Blind Cigar Review Thread #2

[Eqwhipped]

Well thought out review, great read thanks!

 

[kann]

Jon's blind review:

Blind Cigar Review - Pay it Forward #2!

@CigSid, Thanks for the package, and I'm completely blown away by the tag-alongs. Thank you, sir. I'll smoke the Blind when I get back from vacation. @cabaiguan juan, Jon, your Blind Review package has been combined with the PIF, and is on the way. Tracking is in the PIF thread. Enjoy...

www.cigarpass.com

 

[IngloriousBasterd]

Ok here goes my first blind cigar review. Thanks for gifting me your request @kann, thanks to @xyz123 for the generous gift and thanks to my wife for goin and taking a cigar out and taking the band out of the package because Dan forgot lol. On to the review…

Started off with a rye old fashioned made the right way with angustora bitters, orange peel and a luxardo Cherry with double simple syrup and Rittenhouse Rye. The cigar had a nice flat end since it was a nice square box press so it was askin me to use a punch.

The smell of the wrapper has a nice dark Belgian candy sugar smell. I’m a home brewer and you use it to make Belgian dubbels and quadruples. Worth a google. Notes of caramel sweetness and leather. Bit of hay.

The dry draw I didn’t get a ton of flavors but hay and a tiny bit of leather.

First few draws I got flavors of oats and leather. Has a great draw and lots of smoke. I can tell this is a full bodied cigar. Guessing this is Nicaraguan but I’m for sure not an expert as this is my first review.

The first 3rd I get lots of dry cereal like plain Cheerios with a bit of sweetness after a short time. Lots of leather and it’s a full bodied cigar for sure. Cigar is constructed well and burning pretty straight. Ash is holding on tight. Diggin the tunes I’m listening to. Went down a Muse rabbit hole listening to Matt Bellamy’s solo stuff and some of their EP’s and singles. Wether is nice and it’s been a nice relaxing Sunday. Perfect for a cigar.

2nd 3rd I’m getting lots of leather. I think I was smoking it too fast because some burnt toast flavors were coming through. As I slowed down the flavor went away and I got lots of toasted oats and cedar. I finished my old fashioned so I moved on to a pour of Henry McKenna 10. Fine whiskey with a fine cigar and some good tunes in some nice weather. Nothing better

Last 3rd it was easily getting harsh so I had to slow down but then it got better so it might have been a weird spot. Nicotine strength is on the higher side as I’m gettin a good buzz from this one. Not on the crazy high side where I got a stomach ache but for sure on the higher side. Lots of hay and cereal kinda like life cereal. Slight sweetness and some leather. It went out on me even though I didn’t stop for a long period but it re lit well. Might have been a little too high on the rh but I don’t have a good dry box yet. As I nubbed it I got a bit of horse blanket you get from a good lambic beer and some good woody notes and hay.

Overall a great quality stick and I could tell it was one of the higher end brands as it was well constructed and was high quality tobacco. I am pretty sure I’m right with the Nicaraguan verdict. Now for the reveal…





I was right!!! Very nice cigar and I think I have only had one from this brand before. Thanks for the great stick Dan and I had fun doing this and relaxin and focusing on the cigar and the tunes I was listening to. Can’t wait to do it again. Cheers!!!

Please critique!!!

 

[JoeMO]

Ok here goes my first blind cigar review. Thanks for gifting me your request @kann, thanks to @xyz123 for the generous gift and thanks to my wife for goin and taking a cigar out and taking the band out of the package because Dan forgot lol. On to the review…

Started off with a rye old fashioned made the right way with angustora bitters, orange peel and a luxardo Cherry with double simple syrup and Rittenhouse Rye. The cigar had a nice flat end since it was a nice square box press so it was askin me to use a punch.

The smell of the wrapper has a nice dark Belgian candy sugar smell. I’m a home brewer and you use it to make Belgian dubbels and quadruples. Worth a google. Notes of caramel sweetness and leather. Bit of hay.

