El Artista brought one new line to the IPCPR 2019 trade show, Buffalo TEN. This new line came in 5-packs and was offered for a mere $4.50, making is quite a value-priced line. It came in one size only, a 6 x 50 Toro and is soft box-pressed.
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.
The blend uses six different tobaccos starting with a Mexican San Andresmaduro wrapper, Dominican Negrito binder and filler from the USA, Colombia, and the company’s own fields in the Dominican Republic. Two of these tobaccos are exclusive El Artista, the Dominican T-13 Hybrid in the filler and the Dominican Negrito binder. Earlier this month, a natural version of the Buffalo Ten was announced.
“There’s a nice rustic appearance to the wrapper. The leaf looks thick over the seams, the cap is slightly bunched, and the soft box press is almost tapered at the foot.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 92
“An awkward mix of.campfire and barnyard, awkward but interesting. Molasses and sugary smell from the foot.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
First Third
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“As noted earlier, no need to cut. Dry draw is sweet with bakers spice and a hint of coco. Nice easy draw. This cigar lit easily and produced a good amount of chewy smoke which reminds me of cinnamon rolls. Retro was white pepper. And very smooth. I’m liking it so far. About an inch in the cigar settled into sweet tobacco in the front with bakers spice following. The retro amped up a touch as well.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Bread dark chocolate and peanuts just a little spice on the finish. Smoke is very thick and chewy. A spiced maple note only detectable through the nose. Very small campfire note is just detectable, and doesn’t hang around d long. Quite a layered little stick. Draw is fabulous. Room note is a little harsh. Had to correct the burn before leaving the first third. Maple sweetness finish really getting the job done.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Potency has continued to build. Still some vegetal flavor on the finish, but the core flavor is mostly just big roasted yumminess. There is a bit of creamy vanilla on the finish, more consistent with whiskey than with baked goods. Nice grown up stick.” –John I. (John I.)
“There’s still loads of leather to be found on the draw and it doesn’t seem to be backing down any time soon; after the leather starts to back down a bit, a sort of pine and mushroom earthiness starts to develop.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“The final third was yet another shift. This final third was a nice mix between the 1st and 2nd third. Closer to medium strength with full flavors. A dark fruit note provides the sweetness. Bakers spice falls to the long finish and retro. I really like the way this stick is closing out.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Cigar leaves you with a dirty palate but the flavors being produced are quite welcome and with it switching up all the time, I am always wondering what will be coming next. Cigar ends with the singular leather note.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“Fantastic draw. Worried me a bit in the beginning, but once this took off there were zero issues.” –John I. (John I.)
Burn: 95
“You have to pay very close attention and almost time your draws to keep it burning straight. If I have been inattentive I would not have graded it as high.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 93
“Other than the loose cap this cigar was constructed with pure craftsmanship. Combination of draw, burn and ash exactly what you want in a premium cigar.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Great smoke from start to finish. Great flavor and excellent burn was all I could ask for. I’d definitely smoke this again. You could pair this with just about anything and be satisfied.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“If someone walked up and asked me how I liked the cigar I guess I would answer “It’s good…” and that kind of sums it up for me. It’s good but I wouldn’t go and stick my neck out as a recommendation. If you’re a fan of very leathery cigars this one is something that you should absolutely give it a shot; but I’m going to be a one and done kind of guy.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I liked the hell out of this. No nonsense, no really significant transitions, just a really fantastic core of rich roasted goodness that grew steadily in strength. Add phenomenal construction to the mix, and I’m in all day long. Straight forward tobacco goodness from someone who obviously cares. Right in my wheelhouse.” –John I. (John I.)
“A very boxable cigar some hiccups but it is a handmade product and in my opinion worth a little coin to enjoy. I do wonder how they would age seems like a prime candidate for the experiment.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
"A very boxable cigar some hiccups but it is a handmade product and in my opinion worth a little coin to enjoy. I do wonder how they would age seems like a prime candidate for the experiment." -Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
