CRQuarto
Brrraaaiiinnnsss.....
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
- Messages
- 1,850
PANACEA Black
Size: 6 x 51 rg Perfecto
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: (Quoted from their website) "Cuban seed Seco, Ligero, Olor Dominicano, and Nicaraguan highlights"
Strength: Mild - Medium
It was a beautiful late afternoon here in Orange County, with a slight breeze blowing keeping the temperature on the slightly cooler side, but pleasantly so. My girlfriend Deanna had brought over her dog for a play date with my puppy, and my buddy Shant was also over, so we decided to have some cigars. I decided I couldn't wait any longer to try the Panacea's I ordered a couple weeks ago, so I selected three out of the four pack sampler. I chose the Perfecto, Shant took the Torpedo, and Deanna had the Robusto, leaving the Toro in my humidor. We grabbed a few cans of coke, and headed outside.
This was a nicely shaped perfecto, very symmetrical. On inspecting the cigar closer, I noticed that the construction was solid, though slightly rough, with quite a few veins running the length of the cigar. When squeezed, there was a nice springy feel that told me that I had waited just long enough for the humidity to even out in the sticks. I didn't anticipate any kind of draw problems with this cigar, and after clipping the end, I was pleased to find a perfect draw. There was a slight haylike flavor to the prelight draw, and the foot had a nice, sweet scent to it. I fired up the torch, took a couple nice puffs to get it going, and sat back to let the smoke roll out of my mouth and nose. Wow, right off the start I was picking up a salty sweetness, toasted bread, and nuts. The smoke was extremely creamy and smooth, and when let out the nose there was practically zero spice to it, just a beautiful, sweet aroma of that toasted bread flavor. The burn started off slightly crooked, but corrected itself an inch in. The ash was a dark gray, though it was weak at the pointed part of the perfecto shape, and fell at the inch mark. After that it held on strong until knocked off every inch. I asked my friends what they thought so far, and both of them replied, "Damn, this is good!"
Halfway through the cigar, the strength built to a medium, and a bit of harshness crept in. I ashed, purged, and the harshness dissipated. I began to get some nice peppery spice finally, which was a pleasant change that complimented the change in strength. At this point Shant decided that an ash stand was to be attempted. Ash stand successful! The ash on his was a solid white, and rock hard. He didn't lose it until past the halfway point!
Unfortunately, going into the last third of the cigars, we all experienced a sudden chemical taste that was very bitter. After purging, it was still there, so we decided to let them die. I feel that these cigars would be absolutely amazing after sitting for a while. Even with the harshness that cut them short, I still would say this is a solid smoke, with a lot of promise to it. If the maduros and the Red labels are as good as this one was, I am damn eager to try them! Hats off to Flatbed Cigar Company for rolling some great cigars. I look forward to buying a box.
Size: 6 x 51 rg Perfecto
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: (Quoted from their website) "Cuban seed Seco, Ligero, Olor Dominicano, and Nicaraguan highlights"
Strength: Mild - Medium
It was a beautiful late afternoon here in Orange County, with a slight breeze blowing keeping the temperature on the slightly cooler side, but pleasantly so. My girlfriend Deanna had brought over her dog for a play date with my puppy, and my buddy Shant was also over, so we decided to have some cigars. I decided I couldn't wait any longer to try the Panacea's I ordered a couple weeks ago, so I selected three out of the four pack sampler. I chose the Perfecto, Shant took the Torpedo, and Deanna had the Robusto, leaving the Toro in my humidor. We grabbed a few cans of coke, and headed outside.
This was a nicely shaped perfecto, very symmetrical. On inspecting the cigar closer, I noticed that the construction was solid, though slightly rough, with quite a few veins running the length of the cigar. When squeezed, there was a nice springy feel that told me that I had waited just long enough for the humidity to even out in the sticks. I didn't anticipate any kind of draw problems with this cigar, and after clipping the end, I was pleased to find a perfect draw. There was a slight haylike flavor to the prelight draw, and the foot had a nice, sweet scent to it. I fired up the torch, took a couple nice puffs to get it going, and sat back to let the smoke roll out of my mouth and nose. Wow, right off the start I was picking up a salty sweetness, toasted bread, and nuts. The smoke was extremely creamy and smooth, and when let out the nose there was practically zero spice to it, just a beautiful, sweet aroma of that toasted bread flavor. The burn started off slightly crooked, but corrected itself an inch in. The ash was a dark gray, though it was weak at the pointed part of the perfecto shape, and fell at the inch mark. After that it held on strong until knocked off every inch. I asked my friends what they thought so far, and both of them replied, "Damn, this is good!"
Halfway through the cigar, the strength built to a medium, and a bit of harshness crept in. I ashed, purged, and the harshness dissipated. I began to get some nice peppery spice finally, which was a pleasant change that complimented the change in strength. At this point Shant decided that an ash stand was to be attempted. Ash stand successful! The ash on his was a solid white, and rock hard. He didn't lose it until past the halfway point!
Unfortunately, going into the last third of the cigars, we all experienced a sudden chemical taste that was very bitter. After purging, it was still there, so we decided to let them die. I feel that these cigars would be absolutely amazing after sitting for a while. Even with the harshness that cut them short, I still would say this is a solid smoke, with a lot of promise to it. If the maduros and the Red labels are as good as this one was, I am damn eager to try them! Hats off to Flatbed Cigar Company for rolling some great cigars. I look forward to buying a box.
I agree, the bread flavor is one I love in a cigar. The nutty flavor is probably my favorite though, and coupled with a rich tobacco taste (IE. Illusione '88' for me), it makes for a heavenly smoke. Thank you sir, for the compliment on the review, I do model them somewhat after yours, though I am learning my own writing style and format with each new review. It's great to see that you enjoyed it! Have you had a chance to try the Panacea's yet? I really think that with maybe a month or two, the harshness might dissipate, so I am going to leave the single one I have left alone. Perhaps it is just a sick period? Only time will tell! :blush: