This is a newer release from My Father cigars and is purported to be blended by Don Pepin's son, Jaime. It presents in a bulky Toro format that is less delicate than what I expect from this maker. The wrapper is a deep brown and has some prominent veins. I note that this wrapper is very toothy and has a dusty coating to it that I find interesting. An inspection leads me to believe that this cigar will perform well as I detect no soft spots or areas that are too firm. The pre light aroma has strong cedar notes and some mild coffee tones. The pre light draw portends dark wood and rich tobacco flavors.
The cigar opens with a very nice profile that is replete with a dark, woody character. As the opening progresses there is the development of a sweet coffee note that is pleasing when contrasted with the rest of the profile. At the back of the palate there is a dusty coating of flavor that I could only compare to sweet corn, there are also some undertones of tobacco flavors here. The draw is excellent, imparting plenty of smoke and flavor with minimal effort but not showing any signs that it will burn hot or deteriorate. The burn is a touch wonky, but it does not require any touch ups to this point.
The first half of the cigar continues to show well. The profile has settled into a nice presentation of dark wood, but there are some salty notes as well. The sweet coffee note has transitioned into a more straight forward presentation of rich tobacco at this point. At the back of the palate there are some interesting things afoot. A soft bitterness has crept into the presentation and there is a sharp note that has a citrus tang to it. There are still some hints of tobacco flavor here, but they are cloaked by a predominantly bitter flavor. The draw continues to be exceptional, but the burn has not evened out as I would like.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me. The sweet notes in the profile have not transitioned into anything of note and they become cloying. There are still some flavors of dark wood and some nice tobacco notes, but they have not developed well. I am disappointed in the lack of depth at this point, and there is not enough complexity for this cigar to stand up against other blends. At the back of the palate the bitter notes have become charred and I find it off putting. The draw remains excellent, and the burn finally evens out.
The finish is a bit short and has some bitter notes, but some lingering sweetness.
Appearance- 86 a bit ruddy for me
Taste- 84 slightly below average and lacking in complexity and depth
Construction- 90 aside from some small burn issues, this cigar performed very well
Strength- 86 a very non-descript medium/full
Overall- 86.75 a very middle of the road experience
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Perdomo La Tradition Cabinet Series Reserve Maduro Robusto (5x54)
This has been a standby in my smoking lineup for several years, unfortunately it has somewhat gone the way of the Dodo as they are not made with regularity anymore. I have smoked boxes and boxes of all sizes of these Red Labels and have always found them to be particularly enjoyable smokes. This particular one has been in my humi for several years and was howling out to be smoked.
The cigar has aged well and shows some light plume and crystallization of the oils. The wrapper is not as dark as I recall it being when I laid it to rest several years ago, but there is still the look of power here. An inspection reveals a void about an inch from the head and I am concerned about the possibility of burn issues. The pre light aroma is of rich tobacco and semi sweet chocolate. The pre light draw hints of dark wood and coffee flavors.
My anticipation level being nearly at the top, I cut and light. The cigar opens with a rich profile of dark tobacco notes and a very full coffee flavor also comes through. At the back of the palate there are some notes of dark wood and very satisfying earthy flavors. The draw is a bit tight at this point and I can feel some heat starting to build. The burn is also slightly askew, but I do not touch up.
The first half of the cigar continues to impress me. The profile is rich and flavorful, showing blasts of tobacco with a coffee overlay, there are also some excellent notes of chocolate coming through here as well. At the back of the palate the woody notes have taken on a hickory note and the earthy notes have gained a salty quality that I find interesting. The draw continues to tighten as I approach the void I detected earlier and I wonder if there is also a plug behind the void somewhere. The burn has straightened, but as I approach the halfway point it begins to collapse again.
The final half of the cigar begins to burn way to hot, and the draw has deteriorated into a mess. The profile takes on the scorched and chary qualities that are familiar to all of us that have smoked cigars with draw issues. I relight a couple of times, but it is for naught, and I am forced to put this cigar down with about a third of it remaining. It is truly a shame.
The finish was middling and charred.
