There is something so right about the fact that as I smoke this cigar I am watching a coward hide in a boat in a Boston suburb waiting to hopefully meet his maker. You see when I am not pontificating and waxing rhapsodic about cigars I do have a real job. I work in the security industry and some of what we do is in the field of Counter Terrorism, and nothing gets my time and attention faster than some bastards making a run at our great country. In all my years in this business I can tell you that I have observed that there is nothing more immutable than the American spirit and no matter how many times these yellow liver factions (foreign or domestic) take a crack at what is quintessentially American they should stand by for hell fire and brimstone as the patriotic spirit of this country rises up and crushes evil. So as I watch Boston's finest use their restraint and surround this lesser man I smoke a Super Shot, and hope that at the end of all of this there will be a super shot for the terrorist at some point...
The cigar itself is a little spark plug of a thing. It is short and stout, just like a shotgun shell, and screams power with it's dark and oily wrapper. I can't find any issues with this smoke, and I love that it is unbanded as if to say,"You know what I am!". The pre light aroma is sharp but smacks of earth and anise. The pre light draw has some tobacco essence and shows some earth and coffee notes.
I usually review cigars in sections, but I won't do that here because the cigar is so small, I will just present it as it smoked for me. The cigar opens with a profile that is all earth and coffee, this is not a complex arrangement of flavors, but I find it very pleasurable anyway. Through the nose and at the back of the palate there are some peppery notes, but there is also a heavy note of anise. Anise is a flavor I usually don't care for in a cigar, but in this case it is not causing me a bother.
As the cigar progresses the profile really does not develop much. The core maintains earth and coffee notes all the way through without gaining any complexity or depth. The back of the palate transitions slightly and becomes a more mellowed out mix of dark wood and pepper, I find this change to be very satisfying for me and the cigar starts to gain some momentum.
The draw for this particular cigar was little tight for me, but it did not cause any real issues, it just was not what I prefer. The burn was solid all the way through to the end and performed very well.
All in all this was a fine cigar. More importantly they caught the chicken shit in the boat and I hope they put a car battery to his testes and find out all he knows.
(As a disclaimer I do understand law and order and the value of the Constitution in our country and I know he will have his day in court, I am really ok with that. What I am not ok with is people taking innocent lives for whatever bat shit crazy cause or belief structure they adhere to, it makes me sick)
Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 88 not complex or deep, but the flavors were good
Construction- 89 some draw tightness took away some of the enjoyment for me
Strength- 87 a nice full
Overall- 88.75 I would smoke this again and may make it part of my lineup on a more permanent basis for when I need a short smoke and I am not long on time
Showing posts with label Corojo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corojo. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Perdomo Habano Corojo Toro
This was the morning cigar for me on the second day of the trip and I lit it on the bus on the way to the tour of the box factory. It presented with a thick wrapper that had leathery qualities, but some prominent vein structures. I inspected the cigar carefully, but did not find any issues that would lead me to believe that there would be a problem. The pre light aroma was of spice, leather and earth. The pre light draw showed some signs of pepper and earth, with some tobacco and spice tones that were muted.
The cigar opened with profile of strong pepper and earth, the pepper notes nearly overwhelm the other aspects of the cigar very early on and I find that disturbing. At the back of the palate there is a slightly sour notes that is threatening to derail the experience early on. The draw is good, but not particularly remarkable and the burn is fine.
The first third of the cigar does not progress well. The profile is sour and the pepper notes are too strong at the front of the profile. Ordinarily I would not complain about strength of flavor, but this was not pleasing and too in my face. The complexity and depth just was not there. At the back of the palate the sour notes have given way to vegetal mushroom notes, that are verging on being grassy. The draw and burn are still acceptable to this point.
The middle third of the cigar has some redeeming qualities. The profile has calmed down. While still showing notes of pepper, there are some nice undertones of dark wood, earth and spice that are showing through. At the back of the palate there are still some vegetal notes, but hints of dark wood are promising. The draw and burn are still above average, yet unremarkable.
The final third of the cigar passes without much of note taking place. The profile maintains some nice notes of pepper and earth, but there is not enough depth or complexity to make it worthwhile. At the back of the palate some grassy notes are threatening to show through again and I start counting the minutes until this one is over. The burn and draw remain consistent, but underwhelming.
The finish is not terrible, but nothing to write mom about either. There were some hints of pepper, spice and dark wood but they were mere suggestions.
Appearance- 86 a slightly above average look
Taste- 78 really not a good showing, the profile was sour early and lacking in depth and complexity late
Construction- 87 not terrible, but not great either
Strength- 82 an overwhelming full early, and sputtering to medium late
Overall- 83 a below average smoke
The cigar opened with profile of strong pepper and earth, the pepper notes nearly overwhelm the other aspects of the cigar very early on and I find that disturbing. At the back of the palate there is a slightly sour notes that is threatening to derail the experience early on. The draw is good, but not particularly remarkable and the burn is fine.
