Cozy and Bobarian's Blind Tasting Pt 2

[bobarian]

Craig and I decided to continue our blind tasting here in the nuthouse.
He sent me five more unbanded smokes.
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8518/blind2qg7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Tonite I smoked number one. I decided not to measure or look too closely at the wrapper or cap this go round and to mainly focus on the cigar and its flavor.

#1 is a nice robusto sized stick. Reddish wrapper with no large veins or imperfections. Clipped nicely with the Palio, nice prelight draw with no outstanding flavors. Toasted the foot and got some nice aromas from the resting smoke. First few puffs had a bit of a twang which went away rather quickly, much to my disappointment. Flavors were earthy and leathery. Lots of smoke production, the pure white ash seemed to say Nic puro. Not the grey/white banding of a CC. Smoke was a bit dry on my tongue and the flavors did not seem to develop or intensify. Not totally unpleasant on the nose exhale, but a bit harsher than I prefer. This cigar did not seem to have the punch of a Pepin. I put it down with about an inch and a half to go as it was just a bit too one dimensional for my mood tonight. I would give it a 7/10. My guess a Padilla Hybrid. :ss

Craig, my smokes are going out tomorrow. DC #9101128882300490491929

[TomHagen]

Great thread!! I love these comparison threads.
Just subscribed...


plug:
check out my ongoing comparison of CG's...

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2792

[BlackIrish]

Love this thread. Thanks for restarting it here.

[SmokinCozy]

The first time I had this cigar, it laid me on my back and sick to my stomach. For that reason I didn't touch another one for a year. I have enjoyed the other sizes more than this robusto from this brand. When I purchased this small stash I was told these were all from 01-04 so I can't get you an exact year on that stick you smoked. Cigar #1 was an Opus X Robusto

[Skywalker]

Glad to see this is back!!!

Keep up the good work!!!:ss

[bobarian]

The first time I had this cigar, it laid me on my back and sick to my stomach. For that reason I didn't touch another one for a year. I have enjoyed the other sizes more than this robusto from this brand. When I purchased this small stash I was told these were all from 01-04 so I can't get you an exact year on that stick you smoked. Cigar #1 was an Opus X Robusto

Very interesting. Much redder wrapper than any Opus I have seen. Almost looked like a RASS at first glance. It did have some underlying strength which fooled me into thinking Nicaragua. Quite different from the year old Opus I smoked a few weeks ago. #2 goes up tonight.

[TomHagen]

Very interesting. Much redder wrapper than any Opus I have seen. Almost looked like a RASS at first glance. It did have some underlying strength which fooled me into thinking Nicaragua. Quite different from the year old Opus I smoked a few weeks ago. #2 goes up tonight.

Whoa... big price differential between an Opus and Hybrid. From the pic it does have the reddish, rosado-type wrapper of some Opus'... most RASS I have had are not really so reddish. I though Bob's guess based on his review of the taste profile was spot on, and the Hybrids do vary in wrapper tones... Maybe the age mellowed it somewhat, cause some Opus robustos put me on my tushy also:)

[Bax]

I love a good blind taste test:ss

[weak_link]

I love these threads, go get 'em guys!

[bobarian]

Tonight I smoked #2. 6-6 1/4 x 44/46 Nice dark sungrown or maduro wrapper, just a bit toothy.
Very nice prelight draw, just a bit of resistance and a slight touch of sweetness. Maduro? Very smooth from the first puff. Nice on the nose exhale, with no harshness. Creamy with the hint of sweetness continuing This was the perfect smoke for tonight. Worked late so only had time for one smoke. Wasnt in the mood for anything overpowering and this fit the bill quite well. This was a good mild smoke that I would try again. I am leaning Dominican due to the mild, smooth nature of this stick. But the wrapper has me a bit confused. Not as sweet as some maduro's. I am going to cover my bases on this one and guess either a AF Sungrown 858 or maybe an Ashton Aged Maduro. Its been a very long time since I have had either of these smokes so its kind of a shot in the dark. :hm

