is still bitterness that is distracting and hinging on unpleasant. The burn and draw have stayed strong and aside from the flaky ash the cigar is performing well.
The final half of the cigar continues to show notes of strong coffee and rich wood. There is still a charred, bitter overtone to the flavors. The burn and draw have continued to perform well.
The finish is middling, with notes of coffee, wood and charred paper.
Appearance- 87 veining hurts the score
Taste- 84 the charred notes hurt the under developed profile that needed more complexity and depth
Construction- 93 a very well made cigar that performed well
Strength- 85 an unremarkable full that could have complimented the profile in a better way
Overall- 87.25 not bad, but not good for the price tag
Friday, November 20, 2009
Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra Noche
This is a cigar that I am revisiting after a long period of not smoking this particular vintage. The cigar presents well with a very dark wrapper cloaked in a cedar wrap. The cigar is toothy and has some prominent veins. The pre light aroma is earthy, with hints of chocolate and coffee. The pre light draw is sharp and bitter with notes of burnt coffee.
The cigar begins with a core profile of charred wood and burning coffee. There is some distinct bitterness at the back of the palate. The draw is thin, but produces enough smoke to be acceptable. The burn is even and a nice white ash forms crisply.
The first third of the cigar is not pleasant. It is bitter, acrid and charred with some notes of chocolate, earth and coffee all muddled by bitterness. The draw is still acceptable, but a but thin. The burn shows some signs of going off track, but to this point is acceptable.
At the halfway point it is all I can do to keep going. The profile is still bitter and charred. There are some notes of earth and coffee, but they are masked by the harsh bitter tones. The burn has stayed slightly off kilter, but it is still acceptable. The draw is opening a little bit, but I wish it would get tighter to spare me the mouthfuls of putrescence.
The final half of the cigar is a complete write off. The profile is almost completely gone, all that is left is charred and bitter flotsam that offends the palate at every turn. Unfortunately the draw opens further, releasing an entirely new vintage of awfulness. The burn is still OK, but it is a fleeting silver lining on an otherwise dark cloud.
The finish is terrible and smacks of burned wood and other harsh bitter notes. This is an experience that makes me wonder why anyone would ever bother with this cigar. I also wonder why it is still on the market.
Appearance- 85 the veining hurts the score
Taste- 70 the lowest possible score for a truly bottom of the barrel experience
Construction- 80 early draw issues hurt the score
Strength- 70 impossible to give and other score due to the bitter and acrid profile
Overall- 76.25 a true waste of an hour and a half
The cigar begins with a core profile of charred wood and burning coffee. There is some distinct bitterness at the back of the palate. The draw is thin, but produces enough smoke to be acceptable. The burn is even and a nice white ash forms crisply.
The first third of the cigar is not pleasant. It is bitter, acrid and charred with some notes of chocolate, earth and coffee all muddled by bitterness. The draw is still acceptable, but a but thin. The burn shows some signs of going off track, but to this point is acceptable.
At the halfway point it is all I can do to keep going. The profile is still bitter and charred. There are some notes of earth and coffee, but they are masked by the harsh bitter tones. The burn has stayed slightly off kilter, but it is still acceptable. The draw is opening a little bit, but I wish it would get tighter to spare me the mouthfuls of putrescence.
The final half of the cigar is a complete write off. The profile is almost completely gone, all that is left is charred and bitter flotsam that offends the palate at every turn. Unfortunately the draw opens further, releasing an entirely new vintage of awfulness. The burn is still OK, but it is a fleeting silver lining on an otherwise dark cloud.
The finish is terrible and smacks of burned wood and other harsh bitter notes. This is an experience that makes me wonder why anyone would ever bother with this cigar. I also wonder why it is still on the market.
Appearance- 85 the veining hurts the score
Taste- 70 the lowest possible score for a truly bottom of the barrel experience
Construction- 80 early draw issues hurt the score
Strength- 70 impossible to give and other score due to the bitter and acrid profile
Overall- 76.25 a true waste of an hour and a half
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
La Fontana Galileo
This is an offering from Camacho. It presents with a very light wrapper that is silky and flawless, with very few veins. The construction feels as if it might be a bit soft, but I can't tell if there will be issues with the performance. The pre light aroma is light and has hints of balsa and a sweet note of bread. The pre light draw is put off by the sweetened head of the cigar.
The cigar begins with a sweet profile that has notes of vanilla and toast. There is some light pepper and fruit at the back of the palate. The draw is exceptional and produces an excellent amount of smoke. The burn is even and produces a light gray ash that is a touch flaky.
At the one inch point the profile is very mellow and shows notes of vanilla and light wood flavors. The burn and draw are both consistent. At the back of the palate there are some sweet floral notes, but there is a thin grassy flavor there as well.
At the halfway point the cigar continues to show vanilla and wood notes, but there is a lack of complexity and depth. The burn is slightly off at this point and the ash continues to flake. The draw is still performing well and is easy and smooth.
