Since first seeing the Hemingway Short Story it struck me as an interesting cigar. The Hemingway perfecto tip sets it apart from other figurados. Its nut brown hued wrapper has minimal veins but is a bit toothy lending a somewhat rugged appearance. In the past, when I have looked at these smokes, the coloring is very consistent and uniform. The two sticks I received for this review however, have some odd discoloration on them. It almost looks like as though they got wet at some point because areas of the wrapper have a somewhat tiger stripped appearance alternating between the actual color and a lighter, more dusty hue. I have seen these smokes in the past absent of such and also found this same patterning on a couple of other smokes from this vendor. Overall, the unique shape catches your eye, has a very complimentary and classy band and the wrapper’s hue is just gorgeous.
Measuring in at less than five inches, one would think that this cigar would feel out of place when held. In fact, the contrary is true. A dense build and balanced design actually proves quite comfortable. When pinched there is a slight give but the barrel snaps back into place. Cutting a clean sliver off of the cap produces an absolutely perfect draw without the tightness found in some other small vitolas. Throughout the entire smoke a very tight, light gray ash was produced and only required ashing at about the halfway point. An easy light, thanks to the perfecto tip, gave way to a sharp burn remaining throughout the extent of the stick. An amazing feel, exquisite draw and perfect ash makes this cigar’s construction impeccable.
My Short Story experience actually took place after our Easter day meal, the highlights of which consisted of a greens and brie salad, rosemary rubbed lamb and lemon thyme potatoes. Not toting any other smokes along, I was somewhat worried that the Short Story would not withstand the flavors of the meal; how wrong that was. Prelight, the cigar has a very barnyard smell that left a tingling sensation in the nose akin to white pepper. Initial flavors however, are faintly sweet with toasty undertones reminiscent of tomato soup and unsalted saltine crackers. This sweetness, noticed in other Hemingway vitolas, carries throughout the entire cigar but is nowhere near as dominant as its Work of Art Maduro counterpart. Tobacco and toast come and go throughout the first third and produce a very mild smoke. For the second third, faint coffee hints present themselves. A new grass flavor and the aforementioned sweetness compliment and balance this out very nicely. Moving into the final third of this smoke takes on a medium body and the toast and sweet flavors reassert themselves to combine into a vanilla flavor. Accompanied by oak, it remarkably takes on a profile reminiscent of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. For such a small smoke to have this much complexity blew me away. The flavors are so unique and perfectly balanced that this is deserving of another five of five rating for flavor. At roughly one dollar per inch, the cost of this cigar is meager compared to the enjoyment it brings. Simply put, this is a great buy!
With nearly perfect ratings in all four categories and this stick’s being available for roughly five dollars, I say do everything within your power to track down a couple of these to try. A box is towards the top of my list with the intent of smoking about half now and trying a couple each year thereafter to see how they progress. Thanks go out to Three Cigar Dogs for providing the sticks for this review.
Measuring in at less than five inches, one would think that this cigar would feel out of place when held. In fact, the contrary is true. A dense build and balanced design actually proves quite comfortable. When pinched there is a slight give but the barrel snaps back into place. Cutting a clean sliver off of the cap produces an absolutely perfect draw without the tightness found in some other small vitolas. Throughout the entire smoke a very tight, light gray ash was produced and only required ashing at about the halfway point. An easy light, thanks to the perfecto tip, gave way to a sharp burn remaining throughout the extent of the stick. An amazing feel, exquisite draw and perfect ash makes this cigar’s construction impeccable.
My Short Story experience actually took place after our Easter day meal, the highlights of which consisted of a greens and brie salad, rosemary rubbed lamb and lemon thyme potatoes. Not toting any other smokes along, I was somewhat worried that the Short Story would not withstand the flavors of the meal; how wrong that was. Prelight, the cigar has a very barnyard smell that left a tingling sensation in the nose akin to white pepper. Initial flavors however, are faintly sweet with toasty undertones reminiscent of tomato soup and unsalted saltine crackers. This sweetness, noticed in other Hemingway vitolas, carries throughout the entire cigar but is nowhere near as dominant as its Work of Art Maduro counterpart. Tobacco and toast come and go throughout the first third and produce a very mild smoke. For the second third, faint coffee hints present themselves. A new grass flavor and the aforementioned sweetness compliment and balance this out very nicely. Moving into the final third of this smoke takes on a medium body and the toast and sweet flavors reassert themselves to combine into a vanilla flavor. Accompanied by oak, it remarkably takes on a profile reminiscent of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. For such a small smoke to have this much complexity blew me away. The flavors are so unique and perfectly balanced that this is deserving of another five of five rating for flavor. At roughly one dollar per inch, the cost of this cigar is meager compared to the enjoyment it brings. Simply put, this is a great buy!
With nearly perfect ratings in all four categories and this stick’s being available for roughly five dollars, I say do everything within your power to track down a couple of these to try. A box is towards the top of my list with the intent of smoking about half now and trying a couple each year thereafter to see how they progress. Thanks go out to Three Cigar Dogs for providing the sticks for this review.
