I've been very excited to smoke this because it's my very first blind review ever since I've started smoking maybe 8 or so years ago. While I considered smoking this on my off day, I'm the type that can't concentrate 100% on something new if I'm really trying to get the gist of it. Even when checking out a new album for example, I gotta be half distracted by chores or something. So here's my view and my setup for my morning smoke on this slow Monday.
Here's what's behind me. Must be obvious now that I work at a cigar shop but I figure where better to try this than at work while hanging out with some friends.
Anyway, so here goes nothing!
Appearance wise the cigars looks medium dark but not like a maduro. Wrapper is not exactly seamless but it’s still a good looking smooth and shiny stick. Wrapper has a ton of aromas including cedar, barnyard and a touch of sweetness. Since I’m pretty badly colorblind, the aroma is my first “look” at the cigar and it’s already quite enticing. The size is roughly a 5x50 parejo that’s not hard to the touch exactky but well filled. The last bit of the foot however seems oddly underfilled. I also noticed the cigar is finished with a nice triple cap which should help with the guess.
Tools - Xikar straight cutter and single torch. Drink - water. Let’s get this show on the road!
First third - tons of flavor! Fantastic, with so many cigars taking a half an inch to open up, I really appreciate when a cigar starts with a bang! Right away I get some earth mixed in with some leather in the background and a nice but robust amount of white pepper to round it off. The smoke is on the thicker side with a fantastic retrohale - just like I like. The finish is quick and clean on the palette while the nose has a lingering spice. The smoke is neither creamy nor chalky, but something in the middle for right now. Draw is nice and open just how I like it. I'd call this a smooth medium body for now, with as of yet unknown strength. My first guess would be Casa Fernandez family but something in the back of my head is screaming Honduran. Check back again soon.
2nd third - So I'm pretty damn confused at this point because now I'm going back to Nicaraguan because the spice has picked up and I'm getting a floral note similar to a Warped Flor del Valle or more likely, the Tatuaje La Riqueza cabinet. But since this cigar has more earth and leather than I remember those having, I'm sort of at a loss. This experiment is a mind trip, I'm tellin' ya! Much respect to those who can smoke and nail this sh*t. I'm blown away! The flavors are more or less consistent with the first third except with the addition of floral notes I mentioned. While the strength is about a mild to medium at this point, I'd say the body remains at a solid medium and overall the smoke has smoothed out nicely. Noticing the burn is razor sharp and the ash holds well even after falling, great construction!
Final third - the flavor is still great, something I'd definitely smoke or already smoke? Who knows! The flavors have changed a bit here, I taste a little least earth/cedar and a little more spice and leather and no more of the floral notes. Now this third is reminding me of a totally different cigar, great, more confusion! Hah. One my favorite releases of 2016 so far is the Hirochi Robaina Claro Robusto, which to me is basically a more refined Illusione Rothchild, which I also love. The body at this point is more medium full and the strength has also started to pick up, a solid medium plus at this point.
Final Answer: Total smoking time was about 1 hour and 5 min and my final guess is HR Claro. And now for the reveal....drum roll please...
Yep, just as I guessed, I was not close at all! Be it as it may, this was a fantastic experience and I'm glad to have done it. Thanks to my friend Greg for a great smoke, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This sure is a great way to find a new smoke. Thanks for the find, I'll definitely be on the lookout for these! Now who wants some???
