Cigars from the IPCPR are starting to show themselves and I recently ran into Billy Perdomo and he handed me some of these new cigars in maduro and sungrown wraps. Billy knows what I like and he had a knowing smile on his face as he slipped me these bad boys and he slyly said, "Let me know what you think".
The cigar is beautifully done, but in a simplistic old-fashioned way. The band work is rustic and workaday and the cigar is well constructed. The wrapper is toothy, but shows some nice oils and very little veining. The cap is well done and the overall impression of the cigar is something I like, not too flashy and just sexy enough to get my attention. The pre light aroma smacks of wood and sweet fruit. The pre light draw is a little peppery but not overwhelmingly so.
The cigar opens with a satisfying profile of toasted marshmallow and light spice. I am stunned by the depth of these flavors so early in the smoke as Perdomo often takes some time to warm up in it's other blends. At the back of the palate there are some excellent notes of dark wood and roasted nuts that complement the front of the experience seamlessly. The draw has some tension and I would like it to be a touch looser, but I don't think it will cause any performance issues. The burn is sharp and nice white ash is forming and holding well.
The first half of the cigar continues to progress with depth and complexity. The toasted marshmallow notes continue to show through, but there has been a transition into more dark wood notes in the front of the palate that adds some nice depth. At the back of the palate a nice earthy presentation takes center stage and continues to complement the cigar beautifully. The draw opens slightly and becomes near perfect for me. The burn continues to be excellent and the ash holds for 2.5 inches before I lightly knock it off.
The final half of the smoke thins a bit, but there are still some nice core flavors. The main body shows some nice dark wood and fruit notes, but the depth is not what it was earlier in the smoke. The back of the palate continues along earthy lines but there is some loamy mustiness that creeps into the effort here as well, not a death knell by any means, but you have to be accepting of this change. The draw continues to be nearly perfect at this point and the burn continues to show well.
The finish is long and satisfying showing dark wood and earth long after I set it down. All in all another Perdomo winner in my book and as an added bonus I am hearing the price point will be economical.
Appearance- 91 a nice, simple, old-fashioned approach
Taste- 90 a very nice cigar that would have been better if the flavor had not waned in the back half
Construction- 91 some early tightness in the draw, but overall well above average
Strength- 92 a very nice medium
Overall- 90.75 a very nice smoking experience
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Ernesto Perez Carrillo Maduro
I can't find anything out about this cigar, but I will tell you what I know, it will be released at IPCPR next week. I came into possession of one when a close friend of mine gifted it to me after he obtained one from the Carrillo Rep at an event. This is so hush hush that I could not find size or blend information when I ran it through the Googleplex.
The cigar presents with the standard EPC Black, Red and Gold band. The wrapper is toothy and very dark with very little veining. The cigar is large with a 50+ ring gauge to be sure, an inspection realizes no issues anywhere and I am thinking this could be something special in spite of the large ring gauge. The pre light aroma smacks of coffee and dark fruit. The pre light draw shows some cocoa and dark fruit as well.
The cigar opens with a profile that is astounding. There are notes of dark fruit, raisin, chocolate and hazelnut present and they blend together in an excellent array of flavor. At the back of the palate there is an earthiness that I have never experience outside of a Padron product and it shocks me because in my mind Padron has always had the corner on this area of flavor. The draw is fluid and easy whilst delivering serious amounts of smoke. The burn is solid and a nice, crisp white ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar continues to be impressive, all though there has been some mellowing in the flavor area. The profile maintains a beautiful array of dark fruit and chocolate and I could swear I am tasting raspberry in the smoke at this point. At the back of the palate satisfying earthy tones continue coat the palate. The draw continues to be nearly perfect and I am becoming more surprised by this as it progresses, I am used to big cigars causing issues in the draw. The burn is still very solid.
The final half of the cigar ramps back up and shows miles and miles of complexity and depth. The profile moves into a more provocative presentation of cocoa, black pepper and coffee. At the back of the palate the earthy tones have been joined by some dark cherry flavors that are phenomenal. The draw and burn stay solid throughout the smoke.
The finish was long and smooth and full of earthy flavors that smack the palate for several minutes.
This was a fantastic cigar, I can only hope that the release will be as spectacular.
Appearance- 91 a very nice looking cigar
Taste- 98 one of the finest profiles I have ever experienced
Construction- 100 not a single issue in the smoke, and I was outside on a hot day
Strength- 93 a wonderful medium/full that I thought could stand some more punch
Overall- 96.75 an instant classic, I only wish I had more at this time. I anxiously await the release.
The cigar presents with the standard EPC Black, Red and Gold band. The wrapper is toothy and very dark with very little veining. The cigar is large with a 50+ ring gauge to be sure, an inspection realizes no issues anywhere and I am thinking this could be something special in spite of the large ring gauge. The pre light aroma smacks of coffee and dark fruit. The pre light draw shows some cocoa and dark fruit as well.
The cigar opens with a profile that is astounding. There are notes of dark fruit, raisin, chocolate and hazelnut present and they blend together in an excellent array of flavor. At the back of the palate there is an earthiness that I have never experience outside of a Padron product and it shocks me because in my mind Padron has always had the corner on this area of flavor. The draw is fluid and easy whilst delivering serious amounts of smoke. The burn is solid and a nice, crisp white ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar continues to be impressive, all though there has been some mellowing in the flavor area. The profile maintains a beautiful array of dark fruit and chocolate and I could swear I am tasting raspberry in the smoke at this point. At the back of the palate satisfying earthy tones continue coat the palate. The draw continues to be nearly perfect and I am becoming more surprised by this as it progresses, I am used to big cigars causing issues in the draw. The burn is still very solid.