Appearance- 94 a very appealing smoke, made more so by crystals and plume
Taste- 80 below average due to the issues with construction, very unfortunate because the opening moments were well above average
Construction- 75 about as bad as it could get in the second half
Strength- 87 a very nice full
Overall- 81.75 this was a real downer for me, I will say that I do love this smoke, do not let this review deter you
The cigar has aged well and shows some light plume and crystallization of the oils. The wrapper is not as dark as I recall it being when I laid it to rest several years ago, but there is still the look of power here. An inspection reveals a void about an inch from the head and I am concerned about the possibility of burn issues. The pre light aroma is of rich tobacco and semi sweet chocolate. The pre light draw hints of dark wood and coffee flavors.
My anticipation level being nearly at the top, I cut and light. The cigar opens with a rich profile of dark tobacco notes and a very full coffee flavor also comes through. At the back of the palate there are some notes of dark wood and very satisfying earthy flavors. The draw is a bit tight at this point and I can feel some heat starting to build. The burn is also slightly askew, but I do not touch up.
The first half of the cigar continues to impress me. The profile is rich and flavorful, showing blasts of tobacco with a coffee overlay, there are also some excellent notes of chocolate coming through here as well. At the back of the palate the woody notes have taken on a hickory note and the earthy notes have gained a salty quality that I find interesting. The draw continues to tighten as I approach the void I detected earlier and I wonder if there is also a plug behind the void somewhere. The burn has straightened, but as I approach the halfway point it begins to collapse again.
The final half of the cigar begins to burn way to hot, and the draw has deteriorated into a mess. The profile takes on the scorched and chary qualities that are familiar to all of us that have smoked cigars with draw issues. I relight a couple of times, but it is for naught, and I am forced to put this cigar down with about a third of it remaining. It is truly a shame.
The finish was middling and charred.
Appearance- 94 a very appealing smoke, made more so by crystals and plume
Taste- 80 below average due to the issues with construction, very unfortunate because the opening moments were well above average
Construction- 75 about as bad as it could get in the second half
Strength- 87 a very nice full
Overall- 81.75 this was a real downer for me, I will say that I do love this smoke, do not let this review deter you
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Esteban Carreras Connecticut Robusto (5x50)
This is a cigar that I had overlooked for some time as I smoked other, more interesting, new releases over the past several months. It is a cigar line that is not well known, but I have smoked some of their offers previously and have found them to be acceptable.
This particular cigar presents with dull looking wrapper and white band that does not stand out well. The wrapper has some veins, but I am not overly concerned. It also has a very cardboard feeling quality to it and seems dry to me. A quick inspection tells me that the cigar may be too tight and I am concerned about the draw. The pre light aroma is dusty, but has some sweet character to it. The pre light draw is thin and has some papery flavors.
The cigar opens with a very mild and thin profile that contains some sweet notes of graham cracker, but has a papery and grassy note as well. There is little depth or complexity here, and the balance is off at this point. At the back of the palate there are some whispers of spice, but more papery notes cloak the other flavors that might be present. The draw is tight, as I suspected, but it is manageable to this point. The burn is even, but the ash is a bit flaky.
The first half of the cigar progresses, but slowly. There are some nice characteristics in the front of the profile with graham cracker, cream and some vanilla notes and the balance and complexity are starting to more where I expect them to be. However, the depth of the flavors is an issue for me as they enter the mouth with pep, but leave in a somewhat flat and bitter presentation. At the back of the palate there is still a papery quality to smoke and it leaves me feeling flat about this smoke. The draw is improving, but is still tight. The burn is still nice to this point.
The final half of the cigar really comes apart. The profile transitions into a bitter, chalky presentation of leaves and vegetation. At the back of the palate there are some hints of light pepper, but the papery notes intensify and leave the palate dry. The draw and burn remain as noted in the earlier stages of the smoke.
The finish is middling, showing notes of vegetation, and some bitter light wood flavors.
Appearance- 85 a very modest, average looking smoke
Taste- 81 unfortunately not very good
Construction- 86 just slightly above average in the burn dept., but below in the draw dept.
Strength- 85 a very average mild that does nothing to complement the presentation
Overall- 84, below average
This particular cigar presents with dull looking wrapper and white band that does not stand out well. The wrapper has some veins, but I am not overly concerned. It also has a very cardboard feeling quality to it and seems dry to me. A quick inspection tells me that the cigar may be too tight and I am concerned about the draw. The pre light aroma is dusty, but has some sweet character to it. The pre light draw is thin and has some papery flavors.
