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: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Corojo, Ligero Fuerte Criollo 98 and Ligero Suave Criollo 98
Factory: Palomino
Blender: Joe Baker
Number of reviewers: 5—–Sandeep (Djangos) Craig (WyldKnyght) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Ron (shuckins) James (dscl)
Price: $6.20
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: 2013
Contributed by: House of Burgess Cigars LTD.
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“This cigar is flashing a nice and gritty feeling chocolate brown wrapper with a few prominent veins. There are visible seams and the cap appears very well applied. This stick is heavy and firm and really quite nice to look at over all.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Aroma: 92
“The prelight aroma had a strong coffee component that was quite wonderful.” – James (dscl)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The initial third starts off with some pepper and a lot of leather. There is also some woodsy notes of cedar. No sweetness or chocolate that was present in the dry puff are apparent now. As the third progresses, the leather gives way to more tobacco and the cigar mellows out after the first inch mark. The draw is good and there is volumes of thick billowing creamy smoke. The ash is tight and almost black in color. The ash holds for a little over an inch before falling off. The burn is a little wavy to begin with but straightens out after about an inch.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“An earthy taste with light cedar flavor on light up. Coffee with a nice leather flavor shows up soon after, bringing a light peppery allspice taste with it to provide an enjoyable start to the cigar.” – Ron (shuckins)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“As the smoke progressed, it mellowed out a bit and I primarily note a spicy tobacco flavor. At this point, the flavor is quite pleasant. There is some earth flavor and the bitterness is just barely noticeable now. As this progresses toward the last third there is a slight fruitiness developing…like a dried cranberry. It comes and goes, but it’s a nice contrast to the bitterness.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“As the earthy flavor fades it takes the light pepper taste with it. The coffee and leather have blended well together as the allspice becomes more of a nutmeg taste and brings a nice creaminess to the cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Once the final third starts there is a harshness and bitterness to the tongue. The flavors are almost non existent at this point. There may be some pepper to the tongue but not much else. I stopped about an inch from the nub.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“The flavors didn’t change much, but were intensified as the smoke production greatly increased. At this point, I had smoked past the large gash in the side of the wrapper and found the cigar to be very enjoyable.” –James (dscl)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 90
“Draw was good form the start to the end.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Burn: 91
“A worry free, nice and slow steady burn, although the ash was a little fragile.” –Ron (shuckins)
Construction: 89
“This cigar burned extremely well, had a very nice draw and a strong ash. The cut was easy and the wrapper held up quite nicely to my chomping and rough handling. No complaints here!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 86
“Overall the lack of flavors after the initial third was a great disappointment. I would not go looking for another one.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“I was not impressed with this cigar. Very bland, no complexity. Definitely not something I would look forward to smoking again.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“The construction, burn and draw were excellent. The one shortcoming for me in this cigar was the bitterness. Maybe a bit more time would smooth that out. I am quite curious to see what this cigar is, and I would like to try at least one more after a long rest period.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“An enjoyable cigar with tasty flavors that I liked, although another dimension would have been nice.” –Ron (shuckins)
“I would love to smoke one of these again that didn’t have the construction issues. The last third really was wonderful, but not enough to overcome the disappointment of the first and second third.” –James (dscl)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 73
Total Score: 89 (Good)
| Reviewer | Appea-rance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep | 92 | 92 | 92 | 88 | 83 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 85 |
| Craig | 90 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 85 | 85 | 90 | 88 | 85 |
| Jason H. | 90 | 92 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 95 | 100 | 92 | 88 |
| Ron | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 97 | 95 | 88 | 90 |
| James | 83 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 90 | 75 | 90 | 75 | 83 |
| Overall | 89 | 92 | 89 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 91 | 89 | 86 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.