First, thanks to Sr. Padilla for providing these smokes. This was a very nice gesture on his part, and was much appreciated.
Next, the two I received have been sitting in the humi for the past week and a half, so I pulled one out tonight and fired it up. Very nice construction, straight and firm, no inconsistencies in the structure. NIce touch, the band was taped rather than glued so it slid off easily without tearing the wrapper.
Punched it; mild, prelight aroma, draw was firm, not much taste in the prelight. Some difficulty getting it lit, nearly went out before some serious puffing, then burned nicely with a solid nearly white ash that hung on well.
Bouquet rather acrid, pungent. Smoke was thin, astringent, not at all creamy. No complexity of flavor, short finish. Predominant flavor was woody. Quite peppery, or rather stinging, on the tongue.
These may need to dry out even further or age for a while; perhaps a flat cut rather than a punch would lessen the concentration in the smoke stream.
Unfortunately, at this stage in their life, not a cigar I could recommend, nor one that I would buy. I applaud Sr. Padilla for starting this venture but this fell quite short of my expectations.
Next, the two I received have been sitting in the humi for the past week and a half, so I pulled one out tonight and fired it up. Very nice construction, straight and firm, no inconsistencies in the structure. NIce touch, the band was taped rather than glued so it slid off easily without tearing the wrapper.
Punched it; mild, prelight aroma, draw was firm, not much taste in the prelight. Some difficulty getting it lit, nearly went out before some serious puffing, then burned nicely with a solid nearly white ash that hung on well.
Bouquet rather acrid, pungent. Smoke was thin, astringent, not at all creamy. No complexity of flavor, short finish. Predominant flavor was woody. Quite peppery, or rather stinging, on the tongue.
These may need to dry out even further or age for a while; perhaps a flat cut rather than a punch would lessen the concentration in the smoke stream.
Unfortunately, at this stage in their life, not a cigar I could recommend, nor one that I would buy. I applaud Sr. Padilla for starting this venture but this fell quite short of my expectations.
:thumbs: