2007 Farm Rolled Culebra

[Mark Twain]

I’ve never smoked a culebra so I had no idea what to expect.

Construction

The culebra is beautifully made with a smooth oily wrapper that had a nice sheen to it. There is a slight ‘pinch’ from where the twine held the foot and cap of the cigar in place when it was kept in the bunch. This depression should have split the wrapper. I can’t even begin to fathom how the roller managed to twist the cigar into such an unnatural shape without the wrapper splitting or encountering massive structural issue with the bunch. No problems here. I scored and lifted the cap. The cigar drew nicely, not to firm and not to easy.

The culebra smelled wonderful. The foot gave off a nice sense of tobacco with a slight smell of honey to it.

Initial light & Burn

The culebra took the flame easily and the initial burn was remarkably consistent and even. It produced a decent volume of rich smoke from the beginning. I was watching a nice feature on CNN about the Cuban Embargo. :sign:

I didn’t know how well the ash would hold up on the twisted culebra. I thought it would fall off with the first extreme curve in the cigar. This was not the case. The ash held firm and followed the shape of the cigar and the burn remained even.

The ash stayed on the cigar for 1/3rd of the smoke before it fell off. The burn started to go crazy at this point and the first of several corrective touchups followed. The nicely ribbed ash now became smooth and slightly flaked.

Erratic Burn

Burn 2

Final

Taste and Flavor

The overwhelming flavor coming from the opening half of the cigar was one of rich hearty coffee that left a strong and slightly pungent finish. This smoothed out around the half way point and the flavor profile settled into a pleasant, albeit very dry, pattern of woodsy flavors and the finish represented this well.

Summary

This culebra is still very young, but it preformed quite well for a cigar rolled in ’07. I think the smoking experience was highly enjoyable and should only improve with age.

 

[Wurm]

MMMMMMM yummy!

Hey I have to ask, is that a fireplace hood on your gas - grill?

Great review!

 

[StogieFarts]

Hey I have to ask, is that a fireplace hood on your gas - grill?

It sure looks like it, doesn't it? In fact, it almost looks like ASH in there, as if that's no longer used for BBQing anymore. Awesome idea, and great review!

 

[Brickhouse]

Never had a culebra. Hope to in the future. Nice pics and review!

 

[Wurm]

Never had a culebra. Hope to in the future. Nice pics and review!

You do know that LFD makes them too?

image from cigarworld.de

16.50€ ($22.17) each.

 

[Brickhouse]

I did not know that....hmmm.

 

[insight]

Nice review Marc, I've never smoked a culebra. I did have a CG of the same origin the other day and I would echo your thoughts on the flavor profile.

 

[cigarsarge]

I've never smoked one of the culebras...A little age does wonders on the farmies. I've got some PC sized ones that are almost a year old and they are smoking pretty well. The ones I've had arrived wet and required at least a month at 65% before they were some what smokable.

Got a few more headed my way this week. :thumbs:

 

[Big Stick]

Cool review!!!

 

[tkoepp]

Very nice Marc... well done... can't wait to smoke mine...

 

[cody5thou]

Nice review and great pics. I have never had one either, caant wait to give them a shot!! Thanks.

 

[audilicious]

i've always been intrigued by culebra's, didn't know there were many available, doesn't seem there's too many NC available either.

what is a farm rolled? the photobucket tag implies it's an opus, no, yes?

 

[tomthirtysix]

Thanks for the great review! I am VERY jealous. Looks like a great smoke.

 

[Ginseng]

Nicely reviewed, Marc! What a funky cigar. It sure sounds like the flavors were good though.

I've not smoked a culebras either...but that may change soon.

Thanks for the fine photoessay. :thumbs:

Wilkey

 

[StogieFarts]

Am I the only one who things Culebras look like the stupidest things? Almost like Drew Estate's EGG cigar.......I can just imagine pulling out an unraveled Culebra and getting all kinds of weird stares from people. I'm not knocking the brand or taste of the particular cigar....it's just the unorthodox SHAPE that I find very distracting.

Anyone else in this camp, or was this something you used to feel and eventually got over?

 

[Gipper76]

Am I the only one who things Culebras look like the stupidest things? Almost like Drew Estate's EGG cigar.......I can just imagine pulling out an unraveled Culebra and getting all kinds of weird stares from people. I'm not knocking the brand or taste of the particular cigar....it's just the unorthodox SHAPE that I find very distracting.

Anyone else in this camp, or was this something you used to feel and eventually got over?

I get the same impression as you do. They do however look tasty and fun to smoke. But definitely a little weird and unattractive

 

[Mark Twain]

Am I the only one who things Culebras look like the stupidest things? Almost like Drew Estate's EGG cigar.......I can just imagine pulling out an unraveled Culebra and getting all kinds of weird stares from people. I'm not knocking the brand or taste of the particular cigar....it's just the unorthodox SHAPE that I find very distracting.

Anyone else in this camp, or was this something you used to feel and eventually got over?

A culebra isn't a brand, but a vitola. It's size and shape reflect its design. I really think this cigar is much more of a social smoke than many other vitolas on the market. One of the selling points of the cigar is the unique fact that you can unbraid it and hand out two cigars to your smoking buddies to enjoy alongside you.

Who cares what people think when they see you smoking it.

 

[moki]

I take it this is a Johnny-O special?

 

[KayakinBoy]

I've never smoked one of the culebras...A little age does wonders on the farmies. I've got some PC sized ones that are almost a year old and they are smoking pretty well. The ones I've had arrived wet and required at least a month at 65% before they were some what smokable.

Got a few more headed my way this week. :thumbs:

I take it this is a Johnny-O special?

That's where Sarge got some one time, and they were really tasty. Mine didn't last a month.

 

[tone-ny]

I've had the pleasure of smoking a few of these and yes they are tasty buggers!