The cigar opens with a very mild and thin profile that contains some sweet notes of graham cracker, but has a papery and grassy note as well. There is little depth or complexity here, and the balance is off at this point. At the back of the palate there are some whispers of spice, but more papery notes cloak the other flavors that might be present. The draw is tight, as I suspected, but it is manageable to this point. The burn is even, but the ash is a bit flaky.
The first half of the cigar progresses, but slowly. There are some nice characteristics in the front of the profile with graham cracker, cream and some vanilla notes and the balance and complexity are starting to more where I expect them to be. However, the depth of the flavors is an issue for me as they enter the mouth with pep, but leave in a somewhat flat and bitter presentation. At the back of the palate there is still a papery quality to smoke and it leaves me feeling flat about this smoke. The draw is improving, but is still tight. The burn is still nice to this point.
The final half of the cigar really comes apart. The profile transitions into a bitter, chalky presentation of leaves and vegetation. At the back of the palate there are some hints of light pepper, but the papery notes intensify and leave the palate dry. The draw and burn remain as noted in the earlier stages of the smoke.
The finish is middling, showing notes of vegetation, and some bitter light wood flavors.
Appearance- 85 a very modest, average looking smoke
Taste- 81 unfortunately not very good
Construction- 86 just slightly above average in the burn dept., but below in the draw dept.
Strength- 85 a very average mild that does nothing to complement the presentation
Overall- 84, below average
Friday, August 13, 2010
Oliva Cain Maduro 654T (6x54)
This cigar hit the market last year with much fanfare and became a huge sensation amongst just about every full bodied cigar enthusiast I know, with the exception of me. After an entire year of debating the merits of this smoke with just about every fellow BOTL, I decided that I could have been wrong about the cigar when I smoked nearly a half box of pain last year so I got this one from a friend and decided to give the Cain another chance.
The smoke is visually stunning, with an oily dark brown (nearly black wrapper) and this torpedo vitola is well made and has nary a flaw. A pre light inspection yields some tight spots that might cause some draw issues, but I am not overly concerned at this point. The pre light aroma is heady and smacks of tobacco and rich, dark wood. The pre light draw is a harbinger of things to come, showing a chemical and mineral note that is not pleasing.
The cigar opens with a profoundly horrendous mix of flavors that almost make me leave the smoke and reach for something else. There are flavors of minerals and chemicals that I could only liken to zinc and burning kerosene. At the back of the palate there are some notes of tobacco, but the overwhelming chemical essence from the front of the palate hurts the impression. Sadly, the draw is nearly perfect, imparting bilious mouthfuls of putrescence with each merciless puff. The burn is likewise excellent with a razor sharp presentation.
The first third of the smoke is unfortunately as bad as the opening moments. The chemical and mineral flavors intensify and nearly scorch the palate with acidic blasts, apparently this is what they mean by full bodied and strong, I could not disagree more. Brands like La Flor, Joya and Don Pepin are some of the strongest cigars on the market and they manage to incorporate nuance, balance and complexity in almost every offering. This is neither balanced or complex and is an insult to my palate at this point. The draw and burn stay consistent.
The middle third of the cigar finally settles down a bit. The core profile shows some notes of coffee and rich tobacco, but there are still undertones of minerals and the chemical fuel taste has not dissipated fully either. At the back of the palate there are some wisps of dark wood and pepper, but they are fleeting in the back drop of mineral heaviness. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final third of the cigar normalizes further, but it is too late to be redeemed at this point. The profile shows some nice coffee and tobacco notes, but still lacks nuance and balance. At the back of the palate the peppery notes are materializing into something more substantial, but are still not enough. The draw and burn stay strong throughout.
The finish is short and tannic with a mineral tone that lingers like sucking on a penny.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 76 very poor showing and I could have scored it worse if not for the closing third of the smoke
Construction- 94 nearly issue free, the highlight of this smoke
Strength- 77 a very in your face full that does not compliment the palate well
Overall- 84.75 most decidedly saved by construction, I would not ever smoke this again!
The smoke is visually stunning, with an oily dark brown (nearly black wrapper) and this torpedo vitola is well made and has nary a flaw. A pre light inspection yields some tight spots that might cause some draw issues, but I am not overly concerned at this point. The pre light aroma is heady and smacks of tobacco and rich, dark wood. The pre light draw is a harbinger of things to come, showing a chemical and mineral note that is not pleasing.
