Paul 88 – Green wrapper with medium veins, bumpy cap, several soft spots, light tobacco and vegetal aroma on the wrapper, loose draw. First 1/3: Light pepper, grass, some dryness, draw tightens, burn scallops, medium amount of smoke, dark gray ash, mild plus strength, light body, and a long finish. Second 1/3: Some vegetal notes, leather, good draw, pepper fades, some pepper on the retrohale, ash flowers slightly. Last 1/3: Mild plus, medium body and finish, leather, some acid tang. Smoked it to the nub. It definitely picked up after a slow start.
Rob 92 – Green wrapper with medium veins, bumpy cap, several soft spots, light tobacco and vegetal aroma on the wrapper, loose draw. First 1/3: Light pepper, grass, some dryness, draw tightens, burn scallops, medium amount of smoke, dark gray ash, mild plus strength, light body, and a long finish. Second 1/3: Some vegetal notes, leather, good draw, pepper fades, some pepper on the retrohale, ash flowers slightly. Last 1/3: Mild plus, medium body and finish, leather, some acid tang. Smoked it to the nub. It definitely picked up after a slow start.
Jim 87 – Appears to be a well made triple capped candela robusto. Predominate veins appear on the wrapper and this cigar also appears to be meticulously rolled. I am definitely getting some strong barnyard smell from the foot of the unlit cigar. You can also clearly smell the green-ness in the candela wrapper. It is starting off with a very easy draw. I am initially getting some nuttiness, sandalwood and a bit of a salty aftertaste. Burn is a little uneven, ash is firm. It is a milder smoke as most candelas seem to be yet it still has some nice body. As I approach the midpoint , I am definitely getting that grassy/hay flavors from the wrapper. The other flavors are diminishing at this point and it’s losing the body. As I approach the midway point, there is a new creaminess that is growing combined and now the sandalwood flavor is on the finish. As I smoke into the last third, I am getting some bitterness combined with now a much stronger grassy flavor which probably would go away with some age. I feel that the first half of the cigar was better as there were more flavors and complexity than in the second half. Overall I think it’s a good cigar for those who enjoy a more mellow experience.
Artie 89 – This candela, or double claro, looks gorgeous. The wrapper is bright green, blemish free, and as smooth as a baby’s ass. The triple seam cap is tight and the stick appears to be rolled perfectly. The foot shows chocolate brown filler with good random bunching. Although the wrapper has very little smell, the foot has a wonderful aroma of richly fermented tobaccos. With a perfect draw, this candela lights easily and puts out abundant smoke. The initial flavors are quite sweet with caramel notes. As the cigar progresses, there is a graham cracker quality to the smoke that leaves a tasty finish in the mouth. At the halfway mark, a slight pepper spice kicks in. The burn on this cigar is a bit wavy, and corrections need to be made along the way. Here, one must be careful because the wrapper chars easily. Plus, the ash is quite flakey which could be the affect of that thin double claro wrapper. At the nub the burn has gone seriously wonky, with ash flying all over the place. But the cigar ends up being very satisfying and fun to smoke. I love that bright green wrapper.
Will 84 – 5 x 52 robusto in a beautiful Iguana green candela wrapper, nice construction, tight seems and well packed. The cold nose is fresh cut grass and hay. The cold draw is green tea. This cigar lights easily and produces a pleasant aroma but the initial flavor is harsh and grassy. I really wanted to like this stick but I am just not a candella guy, the flavor is one dimensional and not enjoyable for me. it smoked well and I kept it going for 45 minutes. I would never choose a candella but in a blind taste test I took one for the team.
