Stogie_Bear
Chulo Savage
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Date: 9/14/2014
Review: ProblemSolverJC Blind Review 5-A
Size: Looks like 5x48-50 (robusto)
Appearance/construction: Dark semi-oily wrapper with a tight wrap and thin but detectable veins. Triple capped, with an experienced hand. Smooth to the touch, not a grainy or bumpy leaf
Aroma Pre-Light: Nothing overwhelmingly present in the aroma from the foot. Maybe some nutmeg, and light hay scent. Could be some cocoa but its not a strong smelling tobacco pre-light so hard to tell.
Cold draw: Easy draw. I can tell this will be a very easy smoke post-light. Im picking up some soft hay and chocolate flavors on the lips, but not sensing any significant flavors in the draw itself.
Light: I chose to use a guillotine cut with this stick, and cedar plank to light. It lit quickly and evenly with the cedar.
First impression: A little bit of pepper on the tongue with the first few puffs, as to be expected. However, this is either the most deceiving maduro Ive ever had, or it has a fair bit of age on it. Turns to very mellow woody flavors very fast, with an effortless retrohale lets see where it goes.
Aroma Post-Light: Definitely wood-fire. Oak, maybe cedar, and hay. The chocolate and nutmeg scents are gone for now.
First Third: The first third has remained very smooth throughout and is producing a good amount of smoke. After the initial fade of pepper and burning woody flavors from the light, this stick immediately took a turn towards a fresh flavor. Its not a flavor I experience often so it is a little difficult to explain almost like fresh cut grass, or cut wood. I tend to pick out freshness on both CCs and NC puros above anything else. There are some nutty flavors entering the picture in the back of my throat. No heat, and nearly all the spice has left the smoke. The burn is surprisingly even considering the cedar light, with only one or two jagged edges. Im going to wade into the second third and see if these self-correct.* The ash didnt hold on the stick for very long, but stayed together on the drop. Going into the second third, there is a faint taste of cinnamon on the lips.
Second Third: This baby is self-correcting like a champ, burning like a razor now. The smoke volume is not as much as the first third but still a very smooth, light smoke and still relatively generous amount. Im starting feel just a very light heat as I move further into the second third, which seems to be bringing a little bit of the spices back as well. Im getting some red meat and peppercorn flavors, but dont mistake that description for a heavy smoke. The stick is still burning very well. I have been taking it easy, not puffing too much as I write but have not had to relight, correct, or quick-puff to maintain
I may have spoken too soon. Im starting to see an uneven burn on one side as I move through towards the end of the second third.
Never mind another self-correction. Back to burning like a razor as I move into the last third. Starting to get some sweetness, almost like a sweet red wine flavor. The marsala to my steak, if you will
. Yet, the aroma turns to sweetgrass as I enter the last third.
Final Third: The little bit of heat I was feeling has subsided and the beginning of the last third maintains red wine and peppercorn flavors. This continues to be a surprisingly smooth and light (well, lighter than expected) smoke, but I would consider it a medium-full cigar. Still an abundance of smoke volume that seemed to increase again after the reduction of smoke in the second third. Im experiencing an even burn, and no construction issues whatsoever. My straight cut cap has held together strongly, considering I tend to bite as I smoke.
Wait, what the hell . Chocolate? It seems the cocoa I caught in the cold aroma has made its appearance, much later than I expected. Im still getting the peppercorn but there is the distinct flavor of dark chocolate in the back of my tongue. Unbelievable. Also, still no heat.
This is without a doubt the most complex third of this stogie. In the last 2 inches of this stick, the flavor continues to change. As I enter into nub status with the last inch the brief chocolate has faded as quickly as it appeared and given in to a woody earthy burn with a more red spiciness on the lips and top of the mouth, which could be the cinnamon becoming more prevalent. Im starting to feel the inevitable heat on my tongue, but it hasnt started burning hot hot if that makes any sense at all. Im tasting hay again as well.*
Overall Impression/Final Notes: This was a fantastic smoke. A smooth and flavorful smoke throughout, and in generous volume. Iw ould consider it a full bodied smoke, but would be surprised if it was not aged. A razor burn with only a few self-corrections over the course of the stick, and in no way negatively affecting the smoking experience. Incredible construction, staying intact with no unfurling of the wrapper or even the remaining cap below the cut. Being a robusto, I would expect construction to be top of the line, but this has to have come from an expert roller. I never actually felt an intense heat in the mouth, I only had to let the cigar go out when it started burning my fingers, which is great. Knowing the complex flavor profile I experienced, coupled with the dark (possibly maduro) wrapper, I can confidently say that I think this was an aged stick. Im not sure where this tobacco originates from but if I had to guess its either a CC (if Jim decided to spoil me) or maybe NC but it would have to be puro. I would be thoroughly surprised if this stick wasnt humidor aged at least 9 months to a year after opening the box. If its a new stick, you can bet your ass Im buying a box, pronto.
Smoke time: 1h10m
Scoring:
Appearance and Presentation: 18/20
Lighting and Burning Properties: 13/15
Construction Properties: 30/30
Taste Properties: 32/35
Total: 93/100
This stick was revealed to be the Cuban Classic by Don Pepin Garcia. Great smoke! Thanks for reading!