The first third of the cigar does not progress well. The profile is sour and the pepper notes are too strong at the front of the profile. Ordinarily I would not complain about strength of flavor, but this was not pleasing and too in my face. The complexity and depth just was not there. At the back of the palate the sour notes have given way to vegetal mushroom notes, that are verging on being grassy. The draw and burn are still acceptable to this point.
The middle third of the cigar has some redeeming qualities. The profile has calmed down. While still showing notes of pepper, there are some nice undertones of dark wood, earth and spice that are showing through. At the back of the palate there are still some vegetal notes, but hints of dark wood are promising. The draw and burn are still above average, yet unremarkable.
The final third of the cigar passes without much of note taking place. The profile maintains some nice notes of pepper and earth, but there is not enough depth or complexity to make it worthwhile. At the back of the palate some grassy notes are threatening to show through again and I start counting the minutes until this one is over. The burn and draw remain consistent, but underwhelming.
The finish is not terrible, but nothing to write mom about either. There were some hints of pepper, spice and dark wood but they were mere suggestions.
Appearance- 86 a slightly above average look
Taste- 78 really not a good showing, the profile was sour early and lacking in depth and complexity late
Construction- 87 not terrible, but not great either
Strength- 82 an overwhelming full early, and sputtering to medium late
Overall- 83 a below average smoke
Friday, February 26, 2010
Camacho Corojo Maduro Figurado
This is an offering from Camacho that comes in a large figurado shape that is visually intimidating for someone who prefers robustos or coronas. The wrapper is toothy and has deep brown color that is uniform. An inspection reveals some soft areas that give me some pause about the possible burn problems that could result. The pre light aroma has a funky earth tone. The pre light draw shows notes of pepper and sharp tobacco.
The cigar opens with a profile of pepper and loamy earth notes that are bordering on sour. At the back of the palate there are some hints of wood and light tobacco flavors, but the flavors are thready and hindered by the sour notes from the front of the profile. The draw is acceptable and the burn is ok, but shows the signs of a canoe very early in the smoke.
The first third of the cigar continues to have some pepper and earth notes, but the sourness has begun to come through more clearly at this point. At the back of the palate the woody notes have given away to thin grassy characteristics that are not pleasing. The draw stays solid to this point, but the burn is continuing to deteriorate into a solid canoe that any banana boat devotee would be proud of.
The middle third of the smoke is flat, showing notes of tobacco and earth, but not much in the way of depth or complexity. At the back of the palate grassy notes mingle with sour overtones to create a bile inducing mixture of putrescence. The draw is still good, but I wish it weren't so I would have an excuse to dispose of this rocket. The burn continues to canoe and I would be frustrated, but the cigar is not worth the time to worry.
The final third continues to churn my lunch from earlier. There are notes of tobacco and earth, but the vile sour notes continue to show through. The back of the palate is not worth mentioning, except to say that unless you enjoy vomit inducing arrays of flavor, this is not the cigar for you. The draw is the only highlight of the cigar, but the burn is one of the worst I have encountered.
The finish is blessed because the cigar is done. My palate tainted I happily dispose of this experience without any regret.
Appearance- 88 aside from the draw this is the only redeeming quality of the smoke
Taste- 70 one of the worst I have ever had
Construction- 75 saved only because the draw was above average
Strength- 80 a below average medium/full
Overall- 76.25 a complete waste of time
The cigar opens with a profile of pepper and loamy earth notes that are bordering on sour. At the back of the palate there are some hints of wood and light tobacco flavors, but the flavors are thready and hindered by the sour notes from the front of the profile. The draw is acceptable and the burn is ok, but shows the signs of a canoe very early in the smoke.
The first third of the cigar continues to have some pepper and earth notes, but the sourness has begun to come through more clearly at this point. At the back of the palate the woody notes have given away to thin grassy characteristics that are not pleasing. The draw stays solid to this point, but the burn is continuing to deteriorate into a solid canoe that any banana boat devotee would be proud of.
The middle third of the smoke is flat, showing notes of tobacco and earth, but not much in the way of depth or complexity. At the back of the palate grassy notes mingle with sour overtones to create a bile inducing mixture of putrescence. The draw is still good, but I wish it weren't so I would have an excuse to dispose of this rocket. The burn continues to canoe and I would be frustrated, but the cigar is not worth the time to worry.
The final third continues to churn my lunch from earlier. There are notes of tobacco and earth, but the vile sour notes continue to show through. The back of the palate is not worth mentioning, except to say that unless you enjoy vomit inducing arrays of flavor, this is not the cigar for you. The draw is the only highlight of the cigar, but the burn is one of the worst I have encountered.
