Cigar Info
At the 2015 IPCPR convention MoyaRuiz Cigars showed their 2015 limited edition release, The Chinese Finger Trap. Production on this project will be limited to only 1,000 boxes. Each box will feature 10 cigars in a 6×50 Toro size.
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.
Danny Moya, co-founder of MoyaRuiz Cigars explained the concept behind the Chinese Finger Trap: “We had such a blast making last year’s limited edition release, the Nunchuck, so we knew that this year we had to once again think outside the box. Although this release also has an oriental theme, its packaging is inspired mainly by vintage novelty/game boards the Chinese finger traps came in.”
“The blend is an ancient Chinese secret. Thus, no further information about the blend will ever be released.” says Moya. The cigars are made in Erik Espinosa’s factory La Zona in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Danny Moya and Nelson Ruiz
Number of reviewers: 4—–Gregg (McGreggor57) Craig (WyldKnyght) Stefan (Stefan) Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Price: $10.99
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: June 2015
Contributed by: MoyaRuiz
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“This Robusto Extra sized cigar had a Colorado colored wrapper that was fairly smooth with some bumps. There were some thin veins and the seam was barely visible. It also had a nice triple cap.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Aroma: 93
“The aroma coming from the wrapper is spice and coffee, same from the foot. Pre-light draw provides fresh tobacco and spice.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“A wide open draw allows plenty of smoke to come through the cigar. Quite a bit of initial pepper hits the front of my nose. As it fades, leather, tobacco and some cooking spice akin to celery salt appear. There is just a touch of chocolate on the finish.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“White pepper flavors (with edges softened by cream) dominate the first half inch, then remain as the undercurrent of this medium-bodied Toro. Additional flavors of vanilla oak soon emerge on the palate, joined by a smoky note on the mid-palate (most noticeable on the roof of my mouth actually) and finish. By the middle of the first third, the (what is now a) mesquite-like smokiness comes to the forefront whereas the finish turns slightly peppery, with an impression of white peppercorns at the tip of my tongue. As the burn line progresses, cocoa flavors also become noticeable, eventually edging out the aforementioned smoky flavor.” –Stefan (Stefan)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“At the start of the second third, the flavor of nuts and pepper mellowed. The cigar started to expand from the heat and the wrapper cracked, luckily it stayed enough together and did not ruin the enjoyment or flavor. Near the end of this third, the pepper started to pickup.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“The first half of the second third acts as a melting pot of all the flavors encountered earlier, of smokiness, cocoa, white peppercorn, wood and cream, all in great balance. Then, past the midpoint, a smoky and faintly woodsy note takes over, joined by flavors of licorice as the smoke turns slightly drying to the tongue.” –Stefan (Stefan)
Final Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Grassy notes with the addition of allspice and nutmeg soften the profile in the home stretch. There are not a lot of changes but the flavors are decent.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“This third is much better balanced than the others. The draw has improved a little allowing for more nuance. There is still a charred-oak flavor along with some mineral flavors. The cigar finishes out much the same, but enjoyable.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 91
“Very easy draw, but not to easy.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Burn: 91
“Tons of smoke from this cigar with a pretty straight burn line.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Construction: 90
“The thin wrapper inevitably exhibited small cracks during the smoke, but they never degenerated. Construction proved to be solid until the very end.” –Stefan (Stefan)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 90
“After a somewhat slow start, this cigar offered up a nice balance of flavors. Grassy notes and leather provided a consistency while cooking seasoning, bread, baking spice and chocolate added the interest. A solid cigar that I would grab again.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“I’d have to say this cigar was very good. I should have stopped a little sooner to avoid the unpleasant chemical flavor at the end. I liked how it started out on the medium side and built up to a medium-full cigar. I would definitely try this cigar again.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“A great cigar to contemplate before a barbecue.” –Stefan (Stefan)
“This cigar didn’t wow but me but it was enjoyable. The charred-oak flavors were interesting and strong. The spices changed enough to keep my interest but not enough to get a very high rating. The strange mineral taste and bitterness were a deterrent. I would smoke this again, but I don’t know that I would buy a box.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 89
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregg | McGreggor57) | 88 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 97 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Craig | WyldKnyght) | 92 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 95 | 92 | 90 | 90 |
| Stefan | Stefan) | 95 | 92 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 88 | 97 | 92 | 92 |
| Emmett | BMP_Emmett) | 90 | 95 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 83 | 85 | 88 | 88 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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