*
Date: 9/14/2014
Review: ProblemSolverJC Blind Review 5-A
Size: Looks like 5x48-50 (robusto)
Appearance/construction: Dark semi-oily wrapper with a tight wrap and thin but detectable veins. Triple capped, with an experienced hand. Smooth to the touch, not a grainy or bumpy leaf
Aroma Pre-Light: Nothing overwhelmingly present in the aroma from the foot. Maybe some nutmeg, and light hay scent. Could be some cocoa but its not a strong smelling tobacco pre-light so hard to tell.
Cold draw: Easy draw. I can tell this will be a very easy smoke post-light. Im picking up some soft hay and chocolate flavors on the lips, but not sensing any significant flavors in the draw itself.
Light: I chose to use a guillotine cut with this stick, and cedar plank to light. It lit quickly and evenly with the cedar.
First impression: A little bit of pepper on the tongue with the first few puffs, as to be expected. However, this is either the most deceiving maduro Ive ever had, or it has a fair bit of age on it. Turns to very mellow woody flavors very fast, with an effortless retrohale lets see where it goes.
Aroma Post-Light: Definitely wood-fire. Oak, maybe cedar, and hay. The chocolate and nutmeg scents are gone for now.
First Third: The first third has remained very smooth throughout and is producing a good amount of smoke. After the initial fade of pepper and burning woody flavors from the light, this stick immediately took a turn towards a fresh flavor. Its not a flavor I experience often so it is a little difficult to explain almost like fresh cut grass, or cut wood. I tend to pick out freshness on both CCs and NC puros above anything else. There are some nutty flavors entering the picture in the back of my throat. No heat, and nearly all the spice has left the smoke. The burn is surprisingly even considering the cedar light, with only one or two jagged edges. Im going to wade into the second third and see if these self-correct.* The ash didnt hold on the stick for very long, but stayed together on the drop. Going into the second third, there is a faint taste of cinnamon on the lips.
Second Third: This baby is self-correcting like a champ, burning like a razor now. The smoke volume is not as much as the first third but still a very smooth, light smoke and still relatively generous amount. Im starting feel just a very light heat as I move further into the second third, which seems to be bringing a little bit of the spices back as well. Im getting some red meat and peppercorn flavors, but dont mistake that description for a heavy smoke. The stick is still burning very well. I have been taking it easy, not puffing too much as I write but have not had to relight, correct, or quick-puff to maintain
I may have spoken too soon. Im starting to see an uneven burn on one side as I move through towards the end of the second third.
Never mind another self-correction. Back to burning like a razor as I move into the last third. Starting to get some sweetness, almost like a sweet red wine flavor. The marsala to my steak, if you will
. Yet, the aroma turns to sweetgrass as I enter the last third.
Final Third: The little bit of heat I was feeling has subsided and the beginning of the last third maintains red wine and peppercorn flavors. This continues to be a surprisingly smooth and light (well, lighter than expected) smoke, but I would consider it a medium-full cigar. Still an abundance of smoke volume that seemed to increase again after the reduction of smoke in the second third. Im experiencing an even burn, and no construction issues whatsoever. My straight cut cap has held together strongly, considering I tend to bite as I smoke.
Wait, what the hell . Chocolate? It seems the cocoa I caught in the cold aroma has made its appearance, much later than I expected. Im still getting the peppercorn but there is the distinct flavor of dark chocolate in the back of my tongue. Unbelievable. Also, still no heat.
This is without a doubt the most complex third of this stogie. In the last 2 inches of this stick, the flavor continues to change. As I enter into nub status with the last inch the brief chocolate has faded as quickly as it appeared and given in to a woody earthy burn with a more red spiciness on the lips and top of the mouth, which could be the cinnamon becoming more prevalent. Im starting to feel the inevitable heat on my tongue, but it hasnt started burning hot hot if that makes any sense at all. Im tasting hay again as well.*
Overall Impression/Final Notes: This was a fantastic smoke. A smooth and flavorful smoke throughout, and in generous volume. Iw ould consider it a full bodied smoke, but would be surprised if it was not aged. A razor burn with only a few self-corrections over the course of the stick, and in no way negatively affecting the smoking experience. Incredible construction, staying intact with no unfurling of the wrapper or even the remaining cap below the cut. Being a robusto, I would expect construction to be top of the line, but this has to have come from an expert roller. I never actually felt an intense heat in the mouth, I only had to let the cigar go out when it started burning my fingers, which is great. Knowing the complex flavor profile I experienced, coupled with the dark (possibly maduro) wrapper, I can confidently say that I think this was an aged stick. Im not sure where this tobacco originates from but if I had to guess its either a CC (if Jim decided to spoil me) or maybe NC but it would have to be puro. I would be thoroughly surprised if this stick wasnt humidor aged at least 9 months to a year after opening the box. If its a new stick, you can bet your ass Im buying a box, pronto.
Smoke time: 1h10m
Scoring:
Appearance and Presentation: 18/20
Lighting and Burning Properties: 13/15
Construction Properties: 30/30
Taste Properties: 32/35
Total: 93/100
This stick was revealed to be the Cuban Classic by Don Pepin Garcia. Great smoke! Thanks for reading!
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