Mike 84: This cigar started out harsh and unfortunately didn’t improve throughout the smoke. It burned well and had good construction but there was an ammonia flavor that lingered without any spice. I’m hoping I got a bad stick.
Don 62: Draw on this cigar is also more loose than usual. First puffs are front-loaded with a peppery snap and a huge volume of smoke. Pepper settles down only slightly, to a very earthy, gritty-tasting smoke with a peppery finish. This is the kind of cigar some refer to as a real “spice bomb.” In the early stages, the smoke remained extremely dense and peppery. I would have to take into account the size of this cigar, too. Because of it’s small size, nearly everything is doubled, including the strength, which is balls-to-the-wall full. Following a very peppery first third, the flavors seem to round-out, but only slightly, yet there is now the presence of a very sparse sweet note. Due to the cigar’s loose roll, it burned much hotter and faster than it might normally, so I kept that in mind as I smoked it. The exterior burn appeared normal with no canoeing or touch-ups required. However, the pepper in this cigar was just too overwhelming for my palate. My “Wow Factor?” Wow, was this disappointing!
Paul 81: Light brown wrapper with minimal veins an no oils; deep, rich tobacco aroma at the foot; cold draw has little resistance with some straw and bitterness on the lips. First 1/3: straw with a little bitterness, grassy, leather, and malt; good amount of smoke; even burn; solid ash; draw tightened up and is now good; long finish; medium strength. Second 1/3: flavors drop off; shorter finish; bitterness disappears and then returns; some chalk notes. Last 1/3: same flavors as first third, grass and malt; dry finish; strong grass notes, too young?; turned very grassy and bitter with 2″ left and I tossed it.
Will 87: Dry draw of white pepper and baking spice. Nice looking wrapper and well packed. Good looking little robusto. Upon ignition I got a nice peanut brittle flavor with a leathery finish. Medium bodied with little strength. A pleasant cigar with little complexity. Same flavor throughout, would like to smoke a few more. Gave it a wow factor of 1 because it was so pretty.
Rob 85: Very nice mild pre light aroma. Nicely wrapped, firm box pressed wrapper; however, it appears the wrapper is very thin and has some minor signs of tearing near the cut on the cap. Very easy draw with abundant smoke. Flavor, well how can I say; is tobacco. Some hints of black pepper and baking spice, but otherwise, tobacco. The burn is razor sharp, and the draw is near perfect. The half way point did yield several tears in the wrapper, it did not affect the smoke, but the tears were there.
Jim 83: Boxed pressed with some wrapper cracking at the foot and at the band (could have been caused by delivery). Starting out a little harsh on the back of the throat. Harshness backing off but a very peppery finish now. Definite strong cedar and wood flavor. Burn is a little wavy but relatively straight with a firm crown of ash. Draw is excellent. Its leaving a strong Smokey after taste that might be acceptable with a glass whiskey or bourbon (we can only drink water for this tasting). At the halfway point and the peppery finish has back off considerably but it is still there. A little more balanced. However, just an OK smoke to me.
Artie 95: What a great little cigar. Perfect burn, great natural cigar flavor, enjoyable to the nub. Construction was flawless, draw was easy, and it’s completely satisfying. It starts out mild but builds in strength halfway through. Flavors come across floral, with hints of spearmint, nutmeg, and basil. With a long finish, this is a cigar with as much going for it as anything twice its size.