The final half of the cigar performs well. The profile has a core of sweet floral notes, with slight touches of vanilla and cinnamon. The depth and complexity are still disappointing. The burn and draw continue to perform well throughout.
The finish is shallow and shows some sour notes that will hurt the score.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 85 the complexity and depth were not there and sour notes on the finish hurt the score
Construction- 91 the cigar performed well, but the flaky ash was off putting
Strength- 88 a very mild smoke that could have used some more strength
Overall- 88.25 not a bad experience
The cigar begins with a sweet profile that has notes of vanilla and toast. There is some light pepper and fruit at the back of the palate. The draw is exceptional and produces an excellent amount of smoke. The burn is even and produces a light gray ash that is a touch flaky.
At the one inch point the profile is very mellow and shows notes of vanilla and light wood flavors. The burn and draw are both consistent. At the back of the palate there are some sweet floral notes, but there is a thin grassy flavor there as well.
At the halfway point the cigar continues to show vanilla and wood notes, but there is a lack of complexity and depth. The burn is slightly off at this point and the ash continues to flake. The draw is still performing well and is easy and smooth.
The final half of the cigar performs well. The profile has a core of sweet floral notes, with slight touches of vanilla and cinnamon. The depth and complexity are still disappointing. The burn and draw continue to perform well throughout.
The finish is shallow and shows some sour notes that will hurt the score.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 85 the complexity and depth were not there and sour notes on the finish hurt the score
Construction- 91 the cigar performed well, but the flaky ash was off putting
Strength- 88 a very mild smoke that could have used some more strength
Overall- 88.25 not a bad experience
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Alec Bradley Tempus Terra Nova
This is the Tempus version of a robusto. The cigar presents well with a wrapper that has a reddish hue, almost like a Colorado capa. There is some veining, but nothing that detracts from the overall visual experience. I will make special mention of the exceptional band work on this smoke, it is stunning. The pre light aroma has hints of spice and dark fruit. The pre light draw showed some sweet notes, but has a nice taste of rich tobacco.
The cigar begins with an interesting profile of cherry and spice flavors. There is some pepper, and a strange floral essence at the middle and back of the palate. The draw on this cigar is superb, very easy and smooth and producing scads of smoke from the get go. The burn is a bit crooked, but there is a nice shoulder at the meeting of the wrapper and the ash.
At the two inch mark the core of the profile is of cedar, but there are still some notes of cherry and spice in the backdrop. There is still a strange sweetness to the smoke and I can't attribute it to one particular flavor. The draw is still excellent, but the burn is still showing some crooked angles.
At the halfway point the profile shows notes of pepper and dark wood, but there is a charred flavor that has entered the mix. There are still some sweet notes at the back of the palate. The draw and burn are consistent with earlier observations.
The final half of the smoke continues to show notes of pepper and wood, but the charred notes are strong. The draw stayed excellent, but the burn was lopsided throughout.
The finish was thin and charred. The profile lacked depth and complexity.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 83 the charred notes hurt what would have been a pleasant profile
Construction- 92 an excellent performance
Strength- 84 a medium/full that could have used more power
Overall- 87.75 saved by construction and appearance
The cigar begins with an interesting profile of cherry and spice flavors. There is some pepper, and a strange floral essence at the middle and back of the palate. The draw on this cigar is superb, very easy and smooth and producing scads of smoke from the get go. The burn is a bit crooked, but there is a nice shoulder at the meeting of the wrapper and the ash.
At the two inch mark the core of the profile is of cedar, but there are still some notes of cherry and spice in the backdrop. There is still a strange sweetness to the smoke and I can't attribute it to one particular flavor. The draw is still excellent, but the burn is still showing some crooked angles.
At the halfway point the profile shows notes of pepper and dark wood, but there is a charred flavor that has entered the mix. There are still some sweet notes at the back of the palate. The draw and burn are consistent with earlier observations.
The final half of the smoke continues to show notes of pepper and wood, but the charred notes are strong. The draw stayed excellent, but the burn was lopsided throughout.
The finish was thin and charred. The profile lacked depth and complexity.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 83 the charred notes hurt what would have been a pleasant profile
Construction- 92 an excellent performance
Strength- 84 a medium/full that could have used more power
Overall- 87.75 saved by construction and appearance
Montecristo White Corona
This is another mild smoke that I have enjoyed for years. The cigar presents with a beautiful wrapper in a blond shade that is the color of light sand. There is some veining that takes away from the appeal of the wrapper. The cigar feels silky and seems like it is tightly packed, but not too firm. The pre light aroma is of bread and graham cracker. The pre light draw has notes of cinnamon and light spice.
The cigar begins well, with a nice profile of cinnamon and some light pepper. At the back of the palate there is a floral sweetness that is a nice compliment. The draw is a touch on the tight side in the early stages. The burn is excellent and is producing a medium gray ash that is very crisp.
