Adampc22 gave me this cigar when he came to Amsterdam to herf because he knew that I liked the ManOWar but never had a Ruination. The cigar he brought me came from the original Ruination release with the normal ManOWar band, the newer releases have an slightly different band.
This 6 x 60 monster has a nice dark and oily wrapper with a few big veins that make it look rough and tough. The cigar has a strong barnyard aroma and the construction feels good. I can taste raisin at the predraw.
The first flavor I recognize is coffee with a hint of creamy chocolate, but the chocolate disappears straightaway. I also taste some pepper and a flavor I don't recognize. After an inch the creamy chocolate returns with some pepper while all the other flavors fade away.
After 2 inches the pepper disappears and the chocolate becomes milder. I can also taste an ashy flavor. At the 2/3rd mark I taste some wood with a mild creamy chocolate far on the background.
I get plenty of smoke, but it's quite thin. The burn is great, sharp as a razorblade, no burn issues whatsoever and the cigar doesn't burn to hot or quick. This medium flavored full bodied cigar lasted me 90 minutes. It gave me a bit of a nicotine rush.
Would I buy this cigar again? No. I was unimpressed my it. I do like the normal ManOWar though..
Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Burn: 8 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 6 / 10
Aroma second part: 6 / 10
Aroma third part: 7 / 10