Blind Cigar Review: Ezra Zion | FHK Truth

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lonsdale
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: San Andres Maduro
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Brazilian and Nicaraguan
Factory: Plasencia
Blender: Kyle Hoover & Chris Kelly
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Dave (mdwest) Robert (NavyPiper) Jason (bigslowrock) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $9.00
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: January 2014
Contributed by: House of Emilio

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 97

“This is a very nice looking cigar, measuring 7X42. Medium dark brown, uniform in color with no blemishes. It has a nice flat head with short rounded shoulder. It is straight and nicely shaped and the seams are so smooth they are invisible!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Aroma: 94

“A really nice aroma of baking spices and bread comes off the foot of the cigar pre-light.” –Dave (mdwest)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Wow. This first third starts off about as good as it gets. The cigar has this nice creaminess mixed with toasted wood and mocha. It’s just unbelievably smooth and balanced. As I progress into the third, I’m also picking up notes of baking spices (nutmeg) and some hazelnut. Maybe the best third of the BMP year for me.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“I get a blast of chocolate and fresh tobacco right off the bat, without much spice, and a tone of earth, a great start. Getting further into this third, some spices come to the surface, intertwining very well with the earthiness. This first third was brilliant, the flavors were delicious and balanced, the draw was perfect and the burn didn’t need any help at all. I hope the rest of the cigar is this good.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Second Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“By the time the second third begins, the sweetness that was on the front of each puff has vanished and the floral notes become more distinct. Toward the end of the second third, all of the baked bread flavors have disappeared and we’re left with more of a grass or hay flavor combined with the floral notes from earlier. The stick is somewhere between mild and medium in strength, but is somewhere between medium and full in flavor and complexity. Impressive.” –Dave (mdwest)

“As I move into the second third, I’m finding the flavors to be the same as the first, but after a bit, another flavor started to come in which is maybe Cilantro. I’m not sure, but either way, the wood and the 2 herbs go nicely together. The slight harshness is still present, and seems like it adds to the overall flavor rather than detract from it.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Leathery coffee goodness, with a background of earthy, fresh cut hay flavors as it nears the end. Oak tasting tobacco, along with a light peppery allspice, produces a little heat and an entertaining kick at the very end.” –Ron (shuckins)

“At the beginning of this third, the flavors have shifted again, this time towards nuts and coffee. I get fading whisps of other baking spices, but nothing I can put my finger on. Towards the end of this third, the spice picks up again for a nice finish. I wasn’t sure the final third could live up to the other two, but it did, never getting bitter and ever morphing into subtly different flavors and spices.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 94

“The draw was just a tad tight at light-up, and that’s nit picking. It was almost perfect the rest of the cigar.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Burn: 93

“The burn was solid, stayed straight and produced a very nice, firm, light grey ash that was rock solid. Maintaining a 2″+ ash on this stick was not a problem at all.” –Dave (mdwest)

Construction: 93

“Very well constructed with no performance issues experienced or visual flaws observed.” –Dave (mdwest)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 97

“I enjoyed the flavors of the cigar and think fans of lancero’s will too.” –Ron (shuckins)

“If you subscribe to the concept of “more flavor, less power” this is a stick worthy of a box purchase. It was well made, produced very nice, pronounced flavors and was easy on the nicotine content. A real pleasure to smoke.” –Dave (mdwest)

“Overall, I thought it was very good. Appearance and construction were awesome. Flavors were interesting and unusual to me. The burn was great and the only thing that put me off was the draw. It was the pits. Even after reaming it multiple times, it remained tight the whole dang time. I don’t like fighting a cigar for a draw.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“I would have to go back and look at the scores, but this is probably my top BMP cigar of the year. It just had an incredible flavor profile that really hit my wheelhouse. Assuming these aren’t super premiums, I probably will be in for a box after the reveal.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“This cigar was truly great. I smoke a lot of good cigars for this site, but this one stands out above the rest. This is one of the best I have smoked for the site, and it deserves one of the highest ranking we have given. I hope the other reviewers shared my experience. I will be buying a box of whatever this is, assuming I can. The cigar takes you through a journey around the flavor wheel, never getting dull, never getting bitter, never disappointing you. This was a pleasure to smoke, and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending a box.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 81

Total Score: 95 (Great)

Edit

Reviewer	Appea-rance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Ron	95	93	88	90	90	90	93	93	90
Dave	90	93	92	95	93	90	93	93	95
Robert	97	88	88	88	88	83	95	95	90
Jason	90	95	100	97	95	97	90	90	97
Emmett	97	95	97	97	95	97	100	100	97
Overall	97	94	91	95	93	94	93	93	97

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Ezra Zion | FHK Truth