Trinidad Toro Maduro

This is a big, bold looking cigar that comes draped in a nearly black maduro wrapper that has miles of tooth. The wrapper is nearly flawless showing only some small cracks near the foot. The cigar passes inspection with flying colors as I detect no areas of concern in what seems to be a well made vitola. The pre light aroma is sour with some barnyard essence. The pre light draw shows notes of coffee and sweet earthy notes.

Upon lighting the cigar immediately shows strong coffee flavors complimented by rich earthy notes that leads to an enveloped palate. At the back of the palate there are some notes of dark wood and a sweet cocoa note that is fleeting. The draw is tight, but not so much so that it is causing an issue. The burn is slow and steady producing a crisp white ash.

The first third of the cigar slowly envelops the senses with pleasing, medium bodied notes of coffee, earth and sweet cocoa. At the back of the palate there are still notes of dark wood, but there is a slightly charred offset that detracts from the experience slightly. The draw opens slightly and produces more smoke that adds to the experience. The burn is still steady and satisfying to behold.

The middle third begins with some transitory notes in the profile. There are still notes of coffee and earth, but tastes of pepper are coming through nicely and hinting at things to come. At the back of the palate the dark wood notes have continued to show some charred character. The draw is still a bit tight, but there is still ample smoke for evaluation. The burn continues to be stoic in it's consistency.

The final third of the cigar takes off the gloves. The profile shows full blasts of pepper and rich earth. At the back of the palate there are still signs of coffee and cocoa, but they are a sidelight to the main body of pepper. The draw stays tight throughout, but it only slightly detracted from the overall impression. The burn was solid all the way to the end.

The finish is a pepper bomb with hints of sweet cocoa and rich earth.

Appearance- 92 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 89 the charred notes hurt an otherwise effective mingling of flavors
Construction- 89 tight draw precludes a higher score
Strength- 91 medium in the front half, before becoming a full flavored bomb in the final third
Overall- 89.75 a very nice experience that was just short of being excellent