Blind Cigar Reviews

[insight]

Well I finally found some time to sit down and actually do a review yesterday so here we go. This one will actually be relatively brief given the nature of the smoke.

The cigar itself was a nice little short robusto with a triple cap. My first assumption upon looking at the construction was it was an ISOM but other than that I was pretty baffled. It was just big enough to not be any of the short robustos I am familiar with, in fact it was a different size from everything else in my humi.

I gave the sucker a clip with my palio and tested out the pre-light draw. The pre-light was a bit loose and had a very distinct earthy spicyness to it. The initial light and beginning of the cigar was characterized by lots of spicyness but no pronounced flavors. The first third remained fairly indistinct, with a very basic spicy cuban profile.

The second third took on some nutty flavors but was still dominated by spicyness and earthy flavors. I began to notice the strength a bit at this point, the cigar definitely had a little kick to it. Unfortunately at this point the battery on my camera also died so there were no more pictures.

The final third was dominated by what I can only call a generic cuban flavor profile. There was really no transition to speak of but at this point I became certain this was an ISOM. It took me around 45 minutes to smoke it down to the nub. My general take on the cigar was that it was a mid-range ISOM that is fairly young. I could detect some flavors wanting to come out but it just wasn't ready yet. It was by no means a bad cigar but it just felt like it was always on the verge of developing some unique characteristics and couldn't quite get there.

And as it turns out........

I was pretty close with my guess. This is actually a cigar I have really been wanting to try. Thanks again Cory for giving me a chance to try this stick out, I think it has a lot of potential given a little rest

 

[Blue Dragon]

I received a beautiful selection of sticks from Rob, including this beautiful mystery stick. What a nice suprise it was!

Setting: Out on the back porch with a couple of buddies, a nice fire, and a glass of Eagle Rare Bourbon on the rocks. :thumbs:

Appearance: Silky smooth, chocolaty looking wrapper with a nice triple cap. However, the tobacco in the foot appeared to be a little loose. It made me wonder if the cigar would be like drinking air from a straw.

Prelight Draw: However, the draw was right on; it provided an ample amount of airflow but I still had to put a little effort behind it. The draw tasted of a nice tobacco flavor, sort of medium in strength, definitely not overpowering, but no other noticable flavors.

Impressions:
My initial impressions were that this was going to be a one dimensional cigar. The cigar resembled a cuban, but the wrapper was darker than most cubans I had seen. I was guessing that it might be a Tatuaje.

The cigar lit very nicely and burned very evenly. It produced ample amounts of smoke and the draw required just enough tug to realize there was an intention to smoke. There was a spicy note to the very first few puffs. The first inch or so was very mellow and smooth, somewhat woody, with a spicy afterbite. I would guess it to have a corojo wrapper, so again, I'm thinking it is probably a domestic cigar.

The ash was typical of a cuban cigar. Grey, white, and charcoal colors, with a very cloudy texture. It was very firm and held onto the cigar for almost 2 inches. And altough the texture and color of the ash was cuban, the strength which it held together seemed atypical of an ISOM, so again I am leaning toward a Tatuaje or maybe a Don Peppin Garcia.

About 1 1/2 to 2 inches into the cigar the flavors really started to change. The spicy afterbite completely disappeared. It smoothed out even more, which was a very pleasant suprise and took on some nutty overtones and had a rich java finish. I think this would be a great cigar to have accompanied by a nice dark cup of coffee or an espresso.

I'm about halfway through the cigar and I have no idea what it is. I know that I have never had the pleasure of smoking this cigar before, which apparently is very unfortunate. I'm not thinking it is a Tatuaje because the spiciness seems to persist in most of thier cigars and it has completely vanished at this point. It has maintained a nice smoothness to the smoke with earthy and tobacco overtones finishing with a full java flavor. I am really liking this cigar and would smoke it anyday! :thumbs: :thumbs:

I gave up trying to guess what the cigar was and just sat back and enjoyed it. We started playing a little poker and it just doesn't get much better than that ... excellent smoke, nice beverage, cool night with a nice fire, good friends company, and a little poker for entertainment. Damn fine!

The flavor profile didn't change much from this point on. The tobacco overtones mellowed to leave more of an earthy flavor and the java flavor stayed on strong. I didn't want to put it down, so I nubbed it as much as possible. Whoo Hoo ..

