Blind Cigar Review: Viaje | Collaboration 2014 Toro

Cigar Info

Announced at IPCPR 2014, Viaje Collaboration will be an annual release with 2014 being the maiden. For the first Collaboration, Viaje partnered with Casa Fernandez to bring an Aganorsa leaf from Nicaragua wrapped in a Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99 made at TABASA factory in Esteli. Andre Farkas is planning on making a collaboration release once every one to two years. This project is not just limited to partnering with manufacturers, but has has said this could include retailers or other industry figures.The Viaje Collaboration 2014 is a 6 x 52 toro with a slight box-press and a covered foot. It is being sold in boxes of 20 with a retail price of 11.50. Only 1,000 boxes were made, and it shipped with Cache and Satori.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)
Blender: Andre Farkas and Arsenio Ramos
Number of reviewers: 4 – Sandeep (Djangos) Kent (Throck) Adam B. (Bushboy) Dave W. (mdwest)
Price: $11.50
Age: 10 Months
Release Date: July 2014
Contributed by: Cigarplace.biz

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“A well executed closed foot box press with nearly undetectable seams. There are a couple of small spots on the wrapper that I am assuming are condensation related, but they are not obvious and only were noticed because of a close inspection. A really nice looking cigar.” –Dave W. (mdwest)

Aroma: 90

“The aroma was extremely pungent. It smelled of a ripe sheep’s milk cheese that was left out in the sun a tad longer that what was recommended. I don’t mind that smell at all and happened to find it fairly enjoyable.” –Kent (Throck)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“After the dry puff I didn’t have much in my mind for this cigar till I took the first puff and man did it deliver! The cigar starts off with a bang of pepper and this increases in intensity over the next few puffs to leave your mouth all tingly! once the pepper begins to settle down after the inch mark then the other flavors begin to develop. There is definite leather and tobacco as well as cedar in the back ground. Slight nuttiness of almonds begins to break through towards the end of the third. The burn is slightly wavy and the draw is almost perfect. Ash is flaky but hods for about an inch and half before falling off.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“Flavors of earth, oak and cherry wood jockeying for position without any taking command. Retrohale is rather sweet, although undetectable on the palate. Hopefully some of the flavors will kick it up a notch because nothing in the first third jumped out at me. Burn has been sharp and even.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Second Third

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

“The harshness subsided and yielded a more mellow, leather flavor with a hint of raisin. I thought that this was a major improvement, but the overall profile still felt lacking.” –Kent (Throck)

“The cigar started out nice, but gets even better in the second third. The pepper notes originally detected are now gone and all that is left is cocoa and coffee. The slight harshness and edginess of the smoke in the first third is gone as well, and the smoke while still not creamy, has mellowed considerably.” –Dave W. (mdwest)

Final Third

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

“The final third is the same flavors but for some reason all the flavors work in harmony. The leather and almonds blend well and the decreasing pepper is also a different change of pace. It is surprising that the pepper continued to decrease all the way to the end as I am usually used to the other way around. The nic strength is increasing and towards the end I was slightly lightheaded. No other issues with the burn or draw.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“The final third was not a significant departure from the previous section. The muddied leather flavor shined through a bit more, but there was still and underlying harshness to this stick.” –Kent (Throck)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 92

“I had no problems with the draw. It was nice and consistent and did not get too burn too warm at the end.” –Kent (Throck)

Burn: 90

“Was slightly wavy in the initial third but straightened out by the middle third and then was good all the way.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Construction: 92

“Solid construction that resulted in both a cigar that is visually appealing and that performed well while smoking.” –Dave W. (mdwest)

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

“Very good cigar with a good amount of complexity with all the flavors marrying well and no issues with the burn or construction. Will definitely try again.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“I was not a fan of this cigar. The initial third felt like it was really trying to pump the nicotine in me at the expense of flavor…it was quite harsh. The second and find thirds were a little more enjoyable, but nothing that I would go out and actively smoke again.” –Kent (Throck)

“Probably not a cigar that I would stock on a regular basis due to the lack of transitioning flavors. Wouldn’t mind giving it a second chance on the grounds of superb construction and satisfying aroma. Maybe on a different day I would have a different experience.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

“Overall a very nice cigar that I would be happy to smoke again. I am sure that after the reveal I will be searching for at least a 5ver.” –Dave W. (mdwest)

 

Smoking Time (in minutes): 64

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Sandeep	Djangos)	90	88	90	90	90	97	90	92	90
Kent	Throck)	85	90	83	85	85	95	90	90	83
Adam B.	Bushboy)	92	90	88	88	88	90	92	92	90
Dave W.	mdwest)	92	90	88	90	90	85	88	88	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Viaje | Collaboration 2014 Toro