This is the second cigar reviewed as part of our Home Roll cigar series. The blend was submitted by Jonathan O. 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 Mischievous Marshmallow 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: Robusto
Length: Approx 4.5″
Ring Gauge: Approx 50
Country of Origin: USA
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Corojo Seco, Nicaraguan Habano Seco, Corojo Viso, Dominican Ligero
Factory: N/A
Blender: Jonathan O’Clair
Number of reviewers: 5 – Daniel S.(Daniel S.) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf) Diana(ArmyRN) Jeff(ExpendableYouth) Adam B.(Bushboy)
Price: N/A
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: N/A
Contributed by: Jonathan O’Clair
“The old maxim that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” should be applied to this cigar. At first glance the wrapper is splotchy, the cap is crooked, there are huge veins that are running through it, and it looks like the roller dipped it in pectin; but that isn’t the whole story. The cigar has tight wrap lines that are difficult to even see. It is well rolled and there are no soft or hard spots. And, while the wrapper is not uniformly colored it has a nice toothy character to it. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Aroma: 88
First Third
Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Right off the light there was a strong cedar sweetness. The sweetness glazed my lips and tongue. There is also a strong pepper flavor coming through the sweetness. There is also some creaminess on the finish. On the retro I got a smoky citrus note. Through the first third the pepper was the strongest flavor.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“The first-third has a woody creaminess to it but there is an acidity that is building on my palate as I continue through this third. It also has a weird cardboard and earthy flavor that is resting on my tongue. The smoke output is pretty good but it has gone out twice during this third and I haven’t really been neglecting it at all. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Second third released a lot more flavors than the first. No spice detected and dominant flavors are earthy and cashew. Burnt marshmallow on the finish. Smoke is a touch harsh, but the ring gauge makes it burn fast. Slow puffs help tremendously with this problem. Ash is making crazy shapes and not holding on longer than a half inch without breaking off. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Well, not much progression going on here. There is an interesting floral flavor that comes through now and again but I feel like the cigar flavors just won’t kick in the way I wish they would. I’m disappointed so far as I really like nuttiness in a cigar and also floral notes mixed in can be dynamite, but it’s not happening.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“A little creaminess and a strong pepper continued throughout the final third. The dry wood flavor became very strong and started to burn the tongue. This burning flavor was very prominent and went on for the last 15 minutes of the smoke. This was very pleasant and ruined my overall impression of the cigar. ” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“The final third had the flavors scaling down a bit and becoming more enjoyable. The primary flavor is charred wood but there is an undertone of coffee again that has my attention. Through the nose the smoke is still sharp but it has toned down enough that I can retro every other puff or so. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 86
“V cut produced a nice smooth draw that was easy and no tight spots. I probably was trying to pull out more flavors on my draws so I worked this cigar pretty good – to no avail.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Burn: 87
“The burn was wonky through out the cigar and I had to touch up the cigar several times throughout the smoke. The uneven black ring became thicker and wider the closer I got to the end of the cigar.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Construction: 85
“The are issues with my sample… The head was underfilled, the draw too open, and the burn a bit of a nuisance. I’ve definitely had better constructed cigars.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“Off the bat I enjoyed the sweetness and pepper flavors. The way they played off each other was enjoyable. I also enjoyed how the sweetness was like a glaze on my lips. While smoking the cigar, looking at the cigar, it was ok and was not wowed by how the cigar looked. I had to touch up the cigar and had to relight it twice throughout the smoke. As much as enjoyed the flavors in the first two thirds, the last third wrecked the expereince for me. The way the cigar was constructed it burned my tongue and all the flavor were bitter. It left my mouth feeling like I smoked five cigars back to back.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“This was an unusual cigar for me. At times the flavor was really good, and the pre light aroma was amazing. The rest of the time I was underwhelmed and honestly turned off. Maybe time would marry the flavors but I don’t see any help for the construction. This isn’t one that I’d repeat.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“I rated this cigar as Fair but it was very close to Subpar for me. I just wanted more and couldn’t get it. This was one of the worst “teases” I’ve had in a long time. Two of my fave flavors, nuts and floral, just hinted at me and never produced what I wanted. I wouldn’t even smoke this for a breakfast stick. It’s a “meh” cigar for me. Tweak the blend and maybe it would be good!” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“The acidity and burn issues with this cigar made it a pretty unenjoyable experience. I wouldn’t recommend this cigar or pick up any for myself. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“This cigar was definitely not my favorite. Probably would skip next time around. Flavors never transitioned and had a bit of a smokey, burnt aftertaste I did not enjoy. Construction, draw and burn were fantastic considering the subpar wrapper chosen for this cigar. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Blind Cigar Review: Home Roll | Mischievous Marshmallow
Summary
"Off the bat I enjoyed the sweetness and pepper flavors. The way they played off each other was enjoyable. I also enjoyed how the sweetness was like a glaze on my lips. While smoking the cigar, looking at the cigar, it was ok and was not wowed by how the cigar looked. I had to touch up the cigar and had to relight it twice throughout the smoke. As much as enjoyed the flavors in the first two thirds, the last third wrecked the experience for me. The way the cigar was constructed it burned my tongue and all the flavor were bitter. It left my mouth feeling like I smoked five cigars back to back." -Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
