Blind Cigar Review: Arcángel | Lucifer (pre-release)
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: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Habano Madruo
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero and Dominican Viso/Seco
Factory: Charles Fairmorn (not verified)
Blender: Unknown
Number of reviewers: 4 —– Sandeep (Djangos) Milton (mjohnsoniii) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: unreleased at time of review
Contributed by: Arcangel Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“The wrapper is a dirty brown color but what is striking is the number of veins running the length of the cigar. They also appear quite prominent. Also, it is very easy to discern the leaf edges in the roll as they are not quite flat. Triple capped, not the prettiest of cigars I have seen but also not the worst.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Aroma: 91
“Pre light aroma was of cinnamon and raisins. Smelled really good!” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Construction: 91
“The construction on this cigar is very good. The wrapper has been rolled on with care and the triple cap is perfect.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Prior to lighting it, I took a pre-light draw and was hit with an almost pumpkin spice like taste. It was awesome! Is this some sort of Halloween limited release? Let’s fire it up… Well, the pumpkin spice disappeared almost immediately. However, I did get a blast of pepper and some raw leather. There are also hints of raisins with a slight spicy tang on the retrohale.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
“First third started off a mild/medium strength of leather and tobacco. There is a very slight taste of the cinnamon and raisins that were in the aroma, but not nearly as strong as the aroma was. Was expecting more of that. Wrapper started to come loose in this third.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Once again, not much change in the flavor profile from the last third. The predominant ones are of hay and earth. There is also a musty tobacco flavor. Some leather seems to come in and out as it progresses. I had to leave the cigar fro about 7 minutes to get something done and when I was back I was able to just start puffing as though I had never left it. The burn line is almost straight and the smoke is creamy and voluminous. The ash is also slightly more formed and not as flaky as before. The draw is also opening up more this third. Unfortunately, throughout the third, there is not much progression in the flavors. The cigar is still burning a little hot for my comfort.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“The thing that is standing out to me about this cigar is it’s balance. There is a lot of spice and pepper there, but it is all so well balanced with the other flavors and at the right proportions that it’s very enjoyable. The main tone of the cigar is still woody, but more focused and identifiable as oak. The flavors haven’t changed too much towards the end of this third but the flavors I’m getting are great. A few more transitions and this would get a big score.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Final Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The final third was very spicy. It actually proved to be the best part of the cigar in my opinion. There were notes of leather, cloves and sweetness with the addition of a light chocolate and roasted coffee. I honestly didn’t want it to end at this point.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
“Still not much flavor transition to speak of, but the flavors are diverse and balanced enough that it keeps me interested. Still getting mostly oak with some red and black pepper spice, with just a hint of dark cocoa. Towards the end of this third, the flavors did shift somewhat, I’m getting more baking spices, maybe allspice and cloves, and the tone has shifted to be a little more earthy. Very enjoyable smoke.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 90
“The draw was a little tighter than I prefer, but workable and produced ample smoke.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Burn: 91
“The burn was excellent from the start to the finish. It didn’t even go out on me when I had to leave for about 7 minutes. The burn line was straight throughout.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 92
“The cigar was very unilateral throughout and did not offer much changes in flavor and complexity. It definitely did not fit my profile. However the smoke and burn were to die for. I may give it another shot just to see if this was a one time thing.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“While the draw left me wanting more for the first third of this cigar, the second, and especially the final third had me really enjoying it. I can see this as being an affordable cigar that could potentially be an excellent daily smoke.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
“I think this is the highest rating I’ve given a cigar- a 93. I really, really liked this cigar! To me it was awesome!” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“The cigar was not unique in it’s flavor and didn’t offer a whole lot of transitions, but, the flavors it presented were so well balanced that I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it again. It never got too spicy, too hot, too one-sided or boring. Very curious what aging would do to these. Great smoke!” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 78
Total Score: 91 (Very Good)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here