Blind Cigar Review: Exactus | Puro Ambar Short Coloso

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Double Robusto
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 60
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: T13
Binder: Wine Fermented Criollo 98
Filler: Criollo ’98 and 1900
Factory: Tabacalera El Artista
Blender: Juan Peña
Number of reviewers: 5—–Paul (pmr1010) Craig (WyldKnyght) Sandeep (Djangos) Jiunn (jliu) Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Price: Unknown
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2014
Contributed by: Tabacalera El Artista

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 89

“Good looking cigar. Dark brown wrapper with various blotches of darker brown spots spread throughout the cigar. One major visible vein running through 3/4 of the cigar. Semi slick oily feel. Decently applied triple cap. No soft spots detected.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Aroma: 93

“The aroma was no surprise from the look of the wrapper having a tobacco scent with a slight amount of leather.” –Paul (pmr1010)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Upon lighting, there was an unpleasant bitterness and a little of what I can only describe as a chemical taste. I haven’t had that too many times in cigars but it only lasted a few puffs with this one so I was a little relieved when it went away. There was enough tobacco and nicotine bite to let you know this cigar had some power waiting inside and it came through more strongly in the beginning and then faded a little. The bitterness stayed a while longer while some baking spices began to develop. I was reminded throughout this cigar of an AJ Fernandez blend. As the first third went on, the baking spices grew slightly as well as a slight sweetness in the smoke.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“The cigar starts off with a lot of pepper that gravitates to the back of the throat. As the third progresses, the pepper mellows out some and is replaced with leather and a faint cocoa flavor. There is also definitely some nuttiness reminiscent of almonds. The burn and draw are almost perfect and the smoke production is phenomenal. The ash is dark gray and flaky. Holds for about three quarters of an inch before falling off.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The middle third is mostly leather and hay like flavors, but surprisingly there is also a lot of spice like undertones. There is definitely cinnamon and some nutmeg in the background. This gives it a nice complexity. Towards the end of the third, there is also a floral like character with a licorice like finish. The burn and draw continue to be perfect with no issues.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“The second thirds pepper has calmed but is still overpowering. Welcomed increased sweetness and intermittent pockets of nuts and stone fruit. Unfortunately, the pepper has crept towards the back of my throat.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Final Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Getting an abundance of tobacco flavor with cinnamon. Lots of nice thick smoke. Flavors mellowed out but the strength got stronger.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“The final third is much the same as the second. Creamy smoke with some sweetness but the spice is still there in the background. The spice hits the back of your throat sometimes and is on the retro some, but overall its pretty mild and creamy. Cigar is still producing lots of smoke and the burn line has stayed good since correcting itself.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 93

“Very nice easy draw from start to finish.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Burn: 93

“The burn line got off a bit going into the second third but quickly fixed itself. Overall it’s been good.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Construction: 93

“Seems like a well made cigar with a smooth wrapper. Firm to the touch the entire length of the cigar. No soft spots are discernible. No major issues are present.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 89

“I would not smoke another one of these. Just over an hour of time is gone from my life and I didn’t enjoy most of it.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“I really enjoyed this cigar, lots of flavor changes, lots of thick creamy smoke. Definitly will add this to my selection.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“Overall, this was a very enjoyable cigar with a lot of complexity and changes in flavors that were very welcome. The strength also increased towards the end. Overall, I would definitely try this again and maybe even try to get a fiver for my humidor.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“Overall, a subpar cigar. This kind of cigar is far from the flavor wheelhouse I enjoy. I do not like over peppered cigars. When this happens, it takes the nuances of the cigar away. If the cigar was half as peppery as it was, I would have enjoyed those pockets of nuttiness and stone fruits a lot more. If I were to have this cigar again, it wouldn’t be with ice water (my go to for cigar reviews). I would pour myself some rye bourbon in the hopes of tapering the overwhelming pepper.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“Overall, the cigar started off pretty good for me. After it lost most of the spice, which was early on, it seemed to stay the same during the last two thirds. It became pretty mild overall, but was a nice creamy smoke with some sweetness. It was just OK for me, nothing spectacular.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 83

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Paul	90	93	88	85	75	88	90	90	70
Craig	88	88	90	90	90	93	93	93	92
Sandeep	92	93	95	92	92	97	97	95	92
Jiunn	88	88	83	85	83	88	88	85	83
Wes	95	93	95	90	87	97	95	95	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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Blind Cigar Review: Exactus | Puro Ambar Short Coloso