Recently I invited my closest friend over for a night of football and BBQ. Upon arrival he asked me where I was in my lineup, and when I told him that I had only had one earlier in the day, he said that he had something for me. Knowing him like I do, I knew that I was in for a rare treat, and as is his wont he did not disappoint. He handed me this little cigar and I recognized the front mark, but not the vitola. Not one for researching cigars before I smoke them , I usually do that after the fact, I got ready to fire it up right away.
The cigar itself is a strange thing to behold. Long and pencil thin, it looks very delicate and I was fearful that a rigorous inspection might lead to damage of the smoke. The wrapper had all the hallmarks of a well aged smoke. It was veined well and carried the soft dust of age that indicates proper storage and care. There is one small split in the wrapper and I am concerned in a smoke this size that it could be a problem. An inspection leads me to believe that the cigar may draw tightly, but I am used to that from thin Cuban vitolas. The pre light aroma is light and dusty, but has strong cedar notes. The pre light draw shows some sweet, nutty character.
The cigar opens with what I would like to call a WOW moment. I can't recall ever experiencing this type of opening, so subtle and yet so in your face at the same time that I can only call it an enigma. The core profile is of delicious vanilla and light cream, the nuance of the flavors is fantastic, but the depth is profound at the same time. There is an underlying note of light wood that is very interesting as well. At the back of the palate there are further notes of wood and sweet grass. The draw is tight, but I am not concerned at this point. The burn is excellent and a nice shoulder is present early on.
The first half proceeds in much the same way. The core profile is full of vanilla and cream notes and continues to please the palate in a way that is seldom experienced. At the back of the palate there are still excellent notes of wood and sweet grass and the consistency is second to none at this point in the smoke. The draw continues to be tight, but I am managing at this point. The burn loses a bit at the split in the wrapper, but I am able to slow and smoke my way through it.
The final half of the cigar is not quite as profound as the first, but is still excellent. The core profile is now showing hazelnut flavors that have a lingering sweetness that is interesting, but a bit flat. At the back of the palate there flavors become more grassy and lose some of the woody character from earlier in the experience. The draw has become exceedingly difficult and I am fighting to extract smoke in the final quarter. The burn leveled out without issue.
The finish was long and smacked of vanilla and hazelnut flavors.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 94 an excellent profile that could have used more depth and complexity in the back half
Construction- 85 average at best with a burn issue and draw problems
Strength- 97 an excellent medium that complements the profile with exceptional results
Overall- 90.75 a very good experience that was hurt by construction
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Trinidad Habana Reserve Short Churchill (4.5x54)
I should point out that I am seldom a fan of any Altadis offerings, but I have always liked Trinis so I looked forward to smoking this when I saw it at the local B&M recently.
The cigar is thick, but diminutive, and it is finished with a whimsical pigtail cap that gives this small cigar some charm. The wrapper is medium brown and leathery and has little veining. An inspection tells me that it is well constructed and I do not anticipate any issues. The pre light aroma has nice blasts of spice and dark fruit. The pre light draw shows a blast of cinnamon.
The cigar opens with a profile that is more complex than I expected. There are notes of cinnamon and rich wood in the opening moments that are deep and meaningful for so early in a smoke. At the back of the palate there are some great notes of earth and spice that underlay the main profile beautifully. The depth here is something and I find myself really settling in for this smoke. The draw is excellent, and provides just what I like from a cigar, just enough smoke. The burn is also sturdy and produces a dark gray ash that is a touch flaky.
The first half of the cigar proceeds much as it did in the opening moments. The core profile continues to develop more cinnamon and nutmeg qualities, while the wood tones continue to provide an excellent backdrop for the flavors. At the back of the palate there are still some excellent blasts of earth and spice. The draw is still excellent, and the burn continues to perform well.
The final half of the cigar shows some interesting turns. The core profile transitions into a presentation of pepper, wood and shows some maple flavors as well. At the back of the palate the early earthy tones transition into a more spicy presentation that plays with the maple on the front of the palate in an interesting way. There are some complex things happening here that would not be caught without proper attention. The draw and burn continue to perform extremely well.
The finish is a bit thin, but shows nice presentations of spice and pepper. This cigar is way above average experience and could be better with some more developed flavor presentations.
