Blind Cigar Review: Epicurean | Carnavale Petite Corona

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
Binder: American Broadleaf and Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Steve Ysidron
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Ron (shuckins) Gregg (McGreggor57) Craig (WyldKnyght) Wes (SosaCub4Life) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $9.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: September 2014
Contributed by: House of Emilio

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“A sleek and stylish looking cigar,wrapped in a dark and oily wrapper,that appears to have some age on it.” -Ron (shuckins)

Aroma: 93

“The aroma was excellent, the wrapper had a nice sweet smell, the foot had a tobacco aroma, and the dry puff had a mild pepper like taste.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Starts off with a light,but dry tasting woodsy tobacco,that is on the mild side. This lasts for a few puffs,then a taste of leather and trace of coffee join the fray,bringing another dimension,as well as a bit of creaminess to the cigar.” -Ron (shuckins)

“A robust char with clove spice on the retrohale. Dark coffee helps temper the clove and balances surprisingly well. The burn line gets off track quickly but hangs on without needing a touch-up.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“In the 2nd third more of the sweetness and creamy mild come through. There is less spice and the cigar has mellowed out some. The spice is still there but the more creamy sweetness has taken over.” -Wes (SosaCub4Life)

“The burn has corrected itself, the leather has backed off, and the pepper has increased a bit. While the pepper increased, it also comes with a creaminess that balances it. Towards the end of this third, I get a great graham cracker flavor, really like that.” -Emmett (rhetorik)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The leather is fading a bit allowing for a little more bite to the flavors. The coffee is becoming slightly bitter and a little pepper now appears on the finish. I appreciate the change is occurring without developing a harshness.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)

“This third is even better than the first two, which is hard to beat. The flavors from the first and second thirds have come back and joined. Now I’m getting leather, mild coffee, and baking spices. Towards the end of this third, things smooth out again and get creamy. It never gets hot and I never had to touch it.” -Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 96

“Medium firm draw throughout the cigar,although never a shortage of smoke.” -Ron (shuckins)

Burn: 92

“The burn began fine but soon turned wavey. In short order the cigar corrected itself and gave a good burn from the halfway point on. Kudos for that.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)

Construction: 93

“This cigar was firm with a little give when squeezed, The smoke was nice, thick and creamy The ash was a nice dark grey color and a little flaky.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 94

“Although another dimension would have been nice, still an enjoyable cigar, and I can definitely see myself smoking another one.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Considering the appearance and wanting to pass on this one, I’m glad I didn’t. This cigar packed a lot of flavor power if you like coffee and charred wood with some spice on the finish. The middle third was an absolute delight to smoke while the changes near the end became stronger without developing any harshness. I would gladly grab another one.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“I really enjoyed this cigar, it had a few subtle flavor changes which really help this cigar.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“I really enjoyed this cigar. Nice little box pressed that had some really good spices to it while also adding in a nice creamy sweetness. The spices would come and go a bit and at the end it really kicked in. I really liked this cigar and would like to smoke it again.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

“I loved this cigar, one of the better ones I have reviewed in recent history. Everything from the flavors, transitions and the construction were great. I really liked this corona vitola, and I’m curious what other sizes it is offered in as I wouldn’t mind one that lasts longer. I would recommend this to anyone assuming the price is right.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 63

Reviewer	Appear-ance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Ron	shuckins)	93	90	88	88	90	95	92	93	88
Gregg	McGreggor57)	85	90	90	92	90	88	90	90	90
Craig	WyldKnyght)	90	93	92	90	93	95	88	93	95
Wes	SosaCub4Life)	95	95	95	95	97	95	92	95	97
Emmett	rhetorik)	93	95	92	95	97	97	95	95	97

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

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Blind Cigar Review: Epicurean | Carnavale Petite Corona