CigarPointe
age quod agis
Check the site for burn pics and actual review:
http://www.cigarpointe.com/cigars/viaje-skull-bones-moab-review/
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $9.36
Vitola: 4 1/4 x 54
Drink: Coca-Cola
Appearance & Construction: The wrapper is oily, dark, rich, and smooth to the touch. Absolutely no veins, splotches, patches, or sun spots. This is a beautiful looking cigar. The draw is a little tight for my liking, and you have to work a little bit to get a satisfactory amount of smoke. The burn so far is very even, and slow. However, the temperature of the cigar is a little higher than Id prefer, but maybe Im smoking too fast, trying to get that right amount of smoke. The ash is solid for the most part (will stay on until you reach the band), but not that pure white ash that I love so much. Its a grey to dark grey color, and has rings of cracks throughout.
Pre-Light: Draw is great, awesome aroma coming off this stick. The draw on the pre-light is unlike anything Ive ever tasted in a cigar. Believe it or not, it tastes like pine cones. Dont ask how I know how those taste, but honestly, the flavor is incredible. Its almost unfortunate that I have to light this stogie up, because Im enjoying it so much as it is.
Flavor & Notes: Complexity is immediately apparent. Tons of cedar, pine, leather, and spices
First Third This is going to be a difficult review as Im tasting things in this cigar that Ive never tasted before. Just like in the pre-light, there is a robust pine taste along with cedar, leather, pete, and two or three other things that will have you scratching your head. Through the nose you will taste a heavy peppery, pine, taste, but not overwhelming to your palette.
Second Third Still very spicy at this point. The pine taste is still apparent, but is now masked by many other things. A peppery taste, similar to a jalapeño has also been added to the mix. At this point Im enjoying the overall flavor a lot more than the first third. The retrohale is still quite spicy, but has smoothed out to the point where it will be enjoyable for most people.
Final Third The fullness of the flavor has picked up significantly. The spiciness has come back with a vengeance, and it seems to be dominating all of the other flavors. It has turned almost mono-tone with pepper and pine flavor. Still interesting and different, but its apparent that its starting to sizzle out.
Body: Starts off full bodied. Through the nose the body is felt quite a bit more, but its not incredibly harsh. Very spicy, but not in a way thats going to make your eyes water. In the final third, the body kicks up about 3 notches. I dont think its going to be too much for anyone to handle, but it packs a punch.
Overall Smoking Experience: With all the hype going around with this cigar I really thought it was going to be a big gimmick. The band screams gimmick. The ads scream gimmick. Fortunately, the cigar isnt a gimmick. Its a solid smoke, that most full-bodied smokers will enjoy. It offers unique flavors that wont be found in many other cigars. Definitely worth a try while they are still available.
Rating: 8.0
Buy Again: I would but they wont be available.
Chooch Rating: 3/5 due to people bargin over micro-batching and what I consider to be a gimmicky ad campaign.
