Kingantz
Growing too fast.
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 7,657
(Review done Sunday morning May 15)
Another beautiful weekend! Had a huge yard sale yesterday; lots of work and not much made. But, still got some things gone I didn’t need/want anymore. Sitting out back this morning, and while it’s a bit on the cool side with a fairly strong breeze blowing, it still feels great out. I'm mostly under the gazebo shade, but have my legs/feet in the sun.
I know there was a thread I ran across regarding my friend John (Johnny-O!) and his cigars saying to beware, that kind of thing. I've had a lot of dealings with John and have never had any issues. Sure some smokes are hit and miss, but what smokes aren't? Anyway, I did reply in that thread that I'd get this review up, so here it is!
I had actually smoked the last I had of these a long time back; however, a friend who I sold a fiver to, reached out to me saying he had given up cigars and wanted to know if I wanted to buy back all those I had sold him. Well, needless to say…lol! In those cigars I got back, which was probably about two years ago, were these same saolomones I had bought from John back eight years ago! I was tickled!
Link to the 2nd review on these Johnny-O! Salomones MAY08 (2nd Review)
I really like this vitola, with both ends tapered, not sure why John calls them baby salomone because it is definitely not a baby. The wrapper is a gorgeous rustic looking brown with the center vein running the length. It had very little give feeling quite solid, but the weight light in the hand. After slicing off the head, I find the draw not too open and not too closed, but just right. Flavor in the cold draw is straightforward tobacco, maybe a hint of raisin and slight mustiness. I light the tapered foot, and immediately the smell of the smoke brings back memories.
The first good draw is downright fantastic, with the taste at first seeming like mild vanilla bean mixed with fresh baked bread, sweet on the lips and front of the tongue. Tons of smoke was coming through with very little effort having a light mouth feel.
Further in, I got strong tastes of grass/hay with a load of woody and worn, strong leather. What really comes to my mind as I’m smoking this, is meaty. I mean I’m picturing a thick, juicy steak, rare to medium-rare. Great googly moogly this is good! There’s a perfect amount of spiciness on the back of the tongue and in the nose, like a sprinkling of white pepper.
As mentioned, the smoke has a light mouth feel, the body medium with the strength medium as well. The draw is just right with a decent burn and somewhat flaky gray ash forming, which falls off about an inch in. There’s no coning at all; wrapper, binder and filler all burning perfectly together.
I keep trying to snap a picture of the hummingbirds showing up at the feeders hanging up, but sure enough every time I put the camera down to type, smoke or take a drink, another one shows up. There’s also the tiny no-see-ums out, tiny little buggers that sting like fire wherever they land. Aggravating, but still a beautiful day! The cigar is smoking fantastic, and consistent as I head through the midway mark. Just incredibly good straightforward tobacco flavor that is woody with tons of leather.
As I’m finishing up the cigar, I finally snap a picture of a hummingbird, although it's not that great. Damn things are like lightning!
As I head towards the end of the smoke, flavors of wood/leather did get somewhat stronger in the finish with a bit of charred taste. But, what an amazing smoke! Just an incredibly meaty smoke, would have been so good after having had steak with a glass of cabernet. Thoroughly enjoyed it! I think I'm definitely going to be grilling a big 'ol steak on the grill later!
Another beautiful weekend! Had a huge yard sale yesterday; lots of work and not much made. But, still got some things gone I didn’t need/want anymore. Sitting out back this morning, and while it’s a bit on the cool side with a fairly strong breeze blowing, it still feels great out. I'm mostly under the gazebo shade, but have my legs/feet in the sun.
I know there was a thread I ran across regarding my friend John (Johnny-O!) and his cigars saying to beware, that kind of thing. I've had a lot of dealings with John and have never had any issues. Sure some smokes are hit and miss, but what smokes aren't? Anyway, I did reply in that thread that I'd get this review up, so here it is!
I had actually smoked the last I had of these a long time back; however, a friend who I sold a fiver to, reached out to me saying he had given up cigars and wanted to know if I wanted to buy back all those I had sold him. Well, needless to say…lol! In those cigars I got back, which was probably about two years ago, were these same saolomones I had bought from John back eight years ago! I was tickled!
Link to the 2nd review on these Johnny-O! Salomones MAY08 (2nd Review)
I really like this vitola, with both ends tapered, not sure why John calls them baby salomone because it is definitely not a baby. The wrapper is a gorgeous rustic looking brown with the center vein running the length. It had very little give feeling quite solid, but the weight light in the hand. After slicing off the head, I find the draw not too open and not too closed, but just right. Flavor in the cold draw is straightforward tobacco, maybe a hint of raisin and slight mustiness. I light the tapered foot, and immediately the smell of the smoke brings back memories.
The first good draw is downright fantastic, with the taste at first seeming like mild vanilla bean mixed with fresh baked bread, sweet on the lips and front of the tongue. Tons of smoke was coming through with very little effort having a light mouth feel.
Further in, I got strong tastes of grass/hay with a load of woody and worn, strong leather. What really comes to my mind as I’m smoking this, is meaty. I mean I’m picturing a thick, juicy steak, rare to medium-rare. Great googly moogly this is good! There’s a perfect amount of spiciness on the back of the tongue and in the nose, like a sprinkling of white pepper.
As mentioned, the smoke has a light mouth feel, the body medium with the strength medium as well. The draw is just right with a decent burn and somewhat flaky gray ash forming, which falls off about an inch in. There’s no coning at all; wrapper, binder and filler all burning perfectly together.
I keep trying to snap a picture of the hummingbirds showing up at the feeders hanging up, but sure enough every time I put the camera down to type, smoke or take a drink, another one shows up. There’s also the tiny no-see-ums out, tiny little buggers that sting like fire wherever they land. Aggravating, but still a beautiful day! The cigar is smoking fantastic, and consistent as I head through the midway mark. Just incredibly good straightforward tobacco flavor that is woody with tons of leather.
As I’m finishing up the cigar, I finally snap a picture of a hummingbird, although it's not that great. Damn things are like lightning!
As I head towards the end of the smoke, flavors of wood/leather did get somewhat stronger in the finish with a bit of charred taste. But, what an amazing smoke! Just an incredibly meaty smoke, would have been so good after having had steak with a glass of cabernet. Thoroughly enjoyed it! I think I'm definitely going to be grilling a big 'ol steak on the grill later!
