Size: 6.5x42
Box Date: August 2001
I don't often take notes on what I smoke, but thought I might try tonight and report on my findings.
I received this box a few days ago, and would normally let them settle in more, but because I had requested a more recently-dated box, I thought I should try one and see if I wanted to keep them.
Took myself out to the porch with a glass of water and the Taos News*, and took in what I was about to set flame to.
Weighing it in my hand, it felt right for its size. Light squeezes along the length of it didn't reveal any likely plugs.
The finely-veined wrapper was the color of coffee with couple of splashes of milk in it - not very dark, but not too light.
The foot smelled slightly musty and vegetal, and the wrapper like good, straightfoward tobacco.
It clipped a little unevenly and the prelight draw was a little tight, though not distractingly so. There was a creamy sweetness to it, which was present throughout much of the hour or so I spent with it.
It lit easily, and burned well the entire time I smoked it. Some very slight runners fixed themselves without any touching up. It didn't want to hold its dark gray ash for more than an inch or so
The initial draws were medium/full-bodied, with a midly sweet, earthy tobacco flavor and a bit of pepper on the finish.
After the first inch, it picked up in strength, with similar characteristics to the inital draw, although the pepper on the finish backed off some.
At the second inch, the peppery finish returned, and a hint of citrus joined the sweet creaminess.
Around the third inch, the citrus disappeared, and a caramelly flavor developed with little hints of mint. The pepper on the finish began to recede again, and a tanginess took its place.
After another inch or so, the flavors became less distinct, but the sweetness remained until there were about two inches left, when it got strong and peppery throughout. At this point, I tried burning some tar off, as it was getting a little rough on my tongue - not harsh, but rough.
It didn't change much after that, so with the almost-autumn light dying and fond thoughts of sagebrush and green chile drifting through my head, I let this fine cigar go out with about an inch and a half left.
It clipped a somewhat unevenly, the draw was a little tight, and my tongue got a little steamed towards the end, but overall this was an enjoyable, fairly complex smoke. I attribute the "warts" to its being a bit more humidified than I would normally like.
No contest - I'm keeping the box, and look forward trying another one when they've settled down some more
*If my family weren't small, and on the East Coast, I would have moved to New Mexico awhile ago...I try to visit once a year, and subscribe to the paper to keep up with goings on out there.
Box Date: August 2001
I don't often take notes on what I smoke, but thought I might try tonight and report on my findings.
I received this box a few days ago, and would normally let them settle in more, but because I had requested a more recently-dated box, I thought I should try one and see if I wanted to keep them.
Took myself out to the porch with a glass of water and the Taos News*, and took in what I was about to set flame to.
Weighing it in my hand, it felt right for its size. Light squeezes along the length of it didn't reveal any likely plugs.
The finely-veined wrapper was the color of coffee with couple of splashes of milk in it - not very dark, but not too light.
The foot smelled slightly musty and vegetal, and the wrapper like good, straightfoward tobacco.
It clipped a little unevenly and the prelight draw was a little tight, though not distractingly so. There was a creamy sweetness to it, which was present throughout much of the hour or so I spent with it.
It lit easily, and burned well the entire time I smoked it. Some very slight runners fixed themselves without any touching up. It didn't want to hold its dark gray ash for more than an inch or so
The initial draws were medium/full-bodied, with a midly sweet, earthy tobacco flavor and a bit of pepper on the finish.
After the first inch, it picked up in strength, with similar characteristics to the inital draw, although the pepper on the finish backed off some.
At the second inch, the peppery finish returned, and a hint of citrus joined the sweet creaminess.
Around the third inch, the citrus disappeared, and a caramelly flavor developed with little hints of mint. The pepper on the finish began to recede again, and a tanginess took its place.
After another inch or so, the flavors became less distinct, but the sweetness remained until there were about two inches left, when it got strong and peppery throughout. At this point, I tried burning some tar off, as it was getting a little rough on my tongue - not harsh, but rough.
It didn't change much after that, so with the almost-autumn light dying and fond thoughts of sagebrush and green chile drifting through my head, I let this fine cigar go out with about an inch and a half left.
It clipped a somewhat unevenly, the draw was a little tight, and my tongue got a little steamed towards the end, but overall this was an enjoyable, fairly complex smoke. I attribute the "warts" to its being a bit more humidified than I would normally like.
No contest - I'm keeping the box, and look forward trying another one when they've settled down some more
*If my family weren't small, and on the East Coast, I would have moved to New Mexico awhile ago...I try to visit once a year, and subscribe to the paper to keep up with goings on out there.
