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: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Ligero
Factory: Tabacalera GTO Dominicana
Blender: Dr. Oscar Rodriguez
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Sandeep (Djangos) Craig (WyldKnyght) Jiunn (jliu) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $6.99
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: February 2014
Contributed by: GTO Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“Great looking robusto sized cigar with a dark chocolate wrapper. The surface is quite bumpy with some prominent veins. There are two well applied caps.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Aroma: 94
“Nosing the wrapper gives strong hay and cedar. Nosing the foot reveals sweet cedar, stone fruits and a hint of black pepper. Cold draw mainly reveals cedar and slightly more black pepper as compared to nosing the foot.” –Jiunn (jliu)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“First draw I got chocolate, coffee and pepper. The coffee and chocolate mellowed out and gave way to lots of leather and pepper, lots of nice thick creamy smoke.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“Some really good flavors to start out, and not much spice. I’m picking up some great coffee and cocoa notes. The smoke is pouring off this thing and producing like crazy. A little spice comes through to round out the flavors, and this third is bliss. Towards the end, there is a mouth-tingling that is pretty interesting.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Second Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The middle third has the same flavors as the initial third with mostly leather and tobacco. Not many changes to the flavor profile except at the mid point mark the pepper also begins to pick up. There are no issues with the burn or the draw. Unfortunately, the cigar is one dimensional albeit pleasant.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“Second third kicks off with a delicious amped up sweetness mixed with cream, cedar and black pepper. I’m also getting some random patches of mintiness. Yum! This cigar is equally as good as the first third.” –Jiunn (jliu)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“No real change in flavor as I’m still enjoying a robust wood and coffee blend. There is still enough pepper hanging around to prevent the leather flavor from moving forward, but what little does is very tasty and pleasing to my palate.” –Ron (shuckins)
“The flavors of this third have been a little more earthy, not as much espresso. The strength is still full, as are the flavors. The flavors are big in body and make their presence known. The strength increases until the end, but never gets bitter. I have really enjoyed this cigar.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“The draw was very good from start to finish.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Burn: 92
“The burn was a little wonky and needed a few touch ups, but nothing unusual.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Construction: 94
“A very well rolled, tightly packed, solid feeling cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 88
“Not a very dimensional cigar, but if you like a robust, straight forward, in your face cigar, then this is one you should give a try.” –Ron (shuckins)
“The cigar was mostly a pleasant smoke but very one dimensional. The major flavors are tobacco and leather. Probably not my cup of tea. I would however smoke it if I got one.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“I enjoyed the flavor profile on this cigar, but would have to try it again before I give it a better rating. The constant touch ups took away from the full enjoyment of this cigar.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“Great cigar! I absolutely enjoyed the core flavors of sweet cedar creaminess with just the right amount of black pepper to pull it all together. Pockets of mintiness and breadiness kept me engaged the entire cigar. I would be interested in doing a box split of these. Keep giving me blind reviews like this one please!” –Jiunn (jliu)
“I enjoyed this cigar immensely. Were it not for the few burn issues, this cigar would be just about perfect. It had big, full-boded flavors and substantial transitions that kept me interested. I really enjoyed the spice and earthiness, and was right in my flavor wheelhouse. If the price is right, I would definitely buy a box of some of these.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 86
| Reviewer | Appearance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron | 93 | 93 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 93 | 90 |
| Sandeep | 95 | 93 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 97 | 95 | 95 | 88 |
| Craig | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 90 | 83 | 88 | 88 |
| Jiunn | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 88 | 95 | 88 | 88 | 95 |
| Emmett | 90 | 95 | 97 | 97 | 95 | 100 | 90 | 95 | 95 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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