So I went to open the envelope to see what this cigar was and Shawn grabbed it right out of my hands, "You can't look until you make a guess." WTF? Isn't this my blind review? "Comeon man, hand it over." "No .. guess or I'll burn it." And he started putting the envelope in the fire. One side caught and he held it on end so the flames started licking up the side. "Alright .. geez." Well .. at this point I couldn't give credit to a domestic, it just didn't remind me of any domestic cigar I have smoked. If I was right on the wrapper and the darkness of it, that would mean it had to be an LE. So with that size I guessed a RyJ Hermosa. "Nope. It's too small. A Hermosa is a lot bigger." So Shawn ran downstairs and pulled one out of his humidor to prove his point. Then my next guess was a PSD No. 3.

BINGO! I was right. Well .. I got the size right and all, but I was guessing that the way this thing smoked it had to be the one from 2004. But this was the 2006 LE!!! Damn! I have read that they are aging the LEs before they ship them out, and I can really attest to that! This smoked like a 5+ yr. aged cigar. I think I will have to be tracking some of these down.

Thanks Rob! That is one pleasurable smoke.

 

[Ginseng]

Nicely done, Cory!

Wilkey

 

[rob300c]

Cory,

I give props to your powers of deduction!
No fair with Shawn helping you!
I was waiting patiently for your review, was glad to see it and that you enjoyed the stick!
Nice setting + good smokes = great times!


-Rob

 

[davidr2340]

Great review Cory!!!
Looks like a great setting bro!!! :thumbs:

 

[Michal]

So today I decided to burn blind review stick I get few days ago from Phil
I grabbed everything I needed and went out to my sweet tiny balcony

It was a really cool looking long piramid with natural looking wrapper. (Man, it was a really nice vitola!)
It also had great density, not too hard, not too soft, just great.
The smell was very soft, soft smell of cedar, grass and tabacco.

Cut was clear and the draw was really good.
After initial puff I felt a little napping on my throat, ok, thats usual.
Then, after few first puffs I was almost sure it was a cigar from Dominicana.
It had a nice sweet grassy/woody/cedar taste, hmmm tasted like a Connecticut wrapper.
Not bad a little creamy smoke, unfortunatelly there was not much of it.
When I was 1-2 inches into cigar the draw began to be a little to tight, so I cut a little
Unfortunatelly I did not help to much, the draw was still not good enough, but I cant say it was bad.

The burn was really nice, I had to help it only 2 times as I remember.
When I was in the middle, the draw was really nice, but few minutes after it was as tight as before.
The taste was the same all the time, maybe a little more full bodied after 1/2
But all this time it was the same grassy and woody thing.
Unfortunatelly after 2/3 the more I smoked the more tight the draw was.
The taste was also getting worst, more bitter and harsh
When only 1/4 was left I decided to put it down, I was a little to tired with draw and bitternes.

Then I went to the mystery envelope to see what I just smoked:

Hmmm... my taste sens was really good, I guessed it was frm DR and guessed the wrapper, nice!
Unfortunatelly I dont really like this connection, especially natural Connecticut wrapper.
It was La Flor Dominicana Reserva Especial Figurado.
I already had 2 LFD's Ligero and Dbl Ligero and i thik they were much better.
I cant say this cigar was not tasty, but I also cant say I enjoyed it, it was a not bad evening smoke, nothing oh! ah! eh! just a dominican cigar.

 

[cody5thou]

Nice review Michal, sucks you didnt enjoy. But hey its a blind review, so you dont know until you smoke it. Thanks Bro

 

[ckeller52]

Nice review Michal and great pic's. Good job. :thumbs:

 

[insight]

Nice review Michal! I actually agree with you in that I find the Ligero and DL line to be much more enjoyable. I really just wanted to hear another opinion on this cigar since I hadn't seen it reviewed before.

 

[tkoepp]

Well thanks to Cory, I recieved my sampler, (forgot to add pics.. sorry) but he sent me @ blinders, that apparently I must do... OK then on to the first one..

Right off the bat, this cigar had given me a little clue as to what it it...