At the inch and a half mark the cigar takes on a smoother character. There are notes of ginger and light spice. At the back of the palate I detect some cinnamon flavors that are light and fleeting. The draw has opened up at this point and it allows for a more complete smoking experience. The burn is still sharp and the ash is firm.
At the halfway mark the cigar is still performing well. The core of the profile is of cinnamon with hints of ginger and spice. At the back of the palate a nice earthy sweetness has developed. The draw and burn continue to perform well at this point.
The final half of the cigar continues to show depth and complexity. The profile has notes of cinnamon, ginger, spice and light pepper. At the back of the palate there is a hint of sour note that detracts from the overall experience. The burn and draw have stayed nearly perfect in the back half of the cigar.
The finish is too short for me, but shows notes of cinnamon and spice. The sour note is still present and will hurt the score.
Appearance- 90 and excellent looking smoke
Taste- 88 the sour notes hurt this score, but the profile is otherwise excellent
Construction- 89 aside from the early tightness in the draw this was well above average
Strength- 93 an excellent mild that compliments the profile beautifully
Overall- 90 an excellent smoke that could have been better without the sour notes in the last half
The cigar begins well, with a nice profile of cinnamon and some light pepper. At the back of the palate there is a floral sweetness that is a nice compliment. The draw is a touch on the tight side in the early stages. The burn is excellent and is producing a medium gray ash that is very crisp.
At the inch and a half mark the cigar takes on a smoother character. There are notes of ginger and light spice. At the back of the palate I detect some cinnamon flavors that are light and fleeting. The draw has opened up at this point and it allows for a more complete smoking experience. The burn is still sharp and the ash is firm.
At the halfway mark the cigar is still performing well. The core of the profile is of cinnamon with hints of ginger and spice. At the back of the palate a nice earthy sweetness has developed. The draw and burn continue to perform well at this point.
The final half of the cigar continues to show depth and complexity. The profile has notes of cinnamon, ginger, spice and light pepper. At the back of the palate there is a hint of sour note that detracts from the overall experience. The burn and draw have stayed nearly perfect in the back half of the cigar.
The finish is too short for me, but shows notes of cinnamon and spice. The sour note is still present and will hurt the score.
Appearance- 90 and excellent looking smoke
Taste- 88 the sour notes hurt this score, but the profile is otherwise excellent
Construction- 89 aside from the early tightness in the draw this was well above average
Strength- 93 an excellent mild that compliments the profile beautifully
Overall- 90 an excellent smoke that could have been better without the sour notes in the last half
Monday, November 16, 2009
Cusano Cuvee Blanc Salomon
This is a gigantic cigar. Branch like in it's presentation, the cigar is dry and shows some cracking in what appears to be a thin wrapper. There are prominent veins, some of them actually remind me of a surgically sutured wound. The cigar is firm and appears to be tight. The pre light aroma is grassy and has an essence of hay in autumn. The pre light draw is thin and smacks of grass and dry chaff.
The cigar begins with notes of grass and vegetation, there is a slight sweetness at the back of the palate. The draw is acceptable, but does not produce a satisfying amount of smoke in the opening minutes. The burn is firm and a dirty gray ash is forming, all though it is a bit flaky. The first several inches of the cigar progress in the same manner.
At just before the halfway point the profile has notes of grass, dry cereal, cardboard and paper. There is still an odd sweetness at the back of the palate, but it is not lending any enjoyability to the smoke. The draw is opening up slightly and the burn has stayed consistent.
The final half of the cigar shows a profile of grass with papery notes that dominate the back of the palate. At the halfway point I was sensing that some good flavors might be forthcoming, I could not have been any more wrong about that supposition. The burn and draw have stay acceptable throughout the smoke.
The finish is thin with notes of grass, dry vegetation and paper.
Appearance- 80 not an attractive looking cigar at all, this size should be presented more spectacularly
Taste- 74 the profile lacks complexity, depth and anything resembling a flavor that anyone would want in a cigar
Construction- 86 the lack of smoke was a disappointment
Strength- 75 an unremarkable mild cigar that shows no compliment to the profile
Overall- 78.75 a really poor cigar that has few redeeming characteristics, I rejoiced when it was over
The cigar begins with notes of grass and vegetation, there is a slight sweetness at the back of the palate. The draw is acceptable, but does not produce a satisfying amount of smoke in the opening minutes. The burn is firm and a dirty gray ash is forming, all though it is a bit flaky. The first several inches of the cigar progress in the same manner.
At just before the halfway point the profile has notes of grass, dry cereal, cardboard and paper. There is still an odd sweetness at the back of the palate, but it is not lending any enjoyability to the smoke. The draw is opening up slightly and the burn has stayed consistent.
The final half of the cigar shows a profile of grass with papery notes that dominate the back of the palate. At the halfway point I was sensing that some good flavors might be forthcoming, I could not have been any more wrong about that supposition. The burn and draw have stay acceptable throughout the smoke.