Appearance- 92 a very interesting and appealing smoke to look at
Taste- 93 great flavors with depth and character
Construction- 96 an excellent presentation
Strength- 88 a very nice medium, but more power would have complemented the palate in a more substantial way
Overall- 93 an excellent smoke, and for about $5 per cigar I would say a must buy
The cigar is thick, but diminutive, and it is finished with a whimsical pigtail cap that gives this small cigar some charm. The wrapper is medium brown and leathery and has little veining. An inspection tells me that it is well constructed and I do not anticipate any issues. The pre light aroma has nice blasts of spice and dark fruit. The pre light draw shows a blast of cinnamon.
The cigar opens with a profile that is more complex than I expected. There are notes of cinnamon and rich wood in the opening moments that are deep and meaningful for so early in a smoke. At the back of the palate there are some great notes of earth and spice that underlay the main profile beautifully. The depth here is something and I find myself really settling in for this smoke. The draw is excellent, and provides just what I like from a cigar, just enough smoke. The burn is also sturdy and produces a dark gray ash that is a touch flaky.
The first half of the cigar proceeds much as it did in the opening moments. The core profile continues to develop more cinnamon and nutmeg qualities, while the wood tones continue to provide an excellent backdrop for the flavors. At the back of the palate there are still some excellent blasts of earth and spice. The draw is still excellent, and the burn continues to perform well.
The final half of the cigar shows some interesting turns. The core profile transitions into a presentation of pepper, wood and shows some maple flavors as well. At the back of the palate the early earthy tones transition into a more spicy presentation that plays with the maple on the front of the palate in an interesting way. There are some complex things happening here that would not be caught without proper attention. The draw and burn continue to perform extremely well.
The finish is a bit thin, but shows nice presentations of spice and pepper. This cigar is way above average experience and could be better with some more developed flavor presentations.
Appearance- 92 a very interesting and appealing smoke to look at
Taste- 93 great flavors with depth and character
Construction- 96 an excellent presentation
Strength- 88 a very nice medium, but more power would have complemented the palate in a more substantial way
Overall- 93 an excellent smoke, and for about $5 per cigar I would say a must buy
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Guillermo Leon Gran Corona (6x47)
After hearing great things from fellow BOTL's about this cigar I waited anxiously and with bated breath for it's release. I wish I had continued holding my breath whilst smoking.
The cigar itself presents well with a dark brown wrapper that has plenty of oils and few veins. The application of the wrapper is excellent and a quick examination reveals no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is an interesting mix of dark wood and sweet clover essences. The pre light draw is a bit sour, but shows some notes of wood and spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is thin and off putting. There are some notes of weird spice that are not pleasing and there is a cloying sweetness there as well that I would describe as almond. At the back of the palate there is a strange note of wood that has a sour bite to it. There is little depth or complexity early in the smoke. The burn and draw are average as the burn runs a touch and the draw is unremarkable.
The first half of the smoke is unremarkable and does not improve. The core profile remains too sweet and the spice notes are still not identifiable as anything other than strange. At the back of the palate the sour notes have taken over and it is difficult to work past these attributes. The draw and burn continue to be average, though the burn has evened out at this point.
The final half of the smoke recovers somewhat, but is still too little too late. The core profile becomes a mix of hickory notes and some notes of clove. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of rich tobacco that come through, but there are still some sour ideas that persist here. The draw and burn stay ok, but are not noteworthy. I would say the entire experience was not noteworthy unfortunately.
The finish is short and shows some odd sweetness that lingers.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 very little depth or complexity and sourness kills the profile
Construction- 85 average
Strength- 85 medium and average
Overall- 83.75 below average and I would not smoke another one
The cigar itself presents well with a dark brown wrapper that has plenty of oils and few veins. The application of the wrapper is excellent and a quick examination reveals no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is an interesting mix of dark wood and sweet clover essences. The pre light draw is a bit sour, but shows some notes of wood and spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is thin and off putting. There are some notes of weird spice that are not pleasing and there is a cloying sweetness there as well that I would describe as almond. At the back of the palate there is a strange note of wood that has a sour bite to it. There is little depth or complexity early in the smoke. The burn and draw are average as the burn runs a touch and the draw is unremarkable.
The first half of the smoke is unremarkable and does not improve. The core profile remains too sweet and the spice notes are still not identifiable as anything other than strange. At the back of the palate the sour notes have taken over and it is difficult to work past these attributes. The draw and burn continue to be average, though the burn has evened out at this point.
