Inka Secret Blend Red Sampler - 3 Cigars

For £5.49 I wasn't expecting much, but the reviews seemed good and so I thought if nothing else it was going to be a pleasant cigar. Unfortunately it didn't start out great, the cap was horribly askew and it seemed far too firm. Lighting was a challenge and it took me nearly five matches to get a solid burn going and many more touching up where the wrapper was burning uneven through the smoke. Draw was hard, as initially suspected it was tighter packed than it needed to be and this made smoking it too much of an effort. It went out several times before I had even reached the halfway mark and after the third relight I eventually consigned it to its fate. Flavour wise it was a nice cigar, sweet with a lingering flavour that clung to my palate between draws but it was not enough to warrant how difficult it proved to be to smoke. I have another Rojo Red, the Figurado and if this is an improvement I'll definitely revisit the line. But first impressions left a lot wanting and it was ultimately unsatisfying and £5.49 I feel I could have spent better.

Nothing special and having tried quite a few in the range this is the one I wouldn't miss. There's nothing wrong with the way it's made, pretty good actually, and little with how it burns; an easy draw with a very even burn and lots of smoke but it did get quite hot. What lets it down is the taste because it never quite gets going, it is trying to but just as there's a hint of flavour it disappears. Not an unpleasant smoke just nothing there that would make me want to smoke another one. Considering how good I've found the rest of the range, in particular the robusto, I'm tempted to give it the benefit and say this was probably just a duff stick.

...that I could taste it the following day. This cigar represents real bang for your buck and I will certainly be ordering more, but for now I have the rest of the range to try!

£4.99 non-Cuban. If someone handed me this and uttered those words I wouldn't be expecting much but boy would I be wrong. In terms of construction I had no complaints with this little beauty; her draw was easy without being loose, her construction solid and burn even. Taking a 'dry' draw you get sweet, honey-like flavours which are also present when lighting up. I'd describe the initial flavour as being like a sweet-cure virginia pipe tobacco, which in my books is a good thing. This sweetness is joined with a light cedar, and as you progress the woodiness begins to dominate but without even killing the sweetness. Also, its worth noting that when I say 'woodiness' it never goes as deep as say a Bolivar. In fact to compare it against any Cuban I've had it would be closest to a RyJ Cedros, though not as spicy. It seemed to compliment the Ardmore I was drinking quite nicely but I think it would be equally matched to a good rum - possibly from Martinique. Finish was long - so much so that I could still taste it the following afternoon. This cigar represents real bang for your buck and I'll certainly be ording some more. For now though I've a few others to try from the range.