Whatever it was, I would recommend this smoke if you are looking for a nice rich, mild smoke. :ss

[SmokinCozy]

I thought I was crazy for liking this cigar the way I do. I searched for reviews and even asked for some input about this stick. Just about everything I read was negative. After going back and reading my old post about these, I realized that you bought a box ;). Check the link for my opinion of these. Cigar #2 was a Diablo Pimiento.
With almost no good reviews and the give away price on these, I was expecting a real $hit stick.Then when I tried it, I thought my expectations were too low and it was an ok stick. Which is why I enjoyed it so much? So I went to it a few more times and everytime this stick just works for me. I would gladly pick this up before plenty of the premiums that I have.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1603

[bobarian]

Havent smoked any out of my box yet, but it is good to know the profile. When you are not looking to get kicked in the ass, these are a tasty smooth smoke. :ss

[hoax]

I was interested that Bobarian mistook an Opus X for a Padilla Hybrid. Never had a Hybrid but I got to thinking and I opened my cooler and sure enough I had a churchill hiding in right in plain site on the top shelf. SCORE!!!

I fired that baby up, and... nothing. It's an ok smoke I guess but it really didn't do much for me. I guess it just goes to show how different tastes can be. I ended up only smoking 2/3's before tossing it.

[bobarian]

I was interested that Bobarian mistook an Opus X for a Padilla Hybrid. Never had a Hybrid but I got to thinking and I opened my cooler and sure enough I had a churchill hiding in right in plain site on the top shelf. SCORE!!!

I fired that baby up, and... nothing. It's an ok smoke I guess but it really didn't do much for me. I guess it just goes to show how different tastes can be. I ended up only smoking 2/3's before tossing it.

Justin, This is the wonder of blind tasting. With the pretty OpusX band I might have thought differently and smoked with the preconception that this "must" be good because it is an Opus. The tasting is more important than the guess, I throw in a guess because I am willing to stick my neck out at the risk of looking foolish. I think that is part of the fun. I find that I am getting better at guessing flavor profiles and country of origin, but I am wrong way more often than I am right. But every time I do this I learn something. :tu

[SmokinCozy]

O.k. so the deal for part 2 was I had to give this a shot. Well the cigars arrived today, and since it was so nice I decided to fire up the grill and a cigar.
This is my first review like this so go easy on me. The cigar was firm and cut easy with my Palio. The prelight draw was tight but what I could taste was very familiar.
The cigar took to flame very well and with the first few draws, I knew I had this stick before. I am not one to really give flavors, but by this being my first review I was trying my best to pay attention. What I had was spice on the tongue which tasted just like black pepper to me. There was a creaminess on the back of the throat that I can't put a flavor to, but was very good.
The ash held on for about 1 1/2" at which time the wrapper cracked about two inches. The flavors where pretty much the same up to this point. Once the wrapper split, the flavors took a dive and I was sure I was going to have to pitch this one. Like a true Jar Head I stuck with it and it opened up with a little less pepper and more cream. This was becoming very enjoyable, but this didn't last long. They would come and go towards the end. I think I wouldn't have a problem smoking this cigar again, but there wasn't a WOW factor for me.
As far as my guess to the cigar. I will guess a Pepin product (black robusto)
I hope I didn't sound too foolish :ss

[bobarian]

Pretty close Craig! That was an original blend Padilla Miami 8 & 11. Blended and made by Pepin in his Miami factory. Your description was pretty much spot on, I dont think these are as peppery as the Blues, but I like them much more.

