Well it’s a gorgeous day and I figured it was time to review this cigar!
Name: BLTC Lawless
Size: 5 x 54
Shape: Robusto (largo?)
Cigar enjoyed with the following:
Beverage: diet coke
Snack: --
Review:
Appearance: This stick has a gorgeous dark Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper, which explains the very thin veining and invisible seamline. The cap is definitely a flawless quadruple and the cigar feels well packed in the hand. The wrapper and foot smell dank, earthy, and leathery.
The Burn: I use a straight cut through the top most cap and ignite this beast with a cedar spill. The first draw has some serious red pepper bite and a very thick, chewy mouthfeel. This thing might be a monster! The smoke production is very impressive and billowing. The ash is tight and speckled white color.
The first third is amped up from the start. Lively pepper laces the tongue, tons of spice, a smidge of what I would consider dry baking cocoa, leather, ginger, charred toast, and full bodied. Also a touch of bitterness on the finish, makes you want to reach for your drink after puffs. This cigar is a slow burner, 30 minutes in and not even close to the end of the first third!
The bitterness before has completely vanished. I am assuming this is due to the sleek, slow burn, since this cigar does not enjoy being babied. The wavy burn line is even self-correcting. The flavor has taken a turn towards the end of the first third to a caramel sweetness. Some people might even consider this a toasty marshmallow profile now (*cough
@BrewinHooligan). The pepper has retired and been replaced by a mellow cedar note. Creamy, decadent, playful, not as full strength as I was expecting! Which is good or we would be very cut short on this review.
Second third starts with an increase in intensity, flavors turn to roasted leather, maybe some dried fruit and baking spice, with a splash of ginger. The body and strength have been medium until this point and the nicotine starts to ramp up. Nothing unbearable, but don’t smoke this one with your morning coffee! The cigar required one touch up as the first lump of ash fell, but the construction has been rather impeccable.
Finally nearing the last third, the stick is complex. Meaty, spicy, salty, roasty, woody… On and on. I really loved the first third of this cigar, but the last third is too “Nicaraguan” for my liking. What I mean by that is that, “Pack as much punch and flavor into it so they have no idea what’s going on.” Mind you, maybe it’s just young and needs some down time to smooth out some flavors and round some sharp edges. But, honestly I don’t see myself revisiting this one. The flavors start to heat up and become acrid and I let it retire.
*One note, the final third with its roastiness pairs would pair well with a steak dinner or something grilled. I instead grabbed a stout and enjoyed that combo as well.
Overall impression: Try it once, ymmv.