Berger & Argenti Clasico Rothchild (5x50)

While digging through the singles drawers I came upon this little number, I have no idea where or when I picked it up, but it seemed interesting to me so I decided to continue my tour de singles.  I know that many of my fellow BOTL's have talked about this cigar, but I had never really tuned in to hear what they were really saying, I just assumed it was another new entry into the so-so category.  I could not have been more wrong about that.

The cigar is very plain looking, there is no flair or spectacle.  The wrapper is a light brown, somewhat like a creamed coffee, and it has a nice sheen to it without being visually oily.  The construction seems to be acceptable upon inspection, but the roll seems a bit to tight to me.  The pre light aroma is light, but it smacks of cinnamon and wood.  The pre light draw shows some nice flavors of spice and pumpkin.

This smoke opens with a fairly pedestrian profile offering.  There are some notes of light wood and some fleeting cinnamon, but the lack of depth and complexity in the front of the profile are concerning to me at this point.  At the back of the palate there is a warm wood flavor that seems a touch like pine to me.  The draw is a little tight, but so far it is acceptable.  The burn is sharp and a nice gray ash is forming.

The first half of the cigar really warms up the palate.  The profile morphs into a fantastically deep and satisfying array of flavors showing cinnamon, pumpkin, spice, light wood and a hard candy sweetness.  At the back of the palate there are some excellent notes of pine and some nutmeg essences that are really showing through.  This is a profile unlike any I have every experienced and I am really looking forward to the finish.  The draw has opened slightly, but there is some heat coming into the picture here.  The burn is still solid.

The final half of the cigar loses some of it's lustre, but it continues to perform well, albeit not as impressively as the first half.  The profile still shows some cinnamon flavors, but there are some tart presentations of ginger here as well.  This is still very good, but more mundane than the first half led me to expect.  At the back of the palate there are still some nice wood flavors, but there is some heat causing a charred character here as well.  The draw is still opening, but not to the point where I like and the burn is solid throughout.

The finish was middling, but left me longin for what was displayed in the first half of the cigar.

Appearance- 85 a very average look and feel
Taste- 92 an excellent first half, but the rest could use some attention
Construction- 87 some draw tightness caused hear, but overall good
Strength- 89 a very satisfying medium
Overall- 89 Not bad for a boutique single

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

Joya de Nicaragua Clasico No.1

This is one of my favorite sizes in the cigar world at 7x44. The cigar presents with a toothy reddish criollo wrapper that has some ruddy charm. There are prominent veins and one near the head that causes me some concern. A quick inspection of the construction does not cause me any concern. The pre light aroma has strong notes of cedar and dark fruit. The pre light draw is of sweet earth and cedar.

The cigar opens with a profile of cedar and spice. At the back of the palate there are some notes of earth and pepper with a nice tobacco undertone. The draw is a touch on the tight side, but it is not causing any issues in the early moments of the smoke. The burn is immediately lopsided and a runner threatens to form early.

The first third of the cigar progresses with a profile of cedar, spice and earthy notes. There is still a peppery tingle at the back of the palate that hints of developing the power that Joya's are known for. The draw is still a bit tight, but still not causing any concern. The burn did not develop a runner, but is still lopsided.

The middle third of the cigar begins to ratchet up the strength. There are rich cedar notes in the core of the profile that are accompanied by strong blasts of pepper and earth. The nicotine content causes the mouth to tingle in a unique way, this is a strength indicator that usually comes on much earlier in a cigar. The draw opens up a bit and creates a more enjoyable flavor experience. The burn is still off, but not in need of touch up.

The final third continues to show notes of cedar and earth. At the back of the palate there is plenty of strength from the nicotine and there are some sweet tobacco notes present. The draw is now acceptable and the burn continues to be off a bit.

The finish is sharp and full of pepper and earth notes.

Appearance- 83 the ruddy lopsided nature of the presentation lead to deductions with the prominent veins
Taste- 88 a nice profile that could have used more complexity
Construction- 84 the draw and burn issues lead to weakening of the score
Strength- 86 a very strong, full bodied experience that could have complemented the profile in a more harmonious way
Overall- 85.5 a slightly above average experience