Blind Cigar Review: Fusion | Headlines 2nd Edition Page 1

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Double Robusto
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 60
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Habano Oscuro
Binder: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera Real
Blender: Don Amadiz
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Sandeep (Djangos) Craig (WyldKnyght) Dan (Danfish) Dave (mdwest)
Price: $7.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: January 2015
Contributed by: Antillian Cigar Corporation

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 90

“A bit lumpy, but otherwise a decent appearance. The oily, dark brown wrapper looks very inviting.” –Dan (Danfish)

Aroma: 91

“The aroma is one of leather and cedar with some raw tobacco. The dry puff however, was more woodsy and spicy with nutmeg and white pepper to the tongue. Interesting start so far to this cigar.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Starts off with a little pepper kick that wakes up the senses. This was followed closely by a dark coffee and dry tasting leather mix that added a fair amount of smoothness to the cigar, which is something I usually don’t get from larger ring gauges.” –Ron (shuckins)

“The predominant flavor for most of the initial third is pepper. The cigar starts off with a blast of black pepper and cayenne. The pepper is pervasive and coats the entire mouth and also gravitating to the back of the throat. This goes on for a good inch before the appearance of other flavors. The predominant one is leather with some sweet nutmeg that is wafting in and out. This persists until the end of the third. The burn was uneven from the start, and after about an inch or so there was some tunneling causing the wrapper to burn a little below the burn line. This corrected itself after a bit. The draw is slightly tight but did not need the use of a draw tool. There is production of copious amounts of thick white creamy smoke. The ash is almost white and holds a good inch and half before falling off.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The middle third starts off with leather and woodsy notes. Cedar is present is the background of the prominent leather flavor. There is definitely a sweet nutmeg like spice that is fading in and out as well. The pepper in still present in each puff and that is adding to the complexity of the cigar. The burn has definitely straightened out quite well in this third. No issues with the draw that has opened up as well.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“Flavors are a little less bold in the second third than what was experienced in the first. The smoke is surprisingly creamy and smooth, and the cigar is producing a very nice tight, white, ash.” –Dave (mdwest)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The pepper brought a little heat with it towards the end of the cigar. The coffee and leather mix did a good job of keeping things smooth and tasty, even with the heat from the pepper and provided a nice finish at the very end.” –Ron (shuckins)

“The last of this cigar was by far the best of this cigar. The flavors started to really mix and mellow out together. I tasted some woody and earthy flavors with a hint of spice.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 93

“The draw on this was great, no complaints here.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Burn: 88

“The burn started off a bit iffy, but straightened itself out like a good cigar should.” –Ron (shuckins)

Construction: 89

“A very well built cigar. I was a little concerned when the wrapper tore near the foot early on during the smoke, but the cigar managed to burn through the tear with no performance problems at all.” –Dave (mdwest)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 89

“A pretty decent cigar overall, although another dimension would have been nice. I would happily smoke another one.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Overall, the cigar was a good smoke with some major transitions in flavor but there were some definite construction issues with the burn and the wrapper. I feel some more time in the humidor will probably alleviate some of these issues. I will try this again, but this time with some rest.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“Overall, this was a 50/50 cigar, and by that I mean the first half was OK, but nothing to write home about. Now, the second half was a different story, the flavors really came alive and I really enjoyed the second half.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“This cigar was a disaster. I knew I was in trouble on the prelight draw when it was so incredibly loose. Upon lighting the cigar, I was greeted with no smoke and it took several more attempts to get anything from it. Never got any better from there. The wrapper I could tell had some excellent flavors so maybe I’d be willing to give it another shot in a much smaller ring gauge in hopes I just got a dud.” –Dan (Danfish)

“Overall, a super low maintenance stick with nice flavors (albeit somewhat one dimensional). I’d buy a few and gladly smoke again.” –Dave (mdwest)
–

Smoking Time (in minutes): 94

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Ron	90	92	88	90	90	93	88	90	90
Sandeep	92	90	90	92	90	95	88	88	90
Craig	88	90	85	90	92	95	85	90	88
Dan	90	95	50	75	50	70	50	50	50
Dave	88	88	88	88	88	88	90	88	88

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Fusion | Headlines 2nd Edition Page 1