601 Steel Rod

[jasonsbeer]

Picked up a fiver of these from Cigar Auctioneer. I have heard people talk favorably about the 601 brand, and these were cheap, so I thought I would give some a try. The Steel line is a Famous Exclusive.

Size: 5x54
Origin: Nicaragua
Price Paid: $2.55/ea

When I opened the wrapper the first thing I notice is the prominent smell of dark chocolate. What a fantastic aroma! Construction is very good and appearance is very good with small veining. Color is a medium brown.


First 1/3: First few draws there is cinnamon on the tongue and cedar on the retro. Soon the flavor settles down into more of a bitter cocoa. As the I reach the end of the first third, the flavor settles down considerably into a very light flavor, possibly some cream. The draw is very good. The burn is a little wavy, but good.



Second 1/3: The flavor remains light, moving to more of a straight up tobacco taste. There is huge pepper on the retro. So much pepper it almost makes my eyes water. The burn has become lop sided enought to require a touch up. I started to get a nic buzz about 1/2 through the cigar, which remains for the rest of the smoke.



Final 1/3: Mostly a repeat of the second third. I get some occasional licorice. The huge pepper remains on the retro.

Final thoughts: I really had huge hopes for this cigar. The wonderful pre-light chocolate aroma and first third had me thinking these might be a tremendous value. However, as I moved through the rest of the cigar, it left me wanting more. There was not much flavor on the palate for the last 2/3. For me, the pepper on the retro was too intense. These might make a good yard gar if you like a ton of pepper in the sinuses.

 

[SeaGarr]

That's too bad. I have always enjoyed the 601's. I hope you try some of the other blends in the line as I believe the brand deserves the exploration.

I generally always have some of the Blue line going on in my humi, and actually bought a box of the Greens in corona - nom, nom. Aside from the corona size, the la bomba's are fantastic too and another cigar I generally always keep a few of on hand.

Thanks for the review, maybe I'll steer clear of the Steel's until I can get a single and give it a try.

 

[Tim H]

Nice review there Jason. I've been eyeing these but think I will pass now.

 

[jasonsbeer]

That's too bad. I have always enjoyed the 601's. I hope you try some of the other blends in the line as I believe the brand deserves the exploration.

I generally always have some of the Blue line going on in my humi, and actually bought a box of the Greens in corona - nom, nom. Aside from the corona size, the la bomba's are fantastic too and another cigar I generally always keep a few of on hand.

Thanks for the review, maybe I'll steer clear of the Steel's until I can get a single and give it a try.

Thanks for the feedback.

Every brand has ups and downs, it just comes with the territory. You have to have variety in order to be attractive to a wide audience.

I also purchased some 601 Red Labels in the same transaction that I have yet to try. Man, the chocolate aroma of those Steels...I just had to try one. Also, never know, maybe a year in the coolidor will help.

 

[NJHarley]

I've been smoking the 601 steels since their release and I have to say I have yet to have a bad experience. Taste is very subjective, the fact that the foods you eat prior to smoking also plays a big part on what flavors your pallet releases and everyone's pallet will be different. I can smoke my same favorite cigar everyday and due to something I may have ate or drank could make me not enjoy it. Maybe its just me but I never taste cocoa, cinnamon, or exotic fruits in any cigar I've smoked and I've been smoking for 25+ years but I do taste good tobacco, bad tobacco or un-aged tobacco which usually full of ammonia flavors and aroma as well as spicy and pepper flavors that will result in the body of a cigar. I recommend everyone try it and to not base your decision on another persons pallet. As Jason mentioned there are different flavors for everyone. Happy Smoking.

 

[jasonsbeer]

Taste is extremely subjective (and genetic) and preferences differ.

There are many instances where people don't care for otherwise popular cigars. No big deal, just different strokes for different folks. I would never discourage someone from trying a cigar just because another person didn't care for it. Everyone needs to draw their own conclusions.

Personally, I do rely on reviews here to help me make purchasing decisions. I can only buy and smoke so many cigars, at least that's what my wife tells me, so I need to narrow it down some how. I believe reviews here are non-biased and honest. If someone says a cigar is a total pepper bomb, as my experience with the Steel was, I will avoid it. I just don't care for that. But, yes, "pepper bomb" is subjective, as are many flavors.

Anybody remember tasting that pink piece of paper in elementary science class?

 

[XYRNTX]

Thanks for sharing bro....even at the few bucks a stick sounds like it wasn't too bad.....maybe with more rest a little better? take care