Esencia Belicoso 5-1/2" x 52 rg, Nicaraguan puro
I was very generously gifted this cigar by a CigarPass member. Thank you sir! I should preface the review by saying that the cigar had been a bit squished at some point but the wrapper and cigar were intact.
Prelight Impressions
This is an attractive cigar with a ruddy, oily, colorado maduro wrapper. The construction was of high quality but the cigar seemed a bit underfilled resulting in a slightly spongy feel when rolling between the fingers. There wasn't much prelight aroma of any kind. Just light tobacco was detectable. I cut the head revealing a 3/8" opening and took a few draws which revealed...not much.
The Smoking
Upon lighting, the first few puffs were full of black peppery spice with a touch of sweetness. After about the first inch, the cigar settled down to a solid base of good quality medium light to medium tobacco with a predominantly woody character. Pepper was still present and tickled the nose. The tobacco, though not rich, was lively and bright with a slightly dry mouth feel. The burn was consistent and straight and the ash was fluffy and medium-dark gray.
After the first half, the flavor remained clean, gentle to the palate. The trailing smoke from the foot of the cigar was mild with a bright sharpness. The flavor was quite delicate, a tad one dimensional, but well delineated and crisp with a little lively tang to it.
The Finish
This cigar was far from lush and full-bodied. However, construction and tobacco quality were both top notch. The Esencia Belicoso delivered light, bright tobacco flavor, was consistent and consistent if a bit boring. Overall, this was a pleasant but unexciting cigar.
Wilkey
(IMG:http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h73/Gins...s/Esencia01.jpg)
I was very generously gifted this cigar by a CigarPass member. Thank you sir! I should preface the review by saying that the cigar had been a bit squished at some point but the wrapper and cigar were intact.
Prelight Impressions
This is an attractive cigar with a ruddy, oily, colorado maduro wrapper. The construction was of high quality but the cigar seemed a bit underfilled resulting in a slightly spongy feel when rolling between the fingers. There wasn't much prelight aroma of any kind. Just light tobacco was detectable. I cut the head revealing a 3/8" opening and took a few draws which revealed...not much.
The Smoking
Upon lighting, the first few puffs were full of black peppery spice with a touch of sweetness. After about the first inch, the cigar settled down to a solid base of good quality medium light to medium tobacco with a predominantly woody character. Pepper was still present and tickled the nose. The tobacco, though not rich, was lively and bright with a slightly dry mouth feel. The burn was consistent and straight and the ash was fluffy and medium-dark gray.
After the first half, the flavor remained clean, gentle to the palate. The trailing smoke from the foot of the cigar was mild with a bright sharpness. The flavor was quite delicate, a tad one dimensional, but well delineated and crisp with a little lively tang to it.
The Finish
This cigar was far from lush and full-bodied. However, construction and tobacco quality were both top notch. The Esencia Belicoso delivered light, bright tobacco flavor, was consistent and consistent if a bit boring. Overall, this was a pleasant but unexciting cigar.
Wilkey
(IMG:http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h73/Gins...s/Esencia01.jpg)