The final half of the smoke recovers somewhat, but is still too little too late. The core profile becomes a mix of hickory notes and some notes of clove. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of rich tobacco that come through, but there are still some sour ideas that persist here. The draw and burn stay ok, but are not noteworthy. I would say the entire experience was not noteworthy unfortunately.
The finish is short and shows some odd sweetness that lingers.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 very little depth or complexity and sourness kills the profile
Construction- 85 average
Strength- 85 medium and average
Overall- 83.75 below average and I would not smoke another one
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Pinar Del Rio Clasico Exclusivo Corona (5.25x44)
This vitola is one of my favorite sizes to smoke, I have always found that it imparts excellent balance but allows for the flavor of the wrapper to show through. This particular cigar is sheathed in a nice medium brown wrapper that has a small split near the band and some fraying at the foot. An examination leads me to believe that the cigar will perform well, as I find no areas that are too soft or too firm. The pre light aroma is grassy, but shows some interesting spice notes. The pre light draw is a touch sour, but there are some hints of light wood present.
The cigar opens with a profile that is flat and grassy, there is little depth and there are some bitter notes present here as well. If the opening moments are any indication I will have a difficult time getting through this one. At the back of the palate there are some vegetal undertones that deflect some hints of light wood that would otherwise be pleasing. The burn is lopsided, but I do not believe it will require a touch up. The draw is a touch tight, but at this point is not causing me any distress.
The first half of the cigar proceeds in much the same way as the opening moments. The flat, grassy core profile stays consistent and that is unfortunate. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness starting to try and show through, but it is muddled against a backdrop of vegetation and loamy earth notes. The burn has evened out slightly, but the draw continues to tighten and threatens the integrity of the cigar if heat becomes an issue.
The final half of the cigar begins to show me something, but it is too little too late. The core profile picks up some nice rich wood flavors and some hints of maple syrup. The depth and complexity becomes interesting with about and inch left in the smoke, what a shame. At the back of the palate the vegetal notes have rounded into a more pleasing mix of earth and wood. If the entire cigar had been this way it would be a winner. The burn stays a bit off throughout, but causes no issues. The draw opens once I get past a small plug and settles down with about one third of the cigar left.
The finish was lingering, or maybe malingering, as there were hints of crushed aspirin left on the palate.
Appearance- 83 some issues with the wrapper and foot
Taste- 82 a very sub par front half, saved in the last third so
Construction- 84 some burn and draw issues make this sub par
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 83.25 a below average experience that could have been much worse if not for the final third of the smoke
The cigar opens with a profile that is flat and grassy, there is little depth and there are some bitter notes present here as well. If the opening moments are any indication I will have a difficult time getting through this one. At the back of the palate there are some vegetal undertones that deflect some hints of light wood that would otherwise be pleasing. The burn is lopsided, but I do not believe it will require a touch up. The draw is a touch tight, but at this point is not causing me any distress.
The first half of the cigar proceeds in much the same way as the opening moments. The flat, grassy core profile stays consistent and that is unfortunate. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness starting to try and show through, but it is muddled against a backdrop of vegetation and loamy earth notes. The burn has evened out slightly, but the draw continues to tighten and threatens the integrity of the cigar if heat becomes an issue.
The final half of the cigar begins to show me something, but it is too little too late. The core profile picks up some nice rich wood flavors and some hints of maple syrup. The depth and complexity becomes interesting with about and inch left in the smoke, what a shame. At the back of the palate the vegetal notes have rounded into a more pleasing mix of earth and wood. If the entire cigar had been this way it would be a winner. The burn stays a bit off throughout, but causes no issues. The draw opens once I get past a small plug and settles down with about one third of the cigar left.
The finish was lingering, or maybe malingering, as there were hints of crushed aspirin left on the palate.
Appearance- 83 some issues with the wrapper and foot
Taste- 82 a very sub par front half, saved in the last third so
Construction- 84 some burn and draw issues make this sub par
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 83.25 a below average experience that could have been much worse if not for the final third of the smoke
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Padilla Signature 1932 2009 Limited Edition Salomon Oscuro (7.25x57)
I have had 9 cigars from a 10 pack purchased in 2009 sitting in my humidor aging for over a year now. My initial impression was put in a review last year and I wanted to see what over a year of age had done for this smoke. I think I am in for a treat.
