vortex
"A billion Eddie Barzoons jogging into the future
- Joined
- May 5, 2006
- Messages
- 5,510
She had never smoked a cigar. But she was going to Honduras to take a crash course on blending from the folks at Rocky's factory there?
Gary(cigar1993) and his wife, Linda, just returned from Honduras with the results of their first cigar blending course in tow. Gary handed me five cigars to sample. Two premium attempts and three bundle cigars. He warned me that Linda's turned out the best. He was right! I was also asked not to reveal the tobaccos used in blending.
(No pics due to no digital camera - hell, I'm still trying to figure out my cell phone!)
The setting I chose was a small get together with Ken(chemyst) and a non-forum member, Randy, at the Deer Park Tavern in Newark, DE. A beautiful, cool(70F), calm, October evening on the front deck where we are allowed to smoke in peace and, for a little while longer, comfort.
Beverage will be coffee with unlimited free refills.
Having been warned this was no ordinary first attempt at blending, by a non-smoker, I took careful note of every stage. This toro was 6.5 inch by 50 ring, flaring to 52 two inches from the foot. The wrapper was oily and caramel colored with a slight flaw and light veins. Pre-light draw was good with a grassy, Cuban Cohiba-like taste and a slight barnyard odor.
1st third:
Straight cut and light toasting yielded first draws that were a bit grassy but quickly developed a nutty, buttery flavor. As it progressed, I noticed a little Cuban Twang flit in and out. Very nice aroma that brought comments from passers-by of, "Oh, I like that smell"! There were some herbal and floral undertones and the medium-bodied smoke had a creamy quality. Ash was light gray and burn straight. Aside from the bulge at the foot, construction was good.
2nd third:
It was in this portion I started to realize how good this cigar was. In addition to the nutty, buttery flavor, some leather was mixing in with some caramel - a very pleasant flavor and aroma. The amazement that a non-smoker could blend such a complex and good cigar sets in now. I imagine it affects my subjectivity a bit. But anyway I look at it, this is a fine cigar Linda blended. As this third winds down, I'm starting to get a return of more grassy flavor and the twang asserts itself more often.
Final third:
We invite another admirer of the aroma to join us. He declines saying he's envious, being a smoker. But due to smoking too many cigars for thirty years his health requires he limit severely his cigar smoking. As this third begins the grassy flavor subsides. The nutty flavor is now complemented by sour leather and sweet caramel. With an inch to go, I nub it feeling a bit of the strength.
Conclusion:
An amazing cigar by any blender. More so by a novice, non-smoker, IMO. It does remind me a bit of some of Pepin's blends because of the Cuban-like flavor and complex, spicy tones. But it is also unique to my experience, as well. Well dome, Linda! I enjoyed your cigar immensely!
I'd give this cigar a 92 with the only issues being some construction problems like blemish and bulge.
Steve
Gary(cigar1993) and his wife, Linda, just returned from Honduras with the results of their first cigar blending course in tow. Gary handed me five cigars to sample. Two premium attempts and three bundle cigars. He warned me that Linda's turned out the best. He was right! I was also asked not to reveal the tobaccos used in blending.
(No pics due to no digital camera - hell, I'm still trying to figure out my cell phone!)
The setting I chose was a small get together with Ken(chemyst) and a non-forum member, Randy, at the Deer Park Tavern in Newark, DE. A beautiful, cool(70F), calm, October evening on the front deck where we are allowed to smoke in peace and, for a little while longer, comfort.
Beverage will be coffee with unlimited free refills.
Having been warned this was no ordinary first attempt at blending, by a non-smoker, I took careful note of every stage. This toro was 6.5 inch by 50 ring, flaring to 52 two inches from the foot. The wrapper was oily and caramel colored with a slight flaw and light veins. Pre-light draw was good with a grassy, Cuban Cohiba-like taste and a slight barnyard odor.
1st third:
Straight cut and light toasting yielded first draws that were a bit grassy but quickly developed a nutty, buttery flavor. As it progressed, I noticed a little Cuban Twang flit in and out. Very nice aroma that brought comments from passers-by of, "Oh, I like that smell"! There were some herbal and floral undertones and the medium-bodied smoke had a creamy quality. Ash was light gray and burn straight. Aside from the bulge at the foot, construction was good.
2nd third:
It was in this portion I started to realize how good this cigar was. In addition to the nutty, buttery flavor, some leather was mixing in with some caramel - a very pleasant flavor and aroma. The amazement that a non-smoker could blend such a complex and good cigar sets in now. I imagine it affects my subjectivity a bit. But anyway I look at it, this is a fine cigar Linda blended. As this third winds down, I'm starting to get a return of more grassy flavor and the twang asserts itself more often.
Final third:
We invite another admirer of the aroma to join us. He declines saying he's envious, being a smoker. But due to smoking too many cigars for thirty years his health requires he limit severely his cigar smoking. As this third begins the grassy flavor subsides. The nutty flavor is now complemented by sour leather and sweet caramel. With an inch to go, I nub it feeling a bit of the strength.
Conclusion:
An amazing cigar by any blender. More so by a novice, non-smoker, IMO. It does remind me a bit of some of Pepin's blends because of the Cuban-like flavor and complex, spicy tones. But it is also unique to my experience, as well. Well dome, Linda! I enjoyed your cigar immensely!
I'd give this cigar a 92 with the only issues being some construction problems like blemish and bulge.
Steve
