D'Crossier Golden Blend Double Corona (7.5x49)

Every once in awhile I put myself in the capable hands of a brick and mortar owner and allow them to select a cigar for me.  I have a couple of haunts where they just don't steer me wrong and always have a recommendation that I end up enjoying.  This cigar was part of one of those scenarios.  I was pawing around a Tampa B&M and found myself a couple of smokes short of the special discount amount.  It was no time for panic so I calmed my heart rate and breathing and sought out my friend.  He, of course, had several selections in mind and I quickly and graciously accepted his offers and bought everything he directed me to.  He had never given me bum advice before so I, of course, believed that this time would be no different.

The cigar is beautiful to look at, it has a wonderfully golden brown wrapper that has very few veins and is draped seductively over the bunch.  The band work is elegant, but it is simple without complex artwork or other adornments.  An inspection shows a well made cigar and I can't find a single issue with the smoke as I give it the eyeball.  The pre light aroma is of wood and spice.  The pre light draw is slightly bitter, but has some cedar notes.

The cigar opens with a profile that is straight forward, but not complex or deep.  The core flavors show some light cedar, light cinnamon and some wispy impressions of bitter grass.  My over arching thought in the opening moments is that this will be a mild cigar without much flavor, a Montecristo or RYJ if you will.  The nose and back of the palate don't do anything to change my ideas as there are muted notes of light wood, dry paper and some floral strangeness.  The draw is very nice, not too tight or loose and it delivers nice amounts of smoke with very little effort.  The burn is a touch slow, but it is developing and showing a nice ash.

The first half of the cigar really is not very good.  The core profile takes on a bitter tone here which over takes some cedar and cinnamon flavors that might have been acceptable.  The back of the palate takes on a dry and dusty tone with some odd floral notes lingering in the background.  Overall the profile is just not very good to this point.  The draw continues to perform very well.  The burn is still moving along nicely.

The final half of the cigar transforms into a nice surprise.  The core profile shows some very nice cinnamon and coffee notes with some creamy notes as well.  The back of the palate shows a nice sweetness, something akin to rock candy, but also has a nice note of cedar.  It is all a little bit too late to save the smoke, but it makes for a nice ending impression.  The burn and draw are solid to the end.

The finish was smooth and lingered with some nice sweet candy notes.

Appearance- 88 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 85 nice late, but poor in the first half
Construction- 92 performed very nicely, burn was touch slow
Strength- 87 a nice mild, nothing more
Overall- 88.25 a solid smoke with a poor first half profile

Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Double Corona

This cigar presents with a nice brown wrapper that has an oily sheen, there are no detectable flaws and the overall construction seems solid. The pre light aroma is a bit sour, but has a note of pleasant spice and ginger. The pre light draw has tones of leather and spice.

The cigar begins with a medium profile of tobacco, nuts and spice. The depth of the flavors is surprising and the character is complex. The draw is excellent and the burn is even. The first third of the cigar progresses in this fashion.

At just past one third of the way through the profile shows notes of leather and light spice, there is a floral essence at the back of the palate. The draw has stayed excellent and the burn is razor sharp. The ash has held for the first half of the cigar.

The final half of the cigar contains a complex arrangement of nuts, leather and light earth. There is a sour note that has crept into the mix. The draw and the burn are still well above average.

The finish is long and smooth. There are notes of light pepper, leather and earth.

Appearance- 93 an attractive cigar
Taste- 88 the sour notes at the end hurt this score
Construction- 94 this is a superior example
Strength- 89 this was a nice medium/full offering, but more strength would have helped the profile
Overall- 91 an above average smoke

Frank Llaneza 1961 Double Corona

Another new cigar in a line of many that I have smoked recently. This cigar presents in a size that has become uncommon in the domestic marketplace, it is refreshing to these sizes every now and again. The cigar has a milk chocolate brown wrapper, there is some prominent veining and some fraying at the foot. The wrapper lacks oils and feels a little bit on the toothy side. The pre light aroma is floral and light. The pre light draw is of light tobacco and earth.

The cigar begins with notes of leather and light earth. The burn is nice and produces a solid white ash. The draw is a bit tight, but it produces ample smoke. There is a light floral sweetness at the back of the palate. The first half of the cigar maintains the mentioned profile.

At just past the halfway point I begin to detect some light tones of cocoa and tobacco, but a bitterness has surfaced at the back of the palate. The burn has stayed straight and the draw is acceptable.

In the last three eigths of the cigar a leathery note becomes prominent in the core of the profile, but vegetal notes are evident as well. These vegetal notes hurt the leathery core of the smoke. The construction has stayed acceptable and the draw is fine.

The finish is short and acrid, there are still some leathery notes, but this cigar was seriously hurt in the final third.

Appearance- 88 some veining and flaws at the foot hurt the score
Taste- 86 the cigar lacks depth, but develops some nice flavors
Construction- 89 this cigar is well made
Strength- 83 somewhere in the medium to full range, but not remarkable when compared to other characteristics of the cigar
Overall- 86.5 a slightly above average smoke that was hurt in the final stages