The dry draw I didn’t get a ton of flavors but hay and a tiny bit of leather.
View attachment 56470
First few draws I got flavors of oats and leather. Has a great draw and lots of smoke. I can tell this is a full bodied cigar. Guessing this is Nicaraguan but I’m for sure not an expert as this is my first review.
View attachment 56471
The first 3rd I get lots of dry cereal like plain Cheerios with a bit of sweetness after a short time. Lots of leather and it’s a full bodied cigar for sure. Cigar is constructed well and burning pretty straight. Ash is holding on tight. Diggin the tunes I’m listening to. Went down a Muse rabbit hole listening to Matt Bellamy’s solo stuff and some of their EP’s and singles. Wether is nice and it’s been a nice relaxing Sunday. Perfect for a cigar.
View attachment 56472
2nd 3rd I’m getting lots of leather. I think I was smoking it too fast because some burnt toast flavors were coming through. As I slowed down the flavor went away and I got lots of toasted oats and cedar. I finished my old fashioned so I moved on to a pour of Henry McKenna 10. Fine whiskey with a fine cigar and some good tunes in some nice weather. Nothing better
View attachment 56475
Last 3rd it was easily getting harsh so I had to slow down but then it got better so it might have been a weird spot. Nicotine strength is on the higher side as I’m gettin a good buzz from this one. Not on the crazy high side where I got a stomach ache but for sure on the higher side. Lots of hay and cereal kinda like life cereal. Slight sweetness and some leather. It went out on me even though I didn’t stop for a long period but it re lit well. Might have been a little too high on the rh but I don’t have a good dry box yet. As I nubbed it I got a bit of horse blanket you get from a good lambic beer and some good woody notes and hay.

Overall a great quality stick and I could tell it was one of the higher end brands as it was well constructed and was high quality tobacco. I am pretty sure I’m right with the Nicaraguan verdict. Now for the reveal…



View attachment 56476

I was right!!! Very nice cigar and I think I have only had one from this brand before. Thanks for the great stick Dan and I had fun doing this and relaxin and focusing on the cigar and the tunes I was listening to. Can’t wait to do it again. Cheers!!!

Please critique!!!

Excellent! My only suggestion since you asked is to only drink water for a
the review so nothing is interfering with notes from the smoke. I'm no expert, just my opinion.

 

[xyz123]

Ok here goes my first blind cigar review. Thanks for gifting me your request @kann, thanks to @xyz123 for the generous gift and thanks to my wife for goin and taking a cigar out and taking the band out of the package because Dan forgot lol. On to the review…

Started off with a rye old fashioned made the right way with angustora bitters, orange peel and a luxardo Cherry with double simple syrup and Rittenhouse Rye. The cigar had a nice flat end since it was a nice square box press so it was askin me to use a punch.

The smell of the wrapper has a nice dark Belgian candy sugar smell. I’m a home brewer and you use it to make Belgian dubbels and quadruples. Worth a google. Notes of caramel sweetness and leather. Bit of hay.

The dry draw I didn’t get a ton of flavors but hay and a tiny bit of leather.
View attachment 56470
First few draws I got flavors of oats and leather. Has a great draw and lots of smoke. I can tell this is a full bodied cigar. Guessing this is Nicaraguan but I’m for sure not an expert as this is my first review.
View attachment 56471
The first 3rd I get lots of dry cereal like plain Cheerios with a bit of sweetness after a short time. Lots of leather and it’s a full bodied cigar for sure. Cigar is constructed well and burning pretty straight. Ash is holding on tight. Diggin the tunes I’m listening to. Went down a Muse rabbit hole listening to Matt Bellamy’s solo stuff and some of their EP’s and singles. Wether is nice and it’s been a nice relaxing Sunday. Perfect for a cigar.
View attachment 56472
2nd 3rd I’m getting lots of leather. I think I was smoking it too fast because some burnt toast flavors were coming through. As I slowed down the flavor went away and I got lots of toasted oats and cedar. I finished my old fashioned so I moved on to a pour of Henry McKenna 10. Fine whiskey with a fine cigar and some good tunes in some nice weather. Nothing better
View attachment 56475
Last 3rd it was easily getting harsh so I had to slow down but then it got better so it might have been a weird spot. Nicotine strength is on the higher side as I’m gettin a good buzz from this one. Not on the crazy high side where I got a stomach ache but for sure on the higher side. Lots of hay and cereal kinda like life cereal. Slight sweetness and some leather. It went out on me even though I didn’t stop for a long period but it re lit well. Might have been a little too high on the rh but I don’t have a good dry box yet. As I nubbed it I got a bit of horse blanket you get from a good lambic beer and some good woody notes and hay.

