Upon first inspection it's obvious the Sultan cigar is well constructed. It's dense as hell and filled to the brim with tobacco. The wrapper is lined with small veins and has an oily sheen. It has an intoxicating aroma: that wonderful barnyard smell that we all love.
After a quick toasting and light, the cigar hits the ground running in the flavor department. I was surprised by just how flavorful the Sultan was within the first few draws. A clean and light smoke coats your palate with flavors of oak, sweet tobacco, and a white pepper note. It isn't exactly the kind of pepper note you get from a Pepin cigar, but rather that lighter pepper note you get with a CAO VR.
While the draw was a bit tight at first, it soon loosens up and the smoke output is increased. It doesn't bellow out huge plumes of smoke, but it's an adequate amount.
As it burns into the second third, the Sultan goes from a very mild smoke to a medium-bodied smoke. The burn is absolutely laser sharp and the ash stays on for a good while before needing knocked off. The flavors transition a little bit: while they're still primarily that of oak, sweet tobacco, and a white pepper note, they go on to incorporate the flavors of roasted nuts and coffee. These flavors are in the background and not nearly as pronounced as the initial flavors.
The Sultan is a damn fine mild to medium-bodied cigar (leaning towards mild). It's extremely flavorful and complex with flavors of oak, sweet tobacco, white pepper, coffee and roasted nuts. It burnt and drew beautifully, letting off just enough smoke to satisfy those of us who prefer bellowing out huge clouds.
If you want a mild cigar that's full on flavor, this is it.
Thank you to Shuckins and Yan for the free stogie.