Augusto Reyes Gran Cru Perla

[Mast3r_Shake]

Augusto Reyes Gran Cru Perla

Wrapper: Dominican Habano
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

Size: Perla (4.5" x 34)
Cost: $1.65; Box of 50 for $60


Pre-light inspection: No major veins; a little spotty toward the bottom (not the foot); very firm, may be a little too humid from my humidor becuase I don't hear a slight crunch when I squeeze the foot.

First 3rd: The opening flavor is a flavor I have tasted in many cigars but still can not name it. However I enjoy this flavor a lot. What I would say is that is does not remind me of Pepin, or AJ. The draw begins a little firm. When retrohaling the flavor is more intense and the body seems to be on the stronger side of medium. I start pinching the end with my teeth and that opens up the draw producing a good amount of smoke for such a little cigar. It has a very nice intense taste and the burn is great. The strength seems to dissipate in transition to the next third.

Middle 3rd: The draw really opens up now still producing a good deal of smoke. The flavor profile is the same but the intensity is much mellower. A little earthiness starts creeping in mixed with a little leather. It has turned into a more medium bodied smoke now on retrohale. The burn stays straight. The ash is also very solid and so far I am very pleased.

Final 3rd: The flavors have really mellowed out and merged together, but has a very slight predominant leather flavor. Definitely now a medium bodied smoke. Burn has stayed straight and the cigar never burns hot even to the end.

Liked it: Yup
Recommend it: Yup
Smoke it again: At $1.65 for a single you bet ya. Good 30 minute smoke IMO.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Very nice review my brother, thanks!

 

[njstone]

Nice review. Sounds like a decent small smoke--I'm always looking for good short smokes!

 

[John Werner]

I smoked this in the toro profile and having enjoyed other Augusto Reyes sticks and enjoyed them I went into this expecting to like it because I knew AR said it was a stronger blend. Immediately upon lighting I got a good volume of smoke and a nice blast of spice. The taste beyond that was earthy and leathery with just a hint of sweetness. Soon I noticed the wrapper started burning quite irregular and that proved to be the norm throughout the main body of the cigar. I had to touch it up more than I like. While the spice subsided, it would always appear on a good draw. As for the other flavors they remained quite the same being fairly strong. This gives me an impression of a none too complex blend with the main component being that strong leathery earthiness. This is not extremely interesting and when combined with the burn problem that I experienced diminished my enjoyment. Toward the end it became a bit hot early and when I added it all up I just decided I wasn't in for a box, but would try my next stick at 60% (will dry box for three or so days). At this point it is my least favorite of the 4 Augusto Reyes blends I've tried with the Nativo being my personal favorite. If the drier humidity helps I will report back. I'm sorry to say that based on this initial smoke of the Grand Cru I cannot recommend it outside of being a powerful rather one-dimensional stick.

 

[CWS]

I smoked this in the toro profile and having enjoyed other Augusto Reyes sticks and enjoyed them I went into this expecting to like it because I knew AR said it was a stronger blend. Immediately upon lighting I got a good volume of smoke and a nice blast of spice. The taste beyond that was earthy and leathery with just a hint of sweetness. Soon I noticed the wrapper started burning quite irregular and that proved to be the norm throughout the main body of the cigar. I had to touch it up more than I like. While the spice subsided, it would always appear on a good draw. As for the other flavors they remained quite the same being fairly strong. This gives me an impression of a none too complex blend with the main component being that strong leathery earthiness. This is not extremely interesting and when combined with the burn problem that I experienced diminished my enjoyment. Toward the end it became a bit hot early and when I added it all up I just decided I wasn't in for a box, but would try my next stick at 60% (will dry box for three or so days). At this point it is my least favorite of the 4 Augusto Reyes blends I've tried with the Nativo being my personal favorite. If the drier humidity helps I will report back. I'm sorry to say that based on this initial smoke of the Grand Cru I cannot recommend it outside of being a powerful rather one-dimensional stick.

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