This was the cigar I smoked as the new year was ushered in. It presents beautifully with a deep brown wrapper that has a leathery look and feel. It seems to be constructed a bit on the tight side, but the wrapper is beautiful, with little veining. The pre light aroma is of leather and earth. The pre light draw is tight, but has notes of leather and rich tobacco.
The cigar opens with a profile of leather and rich tobacco. The strength is somewhat unexpected as this cigar opens with big power. The draw is too tight, but the labor is not unduly intensive at this point. The burn is lopsided and uneven and I attribute that to the tension in the construction and draw.
The first half of this cigar continues to show strength that is above what I expect. The profile is a satisfying mix of leather and earth. There is some light spice at the back of the palate that compliments the main body of the profile and adds to the depth and complexity of the smoke. The draw stays tight, and there is some labor involved in producing acceptable amounts of smoke. The burn continues to be lopsided, but it has not begun to run or unravel.
The final half shows a profile of tobacco, leather and spice. There is a woody sweetness at the back of the palate that helps mellow some of the strength in the smoke. There is still some bitterness in the final half, suggesting that more aging is necessary. The draw stays thin and causes heat in the final quarter that detracts from the enjoyment. The burn is still off, but there is no need for a touch up or other maintenance.
The finish is bitter, but shows a nice leather closing note.
Appearance- 91 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 88 some bitterness detracts from an otherwise excellent taste experience
Construction- 82 too many issues to give a score any higher
Strength- 85 unexpectedly strong taking away from the profile
Overall- 86 a slightly above average experience that could be better with more age
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