The finish is thin with notes of grass, dry vegetation and paper.
Appearance- 80 not an attractive looking cigar at all, this size should be presented more spectacularly
Taste- 74 the profile lacks complexity, depth and anything resembling a flavor that anyone would want in a cigar
Construction- 86 the lack of smoke was a disappointment
Strength- 75 an unremarkable mild cigar that shows no compliment to the profile
Overall- 78.75 a really poor cigar that has few redeeming characteristics, I rejoiced when it was over
Friday, November 13, 2009
Ashton Classic Corona
This is, as the name implies, a classic cigar. I have smoked these for years and always found them to be smooth, mild and enjoyable. The cigar presents well with a near blond wrapper that is smooth with a dusty texture. There is a minor flaw that detracts from the overall presentation, but the cigar appears to be well made. An inspection reveals some firm spots and I have some concern about what that will do to the draw. The pre light aroma is full of cedary notes with a hint of cinnamon. The pre light draw is tight, but it shows sweet floral notes.
The cigar opens smoothly with a profile of cedar, cream and sweet floral notes. The draw is a tight, but I am not laboring to produce appropriate amounts of smoke. The burn is strong and the ash is a solid gray.
At the one inch point the profile smooths out even more, taking on a core profile of cedar with some floral essence. There are some nutmeg and cinnamon notes through the nose. The draw is loosening up some and the smoke is heavy and satisfactory. The burn is still very sharp and the ash remains solid.
At the halfway point the cigar continues with a profile of cedar with some floral undertones. At the back of the palate there are some bready notes and still some hints of cinnamon. The draw is still tight, but continues to open up as the smoke progresses.
The final half of the cigar continues to show a deep core of cedar notes, there are still hints of cinnamon and bread at the back of the palate. The cigar lacks some complexity, but has plenty of depth and rich flavor. The draw and burn have maintained the same characteristics throughout the smoke.
The finish is smooth and shows notes of cedar, bread and a little bit of white pepper.
Appearance- 87 an excellent looking cigar, a blemish hurt the score
Taste- 90 an excellent profile with deep flavor, I would like more complexity
Construction- 86 the tightness in the draw hurts the score
Strength- 93 a fabulous mild that compliments the profile expertly
Overall- 89 an excellent smoke
The cigar opens smoothly with a profile of cedar, cream and sweet floral notes. The draw is a tight, but I am not laboring to produce appropriate amounts of smoke. The burn is strong and the ash is a solid gray.
At the one inch point the profile smooths out even more, taking on a core profile of cedar with some floral essence. There are some nutmeg and cinnamon notes through the nose. The draw is loosening up some and the smoke is heavy and satisfactory. The burn is still very sharp and the ash remains solid.
At the halfway point the cigar continues with a profile of cedar with some floral undertones. At the back of the palate there are some bready notes and still some hints of cinnamon. The draw is still tight, but continues to open up as the smoke progresses.
The final half of the cigar continues to show a deep core of cedar notes, there are still hints of cinnamon and bread at the back of the palate. The cigar lacks some complexity, but has plenty of depth and rich flavor. The draw and burn have maintained the same characteristics throughout the smoke.
The finish is smooth and shows notes of cedar, bread and a little bit of white pepper.
Appearance- 87 an excellent looking cigar, a blemish hurt the score
Taste- 90 an excellent profile with deep flavor, I would like more complexity
Construction- 86 the tightness in the draw hurts the score
Strength- 93 a fabulous mild that compliments the profile expertly
Overall- 89 an excellent smoke
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Cuesta Rey Centro Fino Sungrown Robusto
This is another cigar that I have smoked for years, but that I have not had in some time. The cigar presents in a more traditional robusto size, a vitola that many makers have eschewed for a larger ring gauge and added length in recent years. The wrapper is a medium brown with some serious tooth. There are few veins and the wrapper is nicely applied. The pre light aroma has a barnyard essence, but there are some hints of spice and cedar. The pre light draw shows a nice light tobacco note.
The cigar begins with a profile that has some bitter notes that are metallic. There are some notes of spice and cedar, but they are muddled. The draw is acceptable and the burn has developed well.
In the first inch or so the bitterness subsides and the profile takes on a character of light spice with some sharp tobacco flavors. There is also an undertone of oak and nuts at the back of the palate. The burn and draw continue to perform well into the first half of the cigar.
At the halfway point the profile shows some development with notes of roasted nuts, spice and tobacco. There has been a return of some bitterness at the back of the palate and through the nose. The burn and draw are still showing well.
In the final half the profile shows notes of spice and oak, there is still some bitterness at the back of the palate that is detracting from the experience. The burn and draw have continued to perform well.
The finish is average with notes of spice and wood, but there are some papery/cardboard notes that hurt the final stages.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 81 not very deep or complex, bitter notes hurt the score
Construction- 91 the cigar performs very well
Strength- 84 an unremarkable medium
Overall- 85.75 slightly above average
The cigar begins with a profile that has some bitter notes that are metallic. There are some notes of spice and cedar, but they are muddled. The draw is acceptable and the burn has developed well.
