Mike 89: Well constructed smoke that burned well. Draw was a little tough in the first 10 minutes but it improved throughout the smoke. Initial spice on light up. This is a medium to full cigar that put off some great spicy flavors half way through.
Don 87: A really attractive-looking cigar that began with flavors of earth and wood with a modicum of sweetness in the mix. Through the first third the smoke ramped up in body and strength, but little changed in terms of its earthy-woody flavor profile, which showed excellent balance. The burn angled somewhat entering the last third, but after a simple touch-up continued on free of any further hazards. Overall, an enjoyable smoke with a solid foundation of flavor, balance, and aroma.
Paul 83: Rich dark brown wrapper with medium veining. Messy attempt at a triple cap. Light tobacco aroma. Cold draw a little tight; minimal cedar flavor. First 1/3: Hints of cedar and oak; mostly straight forward tobacco flavor; mild strength; medium amount of smoke. Second 1/3: Slightly stronger oak; dryness in mouth; no flavor changes; pretty boring; solid ash holds 1 1/2″ +. Last 1/3: More of the same with a little cedar; strength mild/medium. Little to hold your interest here. I wished that this were a robusto so it would end faster. Disappointing.
Will 85: Nice looking wrapper but sloppy cap. Nice tooth. Dry foot was barnyard and pepper which usually works for me. Upon ignition I got black cherry char and roasted venison. The ash kept flowering but the smoke was pretty consistent throughout, would like to smoke another one.
Rob 98: Pre-light aroma was very nice; what you would expect from an oscuro wrapped cigar. This is a beautiful stick. Construction is perfect, with the exception that the stick was rock hard and did have a tight draw. It did lose some points here. The flavor: lots of umami. I found the stick quite complex, with flavors ranging from chocolate, cinnamon, hay and grain. The aroma matched the flavors throughout the stick. Reasonable amount of smoke output. Gave a wow factor on the overall presentation of the stick. It is a beautiful long toro, with flawless oily oscuro wrapper, that was both a pleasure to hold and smoke.
Jim 89: Very firm construction, nice dark maduro leaves. As I start out I first get some sweetness in the initial puffs. Then a spice of white pepper starts coming in strong but soon mellows out. I’m having some trouble pin pointing the flavors. Medium in strength, earthy, somewhat unsweetened dark chocolate but well balanced with a slight pepper spice on the finish. I am trying to find something wrong with it and can’t. Again, well balanced is the best description. It has similar nuisance to Cigar #2 (in the blind tasting of this round) but stands on it’s own. A wavy burn but still even. Well rolled, ash crown went very long until I tapped it off. Halfway though and most of the spice is totally gone and I’m missing it (that balanced I liked earlier) and disappointed. It is still a very good cigar but could have been excellent.
Artie 95: I literally said “Wow” when I took my first puff of this big, dark chocolate brown cigar. Right off the bat this cigar bathed my palate with flavor. Before I lit there was a tremendously rich aroma coming off the wrapper. I tend to shy away from cigars this dark. I’m always suspicious that betume was applied to the wrapper. But this stick had no ill effects( i.e. discoloring of my fingers and lips) so perhaps this is not a treated cigar. The first inch or so showed mild spice with a sweet nut/fruit vibe that was delicious. I reminded me of pecan pie with a dark chocolate bottom. As I smoked the spice built, as did its earthy quality. But the cigar never got bitter or tar-like. Near the nub the finish got very pronounced, with tones of dark cocoa and espresso. This is a meaty cigar with tons of rich tobacco flavor. A real winner.
