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: Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Tabacalera Oliva
Blender: Ernesto Padilla
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Ron (shuckins) Dave (mdwest) Milton (mjohnsoniii) Robert (NavyPiper) Aaron (aaron72)
Price: $8.00
Age: 2 Months Rest
Release Date: July 2013
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“This cigar was virtually flawless. The color of the wrapper was uniform throughout and was laid perfectly. The only flaw I found was a loose spot near the cap of this torpedo which is about to be snipped.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Aroma: 91
“A faint leather aroma from the wrapper and a nice sweet tobacco aroma from the foot.” –Aaron (aaron72)
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Sweet cedar, with a light peppery nutmeg flavor on light up. Soon after though, a rich coffee taste with splashes of leather show up, bringing a trace of creaminess with it.” –Ron (shuckins)
“A nice start to this review, with flavors of medium strong tobacco, leather and wood. A bit of pepper gives a little ‘zing’ on the retrohale. Looking forward to seeing what this stogie has in store for me.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“A smooth creamy smoke kept on the sweet side by the taste of cedar. The rich taste from the coffee and leather is helped along by a peppery nutmeg flavor that has a gentle kick to it.” –Ron (shuckins)
“A slight amount of pepper has made its way back in here along with the continued oak flavor. The retrohale definitely enhances the flavors. Towards the middle of the third, the smoke is becoming a bit creamy which is a nice transition. The retrohale has moved to more of a mineral flavor.” –Aaron (aaron72)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“No changes in flavor at all since the pepper faded away in the second third. I’m still getting overarching wood and hay notes with a touch of sweetness on the finish.” –Dave (mdwest)
“The final third was pretty much identical to the second third. Actually started to get a little bored with the flavors, but was still pretty good. Wish the pepper would’ve returned but it was not to be. This has been a very consistent cigar flavor wise from start to stop.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“The draw was a little tighter than I prefer but didn’t cause any issues.” –Aaron (aaron72)
Burn: 88
“A little wavy at times, but overall a pretty decent burn leaving a nice fluffy ash behind.” –Ron (shuckins)
Construction: 91
“Very good construction. Wrapper has great seams, with a few minor veins. Nice tapered head. Perfect shape and symmetry. Feels quite heavy as well.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 90
“An enjoyable cigar with nice flavors that I would recommend as an after dinner cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)
“Not really my thing in terms of flavor profile, although it might appeal well to others looking for a cigar with heavy notes of wood and hay that bring a little bit of sweetness to the finish. I wish the stick wouldn’t have had the issue with the draw being so tight and I might have had a better overall experience with it.” –Dave (mdwest)
“I expected a lot more from this one just by the way it looked and was constructed. Although there were moments that were very enjoyable, the blandness of the first and second thirds was enough to overshadow the good points of this cigar. I’d definitely like to try another since I don’t judge a brand on a single cigar, but I won’t scour the earth looking for one either.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
“Overall, I did enjoy the review, although the lack of changes in flavor began to get a tad boring for me. Very, very consistent with little in the way of surprises.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“The initial pepper was nice, but faded away too quickly. The oak flavor was nice and the transition to some creaminess was enjoyable. The retrohale transitions were nice as well. This is something I could see smoking again, but not something I would chase after.” –Aaron (aaron72)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 87
Total Score: 90 (Very Good)
| Reviewer | Appea-rance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron | 95 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 90 | 92 | 90 |
| Dave | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 83 | 88 | 88 | 88 |
| Milton | 97 | 92 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 85 | 95 | 88 |
| Robert | 93 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 95 | 88 | 90 | 90 |
| Aaron | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 |
| Overall | 93 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 88 | 91 | 90 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.