Gran Habano Gran Reserva Gran Robusto (6x54)

Another smoke from the oft overlooked singles trays in my humidor. This cigar has been banging around for a month or two and I am pretty sure it was one of the offerings from The Great Smoke in West Palm about six weeks ago. I have not smoked much that was obtained from that event, and I am hoping that they have settled in nicely after much transportation six weeks ago.

The cigar appears to be shorter than six inches and when I measure it I find that it is a least an 1/8th of an inch short, no biggie but I am a stickler. The ring gauge also appears to be larger than 54 and I measure it and find to be between 54 and 56, so I will call it a 55. The wrapper is dry looking but it is leathery and supple when rolled through the fingers. There are some very prominent veins and the band work is very plain and not very interesting. The cigar appears to be loosely constructed and I am concerned about smoking performance. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon and light coffee. The pre light draw is floral and has some loamy, forest floor qualities.

The cigar opens with a profile that is neither complex or deep, but it does show some satisfying flavors around the edges. There are some notes of coffee and light earth, but there are some bitter ideas here as well and they detract from the overall experience early. At the back of the palate there are some wood notes trying to come out, but there are some sour notes in the presentation that hinders their arrival. The draw is loose, but not too loose at this point, and I decided I will monitor this closely. The burn is off slightly, but I don't have any urge to touch up yet.

The first third of the cigar remains fairly pedestrian. The flavors continue to be of coffee and earth, but there are some grassy concepts presenting themselves as well. At the back of the palate the sour notes have given way to some tannins, but there are still some nice presentations of cedar here. The draw conitnues to be too loose for me at this point, but I am pushing onward while pacing myself, so as not to cause heat. The burn has evened somewhat, but is still slightly akimbo.

The middle third of this cigar is where the rubber should meet the road, unfortunately the rubber is burning. The profile is nearly vomitous at this point, showing some very bitter aspirin notes while cranking up the loamy presentations that were picked up early in the smoke. At the back of the palate the pleasing wood qualities have given way to harsh and acrid presentations of char and ash. The draw is booming out huge qualities of putrid smoke at this point and I am worried that I may have to let this go soon.

The final third of the smoke is one of the most surprising thing I have ever experienced as a cigar smoker. The profile blossoms into an array of depth and complexity that one could only dream of. There are notes of vanilla, coffee and light cream over a backdrop of cinnamon that makes for a breathtaking display of flavor and complexity. At the back of the palate there are robust cedar notes taking center stage and serving as an excellent complement for the rest of the smoke. I can only sit and wish the entire cigar was like this. The draw stays loose throughout and the burn never causes any real issues.

The finish was a dream showing cinnamon and vanilla notes for several minutes after completion.

Appearance- 85 a very average looking smoke
Taste- 85 difficult to score so I go with just average. First third 85, Second third 70, Third third, 90
Construction- 87 the draw was very loose, but overall was acceptable
Strength- 86 a very middling medium
Overall- 85.75 slightly above average, but it could have been so much more

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