The finish is blessed because the cigar is done. My palate tainted I happily dispose of this experience without any regret.
Appearance- 88 aside from the draw this is the only redeeming quality of the smoke
Taste- 70 one of the worst I have ever had
Construction- 75 saved only because the draw was above average
Strength- 80 a below average medium/full
Overall- 76.25 a complete waste of time
Friday, September 25, 2009
Kristoff Corojo Matador
This is a gigantic cigar with an unappealing mottled wrapper that contains prominent veins. It is finished with a coiled, large pigtail cap. The foot is left shaggy which typically inhibits the draw. The pre light aroma is of earth, but there is a tinge of ammonia. The pre light draw is tight, but has hints of light spice.
The cigar opens with a very difficult draw, the profile is of light tobacco, but there is a vegetal note at the back of the palate. The ash is developing well and the burn is even. The wrapper has split and cracked just above the burn line.
At just before the halfway point a slight profile shift occurs. There are some floral notes with a light dusting of roasted nuts. There is a significant burn issue at this point in the cigar, a runner has developed. I smoke through it, but the draw remains stiff severely detracting from the experience.
The final half shows no further development. The draw opens a bit, but the profile stays the same. There were no further construction problems.
The finish is fair, with notes of earth and a floral essence.
Appearance- 77 unattractive
Taste- 80 just average, no complexity or depth
Construction- 77 inferior draw and one big burn issue
Strength- 80 medium
Overall- 78.5
The cigar opens with a very difficult draw, the profile is of light tobacco, but there is a vegetal note at the back of the palate. The ash is developing well and the burn is even. The wrapper has split and cracked just above the burn line.
At just before the halfway point a slight profile shift occurs. There are some floral notes with a light dusting of roasted nuts. There is a significant burn issue at this point in the cigar, a runner has developed. I smoke through it, but the draw remains stiff severely detracting from the experience.
The final half shows no further development. The draw opens a bit, but the profile stays the same. There were no further construction problems.
The finish is fair, with notes of earth and a floral essence.
Appearance- 77 unattractive
Taste- 80 just average, no complexity or depth
Construction- 77 inferior draw and one big burn issue
Strength- 80 medium
Overall- 78.5
Saturday, August 8, 2009
J. Fuego Gran Reserva Corojo No.1
This is the first cigar of the day for me. I have smoked this vitola and blend before and I remember being unimpressed. The appearance of the cigar is acceptable, but not pleasing in any notable way. The mottling of the wrapper gives it a somewhat leperous appearance and it has a toothy feel. A quick roll through the fingers reveals a well packed and supple cigar. Pre light aroma is earthy with hints of cedar and other wood. The pre light draw is firm but not tight and gives further notes of earth.
The first couple of inches burn well and reveal a smoke that is stronger and more full than I remember from prior experience. There are notes of earth and wood accompanied by some hints of dark coffee.
About half way through this churchill sized vitola a profile change surprises me with some complexity that I was not expecting. The smoke takes on a sweet character, more like coffee with light cream. There is also a cedary undertone that is pleasant and takes some of the edge off of some acrid notes that had developed just before the midway point.
With about a third of the cigar remaining the sweet and cedary notes fade away to a more flat profile of tobacco with acrid undertones. The burn has stayed consistent and the construction has held up well, no runs, no splits and no issues.
The finish detracts from the overall experience of this cigar and the acrid undertones became more prominent. There were still some cedary notes to the end, but overall the finish was disappointing.
Appearance Score - 79 mottling hurt the score
Taste- 81 the finish hurt the score
Construction- 91 the construction and burn were impressive
Strength- 85 a nice solid medium to full experience
Overall- 84 a nice cigar that was hurt in the last third
The first couple of inches burn well and reveal a smoke that is stronger and more full than I remember from prior experience. There are notes of earth and wood accompanied by some hints of dark coffee.
About half way through this churchill sized vitola a profile change surprises me with some complexity that I was not expecting. The smoke takes on a sweet character, more like coffee with light cream. There is also a cedary undertone that is pleasant and takes some of the edge off of some acrid notes that had developed just before the midway point.
With about a third of the cigar remaining the sweet and cedary notes fade away to a more flat profile of tobacco with acrid undertones. The burn has stayed consistent and the construction has held up well, no runs, no splits and no issues.
The finish detracts from the overall experience of this cigar and the acrid undertones became more prominent. There were still some cedary notes to the end, but overall the finish was disappointing.
Appearance Score - 79 mottling hurt the score
Taste- 81 the finish hurt the score
Construction- 91 the construction and burn were impressive
Strength- 85 a nice solid medium to full experience
Overall- 84 a nice cigar that was hurt in the last third
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