Blind Cigar Review: Flor de Gonzalez | Spectral Cation

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Double Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 60
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua and Peru
Factory: AgroIndustrial Nicaraguense de Tabacos S.A.
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5—–Dave (mdwest) Craig (WyldKnyght) Kent (Throck) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $8.75
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: August 2014
Contributed by: Flor de Gonzalez

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“This fat little cigar has a good look to it. The wrapper has some sheen and is soft to the touch. It has good seam work and only a few visible veins. The double cap is applied well and the foot is a bit oblong.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Aroma: 91

“Love the dark chocolate and coffee notes that can be smelled coming off of this cigar even from several inches away.” –Dave (mdwest)

First Third

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

“Archetypical maduro sweetness fills the profile in the first third, with notes of chocolate and nuts found on every puff. The cigar presents an extremely oily mouth feel as well which helps to create an extremely long finish.” –Dave (mdwest)

“The first third was my favorite segment. There was an immediate white pepper flavor that was quite spicy during the first few draws and this subsided slightly to yield an almond flavor. I enjoyed the initial punch of flavor that was almost a slap in my face to gain my attention. Unfortunately, the pepper trailed off at the end of this segment.” –Kent (Throck)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“During the second third, the flavors really started to mellow to a light pepper flavor and I also started to get some barbecue smoke flavor. The burn was a little wavy, but not bad.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“This is one powerhouse of a cigar, in both flavor and strength. The charred oak has taken off this third, with some other spices in the background. Towards the end of this third, the baking spices are picking up and mixing well with the charred oak. Lots of cinnamon and allspice.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The archetypical maduro sweetness is back in the final third and helps to bring this big guy home. Flavors are surprisingly bold for such a large ring gauge with lots of leather in the forefront of each puff.” –Dave (mdwest)

“In the final third, and the combination of cedar, tobacco and spice have not changed, however, the pepper did return in this third. Not overpowering, but balanced well with the other flavors, with all being about even in strength. Draw and burn are both still very good, and the smoke output remained the same as well.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 89

“Draw was very good from beginning to end.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Burn: 89

“The burn was pretty even from start to finish with a little waviness to it.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Construction: 92

“There were no construction issues during my smoke. The wrapper was ever so pliable and did not warp even with the increasing heat near the cap.” –Kent (Throck)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 91

“I’m ready for the reveal on this one. I’m not normally a fan of “fat” sticks, but this would be perfect for hitting the links, sitting by the pool, etc. As soon as I know what it is, I’m likely going to go out and buy 5.” –Dave (mdwest)

“I really enjoyed this cigar. There was a nice spiciness to start that mellowed as it progressed. As always, I enjoyed the thick creamy smoke this cigar produced. I would definitely smoke this cigar again.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“I wish that the complexity from the first few puffs continued on throughout the life of this cigar. It seemed this diminished with each third and, on top of this, required me to relight the cigar due to central/uneven burning. I would not actively go out and purchase this smoke again; however, if this fell into my lap, it would be lit up in no time.” –Kent (Throck)

“This was a really pleasurable smoke. Flavors were great, and never a worry with the burn. Tons of smoke. I took a likin’ to this one, even though I usually prefer sticks no larger than a 52-54, but this one I think will be one of the larger ring gauge stogies to eventually occupy some room in the humidor.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“I really liked this one. I could tell lighting it up it was going to be a fun ride and I was right. It was very strong so I wouldn’t give this to a newbie, but an experienced smoker would love it. I dig the flavors and it performed well. I would definitely buy more of these.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 79

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Dave	90	90	90	88	90	92	88	90	90
Craig	90	92	95	95	95	85	88	90	92
Kent	92	95	95	92	88	90	88	95	90
Robert	90	88	90	90	90	90	92	90	90
Emmett	92	90	93	95	90	100	97	95	95

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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Blind Cigar Review: Flor de Gonzalez | Spectral Cation