Vital Stats:
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.
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Factory: Tabacalera La Palma
Blender: Rafael Nodal
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Sandeep (Djangos) Gregg (McGreggor57) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (rhetorik) Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Price: $8.00
Age: 4 Months Rest
Release Date: July 2013
Contributed by: Boutique Blends
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“The appearance of this cigar is pretty good, milk chocolate wrapper with a double cap and just a little tooth. The cigar feels good in hand and has a nice squeeze.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Aroma: 90
“Young hay at the foot. The cold draw offered up some cedar and salt on top of the hay.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“There is a blast of pepper that increases in strength as the third progresses. There is a mixture of black pepper and some other spices that I cannot discern at this time because of the intense pepper. It is almost an inch before the pepper begins to die down after which the flavors are coming through much more. There is definitely a lot of hay and grass. There is also some woodsy flavors like oak and cedar. Some leather is also coming through. Very enjoyable once the pepper dies down! The burn and the draw are very good and the ash is almost white and hold for less than an inch before falling. The smoke is also very creamy and voluminous.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“We started off with some pretty stout pepper, espresso beans and tobacco for flavors. About half way in to the third, the pepper is still up there, but the espresso and tobacco flavors have decreased some, and a new flavor has begun creeping in, a spice that I can't identify yet, but it's nice and goes well with the pepper.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Every once in a while you have a cigar that just oozes awesome, this is one of those. Everything about it is great, technical performance, flavors and construction. You can tell this is a “premium” cigar. Flavor-wise it hasn't changed much, but the spices have become more defined and stepped up a notch in body. I'm still getting a dark coffee background with oak mixed in, and maybe a hint of earth. Towards the end of the third, some cinnamon comes in to the profile.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
“The flavors tasted in the first third began popping at this point. The coffee really stood out amongst the flavors as well as some raw leather, nutmeg and oak. This cigar has become very enjoyable.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The spices in this cigar continue to develop, I'm getting some pumpkin spice now, along with pepper and cinnamon. The background flavors are still dark coffee and dark oak. No real changes towards the end, but it never got hot. I really enjoyed this cigar, but it's definitely not for beginners.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
“All of the flavors since the beginning have all but mellowed out and combined to make for a very nice smoking experience. Coffee is still the most prominent flavor with leather, wood and spice having kicked in.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“Easy draw allowing for the flavors to come through with little effort.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Burn: 95
“Other than the minor skewing in the final third, it held a straight line almost throughout.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Construction: 91
“The cigar was well constructed with a smooth surface. No soft spots could be appreciated. Very smooth surface with no bumps and the veins were also not all that prominent.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 90
“Enjoyed this cigar a lot except for the intense pepper for the first inch. There is a lot of complexity to the flavors and great transition between the thirds. I will most definitely try this again.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“I wasn't expecting such a full bodied cigar at the onset. While I enjoyed the first two thirds, the final leg let me down. I couldn't shake the saltiness at the end. There were not enough flavors to round out an otherwise decent stick.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“I really enjoyed this review! Starting with the texture of the wrapper, I swear it was a Cameroon Maduro. I don't know if they do this, but that's what it sure seemed like to me! And the pepper, the other flavors were working well together. Even the dreaded Licorice! Like I said, I've always hated black licorice, but boy my attitude flipped 180 degrees with this cigar! I'd be more than happy to take another one, two, thirty….” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“This cigar was the full package for me, full bodied, full flavored, full awesome. If I had to guess I would say this is a Four Kicks or an EPC cigar. I would enjoy this after a big meal anytime, but wouldn't recommend for beginners. Two thumbs up.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
“This was a VERY good cigar. I'd smoke these any chance I get. I was able to finish this one during an “extended” break at work and enjoyed every minute of it. Definitely a keeper.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 75
Total Score: 91 (Very Good)
| Reviewer | Appea-rance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 90 | 90 |
| Gregg | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 95 | 90 | 95 | 88 |
| Robert | 95 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 97 | 95 | 90 | 90 |
| Emmett | 90 | 95 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 100 | 95 | 97 | 95 |
| Milton | 88 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Overall | 90 | 90 | 89 | 90 | 90 | 94 | 95 | 91 | 90 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.