Cigar: Lot 23 Maduro Toro
I really like the natural wrapper lot 23, and in fact, I own about 3 boxes of different sizes I like them so much. I find the natural wrapped cigar medium to full with a lot of creamy notes with a hint of nut that gets stronger as you smoke, eventually culminating in some dark coffee notes without any harshness. I really enjoy them and was looking forward to trying the new maduro when they came out. Going up to another one of my office in Phoenix, I stopped by the local B&M to get some singles and saw two boxes of the maduro lot 23's sitting out ready to be tagged. They were the same price as the natural, so I picked up a 2 pack of Toro's and 3 Churchill sizes. I smoked one of the Toro's straight away to see what they were like (and if I wanted to buy the box immediately).
The construction of the cigar is spot on as usual, with some firmness in the hand but a perfect draw. The wrapper color was a traditional maduro, not oscuro in color, with some light shading around what veins were appearant on the wrapper. No real hints of spice or idea of what was to come came from the prelight draw (which was perfect), so I lit up with great anticipation.
Upon first light, I received a huge mouthful of acrid smoke on the first puff that made me cough - not a good sign. However, after a couple puffs, it settled down into the familiar lot 23 profile of a medium bodied cigar smacking of nuts and coffee. The first quarter of the cigar held nothing different AT ALL from the natural wrapped lot 23 and wouldn't have known it to be maduro if I didn't have my eyes open.
The second quarter kept following straight on following the regular lot 23 profile, which while good, isn't what I was hoping at all from this cigar.
The third quarter of the cigar started to become acrid again and after clearing the cigar and trying to rid itself of the putrid flavor to no avail, I let it go out.
This cigar isn't noticeable different than the regular version, and I am hoping that it's youth and potential overhumidification (even though it burned perfectly with a wonderful draw and ample smoke) made this cigar underwhelm. Hopefully a little age and proper care will help distinguish this cigar from its brother and show its true colors.
Seth :thumbs:
I really like the natural wrapper lot 23, and in fact, I own about 3 boxes of different sizes I like them so much. I find the natural wrapped cigar medium to full with a lot of creamy notes with a hint of nut that gets stronger as you smoke, eventually culminating in some dark coffee notes without any harshness. I really enjoy them and was looking forward to trying the new maduro when they came out. Going up to another one of my office in Phoenix, I stopped by the local B&M to get some singles and saw two boxes of the maduro lot 23's sitting out ready to be tagged. They were the same price as the natural, so I picked up a 2 pack of Toro's and 3 Churchill sizes. I smoked one of the Toro's straight away to see what they were like (and if I wanted to buy the box immediately).
The construction of the cigar is spot on as usual, with some firmness in the hand but a perfect draw. The wrapper color was a traditional maduro, not oscuro in color, with some light shading around what veins were appearant on the wrapper. No real hints of spice or idea of what was to come came from the prelight draw (which was perfect), so I lit up with great anticipation.
Upon first light, I received a huge mouthful of acrid smoke on the first puff that made me cough - not a good sign. However, after a couple puffs, it settled down into the familiar lot 23 profile of a medium bodied cigar smacking of nuts and coffee. The first quarter of the cigar held nothing different AT ALL from the natural wrapped lot 23 and wouldn't have known it to be maduro if I didn't have my eyes open.
The second quarter kept following straight on following the regular lot 23 profile, which while good, isn't what I was hoping at all from this cigar.
The third quarter of the cigar started to become acrid again and after clearing the cigar and trying to rid itself of the putrid flavor to no avail, I let it go out.
This cigar isn't noticeable different than the regular version, and I am hoping that it's youth and potential overhumidification (even though it burned perfectly with a wonderful draw and ample smoke) made this cigar underwhelm. Hopefully a little age and proper care will help distinguish this cigar from its brother and show its true colors.
Seth :thumbs:
