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: Honduras
Wrapper: Indonesian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican Piloto
Filler: Dominican Piloto and Olor
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Grupo De Maestros
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Dave (mdwest) Robert (NavyPiper) Sandeep (Djangos) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $6.10
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: August 2014
Contributed by: Altadis USA
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“Good looking cigar with a light brown wrapper with a slight greenish tinge. Has a very toothy appearance with some very prominent veins. There are two caps visible. No major blemishes are discernible.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Aroma: 91
“A really nice blend of dry grass and hay type scents laced with a little bit of pepper in the background. Much stronger than I initially expected.” –Dave (mdwest)
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Not at all what I expected in a flavor profile based on the pre-light aroma. Instead of the anticipated hay and grass, I got a very nutty and cedar filled profile with some white pepper notes peeking in on each puff. The smoke is silky smooth without a bit of harshness about it. We’re off to a very good start!” –Dave (mdwest)
“The initial third starts off with a blast of pepper. The pepper then increases in intensity over the next one inch. There is a faint hay and grass like flavor in the back ground but is mostly drowned by the pepper. The pepper retains its intensity even towards the end of the third. The burn and draw are phenomenal with a lot of smoke production.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Just as I get to the second third, there is an unexpected wrapper crack. Fortunately, the crack is manageable and the cigar continues to perform, keeping the burn line very straight. The flavor changes a good bit from the first third with baking spices replacing the pepper that was originally detected, which creates a very nice transition.” –Dave (mdwest)
“The second portion of this cigar remained mildly peppery and predominantly sweet. Through the nose, there remained just a bit of pepper and the retrohale enhanced the undertones of leather. Still a very nice cigar that is just short of medium strength.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Final Third
Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar is still peppery tasting as it nears the end. There is plenty of cedar available, along with a splash or two of allspice. The flavors combine well together, but did give the cigar a bit of bite at the very end.” –Ron (shuckins)
“In the final third, the flavors actually mellowed out except for the spice which had another increase in strength which was well received. That was the only change in this third.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“A very good draw with just the right amount of resistance provided.” –Dave (mdwest)
Burn: 88
“Every aspect of the burn of this cigar was spot on…truly a joy in this regard.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Construction: 90
“A very solid, tightly packed and well rolled cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 88
“This cigar needed another dimension or two for it to be an “in the rotation” cigar, but maybe some time in the humidor would have helped the flavors develop more of a taste that would please my palate.” –Ron (shuckins)
“A very nice, enjoyable smoke that I would be happy to buy more of and share with friends. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the reveal on this one.” –Dave (mdwest)
“Overall, it was a pretty decent stogie, not counting the draw issues. It was pretty consistent throughout, with just minor changes in the strength of the flavors which was mentioned in each third.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“Overall, the cigar was a pepper bomb with the pepper almost drowning out any flavors if any. Also, there was a chemical harshness that was not enjoyable. Someone with a liking for pepper may like this. Definitely not for me.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“If this cigar had finished as it started it would be a no brainier for a box purchase. As it is, I think I might have smoked a dud…once I know what this is I will try to grab another to sample.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 65
| Reviewer | Appearance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron | 88 | 88 | 85 | 88 | 87 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 85 |
| Dave | 92 | 92 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 90 |
| Robert | 90 | 85 | 88 | 88 | 87 | 50 | 90 | 90 | 88 |
| Sandeep | 95 | 92 | 88 | 88 | 85 | 97 | 97 | 95 | 85 |
| Jason H. | 92 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 85 | 97 | 97 | 95 | 90 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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