In the first inch or so the bitterness subsides and the profile takes on a character of light spice with some sharp tobacco flavors. There is also an undertone of oak and nuts at the back of the palate. The burn and draw continue to perform well into the first half of the cigar.
At the halfway point the profile shows some development with notes of roasted nuts, spice and tobacco. There has been a return of some bitterness at the back of the palate and through the nose. The burn and draw are still showing well.
In the final half the profile shows notes of spice and oak, there is still some bitterness at the back of the palate that is detracting from the experience. The burn and draw have continued to perform well.
The finish is average with notes of spice and wood, but there are some papery/cardboard notes that hurt the final stages.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 81 not very deep or complex, bitter notes hurt the score
Construction- 91 the cigar performs very well
Strength- 84 an unremarkable medium
Overall- 85.75 slightly above average
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Rocky Patel 1961 Robusto
This is a new blend from Rocky and I have been waiting to give one a go. The cigar presents with an oily sheen, and the wrapper has a nearly Colorado hue to it. There is one very prominent vein that runs the length of the smoke. The construction appears to be satisfactory and I do not detect any issues after an inspection. The pre light aroma has strong notes of spice with undertones of dark fruit. The pre light draw has a chemical flavor, but also shows notes of pepper and spice.
The cigar opens with a very tight draw, but I still do not feel anything in the cigar that would cause this issue. The profile has an interesting sweetness, but it is cloyed by a chemical flavor that is prominent. The burn has started out strong, but the labor to create smoke is disappointing.
The first third of the cigar shows some notes of spice, and sweetness. The chemical flavor has given way to a clean tobacco note that is interesting and very unique to this cigar. The draw loosens somewhat, but is still labor intensive. The burn has stayed sharp and is producing a nice clean, gray ash.
The second third of the cigar continues to show notes of spice, but the sweetness has taken on an herbal character. There are also some notes of light pepper and light wood at the back of the palate. The draw is still tight and is causing some undue heat to appear in the smoke. The burn has stayed crisp and the ash is well developed.
The final third shows some notes of vanilla and bread, but the chemical flavor has appeared again and is detracting from the overall experience. The draw is still too tight for me, but the heat is not hurting the smoke, there are no charred notes or feelings of discomfort. The burn is still excellent.
The finish has some bitter notes, and the chemical taste is still present. However, there are some pleasing notes of spice, roasted nuts and herbal sweetness.
Appearance- 86 the prominent vein detracts from the score
Taste- 82 due to the chemical notes a higher score is not possible, but the rest of the profile was pleasing
Construction- 78 the constant draw problems will not afford a higher score
Strength- 88 an enjoyable medium offering
Overall- 83.5 this could have been much better
The cigar opens with a very tight draw, but I still do not feel anything in the cigar that would cause this issue. The profile has an interesting sweetness, but it is cloyed by a chemical flavor that is prominent. The burn has started out strong, but the labor to create smoke is disappointing.
The first third of the cigar shows some notes of spice, and sweetness. The chemical flavor has given way to a clean tobacco note that is interesting and very unique to this cigar. The draw loosens somewhat, but is still labor intensive. The burn has stayed sharp and is producing a nice clean, gray ash.
The second third of the cigar continues to show notes of spice, but the sweetness has taken on an herbal character. There are also some notes of light pepper and light wood at the back of the palate. The draw is still tight and is causing some undue heat to appear in the smoke. The burn has stayed crisp and the ash is well developed.
The final third shows some notes of vanilla and bread, but the chemical flavor has appeared again and is detracting from the overall experience. The draw is still too tight for me, but the heat is not hurting the smoke, there are no charred notes or feelings of discomfort. The burn is still excellent.
The finish has some bitter notes, and the chemical taste is still present. However, there are some pleasing notes of spice, roasted nuts and herbal sweetness.
Appearance- 86 the prominent vein detracts from the score
Taste- 82 due to the chemical notes a higher score is not possible, but the rest of the profile was pleasing
Construction- 78 the constant draw problems will not afford a higher score
Strength- 88 an enjoyable medium offering
Overall- 83.5 this could have been much better
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Arturo Fuente Petit Corona Natural
This is an old standby in my cigar rotation, but one that I have not smoked in over a year. The cigar presents with a tawny wrapper that is showing some tooth. The construction appears to be excellent as the cigar is well packed, but alluringly supple. The cap is a bit awkward and the foot is slightly squared giving this cigar a look that is rustic in it's simplicity. The pre light aroma is a bit sour, but has toasty notes. The pre light draw shows notes of light wood.
The cigar begins with some bitterness in a core of woody, toasty notes. There is a creamy undertone that could be more nuanced without the bitter overtones. The draw is excellent, which is rare in cigars of this size. The burn is solid, if a bit lopsided, and produces a nice firm, gray ash.
