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: Corona Gorda
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars, S.A.
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5—–Gregg (McGreggor57) Jiunn (jliu) Derek (StogieNinja) Robert (NavyPiper) Jason (bigslowrock)
Price: $5.99
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: June 2014
Contributed by: Crux Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“A small cigar with a mottled brown wrapper. It’s fairly smooth, but with a fair number of prominent veins. The wrapper has a light oily sheen to it.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Aroma: 91
“Grass along the cigar with sweet hay at the foot. The cold draw confirms my nose with a grassy pull on the pre-light.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Right out the gate, awesome notes of milk chocolate, sweet cream and hint of flowers. Through the retrohale, more flower and amped up (but just enough) black pepper. There is a very unique oakey wood fire note. At certain pockets, it almost feels like I’m at a bbq taking in smells of hickory wood smoke. I rarely get notes like this but I love it! Delicious first third.” –Jiunn (jliu)
“This is probably one of the best thirds of a cigar that I’ve had in a while. It’s an amazing complex flavor set with almost nothing dominating the palate. I’m getting little blasts of fruitiness reminding me of black cherry, tobacco, pepper and oakey woodiness, and mocha that all brought together with a light creamy component. Can I please have that third again?” –Jason (bigslowrock)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The second third is transitioning to more herbal notes with an occasional cocoa in the background. There is still a little kick on the retro that will bite you if you’re not careful. As it crosses the halfway mark, some allspice joins the mix and provides an interesting marriage of flavors.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“The flavor is bold and juicy, full of oak and dark tobacco, ligero and a mild espresso and cocoa. I’m enjoying the flavor more now that it’s warmed up. Around the midpoint, the cocoa becomes almost a milk chocolate, which balances out the more aggressive flavors nicely.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Final Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Assorted baking spices seem to be where the final third is heading. Grass and sweet hay return to the background while a faint caramel replaces the cocoa. Not a bad way to finish.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“This was the prize of the journey. Definitely the best third of the stogie. The strong tobacco decreased quite a bit and picked up a very good spice and some leather. Really enjoyed this third. Wish the whole stogie was like this.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 91
“Draw was as perfect as it gets!” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Burn: 95
“Other than just a bit of waviness on the burn line, this cigar had a great burn. Excellent ash retention. Great smoke production and not a touch up required. –Jason (bigslowrock)
Construction: 88
“Construction of the cigar was great. No issues on the draw or burn.” –Jiunn (jliu)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 88
“This is a tough one. While the flavors present were very good on their own, they just didn’t seem to do a lot for me. There were some definite transitions yet the cigar still did not hold a lot of interest. If I were to smoke this one again, it would be with a cup of coffee in the morning.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“Overall, a very good cigar. The first two thirds of the cigar was awesome. It really kept me on my toes of trying to figure out that “wood fire” and “hickory bbq” note. I would happily get a fiver of this cigar. A couple to smoke now and a few to smoke within the half year marks. Great way to end my BMP review year with this tastiness!” –Jiunn (jliu)
“A cigar that manages to take the boldness of a Cain, and tame it properly with a balance of oak, baking spices and milk chocolate. I don’t often crave this profile, but if I ever do, it’s nice to know this is out there. I would enjoy smoking another as a change of pace, as the blend seems pretty well balanced, but I won’t be seeking another one out intentionally.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
“This was a very powerful cigar right from the start, with the first two thirds being the most powerful. To be honest, it was a little too stout in the first two thirds for me. For me, the final third was the winner. If the whole cigar would’ve been like this it would’ve been spectacular for me.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“This was an excellent cigar. I really enjoyed the flavors and the complexities provided by it. I will be looking to smoke some more in the future and would have no issues recommending this cigar to experienced smokers.” –Jason (bigslowrock)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 55
| Reviewer | Appearance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregg | 90 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 95 | 90 | 88 |
| Jiunn | 88 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 85 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 90 |
| Derek | 88 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 |
| Robert | 88 | 85 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 100 | 88 | 88 | 88 |
| Jason | 95 | 95 | 97 | 92 | 90 | 92 | 95 | 95 | 95 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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