Brutus2600
09-18-2010, 09:39 AM
A couple months ago I received a couple of pre-release cigars from BW Kent Cigar Company of their new line Los Volcanes. I was in the middle of DBall's blind reviews when I got them and was mostly focusing on reviewing those. So I let these sit in my humi and rest while I finished those up. Now that DBall's reviews are done (unfortunately!), I have the time to review these cigars. The first one I'm going to review is the Robusto.
This cigar has a slightly oily, very beautiful dark wrapper, with only a few slight veins. The construction seems solid, almost borderline too hard. If I didn't know I had kept it in 65% RH for the past two months I would've guessed just by squeezing it that the cigar was severely under humidified, so I hope it doesn't smoke like it's dried out. The pre-draw reveals a perfect draw with hints of spice, a very distinct licorice flavor, and undertones of sweet tobacco.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5001514678_06fe784101_b.jpg
Initial Light and first third 8:50 - My first draws bring billows of white smoke, a distinct spice, and hints of cream and sweet tobacco. There are other flavors I'm having trouble picking out, they're all very subtle, but the result is a smooth, creamy, and flavorful smoke that's very enjoyable. The burn is very nice, not perfect, but even and consistent. The ash is holding nicely at about 1" and is nice white/gray. The firm construction I talked about earlier was indeed not a dried out cigar, just a very solid construction that is proving to be holding the ash even with a light tap.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5001514764_f411e74d1a_b.jpg
Second third 9: 25 - The flavors haven't diminished, but neither have they developed or changed much. The spice has diminished some, but there are milk chocolate hints that are making their way to the forefront. The cigar has been smooth, sweet, not bitter, but there is a developing strength to the cigar. The burn has become a little squirrelly, but not uneven. I ashed the cigar at the beginning of this third and it's held nicely since then.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/5001514812_ba2dbe5558_b.jpg
Final third 9:50 - While for all intents and purposes, so far this has seemed to be a mild cigar, as in the flavors and strength haven't been "in my face" strong. However, it is proving to be a strong cigar in that I'm starting to feel it's effects 2/3rds of the way into it. Strong enough in fact that I'm not sure I want to nub it, as I thought I would be doing. As the strength is increasing, so the previous sweet chocolaty flavors are decreasing while pepper and spice are becoming a dominant force on my palate.
Final thoughts - I really enjoyed this cigar. I went into it with no previous bias, experience, or knowledge about it having not read any other reviews, and can honestly say that it's a cigar I would smoke again and even look into buying a box of depending on what price point these are released at.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5000913679_a8136e0f49_b.jpg
Appearance and construction: 1.3 out of 1.5
Smoke and ash: 1.5 out of 1.5
Burn: 2.6 out of 3
Overall flavor: 3.5 out of 4
Total: 8.9 out of 10
This cigar has a slightly oily, very beautiful dark wrapper, with only a few slight veins. The construction seems solid, almost borderline too hard. If I didn't know I had kept it in 65% RH for the past two months I would've guessed just by squeezing it that the cigar was severely under humidified, so I hope it doesn't smoke like it's dried out. The pre-draw reveals a perfect draw with hints of spice, a very distinct licorice flavor, and undertones of sweet tobacco.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5001514678_06fe784101_b.jpg
Initial Light and first third 8:50 - My first draws bring billows of white smoke, a distinct spice, and hints of cream and sweet tobacco. There are other flavors I'm having trouble picking out, they're all very subtle, but the result is a smooth, creamy, and flavorful smoke that's very enjoyable. The burn is very nice, not perfect, but even and consistent. The ash is holding nicely at about 1" and is nice white/gray. The firm construction I talked about earlier was indeed not a dried out cigar, just a very solid construction that is proving to be holding the ash even with a light tap.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5001514764_f411e74d1a_b.jpg
Second third 9: 25 - The flavors haven't diminished, but neither have they developed or changed much. The spice has diminished some, but there are milk chocolate hints that are making their way to the forefront. The cigar has been smooth, sweet, not bitter, but there is a developing strength to the cigar. The burn has become a little squirrelly, but not uneven. I ashed the cigar at the beginning of this third and it's held nicely since then.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/5001514812_ba2dbe5558_b.jpg
Final third 9:50 - While for all intents and purposes, so far this has seemed to be a mild cigar, as in the flavors and strength haven't been "in my face" strong. However, it is proving to be a strong cigar in that I'm starting to feel it's effects 2/3rds of the way into it. Strong enough in fact that I'm not sure I want to nub it, as I thought I would be doing. As the strength is increasing, so the previous sweet chocolaty flavors are decreasing while pepper and spice are becoming a dominant force on my palate.
Final thoughts - I really enjoyed this cigar. I went into it with no previous bias, experience, or knowledge about it having not read any other reviews, and can honestly say that it's a cigar I would smoke again and even look into buying a box of depending on what price point these are released at.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5000913679_a8136e0f49_b.jpg
Appearance and construction: 1.3 out of 1.5
Smoke and ash: 1.5 out of 1.5
Burn: 2.6 out of 3
Overall flavor: 3.5 out of 4
Total: 8.9 out of 10