Cigar Info
This Quesada | Sons of Freedom Maduro Torpedo is a CDM Cigars exclusive made at the Quesada factory in the Dominican republic. It is one of many CDM exclusives that can be found at CDMcigars.com
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.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Quesada
Blender: Manuel Quesada
Number of reviewers: 4 – Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd) Mickey T. (irratebass) Matt C. (Big Matt) Kevin S. (KBS1153)
Price: $5.50
Age: 1 year
Release Date: January 2016
Contributed by: CDM Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“A very dark rustic wrapper. It is well packed and gives a bit when I squeeze it.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Aroma: 89
“Heavy heavy barnyard smell, lots of manure, damp wood & chocolate.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The first third presented me with wet earth and faint dark chocolate undertones. We are immediately hit with a medium strength cigar with light to medium body. Retrohale hold its own with a creamy cedar and well above average amount of smoke. Additional vegetal notes appear in the cigars profile that I can’t quite put my finger on..” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“The very first node I detected is dark roasted coffee followed by a sweetness of chocolate. There is a creaminess of hazelnut. The burn was very good. The ashes are solid.” –Kevin S. (KBS1153)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Earth, cream, vegetal notes, leather and rich tobacco engulf the profile of this cigar. Retrohale is sweet cream and white pepper. Almost like a sea salt can be detected on the tongue. The finish is short and it works with this sticks profile. Ash is holding firm at over 2 inches.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“The draw and burn line are both very good. I let the cigar rest for about 4 minutes and it did not require a touchup. Cedar is coming into play along with the sweetness of the chocolate and dark roasted coffee beans. The creaminess of the hazelnut has subsided. A very enjoyable smoke this morning.” –Kevin S. (KBS1153)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The original ash was still strong at the start of the final third. Then I got cocky and it landed in a solid chunk on my lap. The flavors in the final third were extremely intense and strong, but not pleasant on my palate. Mostly earthy and burnt wood flavors with a sour leather finish. The leak was still causing problems with smoke output.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“Oak, charred notes, bittersweet chocolate which varies between puffs is the exhale. Body and complexity of the cigar ramp up however the strength remains a locked in solid medium. Retrohale is cream, vegetal notes, and fully matured black pepper.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“After I clipped it again a couple more times into the 2/3rd it really opened up for me.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 98
“The burn was close to perfect. Ash hung on in over 2 inch chunks. Combustion line was sharp. A touch-up never crossed my mind.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
Construction: 90
“Fully packed, but still had some give when I pinched it. Very dark rustic looking wrapper.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89
“I want to try this cigar again, because I have a feeling the leak that was allowing outside air into the draw was altering the flavor profile. It was one of the best burning cigars I’ve had in a while and that counts for a lot in my book.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“Flavors were very consistent, which is a good thing, it didn’t burn hot or anything like that at all. Very tasty all the way through, and would say it was a medium, but eventually became a medium-full.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Overall this was a good cigar but was never really in my wheelhouse. With that being said, I would completely recommend this cigar to the experienced smoker. The cigars flavors really test your palate changing from the cedar to oak and the vegetal and earth notes going from being detected on the exhale to then in the final third becoming present on the retro. I think I will enjoy this cigar again after grilling lamb chops or venison steaks as the earthy, vegetal almost gamey notes would be a treat for the palate after a meal of fine smoked and charred meat.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“This is a very good smoke. It is well constructed, burns even and has a very good draw. The flavors all transcend very well.” –Kevin S. (KBS1153)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 95
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew T. | 95 | 88 | 85 | 85 | 83 | 80 | 97 | 90 | 88 |
| Mickey T. | 97 | 100 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 93 | 97 | 97 | 90 |
| Matt C. | 88 | 88 | 87 | 88 | 90 | 95 | 97 | 90 | 88 |
| Kevin S. | 90 | 92 | 87 | 90 | 90 | 93 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.