The cigar presents with nice oils and a wrapper that has an excellent sheen and few veins. I recall that this cigar was nearly dripping oils when I put it in the humidor some months ago and I was relieved to see that it still had nice sheen without appearing to have dried out. The construction appears to be excellent as I can detect no areas of softness or undue tension in the roll. The pre light aroma has some light coffee notes and some rich earthy fragrances. The pre light draw shows a nutty sweetness and leaves a nice peppery taste on the palate.
The cigar opens with a very subdued profile for a cigar that looks like it will be in your face. There are some very nuanced notes of sweet nuts and light wood in the foreground and I find myself settling in for what could be an excellent experience. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying zip of pepper and earth that balances the front of the profile beautifully. The draw is excellent and I am relieved as I have smoked samples of this vitola before and found issues with it. The burn is also sharp, and again I am surprised because I have smoked many of these that burn poorly.
The first third of the cigar transitions and the core profile shows nutty qualities with some sweet grassy notes in the mix. At the back of the palate there are some solid flavors of dark wood and black pepper that are showing through with gusto. The draw remains above average, imparting ample smoke with each draw. The burn stays solid into the main body of the cigar and I am certain I will not encounter any issues, very rare in a Salomon.
The middle third of the cigar flattens out a bit for me. The core profile is still showing some nutty tones, but they are sparse. The profile transitions into a more metallic presentation and some of the depth and character go away. At the back of the palate there are still some nice showings of pepper and wood, but there is a strange sweetness coming out that is like sugar cane. The draw stays consistent and the burn continues to be strong to this point.
The final third of the smoke shows some excellence. The profile takes on a more coffee infused flavor, but there are some hints of dark fruit, spice and wood on the palate as well. At the back of the palate there are sharp blasts of pepper and anise that ratchet up the strength quotient nicely. The draw remains steady, but the burn goes askew a few times and requires a slight tap of some excess wrapper that did not burn correctly.
The finish is long and powerful showing notes of nuts, dark wood and some sugar cane sweetness.
Appearance- 89 a very bold looking cigar, but it is a but ruddy
Taste- 87 I would like to go higher, but the middle third hurt the experience
Construction- 90 aside from some minor burn issues this performed well
Strength- 91 very nice medium that transitioned to full late in the smoke
Overall- 89 a nice experience and I think with more age it will improve
The cigar presents with nice oils and a wrapper that has an excellent sheen and few veins. I recall that this cigar was nearly dripping oils when I put it in the humidor some months ago and I was relieved to see that it still had nice sheen without appearing to have dried out. The construction appears to be excellent as I can detect no areas of softness or undue tension in the roll. The pre light aroma has some light coffee notes and some rich earthy fragrances. The pre light draw shows a nutty sweetness and leaves a nice peppery taste on the palate.
The cigar opens with a very subdued profile for a cigar that looks like it will be in your face. There are some very nuanced notes of sweet nuts and light wood in the foreground and I find myself settling in for what could be an excellent experience. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying zip of pepper and earth that balances the front of the profile beautifully. The draw is excellent and I am relieved as I have smoked samples of this vitola before and found issues with it. The burn is also sharp, and again I am surprised because I have smoked many of these that burn poorly.
The first third of the cigar transitions and the core profile shows nutty qualities with some sweet grassy notes in the mix. At the back of the palate there are some solid flavors of dark wood and black pepper that are showing through with gusto. The draw remains above average, imparting ample smoke with each draw. The burn stays solid into the main body of the cigar and I am certain I will not encounter any issues, very rare in a Salomon.
The middle third of the cigar flattens out a bit for me. The core profile is still showing some nutty tones, but they are sparse. The profile transitions into a more metallic presentation and some of the depth and character go away. At the back of the palate there are still some nice showings of pepper and wood, but there is a strange sweetness coming out that is like sugar cane. The draw stays consistent and the burn continues to be strong to this point.
The final third of the smoke shows some excellence. The profile takes on a more coffee infused flavor, but there are some hints of dark fruit, spice and wood on the palate as well. At the back of the palate there are sharp blasts of pepper and anise that ratchet up the strength quotient nicely. The draw remains steady, but the burn goes askew a few times and requires a slight tap of some excess wrapper that did not burn correctly.
The finish is long and powerful showing notes of nuts, dark wood and some sugar cane sweetness.