Overall a great quality stick and I could tell it was one of the higher end brands as it was well constructed and was high quality tobacco. I am pretty sure I’m right with the Nicaraguan verdict. Now for the reveal…



View attachment 56476

I was right!!! Very nice cigar and I think I have only had one from this brand before. Thanks for the great stick Dan and I had fun doing this and relaxin and focusing on the cigar and the tunes I was listening to. Can’t wait to do it again. Cheers!!!

Please critique!!!

Awesome review Corey! I tend to agree with Joe, for a review I try to stick with water if needed. I also have a tendency to smoke quicker when I drink.. it's just too easy to get caught up in a good time. You weren't tanked, and picked up a lot of common notes associated with that stick, so I don't think it affected the review much.

That particular stick came out of a new LADC sampler fresh pack. So it went right out of that pack into the bag with the others. Could be why it went out. Prior to that did it seem like you were having difficulty keeping it going? Sometimes that makes us smoke quicker than we normally would.

But overall, great review and congrats on popping your review cherry! And for getting so much right for not having a ton of sticks under your belt (yet!).
Was that the only one you've had out of there so far? I hope we get to see a lot more reviews from you soon! With that one now properly turned into ash, any thoughts on what you want next.. review or just chillin'? And yeah, yeah, I got a little distracted putting that thing together and forgot to pull the band... doh!

But I think it all worked out ok in the end!






nice lighter by the way!

 

[IngloriousBasterd]

Thanks guys. I don’t think I’ve ever smoked a cigar without at least a coke lol. I’ll try that next time. Glad it was at least an ok review!!!

 

[IngloriousBasterd]

Awesome review Corey! I tend to agree with Joe, for a review I try to stick with water if needed. I also have a tendency to smoke quicker when I drink.. it's just too easy to get caught up in a good time. You weren't tanked, and picked up a lot of common notes associated with that stick, so I don't think it affected the review much.

That particular stick came out of a new LADC sampler fresh pack. So it went right out of that pack into the bag with the others. Could be why it went out. Prior to that did it seem like you were having difficulty keeping it going? Sometimes that makes us smoke quicker than we normally would.

But overall, great review and congrats on popping your review cherry! And for getting so much right for not having a ton of sticks under your belt (yet!).
Was that the only one you've had out of there so far? I hope we get to see a lot more reviews from you soon! With that one now properly turned into ash, any thoughts on what you want next.. review or just chillin'? And yeah, yeah, I got a little distracted putting that thing together and forgot to pull the band... doh!

But I think it all worked out ok in the end!






nice lighter by the way!

I mostly like to chill with a cigar and not review more than saying a score and a few notes. It’s fun to do once in a while so I’ll do one here and there. I like the blind aspect because it really gets you to think about it. I do it with beers with my buddies sometimes. It’s called black glass and someone brings a beer and pours it for everyone into completely blacked out glass and you comment on the flavors and what food you would pair it with. So now I just need to develop my palate with cigars. And I only had to light it the once. It stayed well lit besides that one spot in the last 3rd. I’ll prob smoke that trinidad next or the Goat. I’m really lookin forward to those

 

[whopper]

Review (from Steve @Eqwhipped)

Wrapper - Dark, rustic, noticeable veins
Size - 7” and a 48-50RG
Triple/Quad cap
Junk Drawer Pressed




Pre-Light

Hay with a slight sweetness aroma






1st Third

Tons of gray smoke
Slight spice and cream

2nd Third

The spice dissapeared
Smoke still is voluminous
Creaminess

Final Third

Smoke is still there
Creaminess but not as much











Overall

The creaminess lasted throughout the cigar. It did require a few touchups due to what appeared to be a void. A good solid smoke, but did not have any variance in the taste.

I am stumped as to what it is. Based on the rustic appearance, I would guess it’s some kind of a farm roll? It does not seem to be a Nicaraguan so I am guessing a Dominican?

So my guess is a Dominican Farm roll.

I’ll have to let Steve unveil the cigar as his wife forgot to include the identity in the package.

