My singles journey marches on through the dark drawers of the oft forgotten nether regions of my cabinet and reveals this bulky smoke from the boys at Gran Habano. In all fairness I have never cared for Gran Habano offerings as I often find them to be pedestrian and lacking in depth and complexity. The cigar itself is simple looking, it has a small band at the foot and no other adornments. The wrapper is toothy and rough looking, but the cigar appears to be well made. The pre light aroma smacks of sharp cedar and spice. The pre light draw is a touch bitter, but has some elemental qualities that border on being metallic.
The cigar opens in much the way I expect from Gran Habano. The profile is not deep or flavorful in the early stages. There are some hints of dark wood and spice, but they are neither tasty or complex. At the back of the palate there is a torched coffee flavor that assaults the taste buds in a most foul way. The draw is fluid and even, but might become too loose at some point in the smoke. The burn is lopsided and produces a white ash that is a touch flaky.
The first half of the smoke improves slightly, but it is nothing worth clicking your heels over. The profile takes on a more coffee like character, but maintains some nice flavors of dark wood. At the back of the palate there are some spice flavors that are bordering on acidic, but staying in the acceptable lane for now. There is no particular balance or depth, but it is not terrible. The draw is becoming looser and some heat is coming into the smoke at the half way point. The burn levels out, but the ash is still flaky.
The final half of the smoke really does nothing to thrill me. The profile shows some wheaty notes that are quickly obscured by blasts of young tobacco and bitter vegetation flavors. At the back of the palate the bitterness is creeping back in and threatens to become acidic. The draw becomes too loose and the heat becomes a major problem. The burn stays acceptable from the halfway point on.
The finish is short and bitter and I am thankful that this experience has ended and wish I had left this smoke wherever I found it.
Appearance- 86 very simple and plain
Taste- 82 not a lot of redeeming qualities here
Construction- 81 late loose draw hurts the cigar and the score
Strength- 80 a lackluster medium/full
Overall- 82 a very under achieving effort
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