SmokeyNL gave me this cigar, another AJ Fernandez blend, as he liked them a lot. So far most of my experiences with AJ Fernandez are pleasant ones so I was looking forward to this Nica Libre. The reviews I have read mentioned Padron a lot, which only raised my expectations.
This box pressed 6 x 52 torpedo has a nice, silky San Andreas maduro wrapper with some small veins. The Nicaraguan puro has a nice round head and a tasteful band, although I can see why people would call it a Padron Anniversary rip-off band. The construction feels good and the cigar has a pretty full barnyard aroma. The predraw is loose and I taste pepper.
I can taste a full flavored coffee flavor, mild bitter, maybe even harsh and after half an inch I also taste a sour flavor for just a few puffs. The bitterness fades a bit, but there isn't much change in flavors.
After 2/3rd I can taste a bit of chocolate as an aftertaste. The chocolate disappears and I get some wood instead, that tries to break through the coffee.
The draw is way too loose, but I still get a lot of thick white smoke from the cigar. The ash is a bit frayed, pepper & salt colored and quite firm. The burn is good, but a bit fast. This cigar is full bodied and full flavored.
Would I buy this cigar again? No. This is a boring, dull cigar and I didn't like it a lot.
Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 6 / 10
Draw: 6 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Aroma first part: 6 / 10
Aroma second part: 7 / 10
Aroma third part: 6 / 10