Blind cigar review - batch D
Cigars smoked for this review -3
1) Aesthics
The cigars has a nice, smooth, oily wrapper with small tin veins. The cap is a nice triple cap which I enjoy as its a sign of a quality hand rolled cigar.
Score for aesthetics: 4.5
2) Pre-light construction
Comments: this cigar is consistently dense on the side of a too tightly rolled. No soft spots detected. The cold dry tastes of sweet grass and leaves a peppery tingle ony lips from the wrapper. The aroma of the foot is reminiscent of a B&M humidor aroma which I enjoy. My wife states it smells strong.
Score for Pre-light construction: 3.0 ( concerned about the density of the cigar )
3) Post-light construction: The draw is a bit tight but work-able. The smoke is cool and the density of the cigar does not cause a wrapper expansion which is a surprise. The ash is solid and will hold on for an inch and a half or better. The color of the ash is a gray color.
Score for post-light construction: 3.5
4a) Flavor and strength - 1st 1/3: full body from the first puff. Flavors detected is predominantly dry leather with sage. The pepper tingle from the Pre-draw remains and mixes nicely with the leather.
4b) Flavor and strength - 2nd 1/3: the cigar continues to be full body but the draw opens up and the flavor remains a core of dry leather with sage but now adds white pepper and wood to the mix. There is a pepper hit at the back of the throat along with a dry mouth feel that begs for this cigar to be enjoyed with a beverage.
4c) Flavor and strength - 3rd 1/3: the cigar:
The last third is the best part of this cigar. The pepper taste in the back of the throat has disappeared while the wood flavor has matured. The cigar is now a dry leather with sage and cedar. The body remains full but not over powering.
Score for flavor and strength: 3.0
5) After taste / Finish: the finish is long and oily. The finish starts with sweet leather but quickly leaves a dry leather taste with a pepper tingle on the lips and at the back of your throat. This is a strong cigar.
Score for after taste: 3.5
6) Aroma: there is a nice aroma typical to sun grown Dominican tobacco which is a distinctive dry sage. It is pleasant and has a slightly sweet hay tinge which adds to the aroma.
Score for aroma: 4.5
7) General Comments: this cigar is consistent in both flavor and construction. This cigar reminds me of a La Gloria Cubana Wavell. For me this is a cigar best enjoyed at the end of a day with a hoppy beer.
Overall score for the cigar: 3.5
8) Recommendation: Recommended
My father would enjoy this cigar as his go-to is a LGC Serie R and I think he would like this cigar as well. Those that enjoy strong Dominican cigars I think would find this cigar pleasing. For myself I would have preferred more sweetness and some rich earthiness to balance out the dry leather.