At the halfway point the cigar has progressed nicely showing notes of light wood, nutmeg, light spice and some pepper. The complexity is surprising, but the depth of the flavors is disappointing. I like to have deep rich flavors to consider, this cigar has many flavors but they are often too fleeting to be properly evaluated. The draw is still excellent, and the burn is very solid, holding an ash to almost the halfway point.
The final half of the cigar continues to show complex notes of flavor. There are notes of nutmeg, spice, light wood and bread. The draw has continued to perform well and the burn has remained solid.
The finish is long and has pleasing bready and toasty qualities. This cigar has proven why old standbys have their place in every aficionado's humidor.
Appearance- 85 not the most attractive of smokes
Taste- 91 an excellent profile that loses points for early bitterness and lack of depth throughout
Construction- 95 an extremely well made cigar that performed flawlessly
Strength- 88 an excellent mild/medium offering that could use more oomph
Overall- 89.75 an exceptional small smoke that is approaching magnificence
The cigar begins with some bitterness in a core of woody, toasty notes. There is a creamy undertone that could be more nuanced without the bitter overtones. The draw is excellent, which is rare in cigars of this size. The burn is solid, if a bit lopsided, and produces a nice firm, gray ash.
At the halfway point the cigar has progressed nicely showing notes of light wood, nutmeg, light spice and some pepper. The complexity is surprising, but the depth of the flavors is disappointing. I like to have deep rich flavors to consider, this cigar has many flavors but they are often too fleeting to be properly evaluated. The draw is still excellent, and the burn is very solid, holding an ash to almost the halfway point.
The final half of the cigar continues to show complex notes of flavor. There are notes of nutmeg, spice, light wood and bread. The draw has continued to perform well and the burn has remained solid.
The finish is long and has pleasing bready and toasty qualities. This cigar has proven why old standbys have their place in every aficionado's humidor.
Appearance- 85 not the most attractive of smokes
Taste- 91 an excellent profile that loses points for early bitterness and lack of depth throughout
Construction- 95 an extremely well made cigar that performed flawlessly
Strength- 88 an excellent mild/medium offering that could use more oomph
Overall- 89.75 an exceptional small smoke that is approaching magnificence
Monday, November 9, 2009
El Tiante 23 Maduro Robusto
This is the cigar made by Major League Baseball legend Luis Tiante. The presentation is fun, coming in a red box with his uniform number and his signature. The cigar band has an illustration of a pitcher in a windup, I assume it is a caricature of Tiante, as his delivery was unique. The cigar presents well with a toothy, dark maduro wrapper that has little to no veining. The construction appears to be a little weak as I detect some areas that may be under filled. The pre light aroma is loamy and earthy, with hints of grass. The pre light draw shows grassy, earthy notes.
The cigar begins with a profile of earth, lightly toasted wheat and grass. The draw is very loose and is producing an almost overwhelming amount of smoke. The burn is sharp, and is producing a nice solid, white ash.
At the halfway point the profile is showing notes of wheat, earth, coffee and grass. The draw is still considerably loose and there is some heat entering the smoke. The burn is still acceptable, but there were some small runs in the first half of the smoke.
The final half of the cigar shows a profile of earth, coffee and grass. The draw has caused some undue heat in the last two inches of the smoke. The burn has continued to show minor flaws, but overall is above average.
The finish is short and shows some bitter notes. There are some grassy flavors, but there are some notes of coffee and earth.
Appearance- 91 a fun cigar
Taste- 83 too many grassy notes in the profile to score any higher
Construction- 85 the loose draw caused issues
Strength- 87 a nice medium/full presentation
Overall- 86.5 slightly above average
The cigar begins with a profile of earth, lightly toasted wheat and grass. The draw is very loose and is producing an almost overwhelming amount of smoke. The burn is sharp, and is producing a nice solid, white ash.
At the halfway point the profile is showing notes of wheat, earth, coffee and grass. The draw is still considerably loose and there is some heat entering the smoke. The burn is still acceptable, but there were some small runs in the first half of the smoke.
The final half of the cigar shows a profile of earth, coffee and grass. The draw has caused some undue heat in the last two inches of the smoke. The burn has continued to show minor flaws, but overall is above average.
The finish is short and shows some bitter notes. There are some grassy flavors, but there are some notes of coffee and earth.
Appearance- 91 a fun cigar
Taste- 83 too many grassy notes in the profile to score any higher
Construction- 85 the loose draw caused issues
Strength- 87 a nice medium/full presentation
Overall- 86.5 slightly above average
Avo Companero
This is a limited edition cigar for 2009. The cigar is something to behold in a vitola that is large and bulky, yet somehow still elegant. The wrapper is a rich, dark brown shade and has a nice oily sheen, there are some prominent veins. The construction appears to be excellent, I do not detect any spots that are too firm, or areas that indicate that the cigar might be underfilled. The pre light aroma has hints of spice, leather and grass. The pre light draw shows some peppery notes, but there is a grassy undertone.