Appearance- 89 a very bold looking cigar, but it is a but ruddy
Taste- 87 I would like to go higher, but the middle third hurt the experience
Construction- 90 aside from some minor burn issues this performed well
Strength- 91 very nice medium that transitioned to full late in the smoke
Overall- 89 a nice experience and I think with more age it will improve
Thursday, September 9, 2010
St.Luis Rey Toro Maduro (6x50)
This is an old classic and I figured it was a worth a re-visit after several years. This is a box pressed vitola and I can't recall if that was the case several years ago when I was smoking this on a regular basis. I am not a fan of box pressed smokes and I find that they often burn poorly. This particular cigar presents with a very oily wrapper that shows few veins. An examination leads me to believe that it will perform well. The pre light aroma is a touch sour but has some nice notes of spice and light chocolate. The pre light draw shows some dark fruit sweetness.
The cigar opens with a nice medium profile that contains notes of cocoa, light pepper and some nice earthy tones. At the back of the palate there are some shots of milk chocolate and some interesting flavors of black cherry and other dark fruit. The burn is excellent and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky. The draw is exceptional for me, requiring just the right amount of pull to produce ample smoke.
The first half of the smoke continues to show some development. The core profile consists of nice earthy flavors, with blasts of pepper and some wisps of cocoa. At the back of the palate there are distinct notes of dark wood and dark fruit. The balance is excellent, but the depth of flavor is somewhat lacking for me and it comes off as a bit thin. The burn has gone awry slightly, but I don't think it will cause any issues. The draw continues to be nearly perfect for me.
The final half of the smoke deteriorates slightly, but still is above average. The profile thins out, but shows some notes of earth and dark fruit. At the back of the palate there are some notes that become muddled, but dark wood is still prominent. The burn evens out and the draw remains superior.
The finish is middling, but shows lingering dark wood flavors. At less than $5 per smoke this is a must for any enthusiast, particularly those on a budget.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke, but I detract for box pressing
Taste- 88 an above average profile, but there needs to be more depth and complexity
Construction- 92 some deductions for burn, but the draw was splendid
Strength- 89 a very satisfying medium
Overall- 89.5 a very good smoke and a candidate for best under $5
The cigar opens with a nice medium profile that contains notes of cocoa, light pepper and some nice earthy tones. At the back of the palate there are some shots of milk chocolate and some interesting flavors of black cherry and other dark fruit. The burn is excellent and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky. The draw is exceptional for me, requiring just the right amount of pull to produce ample smoke.
The first half of the smoke continues to show some development. The core profile consists of nice earthy flavors, with blasts of pepper and some wisps of cocoa. At the back of the palate there are distinct notes of dark wood and dark fruit. The balance is excellent, but the depth of flavor is somewhat lacking for me and it comes off as a bit thin. The burn has gone awry slightly, but I don't think it will cause any issues. The draw continues to be nearly perfect for me.
The final half of the smoke deteriorates slightly, but still is above average. The profile thins out, but shows some notes of earth and dark fruit. At the back of the palate there are some notes that become muddled, but dark wood is still prominent. The burn evens out and the draw remains superior.
The finish is middling, but shows lingering dark wood flavors. At less than $5 per smoke this is a must for any enthusiast, particularly those on a budget.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke, but I detract for box pressing
Taste- 88 an above average profile, but there needs to be more depth and complexity
Construction- 92 some deductions for burn, but the draw was splendid
Strength- 89 a very satisfying medium
Overall- 89.5 a very good smoke and a candidate for best under $5
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Mi Barrio El Forro (7x48)
This is a cigar that made my Top 10 of 2009 and I recently laid in a couple of boxes to examine the aging potential. However, the prospect of having some around was too much for me. I decided to smoke one and review it so as to archive the experience for comparison as I age the boxes...that is my story and I am sticking to it.
The cigar presents with a leathery wrapper that has few veins and is flawlessly applied. An examination reveals no areas of concern and I am certain the cigar will perform well. The pre light aroma is of heavy spice and leather. The pre light draw is tight and that concerns me performance wise, but there are some notes of leather and clove in the nuanced pre fire taste.
