This is the first cigar reviewed as part of our Home Roll cigar series. The blend was submitted by Brendon. As for all of the cigars in this series, the exact vitola is not known so we will categorize it as best we can. It has taken quite a bit of time to get a review series like this off the ground, so it is very satisfying to finally publish the reviews of the home roll cigars.
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.
As with all of the home roll cigars in this series, the true nature is about the passion and desire to learn about the craft. They may be rough on the outside, but the drive to learn the technique and art of rolling a fine cigar is evident when you talk to the people who have taken this on as a hobby. This cigar, and many others in this series will show that the tobaccos you can access to make your own cigars at home can be as good, if not better than those used in the finest cigar factories on earth. Today we are reviewing the Home Roll | Brazilian Villain and it should be noted that the reviewers did not know that these were Home Rolls, they were received with cigars from many manufacturers in one batch.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: Approx 5.5″
Ring Gauge: Approx 44
Country of Origin: USA
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Ligero
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Seco, Criollo Ligero
Factory: Home Roll
Blender: Brendon S. (botl.org username @Hopduro)
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) John A.(John A.) Mickey T.(irratebass) David F. (dfafjf)
Price: N/A
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: N/A
Contributed by: Brendon S.
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“Mocha brown wrapper with an abundance of flattened veins, great seems, a very deep double cap and firm construction.” –John A. (John A.)
Aroma: 87
“On the body I get manure and chocolate cake, on the foot wood and manure” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Blind Cigar Review: Home Roll | Brazilian Villain
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The first few initial puffs provide a Smokey wood, slightly perfumed and biscuity flavors, a very unique combo. As the cigar progresses a moderate amount of black pepper is added to the mix as well as roasted coffee and leather.” –John A. (John A.)
“Starting out mild to medium in strength and very smooth on the retro hale. I pick up some light marshmallow flavors with a bit of wood/oak. I am getting white pepper which leaves a nice sweet that coats my tongue.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)”
Second Third
Blind Cigar Review: Home Roll | Brazilian Villain
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Not much has changed in the flavor department, which is not a bad thing. The sweetness/marshmallow is staying prominent.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Everything I enjoyed at the start of the cigar, continues into the second 1/3. A bit more nutty sweetness also comes out at this pat of the cigar. I’m really enjoying the spice in the retrohale. It is not strong but just mixes in really nicely. The cigar has a nice complexity that mixes in a bit of creamy sweetness with a woody/ spicy that work together well.” –David F. (dfafjf)
“Ok the cigar has bumped up a notch to now a straight medium when black pepper/spice have taken front seat. There is still the sweetness on the tongue.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“The final third wraps up with the same profile and delightfulness as it began with. The notes of hay, barnyard, earth, and oats balance each other very well throughout. Overall cigar was truly a well made, good cigar.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 89
“A bit tight on the draw, but otherwise smokable.” –John A. (John A.)
Burn: 90
“Excellent burn the entire time smoking the cigar. Nice crisp burn line with no issues.” –David F. (dfafjf)
Construction: 91
“This cigar was well-built and looked great. A longer vitola with a nice clean wrapper. Smooth lines and a clean cap. This cigar definitely screams upper end manufacturer.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“Where the cigar was very consistent and did have a good flavor. The construction and draw made the experience one I would not like to repeat” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This cigar started out strong in the flavor department with a myriad of pleasing flavors. However, as the cigar progressed the flavors became less pronounced and an awful bitterness began to kick in on the later half. I would of liked to see more complexity on the whole with more bright and defined flavors.” –John A. (John A.)
“This was a nice mild to medium smoke, which only got into the straight medium in the final third. The cigar was very smooth with a small sweetness that held my attention that resembled marshmallow. I highly recommend this cigar as you first smoke of the day with morning coffee and would like to smoke more of these.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“I really enjoyed this cigar from start to finish. While the draw was very tight the flavors and complexity were great. I really enjoyed how the cedar and cream mixed together. The spice increased slowly throughout the cigar which I loved.” –David F. (dfafjf)
“I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar from the pre-light review to the very end. Everything about this cigar was enjoyable, from the profile to the look and feel. Outstanding job to the maker. This is a cigar that should be on everyone’s list to smoke. Grab these before I grab them all.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Home Roll | Brazilian Villain
Overall Score – 89 – Good
Blind Cigar Review: Home Roll | Brazilian Villain
Summary
"This was a nice mild to medium smoke, which only got into the straight medium in the final third. The cigar was very smooth with a small sweetness that held my attention that resembled marshmallow. I highly recommend this cigar as you first smoke of the day with morning coffee. I would like to smoke more of these." -Mickey T. (irratebass)
