Blind Cigar Review: Roberto P. Duran | Signature Line La Punta

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Habana Criollo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua and other Latin American tobaccos
Factory: Nicatabaco S.A.
Blender: Roberto P. Duran
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Wes (SosaCub4Life) Sandeep (Djangos) Paul (pmr1010) Jiunn (jliu)
Price: $12.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2014
Contributed by: Roberto Duran Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“This is a big belicoso with, I believe, a Colorado wrapper that looks really appealing. The cap looks to be a nicely applied extension of the wrapper, just continued up and twisted and completed very cleanly. Not all torpedo/belicoso cigars have such a nice technique for applying the cap, this was done well. Some minor veins are apparent but not too prominent and the seams were sealed smooth. It had a firm pinch to it and felt well balanced. There was a nice slight shine to the wrapper as well.” –Paul (pmr1010)

Aroma: 94

“The aroma is of hay and leather. The dry puff definitely brings out the leather and also some white pepper to the tongue. There is also some nutmeg in the background.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Not sure what to think of this one so far. The overall flavor is dry and not overly pleasant, however it has some wonderful spice on the retrohale. Will have to see where this goes.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

“The initial third starts off with some mild white pepper and leather that ramps up over the next half inch or so before calming down. After the half inch mark, the major flavor is of leather and hay. The nutmeg that I got in the dry puff is non existent. Also, there is a mild cedar like flavor in the background. Overall, quite pleasant but seems one dimensional. No issues with the burn or draw and there is a good amount of smoke production. The ash is dark gray and holds for a good two inches before falling off.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The sweetness I tasted earlier and smelled turned into a warm honey through the second third. The wood smoke got a little stronger but not overpowering and the creaminess stayed just right. The honey flavors hit their peak around the midway point of this cigar and then slowly tapered off as the wood smoke evened out to a nice smoothness. The burn was even through most of the cigar so far and the ash was firm and medium gray.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“Second third tells similar notes of the first third (refined dirt, leather and nuts). Standout of the second third reveals an increased milky sweetness. Almost suggestive of a milk stout beer. Also tells intermittent vegetable notes and mint. The complexity and body is definitely kicked up as compared to the first third.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cedar has a dry taste that pairs well with the peppery nutmeg. With the musty flavor gone, the coffee is able to shine more. As it gets closer to the end, the pepper starts to flare up and provides a pretty good kick at the finish.” –Ron (shuckins)

“At the very beginning of the final third, a taste and smell of popcorn showed up which I’m not sure I ever tasted in a cigar before but it was really good. It played off of the wood smoke and complimented it well. A little tanginess came in and the smoke remained creamy with a thick mouth feel. The burn loosened up a little but didn’t get too uneven and the ash remained firm almost not wanting to come off.” –Paul (pmr1010)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 97

“My favorite kind of draw, easy and with plenty of tasty smoke to enjoy.” –Ron (shuckins)

Burn: 95

“Great burn with no touch-ups needed. The ash was slightly flowery which I don’t mind as none ever fell on my lap.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Construction: 94

“Construction was very good. Held a very nice ash. Produced a lot of great smoke. Well made cigar.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 90

“A tasty cigar that provided a very enjoyable smoking experience. I can easily recommend this cigar as well as smoke more myself.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Overall, even though this cigar was well made, the flavors just didn’t do it for me. The nice spice on the retro was not enough to overcome the harsh dryness of the smoke. It was also bitter in some spots, and in general just left a bad taste in my mouth.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

“Overall, the cigar was pleasant in the first 2/3 despite the one dimensional character of leather and hay. The last third is quite harsh and there are some unpleasant flavors. Not in my profile and probably may not smoke another one.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“This was a great cigar! I would like to keep a few on hand at all times to enjoy. Something that was interesting about this cigar was that it didn’t seem to want to go out or end. I smoked it for a long time and every time I looked at it there was very little of it gone. I enjoyed every minute of it.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“Excellent cigar! This was a complex, rich, and medium-full bodied cigar. The core flavors of earth, mineral, milk stout creaminess and spice is what an excellent cigar is all about. The only negative was the slight bitterness introduced at the end of last third. I would happily buy a fiver or tener with no hesitation.” –Jiunn (jliu)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 78

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Ron	93	93	90	90	90	95	88	95	90
Wes	90	95	90	83	85	97	97	97	85
Sandeep	95	93	90	88	85	97	97	93	88
Paul	95	95	97	97	95	97	95	95	97
Jiunn	90	88	92	92	90	88	90	88	92

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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Blind Cigar Review: Roberto P. Duran | La Punta