 

[Eqwhipped]

Review (from Steve @Eqwhipped)

Wrapper - Dark, rustic, noticeable veins
Size - 7” and a 48-50RG
Triple/Quad cap
Junk Drawer Pressed

View attachment 86418
View attachment 86419View attachment 86420

Pre-Light

Hay with a slight sweetness aroma

View attachment 86421


View attachment 86422

1st Third

Tons of gray smoke
Slight spice and cream

2nd Third

The spice dissapeared
Smoke still is voluminous
Creaminess

Final Third

Smoke is still there
Creaminess but not as much



View attachment 86423


View attachment 86424


View attachment 86425

Overall

The creaminess lasted throughout the cigar. It did require a few touchups due to what appeared to be a void. A good solid smoke, but did not have any variance in the taste.

I am stumped as to what it is. Based on the rustic appearance, I would guess it’s some kind of a farm roll? It does not seem to be a Nicaraguan so I am guessing a Dominican?

So my guess is a Dominican Farm roll.

I’ll have to let Steve unveil the cigar as his wife forgot to include the identity in the package.

Mr. Whopper

That was a delightful review to read, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did reading it. I found a well seasoned box of these at the bottom of my humidor after buying a second.

Since I haven't seen much talk about it, given it's unique "Junk Drawer Pressed" shape (that had me rolling) I thought it was perfect for a blind review.
The cigar is called...
J.C. Newman Yagua

 

[CBoukal]

Mr. Whopper

That was a delightful review to read, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did reading it. I found a well seasoned box of these at the bottom of my humidor after buying a second.

Since I haven't seen much talk about it, given it's unique "Junk Drawer Pressed" shape (that had me rolling) I thought it was perfect for a blind review.
The cigar is called...
J.C. Newman Yagua

I knew the second he said "junk drawer pressed" what the cigar was!!! I smoked 1 of the ones I split with Dan and Chester but it wasn't ready to be smoked. I look forward to smoking these once they have rested.

 

[JoeMO]

Great review, but I gotta ask, do you use Palmolive?

 

[whopper]

Mr. Whopper

That was a delightful review to read, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did reading it. I found a well seasoned box of these at the bottom of my humidor after buying a second.

Since I haven't seen much talk about it, given it's unique "Junk Drawer Pressed" shape (that had me rolling) I thought it was perfect for a blind review.
The cigar is called...
J.C. Newman Yagua

I did enjoy it.

I think it could use some more time to percolate in my novice opinion. Should’ve put that in the review.

 

[whopper]

Great review, but I gotta ask, do you use Palmolive?

October 1st Old Man

 

[aquiring93]

Alright folks, after a little over a week in the humi, I’m prepared to dive into this review/challenge. Perfect timing as well, the day before my birthday. It’s a nice 75 degrees out this evening here in Denver and I’m sipping on some ice water as to not interfere with any of the cigar profile. I don’t think I have a shot in hell here, but I’m going to do my best!

Appearance: Medium brown, appears to be quite well constructed. One large vein running the length of the cigar and a nice subtle sheen of oil.

Nose: Figgy tobacco

Cold draw: I’m getting more figs/dates on the draw. A little bit of spice on the lips as well.

First light and draw: leather, cocoa, and then some spice in the middle of the tongue

First third: Medium-full, the cocoa has dropped out and now I’m getting a little bit of a savory flavor. Lays bbq chips maybe? Definitely a New World cigar. Ash dropped off on its own after an inch and now I’ve got to brush off my shorts.



Second third: Medium side of medium-full. Things are developing into a bit of a drier mouthfeel now. Definite notes of cedar coming through. Attempted to retrohale and fucked up my nostrils. I’ve never been one for retrohaling, but thought I’d give it a shot. Notes of dates are coming back. Maybe a little bit of creaminess? Right now I’m thinking this cigar hails from a country whose main language is Spanish. Nicaragua is my current guess.



Third Third: Packing a punch with nicotine now. Got a nice heady feeling going on without being overwhelming. A little cocoa and a little coffee. Mocha, one might say. A little bit of burn issues here, but I’m going to chalk that up to user error and the altitude. This has been a very enjoyable smoke so far.



Guess: Something from Tatuaje. Cojonu series maybe?

