I am going to cut this one short, I have a lot to do this afternoon.
Scores
Appearance - 85
Construction - 70
Burn - 80
Draw - 60
Flavor - 80
Value - 75
Overall - 75
Good looking smooth maduro wrapper. I like the appearance of box pressed cigars. The stick was assembled pretty well although halfway through it split pretty badly, and the wrapper unwound like a spring; I think they were too conservative with the wrapper. Other than problems with the split the burn was straight, and the ash went around an inch and a half before I helped it off.
Draw was too tough. I haven't had a box pressed cigar in a ring size this small before, I suspect it might be better used on 45+ ring cigars, but as always I could be wrong. The flavor was good but due to the draw there wasn't enough. Poor draw irritates me, combine it with being in a rush and I wasn't noticing much about the flavor except it was nice; the body was on the mild side. The most notable thing about the taste was the huge burst of sweetness on my first two draws. I almost wondered if it was flavored.
I don't think it was wet due to the splitting wrapper otherwise I would really suspect my cigars were wet and recalibrate my hygrometer (which is still reading a steady 69. This is another one I will have to give another shot after my humidor has been stable with no mass additions for a month or so. I won't scream a recommendation, nor will I say its a dud; It tasted good, looked pretty, and burnt well. I got 8 VC cigars in a sampler for 11 bucks (including 2 of these) so the price was right. If draw improves on the next one I smoke this could sneak up 10 points overall.
Matt
Scores
Appearance - 85
Construction - 70
Burn - 80
Draw - 60
Flavor - 80
Value - 75
Overall - 75
Good looking smooth maduro wrapper. I like the appearance of box pressed cigars. The stick was assembled pretty well although halfway through it split pretty badly, and the wrapper unwound like a spring; I think they were too conservative with the wrapper. Other than problems with the split the burn was straight, and the ash went around an inch and a half before I helped it off.
Draw was too tough. I haven't had a box pressed cigar in a ring size this small before, I suspect it might be better used on 45+ ring cigars, but as always I could be wrong. The flavor was good but due to the draw there wasn't enough. Poor draw irritates me, combine it with being in a rush and I wasn't noticing much about the flavor except it was nice; the body was on the mild side. The most notable thing about the taste was the huge burst of sweetness on my first two draws. I almost wondered if it was flavored.
I don't think it was wet due to the splitting wrapper otherwise I would really suspect my cigars were wet and recalibrate my hygrometer (which is still reading a steady 69. This is another one I will have to give another shot after my humidor has been stable with no mass additions for a month or so. I won't scream a recommendation, nor will I say its a dud; It tasted good, looked pretty, and burnt well. I got 8 VC cigars in a sampler for 11 bucks (including 2 of these) so the price was right. If draw improves on the next one I smoke this could sneak up 10 points overall.
Matt