DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

2 of our newer members are going to review these 10 cigars:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...tomyx/BTT2.jpg

If anyone has any ideas of what these might be, please don't share... I want this to be as fun and unbiased as possible.

They will review them at least 1 per week and PM their reviews to me. Once I get em, I'll post them in the thread and post the results.

This is gonna rock!

Cigars are going out tomorrow... :banger

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Good deal Dan.

That's awesome of you to bomb a Newb or two, to broaden their experience.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Looking forward to it!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Cant wait for the reviews!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Wahoo! Back in bidness, baybee! :ss

Can I share my unmitigated glee? :r

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Those are some good looking sticks! I can't wait for this!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Nick - Delivery Confirmation™ Label Number: 9405503699300123039078

Bill - Delivery Confirmation™ Label Number: 9405503699300123039092


:banger

Let the games begin!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

I love these

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

I love these threads, can't wait to see what them sticks are. Especially coming from Dan.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Once again, great thread Dan!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Haha! Doug's sold and it hasn't even started yet!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

YES! Look forward to another round.....

Dan, BIG THANKS for doing this(again).......

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

They are all dog rockets... cremosa's, fighting c0cks, etc. Poor bastards. :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Yes... and I'm gonna share some glee with you if you show up this saturday. You've been warned. :D :D :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

I will just make sure that I drink plenty of single malt everytime I smoke one! It sure as hell couldn't hurt right? :r

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

I really enjoyed reading the first one Dan. Definitely an awesome idea, and kind gesture for a few of the newbs.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Fantastic idea! Looking forward to see the results.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

in the interim, feel free to read the first installment:

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21549

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Don't just feel free; feel compelled! :ss

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

You had better be staying longer than last time for the Albany herf! and you know what I'm talkin bout!

The first installment was great and I'm looking forward to the second season of this must see TV.

Hope to finally meet you on Saturday Dan, we missed you last time! :ss

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Lookin good Dan! I have a good idea as to what at least two of them are... can't wait to read the reviews :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

i have a good idea what all of them are... hrmmmmm lol

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Yes, sir! I'm arriving at noon and you're gonna have to pry me out of there with a garden spade. :ss

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Dan, mine arrived safe and sound and are now resting in my humidor. I would like to give them some time to settle down before we start.

When did you have in mind for the first review?

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Mine arrived today. Resting, and awaiting instructions to begin :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

I loved the first installment and can't wait for this one!! Thanks for doing it again Dan.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Well... you can wait until next week if you feel you need to... let's say the first one is due by next Sunday, maybe?

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Superbowl Sunday ? I better do mine by Friday, because Superbowl weekend starts Friday afternoon ;)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Looks like fun

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Hehe. I know what you mean Nick.

Dan, I will have mine done by Saturday. That way you can post them on Sunday!:)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

These taste tests are fun! Especially for noobs like me that still dont have a pallate yet :)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

I got mine done early. Review submitted :)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Holy Cow! You are making me look bad Nick! I will get mine done today or tomorrow!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Damn... slacker. :p

Hahaha

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Alright! I look forward to seeing how this pans out. WTG Dan.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Dan, I just wanted to convey to you that even with all the good information, fellowship, and brotherhood I've encountered on my short time on this board, your newb tastings have brought me more entertainment than anything else I've encountered here, and that's no mean feat. Thumbs up brother. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Thanks for doing this again Dan. Really enjoyed the first installment.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Thank you guys for all the kind words... I really love doing these things... :)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Review is in!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Montano Cigar #1
**************

This cigar has the feel of a slight box press. Pre-light draw was very tight and did not give any flavor.

http://nickmontano.net/pics/blind1.jpg

The first 3rd did not produce any discernible flavors. I had to stay on top of it to keep it lit. I can only imagine that this is what it would be like to try and suck a golf ball through a garden hose.

http://nickmontano.net/pics/blind2.jpg

Heading into the 2nd third, I knew I would need some help if I was going to finish this smoke. I headed inside to grab a bottle of bourbon and my super secret cigar poker. I stabbed this thing 3 times, but it still had a tight draw.

http://nickmontano.net/pics/blind3.jpg

Continuing on, it was much of the same. No flavor to speak of, and my cheeks were getting a bit sore. A refill on the bourbon seemed to help a little.

http://nickmontano.net/pics/blind4.jpg

Heading down the home stretch, I can honestly say I couldn't wait for this to end. The only thing I can compare it to, would be smoking an old pizza box. It got a bit harsh towards the end, and reminded me of smoking a cigarette, which I haven't done in 20 years.

http://nickmontano.net/pics/blind5.jpg

On a 1 to 10 scale, I would have to give this baby a -1.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Riff Raff Cigar #1
*************

Okay, here we go. First off, I want to apologize for the picture quality! These were taken from my phone while driving home from work. It was an overcast day. On to the good stuff!

On my hour commute home, I had to play catchup to Nick's lead. First cigar is about a 5 X 42 from my calibrated eyeball. Nice wrapper. No visible veins but you can see a few under the wrapper. No biggie so far.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...0023Medium.jpg
I cut the triple cap and tested the draw. Very firm draw. Too firm for my liking. The kind where your cheeks cave in. Pre-light draw gives me notes of hay. Okay, here we go:

The first puff is pepper. Not much smoke due to the firm draw. I am hoping that this will loosen up a bit as I smoke it. There is an underlying hint of cedar as well.

The first third gave me more pepper and cedar with earthy undertones. Not a bad smoke so far except for the draw. Nice even burn.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...0025Medium.jpg

Second third: More cedar and hints of oak. Lots of sweet tobacco. Still too firm on the draw. Still not a lot of smoke. On the retrohale I noticed something odd. Flavors of toasted coconut. I know it sounds weird. But none the less it was there just for a split second.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...0026Medium.jpg

Last Third: The wrapper split right around the band area. The cigar finally loosened up a bit. Which is a good thing because I was getting a little frustrated. Lots of sweet tobacco and cedar with a bit of spice.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...0027Medium.jpg

Here is the split.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...0028Medium.jpg

Over all impression: Not a bad smoke but it had some draw issues and it split pretty significantly. I kept it in my humi for a week at 61 to 62% RH. If the draw were better, I would buy this cigar. I would probably dry box it for a day or two if I had the chance to smoke one again. I give it an 8.0 due to the draw issues and the splits.

So there it is.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

What they smoked:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...yx/BTT2-01.jpg

2008 El Rey Del Mundo Lunch Club

Montano score: -1
Riff Raff score: 8

Damn... what a difference in opinion, eh? -1 to 8... wow... maybe Mr. Riff Raff here is a bit more forgiving!

I like these with age (about 7-10 years or so)... the new ones haven't really impressed me as I thought they would (or as much as other recent productions offerings from this marca... like the GdE, for instance), but enough that I probably wouldn't give it a negative score.

I hope the rest are better for ya... think of it this way, Nick, it can only get better... right? :)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Classic start.... I actually laughed out loud.....

Good stuff.....

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Nice start to the reviews. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

I do tend to be forgiving. But there were some good flavors in mine. Maybe they are just inconsistant? This is gonna be fun! Thanks again Dan for the opportunity!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Very very interesting ;)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Maybe the next cigar will be better for you Nick:tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Great revews so far! :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

#2 is in!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread #2
 

Now I'm lagging :)

I'll do it this afternoon since the sun is shining today ;)