Answer:



Pretty damn proud of that guess! I’ve smoked quite a few from Tatuaje, so I think that’s likely a big part of how I got semi close. Excellent smoke. 4.4/5

Thanks again, @whopper

 

[whopper]

Alright folks, after a little over a week in the humi, I’m prepared to dive into this review/challenge. Perfect timing as well, the day before my birthday. It’s a nice 75 degrees out this evening here in Denver and I’m sipping on some ice water as to not interfere with any of the cigar profile. I don’t think I have a shot in hell here, but I’m going to do my best!

Appearance: Medium brown, appears to be quite well constructed. One large vein running the length of the cigar and a nice subtle sheen of oil.

Nose: Figgy tobacco

Cold draw: I’m getting more figs/dates on the draw. A little bit of spice on the lips as well.

First light and draw: leather, cocoa, and then some spice in the middle of the tongue

First third: Medium-full, the cocoa has dropped out and now I’m getting a little bit of a savory flavor. Lays bbq chips maybe? Definitely a New World cigar. Ash dropped off on its own after an inch and now I’ve got to brush off my shorts.

View attachment 87192

Second third: Medium side of medium-full. Things are developing into a bit of a drier mouthfeel now. Definite notes of cedar coming through. Attempted to retrohale and fucked up my nostrils. I’ve never been one for retrohaling, but thought I’d give it a shot. Notes of dates are coming back. Maybe a little bit of creaminess? Right now I’m thinking this cigar hails from a country whose main language is Spanish. Nicaragua is my current guess.

View attachment 87193

Third Third: Packing a punch with nicotine now. Got a nice heady feeling going on without being overwhelming. A little cocoa and a little coffee. Mocha, one might say. A little bit of burn issues here, but I’m going to chalk that up to user error and the altitude. This has been a very enjoyable smoke so far.

View attachment 87194

Guess: Something from Tatuaje. Cojonu series maybe?

Answer:

View attachment 87195

Pretty damn proud of that guess! I’ve smoked quite a few from Tatuaje, so I think that’s likely a big part of how I got semi close. Excellent smoke. 4.4/5

Thanks again, @whopper

Very nice!

It was hard choosing one for you to take a guess at as you don’t have many posts in the past. I could not quite get a handle on what you normally smoked.

 

[CBoukal]

Alright folks, after a little over a week in the humi, I’m prepared to dive into this review/challenge. Perfect timing as well, the day before my birthday. It’s a nice 75 degrees out this evening here in Denver and I’m sipping on some ice water as to not interfere with any of the cigar profile. I don’t think I have a shot in hell here, but I’m going to do my best!

Appearance: Medium brown, appears to be quite well constructed. One large vein running the length of the cigar and a nice subtle sheen of oil.

Nose: Figgy tobacco

Cold draw: I’m getting more figs/dates on the draw. A little bit of spice on the lips as well.

First light and draw: leather, cocoa, and then some spice in the middle of the tongue

First third: Medium-full, the cocoa has dropped out and now I’m getting a little bit of a savory flavor. Lays bbq chips maybe? Definitely a New World cigar. Ash dropped off on its own after an inch and now I’ve got to brush off my shorts.

View attachment 87192

Second third: Medium side of medium-full. Things are developing into a bit of a drier mouthfeel now. Definite notes of cedar coming through. Attempted to retrohale and fucked up my nostrils. I’ve never been one for retrohaling, but thought I’d give it a shot. Notes of dates are coming back. Maybe a little bit of creaminess? Right now I’m thinking this cigar hails from a country whose main language is Spanish. Nicaragua is my current guess.

View attachment 87193

Third Third: Packing a punch with nicotine now. Got a nice heady feeling going on without being overwhelming. A little cocoa and a little coffee. Mocha, one might say. A little bit of burn issues here, but I’m going to chalk that up to user error and the altitude. This has been a very enjoyable smoke so far.

View attachment 87194

Guess: Something from Tatuaje. Cojonu series maybe?

Answer:

View attachment 87195

Pretty damn proud of that guess! I’ve smoked quite a few from Tatuaje, so I think that’s likely a big part of how I got semi close. Excellent smoke. 4.4/5

Thanks again, @whopper

Nice post and review