Today's study smoke was a JdN Antaño Gran Reserva Robusto Grande generously gifted to me by tone-ny. This is one of his favored smokes and now I know why.
The wrapper was a silky, oily dark colorado maduro with prominent but fine veins. Prelight aroma was faint. The stick was solidly constructed like a dowel of African bubinga wood, heavy yet the slightest bit resilient.
Lightup was difficult as the foot was resistant to ignition. It took quite a few seconds of exposure to my Blazer before it toasted sufficiently for me to draw and fire it up. Once underway, however, the tightish draw delivered wisps of heavy, earthy smoke. I was familiar with the regular JdN line and have found it to be an unremarkable if inexpensive smoke. I've thus far avoided the Antaño blend due to its reputation for strength and harshness. So far, the Gran Reserva was turning out to be like neither of these cigars.
I gave this cigar a little time to warm up. The draw continued to be tighter than I liked and so I lopped off the entire shoulder with my Benchmade folder. As it warmed up, it also opened up and started delivering its payload. Smoke volume picked up and each draw brought forth mouthfuls of heavy, oily smoke rich in deep tobacco flavor.
The primary flavors were rich and heavy but not harsh in the least. It also gave indications of being a powerful cigar as I was starting to get the nic buzz already.
The strongest impression was of leather. Not just any leather mind you. This was the classy stuff, aniline-dyed Torino belt leather reminiscent of a Coach handbag. Chocolate and cocoa were also quite prominent. And not the wimpy Hershey milk chocolate. This was full out 65% cocoa solids Scharffenberger bitter. No nonsense stuff to say the least.
The ash was bright white and stiff behind the razor thin burn line. What a muscular and manly smoke this was turning out to be.
As I smoked further, nutty notes started to emerge that reminded me of batch roasted almonds and cashews dry roasted with just a touch of expeller pressed sunflower oil and a sprinkling of hand harvested Mediterranean sea salt. Wow. And there was a hint of sweetness as well. It struck me as quite a complex sweetness like the sundried residue of subtropical sugar cane left after the pressings to make Jamaican rum.
The aroma was tangy and frargant, laced with smatterings of Jasmine, smoldering mahogany, pinyon pine bark and Brazilian carnauba. Old school is how I'd characterize this scent...and manly too.
I smoked this one way down and as good as it was, I suspect that with further age, it would become a classic. Even now, it is among the best of the full-bodied, strong cigars made. Oh, and I should mention that it was a very manly smoke suitable for men as well as women executives and basketball coaches.
Wilkey
The wrapper was a silky, oily dark colorado maduro with prominent but fine veins. Prelight aroma was faint. The stick was solidly constructed like a dowel of African bubinga wood, heavy yet the slightest bit resilient.
Lightup was difficult as the foot was resistant to ignition. It took quite a few seconds of exposure to my Blazer before it toasted sufficiently for me to draw and fire it up. Once underway, however, the tightish draw delivered wisps of heavy, earthy smoke. I was familiar with the regular JdN line and have found it to be an unremarkable if inexpensive smoke. I've thus far avoided the Antaño blend due to its reputation for strength and harshness. So far, the Gran Reserva was turning out to be like neither of these cigars.
I gave this cigar a little time to warm up. The draw continued to be tighter than I liked and so I lopped off the entire shoulder with my Benchmade folder. As it warmed up, it also opened up and started delivering its payload. Smoke volume picked up and each draw brought forth mouthfuls of heavy, oily smoke rich in deep tobacco flavor.
The primary flavors were rich and heavy but not harsh in the least. It also gave indications of being a powerful cigar as I was starting to get the nic buzz already.
The strongest impression was of leather. Not just any leather mind you. This was the classy stuff, aniline-dyed Torino belt leather reminiscent of a Coach handbag. Chocolate and cocoa were also quite prominent. And not the wimpy Hershey milk chocolate. This was full out 65% cocoa solids Scharffenberger bitter. No nonsense stuff to say the least.
The ash was bright white and stiff behind the razor thin burn line. What a muscular and manly smoke this was turning out to be.
As I smoked further, nutty notes started to emerge that reminded me of batch roasted almonds and cashews dry roasted with just a touch of expeller pressed sunflower oil and a sprinkling of hand harvested Mediterranean sea salt. Wow. And there was a hint of sweetness as well. It struck me as quite a complex sweetness like the sundried residue of subtropical sugar cane left after the pressings to make Jamaican rum.
The aroma was tangy and frargant, laced with smatterings of Jasmine, smoldering mahogany, pinyon pine bark and Brazilian carnauba. Old school is how I'd characterize this scent...and manly too.
I smoked this one way down and as good as it was, I suspect that with further age, it would become a classic. Even now, it is among the best of the full-bodied, strong cigars made. Oh, and I should mention that it was a very manly smoke suitable for men as well as women executives and basketball coaches.
Wilkey
