This review is the sixth in a series of collaboration reviews that we will be doing. We have invited cigar reviewers from other cigar review sites, podcasts, blogs, etc. to join the Blind Man’s Puff staff in doing some blind reviews using our format. If this initial series goes well, then we may reach out to even more sites to make these collaboration reviews a semi regular event. This collaboration review is with Will from Cigar-Coop, David from Cigar Memoir, Rob from Cigar Federation and Craig from Half Ashed.
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: Toro
Length: 6.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: TAVICUSA
Blender: Rocky Patel
Number of reviewers: 5—–Will (Cigar-Coop) David (Cigar Memoir) Rob (Cigar Federation) Craig (Half Ashed) Sandeep (Djangos)
Price: $8.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: October 2014
Contributed by: Rocky Patel
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“The wrapper was Colorado maduro in color with some veining. It reminded me of a high grade broadleaf but slightly lighter. It did possess some oils and very small tooth.” –Craig (Half Ashed)
Aroma: 91
“The pre-light aroma was very appealing to my palate. Had a faint barnyard underneath some very noticeable pepper and sweetness.” –David (Cigar Memoir)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The initial light greeted me with sweet woody “Jalapan” flavors. These were sharp on the retrohale and palate coating despite not being overly full bodied. I find this to be uncommon. The taste was reminiscent to an oily nut with some “dusty” spice. It had the feel of a Padron but was not the same flavor. It very nicely contrasted that feel of the flavor is separate from taste, though it comes through together. It also had a smooth black pepper finish. By the end of the first third it has considerably gained in flavor intensity and strength.” –Craig (Half Ashed)
“The initial third starts off great with chocolate and cocoa. There is also pepper to the tongue that eventually seems to gravitate to the back of the throat. There is also nutmeg that is quite prominent after about an inch. The flavors transition to a more earthy profile after about the 1.5 inch mark with hay and leather being more prominent. the draw and burn are good with some skewing but the smoke production is a little disappointing with wispy thin smoke.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Second Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The wood and pepper from the first third remain constant. The chocolate started to wane and then eventually disappeared by the end of this third. Coming out in its place was a light leather note. I do start to get some light bitterness, but it disappears after a flaming purge, suggesting this cigar may still be a bit young.” –David (Cigar Memoir)
“The black pepper starts to take over going into the second third. The chocolatey sweetness takes on a dry flavor cocoa powder and takes a backseat to the pepper. The strength is a solid medium-plus and it’s on the verge of full. It’s becoming a bit of a powerhouse cigar, but the complexity of flavor remains. The chewy date flavor is still there in the background and is more present on the finish. The spice has picked up on the retro as well, but that mild sweetness is still there. The balance is a bit skewed in the direction of the pepper, but it gives you the impression that could change at any moment. I need to find out what this is so I can pair it with some Bookers! I think I know what it may be, but we’ll see how it plays out.” –Rob (Cigar Federation)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Strong
Body/Complexity: Full
“The cocoa sweetness dials back again. I found the last third to be a mix of earth and pepper notes. There still was enough cocoa notes to keep this interesting. This is still a full strength, full-bodied cigar with both attributes continuing to balance each other nicely.” –Will (Cigar-Coop)
“The spice calmed down and the flavor really took off in the final third. This went from a really good cigar to an exceptional cigar in my book. The pepper took a few steps back and the richness returned with a vengeance. The candy bar flavors came back (chocolate, nuts, dates) and recaptured the spotlight. The balance between sweet and spice is perfect (again) and the complexity remained strong. What a great smoke!” –Rob (Cigar Federation)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“The draw was outstanding. It was not too loose, yet not too tight. The cigar produced a nice amount of smoke.” –Will (Cigar-Coop)
Burn: 95
“The burn was good till the wrapper issues developed with some skewing in the initial third.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Construction: 95
“From a construction standpoint, this cigar was nearly perfect. The draw and burn were great and the smoke production was off the charts. I’m not sure “perfect construction” exists, but this is pretty darn close.” –Rob (Cigar Federation)
Overall Strength: Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 88
“This was an enjoyable smoke. I would say it started out average, but once the cocoa sweetness surfaced in the second half, it made it quite enjoyable. This cigar has some power as it is full strength and full-bodied all the way. Overall, a very enjoyable cigar and one I would reach for again.” –Will (Cigar-Coop)
“I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar overall. The flavors experienced all fit my personal preference and were prominent enough to be enjoyed even while eating and having a drink. If the chocolate could have remained throughout, and if the pepper stayed strong through the final third, this would have fallen into a great category for me.” –David (Cigar Memoir)
“This is an exceptionally fine cigar. The complexity and balance of flavor was amazing. The transitions seemed to be constant, although many of them were small. I truly can’t think of anything that would have made this cigar better.” –Rob (Cigar Federation)
“This cigar was out of my wheelhouse in nearly every category. It was too strong. It was too full. Its flavors were harder than I prefer. There were aspects I appreciated, including a very tasty nutty flavor early on. The reality of the situation was that the flavors I did NOT enjoy dominated. The characteristics of the cigar did not line up with me and I’m left with a rather unfortunate opinion: I think this is an anomaly cigar. I would absolutely not be surprised if I found out that the blend was not properly put together. If that’s not the case, I would never consider purchasing one.” –Craig (Half Ashed)
“Great flavors of chocolate and coffee with nutmeg in the initial third, but as the cigar progressed, the wrapper and binder fell apart in the middle third and the cigar was not smokeable any more. I will definitely give this another try based on the initial third.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 97
| Reviewer | Appearance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will | 92 | 90 | 88 | 92 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 90 |
| David | 90 | 92 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 85 | 93 | 92 |
| Rob | 92 | 92 | 97 | 92 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 97 |
| Craig | 90 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 50 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 75 |
| Sandeep | 95 | 95 | 92 | 85 | 83 | 95 | 90 | 93 | 83 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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