Okay, now that I suckered you in here with the title, I think it only fair to warn you that the NT stands for Newbie's Take. Yep, this is a new guy review. So, if that doesn't bother you then please read on and as always
I welcome advice and critique.
With all of the talk here lately about Drew Estates and Acid, I decided to try one of my Sportsman's Reserves. See, the ACID line intrigued me and I've been contemplating giving that line a go (not any more, BTW.) Them being by D.E. and D.E. also doing the Sportsman''s Reserve, and Cigarbid... Well, you see where this is going. None the less, I cracked the humidor and here's my take.
The Sportsman's Reserve 5x54 torpedo. I believe this is a Robusto? Should've checked, but regardless, this was my first cigar with these dimensions.
The initial presentation was superb. A fairly evenly colored wrapper with just enough hue variation to know it's natural. Tight roll, sides gently tapering from an attractive foot to a nice rounded off head. The smell was light and pleasant. This cigar absorbed and held the aroma of the Spanish Cedar humidor lining well. In fact, the spicy scent from the wood was present through the entire smoke. The first clip (yes, I said first! read on for explanation) was nice and neat - it cut smooth and evenly. Pre-light toast produced a nice dark-brown (Maduro colored) foot and just enough smoke to "set the juices flowing."
Now, I feel the need to begin reviewing the smoke with a short summary. The reason I do this is because I find myself at a loss for words. I think the reason is relayed well with this quote, "The best description of Mediocrity is no description." I just made that up.
Clever, huh? Anyway enough tooting of the proverbial horn.
The cigar lighted well. Even and warm, smooth and quick. The burn was also even with a razor straight edge. It burned even better than the Partagas I reviewed in the NT ISOM column. The ash was a nice even light gray and held its shape quite well.
A very nice, light draw made smoking easy. I pulled volumes of air through without much effort at all. But, all I pulled through is air. I was getting very little smoke. Because I initialy cut a short (1/8" or so) I decided to cut a little deeper to (1/4".) I know, I know, what a travesty - to light, then cut?!? But hey, it was just me, the cigar, and no witnesses, so it didn't hurt anyone This helped increase the amount of smoke pulled on each draw a little, but I was still left wanting more...
The flavor was not very flattering. I hesitate to say "flavor" because there wasn't much to begin with. The only thing I tasted through the first 3/4 of this cigar was a light tobacco flavor. And, unfortunately, it tasted processed or purified, or something. Really, this cigar could've had a red and white label that read Marlboro or Pall Mall light and it wouldn't have surprised me. Except that I would've had more smoke from a cigarette.
I must say though, that the appearance of this cigar kept me smoking straight through. I couldn't believe a stick this well put together didn't have so much more to offer. So, I stuck it out. Eventually it got to the point that I assumed it was all just a set up for a huge, dramatic finish.
Boy, was I ever let down! I went all the way to the fingers hoping for something to happen. And, eventually it did. The cigar got bitter and a little spicy for about the last 1 1/2". Now, I may be wrong, but I assumed that this was just tar build up? Note to self: if you burn one of these again, don't nub it!
So, in conclusion, this was a very unsatisfying smoke. Here's the wrap up:
Presentation: Superb (people who have not smoked this will be impressed with your apparent cigar saavy just based on this sticks looks.)
Toast: Excellent
Cut: Excellent
Draw: Excellent and easy.
Smoke: What smoke?
Flavor: Not so good (what flavor there was, anyway) Tastes like a cigarette.
Overall rating: 70-74.
I'll probably try these again in a few months when everything else is gone. Who knows, maybe I was just in a bad mood and didn't know it?
R/ and let me know what you think. But please be easy, this is only my second review (but definately not only my second cigar!) ???
Muley
I welcome advice and critique.
With all of the talk here lately about Drew Estates and Acid, I decided to try one of my Sportsman's Reserves. See, the ACID line intrigued me and I've been contemplating giving that line a go (not any more, BTW.) Them being by D.E. and D.E. also doing the Sportsman''s Reserve, and Cigarbid... Well, you see where this is going. None the less, I cracked the humidor and here's my take.
The Sportsman's Reserve 5x54 torpedo. I believe this is a Robusto? Should've checked, but regardless, this was my first cigar with these dimensions.
The initial presentation was superb. A fairly evenly colored wrapper with just enough hue variation to know it's natural. Tight roll, sides gently tapering from an attractive foot to a nice rounded off head. The smell was light and pleasant. This cigar absorbed and held the aroma of the Spanish Cedar humidor lining well. In fact, the spicy scent from the wood was present through the entire smoke. The first clip (yes, I said first! read on for explanation) was nice and neat - it cut smooth and evenly. Pre-light toast produced a nice dark-brown (Maduro colored) foot and just enough smoke to "set the juices flowing."
Now, I feel the need to begin reviewing the smoke with a short summary. The reason I do this is because I find myself at a loss for words. I think the reason is relayed well with this quote, "The best description of Mediocrity is no description." I just made that up.
Clever, huh? Anyway enough tooting of the proverbial horn. The cigar lighted well. Even and warm, smooth and quick. The burn was also even with a razor straight edge. It burned even better than the Partagas I reviewed in the NT ISOM column. The ash was a nice even light gray and held its shape quite well.
A very nice, light draw made smoking easy. I pulled volumes of air through without much effort at all. But, all I pulled through is air. I was getting very little smoke. Because I initialy cut a short (1/8" or so) I decided to cut a little deeper to (1/4".) I know, I know, what a travesty - to light, then cut?!? But hey, it was just me, the cigar, and no witnesses, so it didn't hurt anyone
This helped increase the amount of smoke pulled on each draw a little, but I was still left wanting more...The flavor was not very flattering. I hesitate to say "flavor" because there wasn't much to begin with. The only thing I tasted through the first 3/4 of this cigar was a light tobacco flavor. And, unfortunately, it tasted processed or purified, or something. Really, this cigar could've had a red and white label that read Marlboro or Pall Mall light and it wouldn't have surprised me. Except that I would've had more smoke from a cigarette.
I must say though, that the appearance of this cigar kept me smoking straight through. I couldn't believe a stick this well put together didn't have so much more to offer. So, I stuck it out. Eventually it got to the point that I assumed it was all just a set up for a huge, dramatic finish.
Boy, was I ever let down! I went all the way to the fingers hoping for something to happen. And, eventually it did. The cigar got bitter and a little spicy for about the last 1 1/2". Now, I may be wrong, but I assumed that this was just tar build up? Note to self: if you burn one of these again, don't nub it!
So, in conclusion, this was a very unsatisfying smoke. Here's the wrap up:
Presentation: Superb (people who have not smoked this will be impressed with your apparent cigar saavy just based on this sticks looks.)
Toast: Excellent
Cut: Excellent
Draw: Excellent and easy.
Smoke: What smoke?
Flavor: Not so good (what flavor there was, anyway) Tastes like a cigarette.
Overall rating: 70-74.
I'll probably try these again in a few months when everything else is gone. Who knows, maybe I was just in a bad mood and didn't know it?
R/ and let me know what you think. But please be easy, this is only my second review (but definately not only my second cigar!) ???
Muley