I smoked #3 tonight. A nice chubby 5 x 50 robusto. Nice reddish brown wrapper that was near perfect. No veins or imperfections really beautiful. Construction was a bit squishy in a couple of spots. Is this a freshie? Clipped with the Palio and prelight draw was a bit tight. Burn was a bit wavy but straightened out after about 3/4". Some nice rustic flavors that were quite pleasant on the nose. I am think this is an island smoke, CC or Dominican. Seemed to pick up some light floral notes, but nothing to sweet. Not super twangy, but I am now leaning CC. The main reason is the pleasantness on the nose and the rustic, grassy flavors. The construction is what is throwing me off on this one. I have not had too many underfilled CC's. This one did have a couple of soft spots. But I am still going to guess a Cuban, maybe a fresh RASS?:lv

[SmokinCozy]

WOW, I have yet to try a Padilla. I have a few in the humi I received in trades from the Pepin days. I don't know the date on them, so I think I will let them sit to make sure those flavors come together.
Your guess on #3 is pretty good.:tu That was a fresh (BLP SEP 07) ERDM Choix Supreme. I can't give much input on this one, as I have only had 1 or 2.

[Scottw]

I love a good blind taste test:ss


Me too, there is what, a $10 difference between the padilla hybrid robusto and the Opus Robusto

[Darrell]

Bob, you love Choix Supreme and you did not even know that's what it was? NOOB! :r :r :r :r :r

[bobarian]

Bob, you love Choix Supreme and you did not even know that's what it was? NOOB! :r :r :r :r :r

I do like the Choix's, but since I havent smoked one from your fresh box:c, I didnt have a fresh one to baseline. And yes, I am still a noob!:r

[Darrell]

I do like the Choix's, but since I havent smoked one from your fresh box:c, I didnt have a fresh one to baseline. And yes, I am still a noob!:r

:r

My box has almost 2 yrs on it. :tg

[mrreindeer]

Great thread fellas; keep 'em comin'. :tu

[SmokinCozy]

I just smoked #2 while watching The Jets give The Titans a whoopin' :D
This was a large robusto 5x 54/56? The flavor and strength was good for this early part of the day. There was nothing that really stood out with this one, except there was this flavor in the back ground that I related to too much Honduran. As I am new I come to that conclusion from the couple of Punches that I had :pu That being said, this flavor was in the background and not over powering. I would smoke this cigar while working in the garage or in the yard as to have something else to distract me from that background flavor. Not that bad of a cigar, but with all the other stuff in the humi, I don't see myself ever going to this again.
Now off to my favorite robusto(Boli RC) to watch my Giants teach the Cards a lesson :ss

[bobarian]

I just smoked #2 while watching The Jets give The Titans a whoopin' :D
This was a large robusto 5x 54/56? The flavor and strength was good for this early part of the day. There was nothing that really stood out with this one, except there was this flavor in the back ground that I related to too much Honduran. As I am new I come to that conclusion from the couple of Punches that I had :pu That being said, this flavor was in the background and not over powering. I would smoke this cigar while working in the garage or in the yard as to have something else to distract me from that background flavor. Not that bad of a cigar, but with all the other stuff in the humi, I don't see myself ever going to this again.
Now off to my favorite robusto(Boli RC) to watch my Giants teach the Cards a lesson :ss

That one was a Padilla Achilles. A pretty decent inexpensive smoke, from the current batch not the original release. I like these as a mild/medium everyday smoke, nothing too complex or challenging. You can find these for anywhere from $25-40 a bundle on cbid. :ss

[bobarian]

Smoked #4 tonight. A really ugly 5 1/4 x 42approx. Corona. Super toothy wrapper, actually had a little taper towards the head. It looked like a stubby fingered roller with palsy applied the cap. This was one rough looking smoke.
Prelight draw wasnt too bad but gave away that it had come in a cardboard box. First third was pretty good, some nice toasty flavors came through, not at all as rough as the construction would lead you to believe. Certainly had the rustic flavor of that island that is not the Dominican Republic. Second third remained quite pleasant, good burn. Rustic, toasty flavor profile maintained. Final third got a bit hot so I put it down until it was almost out and puffed again. after a purge the toasty flavor returned. My guess is that this was a Los Statos Dlx Brevas. Might have been a Quintero, but most of the Quint's I have smoked I did not enjoy. I like the LSD's for a good inexpensive smoke. Have a few of the Delirios in my Vino. They are a nice late nite last smoke. :ss

[SmokinCozy]

