Vital Stats:
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Vitola: Lonsdale
Length: 6.5″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Cuban Seed Corojo 99
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: TABSA
Blender: Kyle Hoover & Chris Kelly
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Sandeep (Djangos) Jack (Jack_H) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $9.95
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2014
Contributed by: Ezra Zion
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“This is a great looking box-pressed lonsdale. The wrapper has a few visible veins, but the seam-work is great. It is very soft to the touch, like an old t-shirt. The shape of the box-press is perfect, just something to be in awe of.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Aroma: 90
“The aroma is of tobacco and coffee. There is also an aroma of cedar and spices. The dry puff is full of cocoa and coffee with some white pepper to the tongue.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“This cigar explodes with complex flavor immediately after lighting. I get leather and raisin. The smoke is so thick and chewy I swear I could take a bite out of it. It burns unevenly but it is no detriment to the smoke output.” –Jack (Jack_H)
“A nice start to this stogie. A smoky woodiness along with some pepper and a bit of spice. It’s enough to leave a little zing on the lips and through the nose. Lots of smoke, draw is good and burn is pretty straight. Ash was tight and lasted close to an inch and a half before dropping.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Second Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The middle third continues with the cocoa and tobacco as well as the cedar which is more intense. The spices are also more intense with cloves and nutmeg that are most prominent. The pepper is present in almost every draw that is gravitating to the back of the throat. Very good so far. The burn and draw continue to be very good with tons of creamy smoke.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“The wood flavors are really transitioning a lot in this smoke, now I’m getting a peaty smokey wood flavor as the dominant one, along with some coffee and spices in the background. Further in, the baking spices are really taking over with some cinnamon, nutmeg and red pepper now.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Final Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Smoking a lot smoother now than it started out, with more of a coffee and cedar tasting tobacco. There is still enough pepper hanging around to provide a decent kick all the way to the end of the cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)
“The final third is more intense with the tobacco flavor most prominent with hints of cocoa as well as cedar and nutmeg. The clove flavor that was present in the middle third is still present but now is in the background. The pepper is still present in every puff, but as we enter the last inch it ramps up quite rapidly providing another dimension. Overall, very enjoyable. The burn and draw continue to be almost perfect to the end.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 95
“No complaints here, I thought the draw was really good.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Burn: 91
“Burn was pretty straight the whole time. Not super sharp, but not wavy at all.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Construction: 93
“Construction was close to perfect with nothing but great consistent flavor and wonderful smoke output. This beautiful box press is a testament to its creator because it is clearly made with expertise.” –Jack (Jack_H)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 92
“Started off a little rough, but smoothed out and really brought it home at the finish, which makes it an easily recommended cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)
“Overall, the cigar was great in every aspect. The flavors were great with an amazing complexity and transitions. Also, well constructed with a great burn and draw. Definitely will be getting a few of these.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“Overall, this is a fantastic stick. I loved the progression of flavors with no two parts tasting the same, well constructed in a great size and shape. This is a cigar I will smoke again without a doubt and I am very excited to see what it is.” –Jack (Jack_H)
“Overall, a pretty dog gone good stogie. Very consistent except for that part in the final third. Nice blend of the smoky wood, pepper and spice. None overpowering the other, just a nice blend. It was a long smoke too.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this cigar, it offered a really unique flavor profile and lots of transitions. I think if some time rounds out the last third, this could be something really special. As it is, I would recommend a fiver to age and see what happens.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 98
| Reviewer | Appearance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron | 93 | 92 | 88 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 75 | 93 | 90 |
| Sandeep | 95 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 95 | 97 | 97 | 95 | 95 |
| Jack | 93 | 88 | 95 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 90 | 97 | 92 |
| Robert | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 90 |
| Emmett | 97 | 90 | 95 | 92 | 88 | 100 | 90 | 93 | 92 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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