The cigar opens with a profile that is profoundly nuanced and balanced. There are some fabulous notes of dark wood, cinnamon, clove and spice in the opening moments, and I am reminded why this blend was in my Top 10 the year before. At the back of the palate there is a dusting of pepper and sweet graham cracker flavor that is very interesting. The burn is excellent, producing a thick white ash that hangs ponderously for several inches. The draw is too tight for me, but it is not causing me any issues to this point.
The first third of the cigar continues to impress. The core profile settles in with a fine presentation of cinnamon and dark wood, the occasional wisp of spice settles across the palate as well. At the back of the palate the sweet graham cracker flavor has taken center stage and serves as an excellent balancing agent to the rest of the smoke. The complexity, depth and nuance of this smoke is second to none in recent memory. The burn continues to perform exceptionally, but the draw continues to be a bit tight to this point.
The middle third of the cigar kicks it up a notch. The main profile shifts into a presentation of dark wood, leather and pepper and the strength quotient moves up a few levels to a more robust full. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of graham cracker sweetness, but a more raisin like flavor starts to show through and it is an exceptional counterpoint to the pepper in the foreground. The burn goes a touch wonky here, but levels out on its own without any assistance from my lighter. The draw continues to be tighter than I like, but there is no heat creeping into the smoke as of yet.
The final third of the cigar is a home run. The core profile shows leather and cinnamon tones with fleeting blasts of orange zest and pepper. At the back of the palate the graham cracker sweetness returns and there are some satisfying flavors of dark wood too. The burn is excellent to the end, but the draw stays tighter than I would like throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows graham cracker notes with hints of dark wood.
Appearance- 93 a very attractive cigar, more oils would have helped the impression
Taste- 99 an excellent taste performance, nearly perfect for me
Construction- 91 points reduced for draw issues and one burn problem
Strength- 96 a very nice medium start and full finish.
Overall- 94.75 without the construction issues, this would have been a classic
The cigar presents with a leathery wrapper that has few veins and is flawlessly applied. An examination reveals no areas of concern and I am certain the cigar will perform well. The pre light aroma is of heavy spice and leather. The pre light draw is tight and that concerns me performance wise, but there are some notes of leather and clove in the nuanced pre fire taste.
The cigar opens with a profile that is profoundly nuanced and balanced. There are some fabulous notes of dark wood, cinnamon, clove and spice in the opening moments, and I am reminded why this blend was in my Top 10 the year before. At the back of the palate there is a dusting of pepper and sweet graham cracker flavor that is very interesting. The burn is excellent, producing a thick white ash that hangs ponderously for several inches. The draw is too tight for me, but it is not causing me any issues to this point.
The first third of the cigar continues to impress. The core profile settles in with a fine presentation of cinnamon and dark wood, the occasional wisp of spice settles across the palate as well. At the back of the palate the sweet graham cracker flavor has taken center stage and serves as an excellent balancing agent to the rest of the smoke. The complexity, depth and nuance of this smoke is second to none in recent memory. The burn continues to perform exceptionally, but the draw continues to be a bit tight to this point.
The middle third of the cigar kicks it up a notch. The main profile shifts into a presentation of dark wood, leather and pepper and the strength quotient moves up a few levels to a more robust full. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of graham cracker sweetness, but a more raisin like flavor starts to show through and it is an exceptional counterpoint to the pepper in the foreground. The burn goes a touch wonky here, but levels out on its own without any assistance from my lighter. The draw continues to be tighter than I like, but there is no heat creeping into the smoke as of yet.
The final third of the cigar is a home run. The core profile shows leather and cinnamon tones with fleeting blasts of orange zest and pepper. At the back of the palate the graham cracker sweetness returns and there are some satisfying flavors of dark wood too. The burn is excellent to the end, but the draw stays tighter than I would like throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows graham cracker notes with hints of dark wood.
Appearance- 93 a very attractive cigar, more oils would have helped the impression
Taste- 99 an excellent taste performance, nearly perfect for me
Construction- 91 points reduced for draw issues and one burn problem
Strength- 96 a very nice medium start and full finish.
Overall- 94.75 without the construction issues, this would have been a classic
Friday, September 3, 2010
Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Toro (6x54)
I can't recall anticipating a cigar, in recent years, as much as I anticipated this one. Recently I picked up a handful and smoked several, this review is of the last one I smoked, but I will point out that all five of them performed similarly and tasted the same.
