Blind Cigar Review: Crux | Ninfamaniac

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Ninfa
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 33
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars, S.A.
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5—–Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Sandeep (Djangos) Robert (NavyPiper) Jason (bigslowrock) Craig (WyldKnyght)
Price: $5.99
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: April 2014
Contributed by: Crux Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 90

“Very nice looking slim panetela sized (7X32) cigar. It reminded me of a pen. It had some thin veins with a milk chocolate brown wrapper. It had a triple cap and a capped foot.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Aroma: 90

“The cigar smells of sweet chocolate and leather. Very nice combination. The dry puff brings out more chocolate and leather. Not much spice or pepper to the dry puff.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The initial puffs of this somewhat snug drawing stick are a nice woody oak with a bit of pepper. The pepper fades a bit after a few puffs and develops into a cardamom spice that reminds me a bit of chai tea. A bit of pepper zing remains on the retro hale. Nice start!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“A very interesting start after lighting. Dominant flavor is a very woody smoke flavor along with a bit leather and coffee. However, I found that if I took a second puff too soon, I’d get a blast of pepper that’d melt your nose hairs on the retro! If you try this- remember you’ve been warned! LOL!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“As we transition into the middle third, the pepper is increasing in intensity. The predominant flavor is still leather and tobacco. The pepper is gravitating to the back of the throat. There is also a mild harshness. Very one dimensional so far. No more burn issues like the initial third. The draw is significantly better. The smoke is more abundant now and more creamy. Ash holds on about half an inch before falling off.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“The coffee intensifies to more of an espresso. There are still notes of wood in the background.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The ending of this cigar has the strength kicking up a bit with a continuation of the baking spice flavors. As the nub is nearing I can feel just a bit of the nicotine, but not enough to make me want to grab some sugar. I’m really liking the chai tea notes that have stuck around…honestly I wish I could clone this smoke and light another right now.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“The pepper picked back up during the final third and by the end it was all pepper flavor which overpowered the leather flavor.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 89

“Despite the small diameter, the draw was very nice once the burn got past the pointy end and opened up. The first few puffs were rather tight after lighting.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Burn: 91

“Very solid burn on this cigar. It retained it’s ash well. Produced a nice amount of smoke. No touch ups or relights required” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Construction: 90

“Construction was very good. Cigar was very symmetrical- straight, smooth and perfectly round. Both the head and foot were identical in its shape; the pointy head and foot were the same. Fortunately, with the numbered band I left on, I was able to know which end was which. Seams were tight and well blended. Cigar felt rather densely packed which gave me concern regarding the draw which was a non issue. Also the cigar felt firm, but not rock hard, having just the right amount of give when pressed.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 88

“This was really a nice smoke for me that came at just the right time…mellow flavors (albeit plenty) that nailed my palate perfectly today. I typically like more fullness in the strength, but this was a nice switch. Perfect for the morning, or for the first of a couple smokes. Personally, I’d like a few more!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“The cigar left you wanting more complexity the entire time. The initial promise of sweeter flavors never materialized. Short but pleasant smoke that I would not go searching for.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“It was an interesting review and I’m glad I did it, as I don’t normally gravitate to small diameter stogies- with gauge 46 about as small as I go on occasion. I was personally annoyed with myself at not being able to pick out what that flavor was that came in in the second third. But on the whole, I enjoyed it, it was pretty good, and I’m curious what it is, especially that flavor. I’d smoke another, but probably wouldn’t invest in stocking them as they’re a little narrow in ring gauge for my personal tastes.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“This cigar was over before it started for me due to some help from mother nature with the wind. I did enjoy my short time with the cigar. I would probably want to try a couple more before giving it the thumbs up or down, but this has potential to be a nice quick smoke for those short on time or the winter months.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“I’m not a big fan of panetela cigars, I find them too small. This one, the draw was tight and I found myself puffing more then I normally do when I smoke. A good point I did enjoy was that there was lots of smoke.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 63

Total Score: 89 (Good)

Edit

Reviewer	Appea-rance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Jason H.	95	90	90	90	90	90	95	95	92
Sandeep	90	95	88	87	87	88	88	90	88
Robert	90	85	90	87	87	90	90	90	88
Jason	88	90	90	90	85	92	92	90	90
Craig	90	90	88	87	87	85	90	88	88
Overall	90	90	90	88	88	89	91	90	88

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Crux | Ninfamaniac