262 Paradigm (4 x 60)
Pre-light thoughts: Upon doing some research I find that this cigar is quite a complex blend hailing from Honduras. It contains seco and ligero tobaccos from the Esteli and Jalapa valleys in Nicaragua, as well as Columbian-grown, Cuban-seed leaves. This is all wrapped in a Honduran binder, and then the beautiful, coffee-bean brown Brazilian wrapper which also has an enticing red hue to it.
The first thing I notice about this cigar is its stellar construction and incredibly dense packing. The wrapper is oily, thick, and leathery to the touch, and is wrapped around what seems to be as much tobacco as the roller could possibly fit in there - the cigar is heavy in the hand, and incredibly firm. I'm thinking this is something that will take me a while to smoke, and will be quite rich.
The smell is of a rich cocoa and sweet tobacco, particularly pungent when smelling the foot of the cigar.
The top cap comes off without any problem at all - a nice clean, straight cut. The band (which is located at the foot, as you can see) also comes off without a problem. "Yay!" for not gluing the band to the wrapper!
A pre-light draw gives a great sweet tobacco flavour and a spiciness that indicates this will be a "throat-tingler" - very peppery!
First third: The cigar lights nice and evenly which already has me impressed as cigars this thick tend to be a pain to get lit up. And, as predicted, the first blast of flavour is a deep, strong pepper and spice. It tingles the back of the throat, and even the cheeks get a little bit of a numbing sensation.
After about 5 draws, the spice mellows (but doesn't disappear!) and begins to give way to a rich core of espresso. This cigar is teeming with dark flavours already and it's barely begun to develop.
The smoke coming directly off the cigar has a strong aroma to it that presents itself as that spicy pepper from the initial light.
Let's keep going and see how the flavours evolve...
Second third: About an inch and a half into the cigar, the pepper and spice have really taken a back seat to the coffee and cocoa flavours. It tastes very similar to drinking a cup of your favorite bold, black coffee and that really kicks you in the mouth (in the good way) before leaving a mild sweetness on your tongue after the smoke has been exhaled.
Retrohaling adds a layer of toasted nuts to the mix, giving this cigar a real "gourmet dessert" quality.
The ash continues to be this stark-white colour and holds on for its life. It's a very attractive ash in both colour and density.
Final third: Coming up to the last inch and a half of the cigar, the pepper and spice have begun to take center stage again, with the strength beginning to pick up as well. While not overpowering, it certainly lets you know it's there.
The core of espresso remains right to the final puffs, and intermingles with all of these dark flavours of cocoa, coffee bean and dark chocolate very nicely.
Final thoughts: This cigar was a very pleasant surprise. I've often found that the larger the ring gauge, the more problems you're going to have lighting it, and then keeping it burning evenly. This cigar lit up easily, and burned straight right down to the nub.
The flavours are all very dark in profile, with the rich espresso leading the pack from start to finish. This is all followed by a very pleasant, sweet aftertaste which helps to balance out how very bold and enveloping the flavours are in this cigar.
Bottom line - the cigar was attractive, burned beautifully, and above all else, it had a fantastic, complex set of rich, dark flavours.
I would definitely buy a box of these.
Final smoking time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Thank you so much to Brett (aka Dread), a great BOTL who sent me this cigar the other day as a surprise bodyguard. I enjoyed it immensely.