The final half of the cigar ramps back up and shows miles and miles of complexity and depth. The profile moves into a more provocative presentation of cocoa, black pepper and coffee. At the back of the palate the earthy tones have been joined by some dark cherry flavors that are phenomenal. The draw and burn stay solid throughout the smoke.
The finish was long and smooth and full of earthy flavors that smack the palate for several minutes.
This was a fantastic cigar, I can only hope that the release will be as spectacular.
Appearance- 91 a very nice looking cigar
Taste- 98 one of the finest profiles I have ever experienced
Construction- 100 not a single issue in the smoke, and I was outside on a hot day
Strength- 93 a wonderful medium/full that I thought could stand some more punch
Overall- 96.75 an instant classic, I only wish I had more at this time. I anxiously await the release.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Rocky Patel Renaissance Sumatra Toro (6X52)
It is no secret that I have a black heart towards Rocky offerings, when they ruined the original Olde World Reserve with some crappy re blend I left the fold and have never been back. Then along comes a friend with a respected palate and some solid reviewing chops and recommends this smoke. To top it all off she gave me one and asked me to smoke it. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I accepted it and sat in my humi for a long time just never getting around to smoking it. Well it is now ash and my thoughts follow.
The cigar presents well with a nice solid wrapper visual that is unmarred by veins or flaws. The band is somewhat bland, but who smokes the band anyway (as a side note I have seen some drunks, they will remain nameless, smoke the band as well, but that is a story for another time)? Construction seems to be ok and I can't detect any areas of immediate concern. The pre light aroma has all the pungent attributes of a hot barnyard. The pre light draw is woody, but shows some hints of pepper and spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is middling to me. There are some nice dark wood flavors and a hint of raisins, but overall there is not real complexity or depth here. The back of the palate is showing some rich tobacco notes, but I find myself wanting more from the get go. The burn is wonky from the start, but I am resisting an immediate touch up. The draw is nice and fluid and delivers plenty of smoke.
The first half of the cigar is a study in duality. There are moments when this cigar wows me, these are when there are deep and rich flavors of wood, earth, raisin and spice. Then there are moments that are flat and lacking, these are when there are papery flavors with some bitter soap like tastes. Thankfully the wow moments are more numerous, but I am sad when pondering what this cigar could be with wow factor type consistency. The burn levels out some, but is still lopsided. The draw continues to be excellent.
The final half of the cigar settles down nicely. The profile morphs into a nice presentation of wood, cocoa and spice flavors that are pleasing. My only complaint would be that I would like some more power, but that is me being nit picky I guess. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying earthiness that is melding the whole experience together. There is one touch up required as the burn canoes in the last third so there will be some deductions for that, but the draw stays solid throughout.
The finish was long and earthy. All in all this was a nice smoke. Would it make me reconsider my Rocky position? Probably not, but I might smoke one of these on rare occasion.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke, but nothing over the top
Taste- 88 a nice experience toward the end, some deductions for issues in the first half\
Construction- 86 all burn related
Strength- 87 I would have liked more than the medium presented here
Overall- 87 a solid smoke that could have rated much higher with some consistency
The cigar presents well with a nice solid wrapper visual that is unmarred by veins or flaws. The band is somewhat bland, but who smokes the band anyway (as a side note I have seen some drunks, they will remain nameless, smoke the band as well, but that is a story for another time)? Construction seems to be ok and I can't detect any areas of immediate concern. The pre light aroma has all the pungent attributes of a hot barnyard. The pre light draw is woody, but shows some hints of pepper and spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is middling to me. There are some nice dark wood flavors and a hint of raisins, but overall there is not real complexity or depth here. The back of the palate is showing some rich tobacco notes, but I find myself wanting more from the get go. The burn is wonky from the start, but I am resisting an immediate touch up. The draw is nice and fluid and delivers plenty of smoke.
The first half of the cigar is a study in duality. There are moments when this cigar wows me, these are when there are deep and rich flavors of wood, earth, raisin and spice. Then there are moments that are flat and lacking, these are when there are papery flavors with some bitter soap like tastes. Thankfully the wow moments are more numerous, but I am sad when pondering what this cigar could be with wow factor type consistency. The burn levels out some, but is still lopsided. The draw continues to be excellent.
The final half of the cigar settles down nicely. The profile morphs into a nice presentation of wood, cocoa and spice flavors that are pleasing. My only complaint would be that I would like some more power, but that is me being nit picky I guess. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying earthiness that is melding the whole experience together. There is one touch up required as the burn canoes in the last third so there will be some deductions for that, but the draw stays solid throughout.
The finish was long and earthy. All in all this was a nice smoke. Would it make me reconsider my Rocky position? Probably not, but I might smoke one of these on rare occasion.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke, but nothing over the top
Taste- 88 a nice experience toward the end, some deductions for issues in the first half\
Construction- 86 all burn related
Strength- 87 I would have liked more than the medium presented here
Overall- 87 a solid smoke that could have rated much higher with some consistency
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