The cigar opens with a profoundly horrendous mix of flavors that almost make me leave the smoke and reach for something else. There are flavors of minerals and chemicals that I could only liken to zinc and burning kerosene. At the back of the palate there are some notes of tobacco, but the overwhelming chemical essence from the front of the palate hurts the impression. Sadly, the draw is nearly perfect, imparting bilious mouthfuls of putrescence with each merciless puff. The burn is likewise excellent with a razor sharp presentation.
The first third of the smoke is unfortunately as bad as the opening moments. The chemical and mineral flavors intensify and nearly scorch the palate with acidic blasts, apparently this is what they mean by full bodied and strong, I could not disagree more. Brands like La Flor, Joya and Don Pepin are some of the strongest cigars on the market and they manage to incorporate nuance, balance and complexity in almost every offering. This is neither balanced or complex and is an insult to my palate at this point. The draw and burn stay consistent.
The middle third of the cigar finally settles down a bit. The core profile shows some notes of coffee and rich tobacco, but there are still undertones of minerals and the chemical fuel taste has not dissipated fully either. At the back of the palate there are some wisps of dark wood and pepper, but they are fleeting in the back drop of mineral heaviness. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final third of the cigar normalizes further, but it is too late to be redeemed at this point. The profile shows some nice coffee and tobacco notes, but still lacks nuance and balance. At the back of the palate the peppery notes are materializing into something more substantial, but are still not enough. The draw and burn stay strong throughout.
The finish is short and tannic with a mineral tone that lingers like sucking on a penny.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 76 very poor showing and I could have scored it worse if not for the closing third of the smoke
Construction- 94 nearly issue free, the highlight of this smoke
Strength- 77 a very in your face full that does not compliment the palate well
Overall- 84.75 most decidedly saved by construction, I would not ever smoke this again!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Perdomo ESV 1991 Regente (5x54)
This is a well aged cigar from my collection and it has been sitting for about 3 years before I decide to give it a go. The wrapper is a nice blond Connecticut that has gained a silky layer of plume after all these years. I inspect the rest of the cigar and find no issues with it. The pre light aroma is a bit dusty, but there are some hints of light wood and tobacco here. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some floral essence and some spice.
The cigar opens with some flat notes of light wood and spice, I am very disappointed with the opening salvo from this cigar. The overall smoke lacks complexity and depth, while not maintaining any balance at all. At the back of the palate there is some sort of acidic burn going on and it makes me contemplate laying the cigar down. The burn and draw are both excellent, at this point I wish the draw wasn't.
The first half of the cigar improves dramatically from the opening moments, thank the cigar gods! The profile shifts into a very interesting mix of graham cracker and light nutty tones, the sweetness here is splendid, it really is not my thing in a cigar, but serves as an interesting change of pace. At the back of the palate there is a very nuanced, yet balanced, presentation of light spice and cedar that makes the overall effect of the profile intriguing. The burn and draw are solid to this point, nothing spectacular, but nothing is wrong either.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me, and I am happy that this bi-polar cigar experience is winding down. The profile has become lackluster and shows some dusty, papery flavors that have a bitter tone to them. At the back of the palate there are some cedar notes trying to show through, but there is a bitter, aspirin like quality in this segment of the smoke. The draw and burn remain solid throughout.
The finish was short and acrid.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 just too all over the place for me, very unfortunate
Construction- 88 slightly above average
Strength- 85 a very non-descript medium
Overall- 85, very average saved by the middle portion of the smoke and appearance
The cigar opens with some flat notes of light wood and spice, I am very disappointed with the opening salvo from this cigar. The overall smoke lacks complexity and depth, while not maintaining any balance at all. At the back of the palate there is some sort of acidic burn going on and it makes me contemplate laying the cigar down. The burn and draw are both excellent, at this point I wish the draw wasn't.
The first half of the cigar improves dramatically from the opening moments, thank the cigar gods! The profile shifts into a very interesting mix of graham cracker and light nutty tones, the sweetness here is splendid, it really is not my thing in a cigar, but serves as an interesting change of pace. At the back of the palate there is a very nuanced, yet balanced, presentation of light spice and cedar that makes the overall effect of the profile intriguing. The burn and draw are solid to this point, nothing spectacular, but nothing is wrong either.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me, and I am happy that this bi-polar cigar experience is winding down. The profile has become lackluster and shows some dusty, papery flavors that have a bitter tone to them. At the back of the palate there are some cedar notes trying to show through, but there is a bitter, aspirin like quality in this segment of the smoke. The draw and burn remain solid throughout.
