Cigar Info
Total Flame Cigars first showed off the Total Flame | OTR at IPCPR 2014, but it was not actually released until August of this year. The OTR was originally going to be four cigars in a canister, but evolved into a normal box of 14. Each cigar is 4 1/2 x 52 and is made to be portable and fast. The company says it is a medium strength cigar. The OTR is made at the Plasencia factory in Nicaragua.
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.
Total Flame Cigars was created by Vladimir Roshchin and Maxim Privezentsev. The two met at a cigar event in Moscow, Russia and learned they had a common enthusiasm for cigars and motorcycles. They quickly collaborated to launch a cigar company and in 2011 they also set out on a well global tour riding their motorcycles. The company has a United States headquarters in Amarillo, Texas.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 4.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 4 – Stefan (Stefan) Gregg (McGreggor57) Kent (Throck) Dave W. (mdwest)
Price: $7.00
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: August 2016
Contributed by: Total Flame Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“Firm to touch, with a Colorado Maduro wrapper exhibiting an oily sheen and only three relatively short veins.” –Stefan (Stefan)
Aroma: 90
“A great aroma of both cedar and leather. A classic combination, but enjoyable nonetheless. It was consistent from foot to cap with a nice, delicate smell.” –Kent (Throck)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“A little initial heat still allows some dark coffee and slightly burnt caramel to find the palate. A pleasing leather and earthiness lingers in the background. A firm draw opened up nicely after a quick ream.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“I can tell this one is going to keep me guessing. I expected something earthy and maybe even chocolaty or sweet based on the cigars appearance and aroma, but ended up getting a strange (but pleasant) combination of herbs and minerals.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The second third drops the initial creaminess while adding a sour component on the palate as well as black and white pepper notes of medium intensity on the retrohale. Cocoa powder notes of mild-to-medium intensity then become dominant around the midpoint.” –Stefan (Stefan)
“The intensity picked up quite a bit during this third. The cigar took a turn to the more “natural” side with flavors of grass and a lingering walnut flavor. It was pleasant and much more impressive then the onset of the cigar was. The strength also picked up as the stick packed much more of a punch that was needed.” –Kent (Throck)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The final third is marked by understated cocoa flavors with faint hints of nuts. Rather one-dimensional, but quite tasty, it — sadly — gets harsh at the nub.” –Stefan (Stefan)
“The final third continued ramping out the intensity. I enjoyed the spicier notes that started hitting me from the onset of this third. The subtler flavors that were present in the second third were a bit overloaded by the spice but lingered on the tongue after setting the stick down.” –Kent (Throck)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 88
“A little bit on the loose side. Not bad, but a bit too much airflow for my tastes.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Burn: 91
“Lots of smoke with a firm ash and pretty straight burn line. A slower cadence kept the cigar from smoking hot.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Construction: 92
“The construction held together tightly and it was even durable enough to hold up to the high heat that I experienced in the final third. This was definitely one of the best parts of the cigar.” –Kent (Throck)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 90
“A full strength stogie with an understated flavor profile revolving around notes of cocoa, and an almost perfect construction. It reminded me of some of RoMa Craft's Broadleaf sticks.” –Stefan (Stefan)
“The first half flavors were similar but lacked much interest before some cedar broke through. The final third, however, offered up a nice richness of slightly burnt coffee with wood char and an oiliness to the leather on the finish. Perfectly balanced flavors that really elevated this cigar.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“This cigar was pretty much the middle of the road for me. I am not the greatest fan of the flavor profile, but the construction of the cigar elevated my experience nicely. I probably won't be smoking this one again; however, other palates my find this experience more enjoyable.” –Kent (Throck)
“Overall not a bad cigar, just not one that I would consider my thing. It might be more appealing to others” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 52
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stefan | 95 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 97 | 97 | 92 | 90 |
| Gregg | 88 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 87 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Kent | 95 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 95 |
| Dave W. | 88 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.