Length: 6"
Ring Gauge: 50
Shape: Torpedo
Filler: Nicaraguan Cuban-seed
Binder: Cameroon
Wrapper: Connecticut Maduro
Price Paid: $4.66
This fine cigar came in a bundle of 15 purchased on “the devil site”. I liked the reviews I had read so thought I'd give it a try. Nicely presented, with two bands, the first a generic gold-and-white Graycliff band and the second black-and-gold “Edicion Limitada 2010”.
Presentation: 8 of 10
The mild, sweet prelight tobacco aroma also suggested a subtle nuttiness. The stick was box-pressed and therefore square, which I'm finding I like as I try more of that shape. Nicely constructed, with the head tapering down to form the torpedo shape, the chocolate-colored wrapper was blemish-free, with just maybe the hint of a vein. It was firm but not hard, with no soft spots.
Appearance: 9 of 10
Construction: 27 of 30
The cut was made using my Xikar Xi2 cutter. The pre-light draws tasted of sweet tobacco with a very slight spicy aftertaste. I carefully toasted the foot, took a few small puffs, and found that the stick was perfectly and evenly lit. Overall, the burn was fairly even other than a couple of “jaggies” which occurred over the course of the smoke, both of which self-corrected fairly quickly.
Light and Burn: 14 of 15
The first few puffs had a good volume of smoke tasting of leather, and faintly of dark espresso with a hint of chocolate. There was also a very slight spice on the tongue with each puff that complimented the overall flavors; occasionally I'd get a bigger burst of spice. The finish was consistently slightly spicy with a slight hint of nuttiness from time to time.
In the second third, the amount of smoke per puff had remained constant, but it's overall strength had increased. I needed to slow down a bit to savor the great flavors and to preclude my getting too much nicotine too fast. The finish was very consistent as previously described with no bitterness or burned aftertaste at all.
The final third grew into more powerful yet smooth flavors that continued what the beginning two thirds had started. To my uneducated palate, the stick was somewhat complex, always tasty, and satisfying down to the last. I nubbed it down to an inch or so; I hadn't expected it to be so satisfying!
Taste: 32 of 35
I'd personally consider this stick as mid- to mid-full bodied, but I'm still a relative cigar newbe. I'm glad I bought the bundle so I can enjoy this stick many more times.
Final Score: 90 of 100
