Blind Cigar Review: Relic by A.J. Fernandez | Robusto

For new readers who are unfamiliar with our previous collaboration reviews, we have invited cigar reviewers from other cigar review sites, podcasts, blogs, etc. to join the Blind Man’s Puff staff in doing blind reviews using our format. This collaboration review is with Eric from Stogies on the Rocks, Dave from Cigar Jukebox, Will from Cigar-Coop and Rob from Cigar Federation.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5.2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 5—–Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Dave (Cigar Jukebox) Eric (Stogies on the Rocks) Will (Cigar-Coop) Rob (Cigar Federation)
Price: $8.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: Undisclosed
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“My initial impression is that I really dig the way this cigar looks. It sports a dark, oily wrapper with three large prominent veins running from the cap to the foot. The almost invisibly blended wrapper really adds to the overall appeal as well, and is topped off with a neatly applied triple cap. The only concern I have pre-light is just how firm this cigar is, it’s borderline hard actually, with little to no give to it at all.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

Aroma: 91

“The pre-light aroma is earthy with some notes of chocolate and damp wood.” –Rob (Cigar Federation)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full

“The cigar starts out with a rich, chewy, dark sweetness. It has a cola quality to it, which is both sweet and savory. Not much spice, but more chewy cola sweetness with some earth and tobacco flavors. The cigar itself has a nice full body to it, which gives it a stout quality. There is a complex layered finish with cola, tobacco, coffee and earth on the front end with a subtle spice note coming through at the end of the finish. All these flavors are nicely balanced and it is refreshing to experience such a complex first third. The finish remains pretty consistent throughout the first third and it is very enjoyable.” –Dave (Cigar Jukebox)

“Some very interesting notes; lots of earth, a strong spice and interesting leather note that was intense, but I liked it.” –Eric (Stogies on the Rocks)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The profile was very similar to the first third. The earthy notes became more of a natural tobacco flavor. The cigar still produced plenty of cocoa and white pepper notes. Any bitterness early on dissipated.” –Will (Cigar-Coop)

“Some of that lovely sweetness dies away and the profile takes on more of that barbecue smokiness. I started to get some jerky-like notes in there as well. The combination of the smokiness and the molasses flavor was very interesting. I’m missing the chewy sweetness, but the turn the profile has taken is rather unique.” –Rob (Cigar Federation)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“As I continue into the final third of the smoke, I encounter what I believe is a flavor profile change from a chocolate to more of a dark roasted coffee flavor. I will admit that I could be wrong since the final third has also picked up a bit of bitterness, that when combined with a chocolate note, I often associate it with roasted coffee. The rest of the smoke remains consistent with the earthy hay and pepper that now rests a bit bitter on the palate, an intermittent sweetness I can’t quite place my finger on and a clean mineral retrohale.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“The flavor dipped and the smokiness picked up in the final third. The balance was thrown out of whack a bit and I found myself reminiscing about how good the middle third was.” –Rob (Cigar Federation)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“The draw is pretty dialed in right from the start. There is enough resistance that the cigar does not burn too quickly, but the draw is not tight. The draw remains consistent throughout the smoke and is very well done. ” –Dave (Cigar Jukebox)

Burn: 90

“I had a few issues with the burn and had to correct them every now and again.” –Eric (Stogies on the Rocks)

Construction: 93

“With the exception of the cap being a little sloppy, overall, the construction was very good.” –Will (Cigar-Coop)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Full
Overall Experience: 91

“This stick had a good consistent flavor profile, and despite the touch-ups and relight, it was a pretty dependable cigar. I wouldn’t buy a box of these, but I wouldn’t mind keeping a couple on hand when I felt like a peppery smoke. This would be a great stick for anyone who likes a fuller body cigar with chocolate, earth, pepper and mineral flavors.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“The first two thirds of this cigar are some of the best and most complex you can find in a full body smoke. Burn, draw and construction are all top notch and the cigar is very well made. Unfortunately, the finish becomes unbalanced and slightly bitter in the final third. This can be a product of age and letting this cigar sit for a few months or so will rid the final third of this bitter note. I could buy 10 or so of this cigar and it will hit the mark when I am looking for a full body smoke. However, there are a few other full bodied cigars I would reach for over this one.” –Dave (Cigar Jukebox)

“Overall, enjoyed it and I would probably smoke it again.” –Eric (Stogies on the Rocks)

“Overall, a nice cigar flavor-wise. I didn’t get a lot in the way of complexity, but the notes produced by this cigar were very good. This is a nice cigar that produces a nice maduro sweetness. It’s a cigar I’d reach for again and is worthy of a five pack.” –Will (Cigar-Coop)

“I REALLY enjoyed the first two thirds of this cigar. The final third left me wanting, but it was still quite good. I will revisit this one once I figure out what it is.” –Rob (Cigar Federation)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 100

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Jeff	ExpendableYouth)	97	92	95	93	90	95	90	93	88
Dave	Cigar Jukebox)	90	90	95	95	90	95	90	95	92
Eric	Stogies on the Rocks)	95	95	95	95	95	95	90	93	95
Will	Cigar-Coop)	88	88	88	90	88	93	92	90	88
Rob	Cigar Federation)	88	88	90	90	88	95	90	93	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

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Blind Cigar Review: Relic by A.J. Fernandez | Robusto