Hmm a grassy, somewhat barnyard smelling foot, the color was mild, lancero size, and a lil pigtail at the head of the cigar.. Well that narrows it down to a few, but I was leaning towards one. I PM'd Cory to thank him for the sampler and eluded to the smoke. His respond was basically, "Smoke it and find out...

So last night, while chatting it up with a room full of fine Botls, I torched this fine smoke.. Paired with a recomendation from Howard, Ommegang... WOW Howard I loved this Abbey Ale, I must get more. Ok I digress, on with the review.

I already illuded to the prelit, and this cigar had a faint taste of grass as well... Circumsized the cap (Wilkey style) and proceed to kick back and enjoy..

The first inch a nice flavor that kinda reminded me of an aged smoke, it was very mild but I could tell some flavors starting to develop. After the first inch, I was in heaven.... It basically reminded me of what I had been hoping / guessing this cigar is.. A very short finish but was very creamy, with a flavor that was best described by Tony as "burnt orange peel", with hints of grass mixed in every now and again.

The cigar remained consistant through out the entire length and the Ommegang complimented it very well, which surprised me as I intially thought it would overpower this cigar, but it didn't.

The last third blew me away as it developed into a lil powerhouse that wasnt strong but very complex with everchanging tones of tobacco, grass, orange peel, and cream. I finally had to put this cigar, (what I am guessing as a Cohiba Lancero) out...

Thanks Cory for a great smoke..

I will get after the other one, soon... maybe tonight.

 

[Blue Dragon]

The last third blew me away as it developed into a lil powerhouse that wasnt strong but very complex with everchanging tones of tobacco, grass, orange peel, and cream. I finally had to put this cigar, (what I am guessing as a Cohiba Lancero) out...

Thanks Cory for a great smoke..

I will get after the other one, soon... maybe tonight.

Nope ... Montecristo Especial '99 ... gotta love 'em!! :love: :love: Glad you enjoyed it! :thumbs:

 

[tkoepp]

The last third blew me away as it developed into a lil powerhouse that wasnt strong but very complex with everchanging tones of tobacco, grass, orange peel, and cream. I finally had to put this cigar, (what I am guessing as a Cohiba Lancero) out...

Thanks Cory for a great smoke..

I will get after the other one, soon... maybe tonight.

Nope ... Montecristo Especial '99 ... gotta love 'em!! :love: :love: Glad you enjoyed it! :thumbs:

Thanks alot Cory.. it was greatly enjoyed

 

[cuppajack]

Blind Review from tkoepp
5.5x55ish and weighty

My 2nd blind review stick was a massive super-toro with a luscious dark-chocolate wrapper that shimmered with oils. The beast was HEAVY with filler, and the bunch looked more dense than any stick I'd seen in recent memory. However it still had the slightly-spongy give that I look for so I wasn't too worried about the draw.

I could not discern any flaws in the construction of the stick and it sported a beautifully executed triple-cap:

Prelight draw was perfectly firm with a blast of tobacco flavor and a considerable amount of pepper. I scarfed a slice of leftover pizza to steel my stomach against the expected punch of the stick and torched it. Light-up went wonderfully for such a gordo stick and the initial rush of flavors overwhelmed me. I took a pause to let the burn settle in and to cleanse my pallet with some fresh water. The opening of the smoke was big and round with a lot of heavy notes and a dominant prickling spice that dances around my lips and pallet. Smoke volume was verging on excessive and the draw was perfect.

I hunkered down for the long haul and as I smoked through the first inch I couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity that I had w/ the profile. Deja Fumer? The cigar painted its flavors in broad-stokes and I couldn't pick out specific notes in the smoke. A couple of inches in I started to have burn problems that would plague the stick for the rest of its length.

Fortunately the erratic burn wasn't yet effecting the flavors and I was getting a lot of enjoyment out of the stick. About 1/3 I started to feel the 'punch' of the smoke and i got that familiar knot in my gut from the nicotine. This was different than other ligero-heavy blends I'd smoked in that the punch was hitting my much higher that I'm accustomed to. The sternum and not the pit of the stomach. It was not altogether unpleasant and I think I might have begun to over-smoke the cigar in a misguided attempt to keep it lit. A had to relight once or twice and by the halfway point the burn had gotten harder to keep under control.