Cigar #4 is new to me and I really enjoy these for the price. You got it right, this was a inexpensive island smoke. This was a Fonseca Cosacos (NISU TTH-02). I have to be in the mood for it, but good flavor. What do you do with the tissue? :D

[bobarian]

I really like the KDT's and I have had a few Cosacos, this one was the fugliest Fonseca I have ever seen. :r

[SmokinCozy]

this one was the fugliest Fonseca I have ever seen. :r

This must be the reason for the tissue :hm

[SmokinCozy]

I just smoked #3. When I first picked this one up, I didn't have much hope for it. The cigar wasn't uniform with hard and soft spots. It cut and took to flame very well. When I first started smoking all I could say was WOW I hope this continues. This tasted like a sungrown with just a tad of spice on the tongue. These great flavors continued all the way through and about half way picked up another good flavor. I really don't know how to describe it but I know the flavor....maybe cinnamon and citrus :hm I smoked this delicious cigar down to the nub and would without a doubt smoke this again. Ok what was this so I can go get some of these babies

[bobarian]

That was a DPG Cuban Classic(black label). Other than the Hirsch and Garcia from CigarKing, probably my favorite Pepin. A milder blend than most Pepin's, it allows some of the more subtle flavors to come forward, rather than being a big pepper bomb. :ss

[SmokinCozy]

I just had the chance to smoke #4. The wrapper on this cigar was lighter than anything I would normally smoke. I thought this cigar would be mild with not too much behind it. Well I was wrong. This cigar was a real flavor bomb right from the start. Reminded me of a Ashton but with a little kick to it. This was a nice smoke til the last third, then the flavors got real harsh and bitter, so it got pitched. I could imagine smoking this in the morning with some joe, but would have to be in the mood for the extra kick this stick had. I can't even start to guess of what this one might be.

[bobarian]

I think these can benefit from some rest. It was an EO 21, a bundle smoke from the makers of 601 and Cubao. Described as a mild, I find them closer to a medium. Some nice spicyness, but still a little rough around the edges. I would like to try one of these with 6 months to a year of rest to see if the blend mellowed a bit. Your review was pretty much spot on.

I smoked #5 tonight, another robusto sized stick. Natural Colorado or maybe Havana seed wrapper. Seemed too golden to be a Connie. Some toothiness, but no veins or imperfections.

Started off very nice, hint of pepper with some nice earthy background. But the nose exhale seemed to say Nic and not Cuba. Pepper and spice picked up about 1/3rd in, burn was a bit wavy but did not require any touchups. I didnt pay attention to the ash as I was trying to figure out the flavors. Seemed to be wanting to have a twang but the pepper kept coming through. This could be a young Boli or Partagas, but I am thinking more likely Pepin. Which Pepin? Seemed stronger than the Cabiguan I had last night, I havent had a JJ in a long time so I will guess a Pepin JJ. Another cigar that I think would benefit from 6 months rest.

Thanks Craig for another great round of tastings!:salute:

[SmokinCozy]

I am making my way through my 2nd box this year of #5. I have a new box trying to see if I can keep my hands off of them. I think these would be outstanding with a bit more rest. Your first guess was spot on. This was a pretty fresh Boli RC (URO DIC 07). Yes this was a learning experience for me and I should have #5 done by tomorrow. :tu

[SmokinCozy]

I have smoked #5, the final in my blind sampler. This was a good looking slightly box pressed maduro. This took to fire well and the draw was perfect. That's about all I could say for this one. I stuck with it up to 2 inches but couldn't take it any further. :pu I have been a lil under the weather and would like to blame that for the way this tasted as I haven't had a stick this bad in a while.
Thanks for this learning experience, and bringing me out of my shell :ss

[bobarian]

Sounds like you got a bad one. This was a Camacho Negro, havent smoked one in a month or so, but I really like these. Too bad they are not available. Thanks for doing this again Craig, I hope you found a new stick to try again. tedrodgerspa runs a great Blind Tasting PIF. Its a fun way to test your palette and try some more blind smokes. :ss