What an interesting cigar Brian sent me to blind taste.
A very dark maduro wrapper, far from smooth. It is not entirely even in it's color, with some gradients of a dark espresso bean, and lighter shades along the veins which are present throughout. It’s about 6inches long, about a 48-50 RG.
Initially, the smell is very familiar. Aroma intensity is about a 6/10. On the cold draw, you get some dried fruit and that typical Cuban profile. First inclination are that this wrapper reminds me of some older EL CCs, and the smell would also suggest some age. However, when standing the stick up on it's foot, it barely stands up straight.
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Pairing: Dry Hopped Tin City Cider.
Straight cut and away we go. The first 1-2 inches of this cigar taste like smoke. And cigar. Nothing more, nothing less. I realize I'm pretty anxious from watching my Seahawks on MNF, and I am smoking too fast. I slow it down and relax. Still, the flavor intensity is not matching the notes I expected from the initial aromatics I was getting. It is easy smoking, well constructed, and smooth in intensity. Pretty light bodied.
About half way through, flavor starts to pickup. I'm getting some spice, like ginger, some malty notes, and a bit of shortbread cookie. The smoke is thick and drawing well. Still light bodied, but very enjoyable.
The final inches of this cigar, the flavor really fell apart, which I was surprised by. Typically you get a build up of flavor that compounds. Not in this case. Overall, I enjoyed the cigar, but was left wanting more from the flavor profile. If I had to guess on this cigar, I would say it was an aged Nicaraguan with Habano seed. Maybe aged a bit too long, a bit past it’s prime.
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Drumroll please…
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AF GR Maduro. Hey, not totally far off! lol
Can't wait to do this again one day!
Well done. You got the country down and the fact that this was a “limited” or “boutique “ stick. Nice review.Here we go!!!
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The snow is finally melting. I sit down on my porch and make a v cut.
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Cold draw is a little hay and some pepper.
Initial notes have me thinking Nicaraguan or Dominican tobacco. Definitely not a cc. Immediately reminds me of some of the nicer warped sticks I’ve had, or perhaps the honey flavor of that la colmeda stick.
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Second third is very smooth and satisfying. The pepper is the white kind, which I prefer to the black pepper taste. Construction is really nice with virtually no veins. Colorado wrapper which is only fitting!
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The coffee I’m drinking is a brilliant compliment. Really brings out some earthy tones.
Still a bit of pepper. Solid construction and pretty dang even burn.
As I enter the final third, I can’t help it think it’s something I’ve tried before.
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Yeah, it’s definitely something I’ve tried before. The honey tint makes me really think warped. And yet I still wonder if it’s a La Colmena, which I can’t remember if that’s a warped stick. I just remember they’re the same company who makes the El Oso.
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Wow, way off. Nicaragua stick with a Corojo 99 wrapper!! Welp.
Really great stick C! Thank you for the opportunity to try it!!! And a parting meme!
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Brian, great review. You're actually much closer than you give yourself credit for... HVC's are Aganorsa tobacco just like all of Warped stuff. You nailed that part!Here we go!!!
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The snow is finally melting. I sit down on my porch and make a v cut.
View attachment 20008
Cold draw is a little hay and some pepper.
Initial notes have me thinking Nicaraguan or Dominican tobacco. Definitely not a cc. Immediately reminds me of some of the nicer warped sticks I’ve had, or perhaps the honey flavor of that la colmeda stick.
View attachment 20009
Second third is very smooth and satisfying. The pepper is the white kind, which I prefer to the black pepper taste. Construction is really nice with virtually no veins. Colorado wrapper which is only fitting!
View attachment 20010
The coffee I’m drinking is a brilliant compliment. Really brings out some earthy tones.
Still a bit of pepper. Solid construction and pretty dang even burn.
As I enter the final third, I can’t help it think it’s something I’ve tried before.
View attachment 20012
Yeah, it’s definitely something I’ve tried before. The honey tint makes me really think warped. And yet I still wonder if it’s a La Colmena, which I can’t remember if that’s a warped stick. I just remember they’re the same company who makes the El Oso.
View attachment 20011
Wow, way off. Nicaragua stick with a Corojo 99 wrapper!! Welp.
Really great stick C! Thank you for the opportunity to try it!!! And a parting meme!
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