Around this time a pronounced sourness developed in the finish, and while purging would allay it for a time it kept returning. Thankfully this didn't much effect the forward flavors of the draw and I was still greatly enjoying the stick as my head began to swim a little. I was well into my third bottle of water as I rounded into the final 1/3 of the stick, purging more often than I'd like. I gave up on it not long after as I didn't want to spoil the smoke with an unpleasant final 1/4.

Overall I thought that was a really tasty blend that may have just been a little too fresh or perhaps too wet. The flavors were big and bold, and the smoke really reminded me of a Conoju mixed with an Angeles. Given this fresh-quality and the perfect construction (especially that cap), size, and resemblance, flavor-wise, to the Tatuaje Havana VI line (perhaps my single favorite every-day smoke out there) I'd wager a goodly sum that this stick was the new ER Tatuaje "Zona del Este."

If it is the Zona del Este then I've got another one of the fat-fokers in my humidor and I think it is going to make a damn-fine smoke after a big-ass turkey on Thanksgiving!

Thanks tkoepp, that was an very enjoyable blind-review! Now what the hell was it?!

 

[tkoepp]

You are correct on your guess... I hope you enjoyed it, with a rest it should get better.

 

[cuppajack]

You are correct on your guess... I hope you enjoyed it, with a rest it should get better.

I enjoyed it quite a bit!

Pete Johnson just keeps hitting these blends out of the park.

I'm sure even 4 months would do wonders for rounding out the profile of the smoke.

 

[mr.mac]

Blind Cigar Review

This is a very nice looking torpedo that I received on Monday from Putz Mulligan in the Blind Cigar Review – Pay It Forward. Thanks again Charlie for the nice smokes! It probably would not have hurt to let this cigar rest a bit… but what the hell…

After a failed attempt at sticking it out with my fiancé and “Ugly Betty”, I decided to head out to the front porch with the “mystery stick”. A clean clip with the Xikar and a pre-light draw that was very much a relief, (i.e. I think I pulled a muscle in my neck trying to get a descent draw out of the Invictos that I smoked this afternoon) revealed a rich tobacco flavor. I have to admit, right off the bat this cigar is saying “La Flor Dominicana”… I guess we will have to wait and see…

1st Third

The light was almost a slap in the face with bitter flavor! I’m not used to that. I set the cigar down and puffed it sparingly at first. The bitterness left and I was left with a very smooth draw of full bodied smoke. At this point I can’t really put my finger on a flavor profile. I’m getting rich leathery, nutty smoke… and mouthfuls of it. Very nice!

I really like this sized cigar! I don’t know why I don’t smoke more torps. Maybe it’s because they do take a little while to smoke. This is a very nice smoke. I’m getting some of that “meaty” flavor that I have heard others describe on top of very nice nutty and earthy flavors. Construction is good and the draw is perfect! Very well balanced at this point.

2nd Third

This cigar has really settled down a lot. The exhale through the nostrils is well tolerated and full of flavor. I’m still getting a lot of earthy and nutty flavor, which I am enjoying. I’m glad it’s a long one! The aroma is wonderful.

My little lady stopped out to check on me. “Well, does it pass?” she says. “Why don’t you tell me…” She took a puff and gave me the “Hmmm… it’s difinately maduro” response. Wow, this cigar really is passing the test! So is the new fiancé might I add!!!

As I round the half way mark, I’m noticing that this cigar has stayed pretty one dimensional. Still lots of earthy flavor… not really so much nutty anymore. Still loads of smoke and a wonderful draw. Also, not quite as full bodied as I originally anticipated. None the less, it’s still fitting the evening perfectly.

I had to step away for a bit and when I returned I got a much appreciated cooler draw. More flavor tells me that, as usual, I’m probably rushing things a bit with this smoke.

Finish

Well, things ended up pretty uneventful. Pretty consistent in flavor and toward the end, a bit harsh and… blahhhhh.

Now for the moment I was looking forward to…

No kiddin’… Rocky Patel OSG Torpedo. LOL! I swear at one point I almost wrote that this cigar was similar to the Vintage ’90 that I smoked not long ago. Nice!

