I decided to light something special up tonight in honor of Marc's birthday. The CF 10 stick would fit perfectly because I have been wanting an occasion to spark one up for some time. Here is a link to Andrew's site for some more background on the cigar: Link
The packaging is not the most glamorous imo, but the cigar itself is beautiful. Good construction and a very nice dark, tan wrapper. Smell at cold is interesting, in fact so much so that I can't describe it. Kinda a cross between barnyard and an orchard?
Initial light goes well and there is an easy draw. Smooth and mild for the first couple of puffs. Lots of smoke coming out of the cigar. It taste like a Cameroon wrapper (even though it is an opus wrapper) on a cuban ramon allones because there is some dried fruit and a little spice to it at the same time. Still very mild, but very flavorful. About an inch or so in, there are notes of raspberries and a slight tartness. The burn is very good throughout and the construction remains excellent.
After two or so inches, the strength begins to build. Not a moment to soon because it was very mild up until this point. Gone are the dried fruit notes and are replaced with sweetness and a woody undertone. The smoke also has more spice to it at this point. The cigar never becomes as powerful or as full-bodied as an Opus, but it shows some character that is reminiscent of one with some age.
It's dark now and I'm about an hour and fifteen mins. into it. The power subsides into a more medium/light bodied smoke till the end. Lots of leather and some nutty flavors predominate the cigar now. There is still a little spice which adds some complexity into the mix. A very long finish has persisted and the aroma is heavenly as well. I lay the cigar down after an hour and 45 mins.
Overall: I really liked this smoke. Not very powerful or full-bodied like I was expecting, but very complex and entertaining. I would give it a 92 overall, possibly higher if it weren't for the extremely mild beginning.
The packaging is not the most glamorous imo, but the cigar itself is beautiful. Good construction and a very nice dark, tan wrapper. Smell at cold is interesting, in fact so much so that I can't describe it. Kinda a cross between barnyard and an orchard?
Initial light goes well and there is an easy draw. Smooth and mild for the first couple of puffs. Lots of smoke coming out of the cigar. It taste like a Cameroon wrapper (even though it is an opus wrapper) on a cuban ramon allones because there is some dried fruit and a little spice to it at the same time. Still very mild, but very flavorful. About an inch or so in, there are notes of raspberries and a slight tartness. The burn is very good throughout and the construction remains excellent.
After two or so inches, the strength begins to build. Not a moment to soon because it was very mild up until this point. Gone are the dried fruit notes and are replaced with sweetness and a woody undertone. The smoke also has more spice to it at this point. The cigar never becomes as powerful or as full-bodied as an Opus, but it shows some character that is reminiscent of one with some age.
It's dark now and I'm about an hour and fifteen mins. into it. The power subsides into a more medium/light bodied smoke till the end. Lots of leather and some nutty flavors predominate the cigar now. There is still a little spice which adds some complexity into the mix. A very long finish has persisted and the aroma is heavenly as well. I lay the cigar down after an hour and 45 mins.
Overall: I really liked this smoke. Not very powerful or full-bodied like I was expecting, but very complex and entertaining. I would give it a 92 overall, possibly higher if it weren't for the extremely mild beginning.
