[Sauer Grapes]

I wasn't part of the blind taste test on this one, but I did smoke a corona gorda or similar size yesterday that I got two days ago from the cigar shop.

I should have let it sit longer as it went out several times, although the burn was straight when it was burning. I never put it in my humidor, so it was technically dry boxed for an entire day before smoking, but it was still too wet.

Flavor-wise it was pretty good. Almost like a pepin smoke with less twang and not much spice at all. There was just the tiniest bit of cuban twang to it, but there is no way I'd mistake this for a cuban as many pepin cigars are. I only compare it to a pepin because of the amount of flavor in the cigar. It's was almost like a pepin mixed with a padron or something like that.

I can see why it was rated highly, and why when they considered the cost it was rated very highly, but there is no way I can agree with it being a top 5, let alone the best of '08 from the one I had, even without the burn problems.

I'd advise everyone to give it a try. It's pretty good.