A little story reminiscing before the review. This was the 1st box of real cuban cigars I had ever bought. My brother and I were just starting to get into cigars full fledged when I decided, what the hell, lets buy some cubans. This was only in June of last year and since we really didn't know too much about cubans, we took out the latest CA and ordered a box of these and the Boli RCs. Sadly, the box of RCs is now gone and I only have half of this box remaining. Who would have thought the road this would lead us to :blush:. Anyway, on to the review.....
I haven't had one of the SC since last fall sometime, so I decided to revisit them. Last I remember, they were very strong and full of spice; also very young and quite inconsistent. This cigar is not overly attractive to me; some veins and a real light cream-colored wrapper. The wrapper is smooth and it has a nice bunch to it. A dry puff revels a little spice and the smell is somewhat fruity.
Initial light there are spice notes present; however much more subdued than younger ones. Also present are some nutty and cocoa bean notes that melt together into a nice harmony of flavors. The draw is great and the smoke is very velvety. So far, the smoke is medium-bodied with a fairly long finish. About two inches in, the cigar is very rich and quite smooth.
About the halfway point, I begin noticing a strange flavor that is hard for me to describe. It tastes almost like raisins. Very odd, but it is nonetheless pleasing. It is starting to remind me at this point of a four or five year old RASS. The burn leaves something to desire as several touch-ups are needed to keep it straight. Also, the ash is quite flaky on the cigar. As the cigar enters in the final third, the flavors vary between vanilla/cocoa bean and an emerging earthiness that is underlying the core to this cigar. As the cigar winds down there is no bitterness in it at all. Solid leather and creamy tobacco bring an end to the cigar.
Overall: 91-92 but with ability to be much better in the coming years. The cigar was much more balanced and pleasing than earlier ones and leaves me wanting more. While there are so many great robustos put out by Cuba, this one most certainly needs to be put in my regular rotation. It is quite distinct and will probably be a very good cigar with 5+ years of age on it.
I haven't had one of the SC since last fall sometime, so I decided to revisit them. Last I remember, they were very strong and full of spice; also very young and quite inconsistent. This cigar is not overly attractive to me; some veins and a real light cream-colored wrapper. The wrapper is smooth and it has a nice bunch to it. A dry puff revels a little spice and the smell is somewhat fruity.
Initial light there are spice notes present; however much more subdued than younger ones. Also present are some nutty and cocoa bean notes that melt together into a nice harmony of flavors. The draw is great and the smoke is very velvety. So far, the smoke is medium-bodied with a fairly long finish. About two inches in, the cigar is very rich and quite smooth.
About the halfway point, I begin noticing a strange flavor that is hard for me to describe. It tastes almost like raisins. Very odd, but it is nonetheless pleasing. It is starting to remind me at this point of a four or five year old RASS. The burn leaves something to desire as several touch-ups are needed to keep it straight. Also, the ash is quite flaky on the cigar. As the cigar enters in the final third, the flavors vary between vanilla/cocoa bean and an emerging earthiness that is underlying the core to this cigar. As the cigar winds down there is no bitterness in it at all. Solid leather and creamy tobacco bring an end to the cigar.
Overall: 91-92 but with ability to be much better in the coming years. The cigar was much more balanced and pleasing than earlier ones and leaves me wanting more. While there are so many great robustos put out by Cuba, this one most certainly needs to be put in my regular rotation. It is quite distinct and will probably be a very good cigar with 5+ years of age on it.