The cigar opens well, with some notes of spice and tobacco. There is a grassy undertone that detracts from the opening experience. The burn is razor sharp and the ash is a very crisp white. The draw is slightly tight, but there is not an undue amount of labor required to produce acceptable amounts of smoke. For the first inch to inch and a half the grassy notes are the only detractors from this cigar.
At near the one third point of the cigar the profile has notes of spice, tobacco and a sweet herbal note. The grassy notes are still noticable at the back of the palate, but are fading away. The burn has stayed strong, but there is some flaking of the ash that causes a bit of a mess. The draw has opened up and is producing clouds of flavorful smoke.
At just past halfway the profile is showing notes of leather, rich tobacco and dark wood flavors. There is still an herbal tone at the back of the palate that is threatening to become grassy again. The burn and draw have stayed consistent.
The final half of the smoke shows a profile of leather, tobacco and grassy notes. The burn and draw stay true throughout the smoke showing excellent construction.
The finish is a bit sharp, showing notes of grass, tobacco and leather.
Appearance- 90 this is a very nicely presented cigar
Taste- 86 this would have been much higher without the grassy notes that pester the palate
Construction- 89 the tightness of the draw and flaky ash hurt this score
Strength- 91 a nice full presentation
Overall- 89 an excellent presentation that shows aging potential
The cigar opens well, with some notes of spice and tobacco. There is a grassy undertone that detracts from the opening experience. The burn is razor sharp and the ash is a very crisp white. The draw is slightly tight, but there is not an undue amount of labor required to produce acceptable amounts of smoke. For the first inch to inch and a half the grassy notes are the only detractors from this cigar.
At near the one third point of the cigar the profile has notes of spice, tobacco and a sweet herbal note. The grassy notes are still noticable at the back of the palate, but are fading away. The burn has stayed strong, but there is some flaking of the ash that causes a bit of a mess. The draw has opened up and is producing clouds of flavorful smoke.
At just past halfway the profile is showing notes of leather, rich tobacco and dark wood flavors. There is still an herbal tone at the back of the palate that is threatening to become grassy again. The burn and draw have stayed consistent.
The final half of the smoke shows a profile of leather, tobacco and grassy notes. The burn and draw stay true throughout the smoke showing excellent construction.
The finish is a bit sharp, showing notes of grass, tobacco and leather.
Appearance- 90 this is a very nicely presented cigar
Taste- 86 this would have been much higher without the grassy notes that pester the palate
Construction- 89 the tightness of the draw and flaky ash hurt this score
Strength- 91 a nice full presentation
Overall- 89 an excellent presentation that shows aging potential
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte Corona Gorda
This is a cigar that I had not smoked before. It presents with a dark, toothy wrapper that has prominent veins. The overall appearance is ruddy, the cigar is lopsided and has a sloppy cap. The construction appears to be a bit firm in spots, but I do not think there will be an issue. The pre light aroma has strong notes of anise and spice. The pre light draw shows a character of dark wood and spice.
The cigar opens with rich notes of dark wood and some light spice. The draw is excellent, producing thick smoke. The burn is a bit lopsided, but the ash is sturdy and has a light gray hue. There are some notes of coffee at the back of the palate as well.
At the halfway point the profile picks up some steam. There are notes of dark wood, anise, spice and coffee. The draw is still performing admirably and the burn has evened out a bit.
The final half of the cigar continues to show notes of wood, spice and coffee. The are some hints of toasted nuts at the back of the palate. The draw and burn have stayed consistent.
The finish is a bit short and a bitter note surfaces, but there are notes of wood and spice.
Appearance- 80 if you were judging this based on looks you would pass
Taste- 90 a surprisingly complex and deep profile
Construction- 88 a well made smoke
Strength- 87 a nice full smoke that could have been more complimentary to the profile
Overall- 86.25 hurt by appearance, but don't judge a book by it's cover...this is worth smoking
The cigar opens with rich notes of dark wood and some light spice. The draw is excellent, producing thick smoke. The burn is a bit lopsided, but the ash is sturdy and has a light gray hue. There are some notes of coffee at the back of the palate as well.
At the halfway point the profile picks up some steam. There are notes of dark wood, anise, spice and coffee. The draw is still performing admirably and the burn has evened out a bit.
The final half of the cigar continues to show notes of wood, spice and coffee. The are some hints of toasted nuts at the back of the palate. The draw and burn have stayed consistent.
The finish is a bit short and a bitter note surfaces, but there are notes of wood and spice.
