danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Finally a respite from the imposing 100+ degree heat wave we've been having for the last month or so. Decided to take a walk and might as well enjoy a cigar. I dug around in the humidor and finally decided to revisit the Ave Maria (albeit in a different vitola than my previous review). The Ave Maria is a Nicaraguan cigar covered in an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. This particular cigar, the St. George, is a 6 x 54. Pics were taken with my cell phone so they're a little out of focus, but you get the idea...
The cigar looks to be soundly constructed. No loose seams or imperfections. The band is still one of my favorites. Clipping the head of the cigar, I got a slightly loose draw, but manageable. The flavors are a slightly sweet, nutty, tobacco. Lit without much trouble, even in the slight breeze from the approaching storm.
The initial flavors are a woody tobacco with a slight char to it. Not sure that this is necessarily from the cigar itself, but could be from the lighter. I had to hold it closer than I normally like to when lighting so may have burnt the foot a bit. At any rate the char only lasts a half a dozen puffs or so and wasn't intolerable. After a few puffs there was a nice slightly sweet, creamy nuttiness on through the nose.
The burn has started out nice. Not super sharp, but nothing that would need attention. The ash is a bright white color, layering nicely, and holding strong.
The flavors don't really change much throughout the cigar. The woody flavor remains the core, but is joined by a touch of leather on the finish. A slight creamy, nutty sweetness rounds it out. Body is a solid medium and not a bit more.
Still rockin'. I should add too that I was drinking a cream soda while I smoked this and the two played well with one another. The band came off shortly after this pic and no sign of the glue monster that we all hate so much.
Towards the end the cigar tried to go out a few times, but a couple of puffs was all it took to breathe life back into it. In the last third the leather disappeared and the woody flavor got stronger. The creamy, sweet, nuttiness through the nose became more of a floral aroma. Not a fresh floral aroma...more of a light potpourri aroma.
Finally arriving back at the casa and a few more puffs before pitching it into the ashtray.
Overall a pleasant smoke. Better I think than the first I tried. I think this is due mostly to the length of the cigar, just more time to develop in 6" than in 4.5". While on the topic of size, my only real gripe about this cigar doesn't have anything to do with the cigar. It's in fact more to do with the nontraditional labeling of this cigar as a Belicoso. Belicosos are, to me at least, generally around 5" in length and 50-52 ring gauge. Not 6 x 54. That is more in the realm of a Torpedo. For what you get the price point on these is a little high. Around $7/stick if you buy them by the box. I'd be more comfortable with the price being around $6/stick...maybe it's just me though.
Dan
The cigar looks to be soundly constructed. No loose seams or imperfections. The band is still one of my favorites. Clipping the head of the cigar, I got a slightly loose draw, but manageable. The flavors are a slightly sweet, nutty, tobacco. Lit without much trouble, even in the slight breeze from the approaching storm.
The initial flavors are a woody tobacco with a slight char to it. Not sure that this is necessarily from the cigar itself, but could be from the lighter. I had to hold it closer than I normally like to when lighting so may have burnt the foot a bit. At any rate the char only lasts a half a dozen puffs or so and wasn't intolerable. After a few puffs there was a nice slightly sweet, creamy nuttiness on through the nose.
The burn has started out nice. Not super sharp, but nothing that would need attention. The ash is a bright white color, layering nicely, and holding strong.
The flavors don't really change much throughout the cigar. The woody flavor remains the core, but is joined by a touch of leather on the finish. A slight creamy, nutty sweetness rounds it out. Body is a solid medium and not a bit more.
Still rockin'. I should add too that I was drinking a cream soda while I smoked this and the two played well with one another. The band came off shortly after this pic and no sign of the glue monster that we all hate so much.
Towards the end the cigar tried to go out a few times, but a couple of puffs was all it took to breathe life back into it. In the last third the leather disappeared and the woody flavor got stronger. The creamy, sweet, nuttiness through the nose became more of a floral aroma. Not a fresh floral aroma...more of a light potpourri aroma.
Finally arriving back at the casa and a few more puffs before pitching it into the ashtray.
Overall a pleasant smoke. Better I think than the first I tried. I think this is due mostly to the length of the cigar, just more time to develop in 6" than in 4.5". While on the topic of size, my only real gripe about this cigar doesn't have anything to do with the cigar. It's in fact more to do with the nontraditional labeling of this cigar as a Belicoso. Belicosos are, to me at least, generally around 5" in length and 50-52 ring gauge. Not 6 x 54. That is more in the realm of a Torpedo. For what you get the price point on these is a little high. Around $7/stick if you buy them by the box. I'd be more comfortable with the price being around $6/stick...maybe it's just me though.
Dan
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