Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: General Cigar Factory Inc
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Jason (bigslowrock) Emmett (rhetorik) Craig (WyldKnyght) Myles (MylesT) Ron (shuckins)
Price: $5.00
Contributed by: StogieBoys.comInitial Impressions
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.
Appearance: 89
“Very nice, firm, dry toro sized cigar with a dark brown wrapper. Some large to medium veins.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“This sticks appearance is pretty rough. Very mottled and uneven color with wet-marks, and one large vein running half the length from the cap and another running half the length from the foot. The cap is a little sloppy.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Aroma: 88
“Leather, light cocoa and musty tobacco smell.” –Ron (shuckins)
“Some light tobacco smell with hints of chocolate.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Construction: 90
“Firm to the squeeze. The cigar is evenly filled throughout. The cap has been fairly sloppily applied.” –Jason (bigslowrock)
“As far as I can see, this is a well built cigar. No soft or overly firm spots, no lumps, major veins, etc…” –Myles (MylesT)
Flavor: 90
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The flavors here are basic, but delicious and well balanced. Cedar and coffee up front, followed by a pleasant hay and fresh pepper hit and easing out with milk chocolate. It isn’t going to set the world on fire, but its certainly lovely on a cool evening.” –Myles (MylesT)
“Starts off with a leather flavor, joined quickly by a dry nuttiness that reminds me of smoked almonds. Add in a hint of coffee, light cedar tobacco taste and it’s off to a great start.” –Ron (shuckins)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The ash is still holding on strong from the first third, pretty impressive. Now I’m getting some molasses and cedar mixed in with the chocolate flavor, it’s turning out to be quite nice. The cigar is getting quite hot, and I’m not smoking it all that fast. Flavor doesn’t seem affected yet. The smoke production has picked up a little which is nice, but still not quite where I would like it. At the end of the third, some baking spices start finding their way in, I’m picking up a little cinnamon and nutmeg. At around 2 inches in, the salt and pepper ash finally gives in.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
“After not liking part of the first third, this third has been quite enjoyable. I’m getting a nice sweet, almost caramel, flavor with some very nice coffee and cocoa undertones.” –Jason (bigslowrock)
“This cigar just kept getting better, I started to pick up some cinnamon flavor with hints of pepper.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Final Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The nicer flavors of this cigar continue to intensify with cocoa taking the dominant role over the sweetness and coffee” –Jason (bigslowrock)
“The flavors have really developed nicely here, cedar and molasses leading the charge, with chocolate and baking spices right behind. Not too much change in flavors present but have developed more and become better balanced than the previous third. Smoke production finally cranks up to where I like it in this third, I’m getting lots of smoke with each puff and it is much thicker. Towards the nub I start picking up on some ginger and anise.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
“The final third continued the cinnamon flavor, which made my tongue tingle. The last inch, the pepper flavor really picked up.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“Similar to the second third. Not much progression or change, but tasty all the same, although the coffee did weigh out the chocolate in this third, with a touch of nuts.” –Myles (MylesT)
“More coffee with splashes of pepper have kicked it up a notch, but the leather with an anise flair is the star. Cedar has faded, the tobacco has a dry musty taste at the end.” –Ron (shuckins)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“The draw was a bit open for my taste, but didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.” –Jason (bigslowrock)
“From start to finish there was absolutely no draw issues with this cigar.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Burn: 96
“The burn was just short of perfect, a little wavy at times, but needed no touch-ups.” —Emmett (rhetorik)
“Not razor sharp, but the only touch ups I did we’re for an occasionally irregular burn line past the norm. I probably could have never touched it up and gotten along just fine.” –Myles (MylesT)
Overall Experience: 90
Overall Experience: 90
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body: Medium-Full
“This was a pretty good cigar after I got through the initial rough patch. I wouldn’t probably search out this vitola of this cigar, but would consider trying another smaller ring gauge in the line.” –Jason (bigslowrock)
“Despite the ugly appearance and slightly slow start, this turned out to be a very nice experience. The flavors really developed later on in the stick and complimented well with each other.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
“This was one great cigar, nice medium flavor and lots of light wispy smoke. Definitely going to go on my favorites list if it’s not already there, as I think I’ve smoked this cigar before.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“This is an odd one for me. It wasn’t amazing, it wasn’t terribly interesting, but it was pretty tasty, easy to smoke and I wouldn’t pass up another on the porch.” –Myles (MylesT)
“Being a fan of leather, I did enjoy the cigar, the only drawback is that it was a little one dimensional at times.” –Ron (shuckins)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 77
Total Score: 91 (Very Good)
Link to full scores and notes: Full Notes