Thanks for the opportunity to play! Oh and I love the way that Putz blocked out the back of the label to prevent me from peeking…. Well done Charlie!

edited to add... not a bad smoke! Not great either... Will definately consider picking a few up to "chill" in the box a bit...

mac

 

[humboldtflyer]

My review is of the mystery cigar that Mr.Mac sent me... I received the package this morning and had to burn it right away because I couldn't handle the anticipation. My curiosity got the best of me...

I found a new function on my camera that allows a "copy" photo that is supposed to make photos of text come out really clear. So my review will be all pictures...

The cigar in question:

The Review:
Part 1:

Part 2:

As you can see my guess was either a RP Fusion or a CI Legends Orange Label (RP blend). I was wrong... Here is the reveal of the mystery cigar band...

I was definitely suprised by this... For a two dollar stick I might have to stash a couple and see how they age...

THANKS AGAIN MAC!!!

 

[ChiTown_Huck]

Just an update. I haven't been able to smoke the mystery cigar yet as I have been fighting a cold. I am hopeful I can enjoy this one in a day or so...bear with me please.

 

[ChiTown_Huck]

Marcus Daniel Sun Grown "Affluence"

Size: 6", 48 ring I think

Maunufacturer Description (part): This is made of 100% Sun Grown Spanish Honduran Leaf, which is perfectly balcanced from start to finish. THis Honduran Puro is Medium to Full Bodies with a complimentary balance of leather, cocoa, and coffee...

My review:

Wrapper: slight tooth, cameroon wrapper maybe

Prelight: Barnyard, cured aroma, earthy, easy draw

Beginning: Woody, slight spice, medium body, uneven burn occurred, leather flavor

Middle: Wrapper split a bit, slight bitterness when smoke too quickly, tobacco aroma

End: Flavor flattened a bit, wisp of sweetness on occasion, slight mustiness to accompany the earth aroma.

Overall: Enjoyable cigar, pretty balanced flavors, no flavors or aromas reached out and grabbed me, but there were no off flavors either. Solid.

Rating: 7.9

Guess: Dominican Montecristo

Thanks Jadon for the opportunity to smoke this cigar and do this review. It was fun!

 

[bilder]

Well I am off work all week due to a stubborn back muscle, so what a better way to pass the time than to stop by the cigar shop and smoke the mystery stick that Mr. Wolf sent my way.

Sorry, no photos as my cell phone battery went dead earlier in the day. One of the regulars at the shop looked at it and tells me that it looks like a LGC Series 7. I am not sure as it does not smell like one.

The cigar is a 7x54ish with very nice construction. No large veins to be seen, only thin ones with a nice dark brown color. Prelight aroma was earthy and pleasant. Cut the cap and gave it a pre-light draw. Very well made and the draw was just about perfect.

After a toast and light I can tell that this is a full bodied cigar with lots of spice. Very nice pepper/spice tones met me the first third of the stick. I am really liking this cigar! Smokes very slow with a nice light grey ash. This is going to take a long time to finish...

The second third sees the spicy tones backing off to a more leathery flavor. Whatever this stick is, it is a power house! I am getting a bit woozy from this thing. After 45 minutes I am just about half way through and my head is starting to spin. I really wish I would have eaten a larger meal before this. I am sure that this is NOT a LGC as they have never kicked my butt the way this thing is doing. The burn is somewhat uneven and I am having to make several corrections along the way. Not sure if this is due to the stick or my light headedness.

Final third of the cigar- The room is spinning, I see pink elephants, my god what did Mr. Wolf give me! Have not been hit this way by a cigar in a very long time. The spicy flavor is still there and the cigar is heating up. Been 90 minutes and I still have a ways to go. Just hope I do not pass out before it is all over. I made the mistake of standing up at one point and quickly had to sit back down. Crap! It is official- this cigar has kicked my ass!

I did not loose my lunch, but I came really close! Aside from the burn issues this is a fine cigar! Will need to make sure I eat a large meal next time I try one of these things. Took me quite awhile to gather myself enough to stand up and drive home. Mr. Wolf, you are now on my hit list! Not sure if I should thank you for the great smoke or curse you for not giving me a warning of some kind. I get home and am still feeling this cigar for another hour.

Total smoking time- about 110 minutes. Total recovery time- about the same!

Now is the time to open the envelope. And the cigar was.......

Coranado by La Flor

I have heard that these were powerful, but man! They should make you sign a waiver of some kind before smoking one of these.

I want another.