Appearance- 80 if you were judging this based on looks you would pass
Taste- 90 a surprisingly complex and deep profile
Construction- 88 a well made smoke
Strength- 87 a nice full smoke that could have been more complimentary to the profile
Overall- 86.25 hurt by appearance, but don't judge a book by it's cover...this is worth smoking
Monday, November 2, 2009
Joya de Nicaragua Antano Robusto
This is a cigar I had not smoked in over a year. It presents in a chunky robusto vitola with a firm and hefty feel. The wrapper is dark and oily, there are some prominent veins around the entire shaft of the smoke. The pre light aroma is of tobacco and pepper. The pre light draw shows pepper and leaves the tingle of nicotine on the tongue.
The cigar opens with knockout intentions. The cigar is very strong and is numbing the palate with nicotine. The profile is of dark tobacco and pepper. There is a sour, nearly metallic note at the back of the palate that is detracting from the experience. The draw is a touch tight, but it is not causing any issues. The burn is sharp and the ash is very white and firm.
The first half of the cigar proceeds with a profile of tobacco and pepper that lacks depth and complexity, the sour note dissipates in the first inch or so. The draw opens up a bit as I smoke on, and the burn is still solid.
The final half of the cigar continues with a profile of tobacco and pepper, there is some development of a note of light spice and dark wood, but it is fleeting. The draw and the burn are acceptable.
The finish is a bit short and has some harshness that is unfortunate. There are notes of tobacco and dark wood on the back of the palate.
Appearance- 88 an attractive smoke, but veining hurts the appearance
Taste- 85 a very average profile, lacking in complexity and depth
Construction- 90 an extremely well made cigar that smoked beautifully
Strength- 83 a very full offering that overshadows the profile at points
Overall- 86.5 a slightly above average experience
The cigar opens with knockout intentions. The cigar is very strong and is numbing the palate with nicotine. The profile is of dark tobacco and pepper. There is a sour, nearly metallic note at the back of the palate that is detracting from the experience. The draw is a touch tight, but it is not causing any issues. The burn is sharp and the ash is very white and firm.
The first half of the cigar proceeds with a profile of tobacco and pepper that lacks depth and complexity, the sour note dissipates in the first inch or so. The draw opens up a bit as I smoke on, and the burn is still solid.
The final half of the cigar continues with a profile of tobacco and pepper, there is some development of a note of light spice and dark wood, but it is fleeting. The draw and the burn are acceptable.
The finish is a bit short and has some harshness that is unfortunate. There are notes of tobacco and dark wood on the back of the palate.
Appearance- 88 an attractive smoke, but veining hurts the appearance
Taste- 85 a very average profile, lacking in complexity and depth
Construction- 90 an extremely well made cigar that smoked beautifully
Strength- 83 a very full offering that overshadows the profile at points
Overall- 86.5 a slightly above average experience
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Quesada 35th Anniversary Serie Limitada
This cigar presents in a box pressed design in a vitola somewhere near a toro. The wrapper has a nice oily sheen, but there is some prominent veining that hurts the appearance. The pre light aroma has some notes of spice and dark fruit. The pre light draw shows some metallic notes, but has a nice peppery tone.
The cigar opens with blasts of pepper and some notes of spice. The draw is tight, but I have often found that to be the case with box pressed cigars. The burn is a touch lopsided, but it is not causing issues at this point.
The first third of the cigar continues to show notes of pepper and light spice, however there is a sour note at the back of the palate that is distracting. The draw is still tight, and the burn is showing signs of a canoe. I eventually have to relight before I can continue beyond the first third.
At the halfway point the profile has continued to deteriorate, there are notes of pepper and spice, but the sour flavors have moved further into the profile. The draw continues to tighten, and the burn is showing further signs of being erratic.
The final half of the cigar is nearly not smokeable. The profile is sour and metallic, with hints of coffee but there is not enough there to save the smoke. The burn has continued to canoe and I let the cigar go with a couple of inches left.
The finish is harsh and short.
Appearance- 86
Taste- 73 not a good profile
Construction- 72 the constant burn and draw problems killed the smoke
Strength- 88 a nice medium
Overall- 79.75 I expected more due to the premium price tag
The cigar opens with blasts of pepper and some notes of spice. The draw is tight, but I have often found that to be the case with box pressed cigars. The burn is a touch lopsided, but it is not causing issues at this point.
The first third of the cigar continues to show notes of pepper and light spice, however there is a sour note at the back of the palate that is distracting. The draw is still tight, and the burn is showing signs of a canoe. I eventually have to relight before I can continue beyond the first third.
At the halfway point the profile has continued to deteriorate, there are notes of pepper and spice, but the sour flavors have moved further into the profile. The draw continues to tighten, and the burn is showing further signs of being erratic.
The final half of the cigar is nearly not smokeable. The profile is sour and metallic, with hints of coffee but there is not enough there to save the smoke. The burn has continued to canoe and I let the cigar go with a couple of inches left.
The finish is harsh and short.
Appearance- 86
Taste- 73 not a good profile
Construction- 72 the constant burn and draw problems killed the smoke
Strength- 88 a nice medium
Overall- 79.75 I expected more due to the premium price tag
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