The cigar itself is a bit thicker than I like, but the other vitolas at the B & M I went to did not strike my fancy either. It has a heavy, dark brown wrapper that has some prominent veins. An inspection of the smoke reveals some areas that I believe are too soft, but I will have to see what develops in the smoking process. The pre light aroma is an intoxicating blend of cedar and spice. The pre light draw shows some mineral heaviness that I hope is not a harbinger of things to come.
The cigar opens with a very in your face profile and I am a bit shocked by the initial strength of this cigar. There is no nuance or balance to a presentation that begins this way and I am getting clubbed in the head by rich tobacco, black pepper and mineral flavors. I can only hope that this cigar will settle down at some point. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness, almost like sugarcane, and it is helping to diffuse some of the up front power of the smoke. The draw is touch loose for me, but I am not upset by it at this point. The burn is excellent and a ponderous white ash is forming.
The first third of the cigar does indeed settle down. The main profile continues to show mostly tobacco and mineral notes, but the earlier sweetness has crept into the front of the smoke and is adding some nice roundness to the overall profile. At the back of the palate there is another presentation of a heavier mineral note and it threatens to turn the cigar into a real downer. The draw remains a touch loose and towards the end of the first half some heat comes into the smoke and forces me to slow my progress in order for the hear to dissipate. The burn is excellent and the ash holds for nearly three inches.
The final two thirds show little development. The core profile continues to be of tobacco, there are some small notes of coffee bean and dark wood, but they do not add anything significant to the experience. At the back of the palate the heavy mineral note is taking it's toll and turns metallic in the final third. This attribute really hurts the cigar in my opinion. The burn and draw stay as noted in the first third.
The finish is short and sharp showing mineral and metallic flavors.
Appearance- 88 an above average cigar that could use more attention to detail
Taste- 81 a sub par performance that lacks complexity and depth
Construction- 89 points off for loose draw, but performance was still above average
Strength- 80 a very odd full that taxes the palate
Overall- 84.75 another disappointment for me
The cigar itself is a bit thicker than I like, but the other vitolas at the B & M I went to did not strike my fancy either. It has a heavy, dark brown wrapper that has some prominent veins. An inspection of the smoke reveals some areas that I believe are too soft, but I will have to see what develops in the smoking process. The pre light aroma is an intoxicating blend of cedar and spice. The pre light draw shows some mineral heaviness that I hope is not a harbinger of things to come.
The cigar opens with a very in your face profile and I am a bit shocked by the initial strength of this cigar. There is no nuance or balance to a presentation that begins this way and I am getting clubbed in the head by rich tobacco, black pepper and mineral flavors. I can only hope that this cigar will settle down at some point. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness, almost like sugarcane, and it is helping to diffuse some of the up front power of the smoke. The draw is touch loose for me, but I am not upset by it at this point. The burn is excellent and a ponderous white ash is forming.
The first third of the cigar does indeed settle down. The main profile continues to show mostly tobacco and mineral notes, but the earlier sweetness has crept into the front of the smoke and is adding some nice roundness to the overall profile. At the back of the palate there is another presentation of a heavier mineral note and it threatens to turn the cigar into a real downer. The draw remains a touch loose and towards the end of the first half some heat comes into the smoke and forces me to slow my progress in order for the hear to dissipate. The burn is excellent and the ash holds for nearly three inches.
The final two thirds show little development. The core profile continues to be of tobacco, there are some small notes of coffee bean and dark wood, but they do not add anything significant to the experience. At the back of the palate the heavy mineral note is taking it's toll and turns metallic in the final third. This attribute really hurts the cigar in my opinion. The burn and draw stay as noted in the first third.
The finish is short and sharp showing mineral and metallic flavors.
Appearance- 88 an above average cigar that could use more attention to detail
Taste- 81 a sub par performance that lacks complexity and depth
Construction- 89 points off for loose draw, but performance was still above average
Strength- 80 a very odd full that taxes the palate
Overall- 84.75 another disappointment for me
Dunhill Altamiras (5x48)
I went into a recent Cigar Dinner, at the beautiful Founder's Club in Sarasota, knowing that Dunhill cigars are not my cup of tea. They are always just too mild and flavorless for me, but the prospect of a night with fellow BOTL's and SOTL's was to grand to pass on, besides there would be dinner, liquor and fine cigars so it couldn't be that bad right? Well two out of three ain't bad. There were cigars, but using fine as a descriptor will only work if it is the type of fine you get from your wife or girlfriend when you ask her is she is ok after a big fight. That is the type of fine that best describes this cigar, on the surface it looks like everything is ok, but below a festering eruption of foul is about to emerge.
