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: Petite Corona
Length: 4″
Ring Gauge: 42
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5—–Steve (ThaGreatWazoo) Gregg (McGreggor57) Jack (Jack_H) Wes (SosaCub4Life) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $5.99
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: February 2015
Contributed by: Crux Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“This is one of the most inviting looking cigars I’ve seen in a while. A diminutive dark chocolate wrapper with a closed, ala wrapped, foot and short pigtail on top. Nearly invisible seams and minimal veins.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Aroma: 93
“The scent is amazing. I can almost drink it in. It has a deep rich complexity about it. I detect notes of allspice, maple and some dark cherry. I am more than excited to smoke this cigar after its amazing scent.” –Jack (Jack_H)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Initially, the strength of this cigar is very medium to full. Overpowering pepper comes right to the front with a powerful, spicy retrohale. For such a small vitola, the strength is really in your face. The strength holds true throughout the first third and continues to take over the flavor of the cigar.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“As I expect, a nice shot of pepper greets me on light up. Dark roast coffee beans along with oak and old leather appear as the spice fades. These robust flavors dominate the first third.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“This third is a bit of a balancing act between smoking slow enough to keep it from becoming hot and fast enough to keep it lit. Wood char and a borderline bitter coffee overshadow a little nutmeg developing in the background.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“The burn line has started to get off and the cigar has gotten a little harsh and a bit hot as well. It’s a hard balance to keep it going without smoking too much to overheat the stick.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The harsher taste has begun to dissipate and it has turned into an enjoyable smoke yet again. In a cigar this small, I’m not used to so many quick changes in flavor. I get some dark chocolate/cocoa and a punch of pure nicotine.” –Jack (Jack_H)
“I slow down my pace a little and let the cigar cool off, and this seems to pay off. The leather has been replaced by a strong espresso now. The strength has calmed down just a little bit in this third and allows the flavors to really shine some. It finishes off strong without getting hot.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 90
“The draw was very good after clipping the pigtail and letting it open up naturally. This allowed for the perfect inhale and made the draw very enjoyable.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Burn: 86
“The burn wasn’t bad but did need a couple touch-ups.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Construction: 90
“With such little cigars it’s hard… The construction and burn line were good, but the cigar got very hot at times, especially towards the end.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 89
“This cigar was semi-underwhelming. The appearance was nice and the construction was good; however, the flavor profile was bleak with an overpowering spice. There were no real changes or complexity in the cigar. If you are looking for a strong quick smoke, this is the one.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“I was digging the bold flavors in the beginning but fought the cigar for the next two thirds. I was hoping the leather in the middle would smooth the flavors out and allow some others to develop but that wasn’t the case. The final portion was simply too harsh and hot to enjoy.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“This is a good short smoke. Nothing too revolutionary, but definitely a good worthwhile lunch smoke. It had great promise and I would smoke it if time was in a pinch. The flavors were great to start and construction hampered it, but I don’t think it’s a bad cigar by any means.” –Jack (Jack_H)
“This little cigar would be good for a quick, spicier smoke, but I would not smoke it on a regular basis. After the first third, it got harsh and hot. It’s not something I would smoke for relaxing enjoyment, but more for a quick fix at a work break or something like that.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
“This was a very good, short and strong smoke. If you only have 30 minutes after dinner, this is your smoke. Not for the novice, but it delivered on all aspects that I look for. I could definitely see myself picking up some of these and I am curious if it is offered in a larger vitola.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 40
| Reviewer | Appearance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 85 | 90 | 87 | 88 | 88 |
| Gregg | 95 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 83 | 88 | 85 | 88 | 85 |
| Jack | 93 | 97 | 95 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 85 | 90 |
| Wes | 95 | 95 | 92 | 88 | 85 | 85 | 95 | 92 | 88 |
| Emmett | 95 | 93 | 95 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 87 | 95 | 92 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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