Blind Cigar Review: La Barba | Corona

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5.75″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran
Factory: Wynwood Cigar Factory
Blender: Tony Bellatto and Craig Rossi
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Dave (mdwest) Brian (B-daddy) Derek (StogieNinja) Jason (bigslowrock) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $8.40
Age: 4 Months Rest
Release Date: September 2013
Contributed by: La Barba Cigar Company

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 88

“This is obviously an incredibly well made cigar. It has a medium brown, toothy wrapper that is virtually seamless. Its triple cap is expertly applied. The stick has consistent form across its entire length. Great appearance!” –Dave (mdwest)

Aroma: 89

“The prelight draw and aroma is strongly dominated by tobacco and barnyard flavors. There is also just a hint of capsicum pepper.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

First Third

Flavor: 96
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full

“At first light, the flavors are soft and reserved straight tobacco. Wtihin about 5 minutes, though, they get big and bold and rich. Rich musty tobacco and leather, with a peppery spice at the beginning of the finish. The spice and leather hang on for a looooong time. After a little while longer, a deep espresso flavor comes in, overlaying the leather and spice. This is a big flavor cigar with a long finish. The ash starts to split and flower as I get through the first third and I start to feel the nicotine in my belly. The flavors mellow out (or my palate is beaten into submission) and I start to pick up some cedar at the end of the finish as well. Lots of complexity here.” –Brian (B-daddy)

“Right away I get a big dose of dark espresso flavor along with some raw cocoa mixed in. Very nice start. The draw is a little stiffer than I like, but it’s producing enough smoke for me. Half an inch in, some nice spices start coming through, mostly red pepper.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Second Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Both the pepper and the citrus notes all but disappear in the second third. Notes of cedar and grass are starting to show up now that compliment the leather that remains from the first third.” –Dave (mdwest)

“The cigar continues to deliver the nice creaminess with just touches of wood and earth. This third seems to transition a bit out of the pepper into a vanilla and baking spice background.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“This thing keeps chugging right into the final third. Lots of smoke, rich full creamy flavors, and a perfect burn line. I’m impressed. Down to the band point now and haven’t gotten a hint of harshness or bitterness. The creamy leather and cedar flavors are still there and I continue to get that very unique flavor combination on the retrohale. A coolness in my sinuses and some creaminess; even a touch of sweetness. One of the oddest, most intriguing flavor profiles I’ve ever had. I’m retrohaling every draw, which is something I never do.” –Brian (B-daddy)

“This third returns back to its roots with the pepper (jalpeno/banana) flashes of flavor. The creaminess continues to dominate with the wood and earth.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 98

“Drew like a dream, actually. Thick puffs of creamy smoke, from a perfect draw. The one highlight of the cigar.” Derek (StogieNinja)

Burn: 97

“One of the best burn lines I have seen in a long time. Almost perfect for the entire smoke and absolutely razor sharp through the first third and most of the second.” –Dave (mdwest)

Construction: 90

“The construction was very good overall. I would have liked a little looser draw, and the tar buildup was distracting.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 95

“Great construction, excellent appearance, outstanding flavors, plenty of complexity and not too heavy on the strength side. Whats not to like? This is a great cigar.” –Dave (mdwest)

“I enjoyed this cigar immensely. I will definitely buy these; the price point will dictate if I buy a box and smoke them on special occasions or if I routinely buy boxes and smoke them regularly. Although the performance of this stick was solid, it’s the flavor profile that makes it. Truly unique and enjoyable. Very complex and unusual. Great combination of big bold spice and mellow creamy sweetness. I want another.” –Brian (B-daddy)

“Not one I’d recommend and not one I’d care to smoke again. No balance, left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth and the room note had an almost chemical note to it. My wife, who usually enjoys the smell of my cigars, noted “you really stink. That smells awful.” She nailed it. This cigar was a stinker.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

“This was a really nice change of pace cigar. I really enjoyed that intriguing pepper flavor to go along with the insane amount of creaminess. I don’t think I would want to smoke this everyday, but I could see it being in the rotation.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“Overall, this was a wonderful experience with just a few bumps in the road. The flavors were magnificent and the burn was spot on. I really enjoyed the pronounced transitions and distinct flavors. I think this cigar has some great aging potential and would love to revisit this in a year. I would recommend at least a fiver of this or a box if this price isn’t steep.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 81

Total Score: 94 (Great)

Edit

Reviewer	Appea-rance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Dave	95	90	95	95	93	98	97	95	95
Brian	88	88	98	97	97	98	95	88	97
Derek	88	85	83	75	80	100	85	85	75
Jason	88	95	93	90	93	95	95	92	93
Emmett	95	90	97	97	95	88	100	90	95
Overall	88	89	96	95	94	98	97	90	95

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: La Barba | Corona