J Fuego Delirium Corona (5.5x46)

This is an interesting cigar from J Fuego that I have smoked before, but never subjected to the hairy eyeball of the blog. I love the size of this offering and I have long been partial to the corona as one of the finest vitolas on the market. This particular cigar is a bit long and a bit fat for corona, but it is still of acceptable size. The cigar presents with a very toothy wrapper that has some dryness to it, but no flaws and few veins. There are no indications that there are any construction issues, and I proceed to the good parts. The pre light aroma is enticing while showing notes of chocolate and light spice. The pre light draw shows some solid tones of nice tobacco and some sweet earthy flavors.

The cigar opens with some nice tones of chocolate and light spice, but there is a flat nearly metallic flavor that is coming through as well and it threatens to derail the smoke from the start. At the back of the palate there are some interesting notes of tobacco and earth, but they are too thin to provide a complete impression at this point in the smoke. The draw is smooth and imparts plenty of smoke with each puff. The burn is a bit off, but it is not indicative of anything going poorly at this point.

The first half of the cigar is somewhat pedestrian. The core profile is showing some nice points of flavor with chocolate and spice impressions, but they lack complexity and depth. At the back of the palate there are some hints of tobacco and earth, but there is a metallic flatness that has permeated the experience. The draw is continuing to show well, and the burn has evened out nicely.

The final half of the cigar continues to be disappointing. The main body continues to show some thin notes of chocolate and spice, but there was never any development there. At the back of the palate the metallic notes continue to irritate the profile. The construction, draw and burn were first rate throughout, but that will save the smoke.

The finish was short and bitter with metallic undertones.

Appearance- 88 an above average looking smoke
Taste- 79 a sub par experience in the final two thirds
Construction- 90 the only saving grace
Strength- 85 an unremarkable medium/full
Overall- 85.25 slightly above average, saved by construction

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