The finish was short and acrid.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 just too all over the place for me, very unfortunate
Construction- 88 slightly above average
Strength- 85 a very non-descript medium
Overall- 85, very average saved by the middle portion of the smoke and appearance
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet #1 (6.5x44)
A new addition at my local B&M, and like moths to flame I am drawn over and select one for the hairy eyeball of evaluation. The cigar is presented very simply with a brown band and a plain box that lacks the typical adornments of cigar haute couture. The wrapper is an oily cameroon that has few veins and is applied to the cigar well. An inspection has me worried that the cigar may be too tight to draw, but I cut and get started. The pre light aroma is peculiar, but has some hints of spice and some sweet floral essence. The pre light draw has some nutty character, and shows some mineral qualities as well.
The cigar opens with blasts of minerals and some salty flavors that are interesting. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but there are some sour notes present here as well and they detract from the initial impressions. The draw is tight, but not unduly so, and I have no issues producing acceptable draws. The burn is razor sharp and produces a dirty gray ash.
The first half of the cigar lacks depth and complexity. The profile flattens out to show minerals and light spice. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of light wood, and the salty flavors have migrated away from the front of the presentation into the back end. The draw continues to be a touch on the tight side, but is still not causing any real issue. The burn stays sharp and I detect no sign that it will change as the smoke progresses.
The final half of the cigar picks up the pace a bit. The core profile begins to show some roasted nut qualities, while maintaining a taste of minerals and a meaty undertone that is unique. At the back of the palate a pleasing earthy quality has developed and the sour notes have left the presentation. The draw stays tight throughout, and does not cause any issues until the very end, when the cigar begins to burn a bit hot. The burn stayed rock solid throughout.
The finish was bit short and showed notes of minerals, earth and spice.
Appearance- 92 there is something to be said for a straightforward presentation
Taste- 87 a nice profile, if unspectacular
Construction- 88 some tightness in the draw caused late issues
Strength- 89 a nice medium, unexpected from a La Flor cigar
Overall- 88.5 a nice, solid above average smoke that leaves you wanting
The cigar opens with blasts of minerals and some salty flavors that are interesting. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but there are some sour notes present here as well and they detract from the initial impressions. The draw is tight, but not unduly so, and I have no issues producing acceptable draws. The burn is razor sharp and produces a dirty gray ash.
The first half of the cigar lacks depth and complexity. The profile flattens out to show minerals and light spice. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of light wood, and the salty flavors have migrated away from the front of the presentation into the back end. The draw continues to be a touch on the tight side, but is still not causing any real issue. The burn stays sharp and I detect no sign that it will change as the smoke progresses.
The final half of the cigar picks up the pace a bit. The core profile begins to show some roasted nut qualities, while maintaining a taste of minerals and a meaty undertone that is unique. At the back of the palate a pleasing earthy quality has developed and the sour notes have left the presentation. The draw stays tight throughout, and does not cause any issues until the very end, when the cigar begins to burn a bit hot. The burn stayed rock solid throughout.
The finish was bit short and showed notes of minerals, earth and spice.
Appearance- 92 there is something to be said for a straightforward presentation
Taste- 87 a nice profile, if unspectacular
Construction- 88 some tightness in the draw caused late issues
Strength- 89 a nice medium, unexpected from a La Flor cigar
Overall- 88.5 a nice, solid above average smoke that leaves you wanting
Monday, August 2, 2010
Diamond Crown #4 Maduro (5.5x54)
Recently I hosted a dinner for two of the best Brothers of the Leaf that I know and one of them brought this cigar for us to smoke after the meal. I must confess this is a cigar that I often overlook due to price point, but one that I have always enjoyed each time I have smoked it. I am anticipating a little walk down memory lane here, as I have not smoked one of these in five plus years. I de cello the smoke and being my process that has become so familiar to me now, but is replete with steps that I would have never taken when I last smoked this cigar. I have some irrational fear that my walk through the past may be spoiled by all of my attention here, but I plunge onward.