The cigar presents in a very classic and classy way, with a sharp white aluminum tubo presentation. It is delicate for a robusto and the blond Connecticut wrapper is attractive and has few veins. The head is perfect and the foot is sharp, I can appreciate the craftsmanship here. An inspection reveals to me that it might be rolled too tightly and I am concerned about possible draw issues due to this. The pre light aroma is slight, but shows some dusty, honey like tones. The pre light draw is tight, but I detect some wisps of light floral flavors.
The cigar opens completely devoid of anything resembling a profile, there are no flavors discernible, it is just some smoke and that is about it. One of my friends nearby quipped that it was like smoking a negative cigar and we devolved into a somewhat nerdy contemplation of Cigar Quantum Physics and Negative Cigar Dynamics. At the back of the palate I am also not picking up anything of note, this is something I have not really experienced before in any cigar. The draw is too tight and there is some labor to produce the smoke, I am worried about heat in the presentation later. The burn is solid, but the ash is flaky.
The first half of the cigar plods along and finally begins to show some flavors, but they are not flavors that I believe anyone was enjoying. There were some thin floral intonations, but mostly I was getting grass, hay and vegetation from the profile. At the back of the palate a bitterness has emerged that is scorching my throat. The draw has not loosened and I am considering putting the cigar down. The burn is still solid, but the ash continues to snow all over me and my table.
The final half of this smoke comes on a bit, but it is too little too late. There are some nice vanilla flavors in the foreground that have some creamy offsets, but there is still some grassy undertone here that is hurting the profile. At the back of the palate the bitterness persists. The draw opens slightly as I burn through the plug that was causing the issue. The burn got wonky in the area of the obstruction, but evened out near the end.
The finish was blessed, in that it was over, leaving notes of grass and thin papery wisps.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive visual experience
Taste- 74 there is no way this could be any higher with a profile that was at first nothing, and then terrible, then mediocre at best
Construction- 72 the tight draw really detracts from the score here
Strength- 85 a very average mild
Overall- 78.25 save yourself the 12-15 bucks and buy two or three of something you will enjoy
The cigar presents in a very classic and classy way, with a sharp white aluminum tubo presentation. It is delicate for a robusto and the blond Connecticut wrapper is attractive and has few veins. The head is perfect and the foot is sharp, I can appreciate the craftsmanship here. An inspection reveals to me that it might be rolled too tightly and I am concerned about possible draw issues due to this. The pre light aroma is slight, but shows some dusty, honey like tones. The pre light draw is tight, but I detect some wisps of light floral flavors.
The cigar opens completely devoid of anything resembling a profile, there are no flavors discernible, it is just some smoke and that is about it. One of my friends nearby quipped that it was like smoking a negative cigar and we devolved into a somewhat nerdy contemplation of Cigar Quantum Physics and Negative Cigar Dynamics. At the back of the palate I am also not picking up anything of note, this is something I have not really experienced before in any cigar. The draw is too tight and there is some labor to produce the smoke, I am worried about heat in the presentation later. The burn is solid, but the ash is flaky.
The first half of the cigar plods along and finally begins to show some flavors, but they are not flavors that I believe anyone was enjoying. There were some thin floral intonations, but mostly I was getting grass, hay and vegetation from the profile. At the back of the palate a bitterness has emerged that is scorching my throat. The draw has not loosened and I am considering putting the cigar down. The burn is still solid, but the ash continues to snow all over me and my table.
The final half of this smoke comes on a bit, but it is too little too late. There are some nice vanilla flavors in the foreground that have some creamy offsets, but there is still some grassy undertone here that is hurting the profile. At the back of the palate the bitterness persists. The draw opens slightly as I burn through the plug that was causing the issue. The burn got wonky in the area of the obstruction, but evened out near the end.
The finish was blessed, in that it was over, leaving notes of grass and thin papery wisps.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive visual experience
Taste- 74 there is no way this could be any higher with a profile that was at first nothing, and then terrible, then mediocre at best
Construction- 72 the tight draw really detracts from the score here
Strength- 85 a very average mild
Overall- 78.25 save yourself the 12-15 bucks and buy two or three of something you will enjoy
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