Date Added: Wednesday 08 June, 2016
by Staff
£46.49
Reviewed by Don Hanes - February 2003
Cigar 1
A beautiful milk chocolate colored, lightly shiny wrapper, with few coarse veins. This enviting pyramid had a spongy, fresh feel, with soft spots present near the head. Overall it appeared to be expertly rolled, and very well made. It was of medium weight in hand, it possessed a good light, and open airy draw. My first flavor impression was very light,somewhat complex tabacco taste. After 1/2" smoked, I found more satisfying, meaty, medium overtones, with a dry cocoa aftertaste. This cigar had a good burn, which produced a light/med. grey very flaky ash. The smoke was of floral properties, and was not offensive. Slight flavor and strength burst at the half way point, which developed into some orange peel notes, as well as bitter sweet chocolate flavor. As I approached the finish the flavors started to sour, with a ever so slight,minty, tongue tingling bite. This cigar smoked for 1 1/2 hours. Overall not a great cuban cigar experience. I have had these before, and the Fonseca Bin 27 port that I paired with it, seemed to overpower the cigar. There seemed to be a lack of ligero in this one. An any time of the day smoke, of light, slightly complex tabacco flavors
Cigar 2
This was a beauty. A chocolate brown toothy wrapper, with some veins present. It had a greenish hue to the wrapper with slight oil on the surface. Some soft spots around the head, but overall very well made with a well packed, even roll. This sample was also very fresh, and spongy feel at the foot. The cut was fast and clean, indicating a well aged and humidified cigar. I paired this one with a fine tawny port made by Noval. Once lit it's burn became irregular, and took a little attention to get it to burn straight. The first flavor was light tabacco tastes, but complex and very aromatic. As the smoke progressed, it became very meaty, chewy, and thick. It had loads of light colored smoke, due to the very open draw, but exhibits a flaky but solid dark grey ash, with a slight tunneling effect. I noticed moldy/green tabacco flavors, at the 1/2 way point. The character of this cigar changed dramatically at this point. Flavors started to abound, such hints of cinnamon, and a light cocoa, with overtones of allspice were all there. More of a medium to full body richness was present. I think it could have used a little more humidor time, as it also showed signs of roughness, that could perhaps mellow with time. The last 1/4 really grabs you unexpectedly, a real eye opener, flavor bursts, and loads of spicy tongue tingling notes. I had to put it down at about 1 1/2", the power, and spice were overwelming!
Overall view on this smoke, in a word, excellent. This reminds me of Vegas Rabainos I have smoked in the past!