The cigar is bold looking with a thick and oily maduro wrapper that cloaks the cigar and makes it very rich looking. There are few veins and the wrapper has some tooth. The cigar appears to be well made and I find no areas of concern. The pre light aroma smacks of dark fruit and spicy chocolate. The pre light draw is smooth and easy, showing more dark fruit and a nice maduro sweetness.
The cigar opens with a sweet profile that is full of orange peel and black cherry essence. I am struck by how much sweetness this cigar shows in the opening moments and I can't recall experiencing this profile before and I am worried about it becoming cloying. At the back of the palate there are some nice flavors of tobacco and spicy chocolate that are serving as a nice underlay for the fruit flavors in the early stages. The burn is slow and even, producing a crisp white ash. The draw is excellent, not too tight and not too loose. This is exactly how I like a cigar to draw, showing just the right amount of resistance to every puff, but not heating up or causing me any anxiety.
The first half of the cigar settles in and I begin to move into silent reverie about times long past and some instances when I smoked this very blend. I recall some fishing with my brothers and departed grandfather, I recall a baseball game when my team was getting killed but I did not care because I knew they were going to the playoffs that year. The profile continues to show notes of black cherry and some orange, but there are some blasts of rich tobacco that play an intriguing game of point/counterpoint across my palate. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but the chocolate impressions continue to dominate the exchange. The burn has gone a bit lopsided, but I am loathe to touch it up at this point. The draw remains perfect for me.
The final half of the cigar rocks me out of my wistful remembrances when it shows me some things I seldom experience in a smoke. The profile becomes profoundly balanced and deep, showing dark wood, orange zest, tobacco and chocolate flavors in a tantalizing mix of palate satisfaction. At the back of the palate there are some excellent notes of spice with more tobacco notes as a sidekick. The burn deteriorates and requires a touch up, but that is the only issue I experience with this smoke.
The finish is long and spicy, with a satisfying chocolate reminder well into the night.
Appearance- 94 a very well appointed smoke
Taste- 97 a phenomenal taste experience, that was deep, complex and unique
Construction- 93 the burn issue takes away from near perfection
Strength- 96 a nearly perfect medium/full that complements the profile in a perfect way
Overall- 96.75 a classic smoke for me, I was as shocked as you are
The cigar is bold looking with a thick and oily maduro wrapper that cloaks the cigar and makes it very rich looking. There are few veins and the wrapper has some tooth. The cigar appears to be well made and I find no areas of concern. The pre light aroma smacks of dark fruit and spicy chocolate. The pre light draw is smooth and easy, showing more dark fruit and a nice maduro sweetness.
The cigar opens with a sweet profile that is full of orange peel and black cherry essence. I am struck by how much sweetness this cigar shows in the opening moments and I can't recall experiencing this profile before and I am worried about it becoming cloying. At the back of the palate there are some nice flavors of tobacco and spicy chocolate that are serving as a nice underlay for the fruit flavors in the early stages. The burn is slow and even, producing a crisp white ash. The draw is excellent, not too tight and not too loose. This is exactly how I like a cigar to draw, showing just the right amount of resistance to every puff, but not heating up or causing me any anxiety.
The first half of the cigar settles in and I begin to move into silent reverie about times long past and some instances when I smoked this very blend. I recall some fishing with my brothers and departed grandfather, I recall a baseball game when my team was getting killed but I did not care because I knew they were going to the playoffs that year. The profile continues to show notes of black cherry and some orange, but there are some blasts of rich tobacco that play an intriguing game of point/counterpoint across my palate. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but the chocolate impressions continue to dominate the exchange. The burn has gone a bit lopsided, but I am loathe to touch it up at this point. The draw remains perfect for me.
The final half of the cigar rocks me out of my wistful remembrances when it shows me some things I seldom experience in a smoke. The profile becomes profoundly balanced and deep, showing dark wood, orange zest, tobacco and chocolate flavors in a tantalizing mix of palate satisfaction. At the back of the palate there are some excellent notes of spice with more tobacco notes as a sidekick. The burn deteriorates and requires a touch up, but that is the only issue I experience with this smoke.
The finish is long and spicy, with a satisfying chocolate reminder well into the night.
Appearance- 94 a very well appointed smoke
Taste- 97 a phenomenal taste experience, that was deep, complex and unique
Construction- 93 the burn issue takes away from near perfection
Strength- 96 a nearly perfect medium/full that complements the profile in a perfect way
Overall- 96.75 a classic smoke for me, I was as shocked as you are
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