Custom Roll - Iholmes Contest

[Bearclaw]

Alright Ian @Iholmes, you asked for a review and I am delivering to the best of my ability. I feel like my taste buds are a little shot at the moment, but I have done what I can!

This cigar is a custom roll from an unknown source, gifted by @Iholmes as a part of his microbrew contest. Size is about 6" x 52 ring gauge I'm guessing. It has a medium brown wrapper with some visible veins. The construction is very good, firm throughout, with a well made double cap and visible seams. Prelight the wrapper gives a sweet tobacco smell. Prelight draw is hay/dried grass, very slight spice, and a mildly savory aftertaste. After a guillotine cut I'm getting a semi firm draw, but not too tight to get a decent pull.



1st 3rd
I get some mild cream flavor with a salty finish, some woody notes on the retro. Overall mild bodied through the entire third. Nutty and slight toasty notes. Some leather as well. Retro picks up a little tingle that fades instantly.



2nd 3rd
Starts to pick up more complexity. Some mild woody and nutty notes along with a slight pepper that fades in and out. Remains velvety and salty.
Body tries to go more on the medium side but is back and forth from mild to medium. As I smoke this one slow the flavors are much more apparent. Any speed drops the flavors right out.



Final 3rd
Nice creamy sweetness develops. Retro gives a little subdued pepper and spice. Overall complexity has picked up and it's at a steady medium body now. The smoke production has been and still is excellent. Great volume without being overwhelming. The draw has loosened slightly, and the burn remains near perfect. I have had no corrections. I could have cut more off the cap to try for a slightly more open draw, but elected to leave it alone to retain the slight taper that I love. Savory wood smoke comes in. It's really coming through nicely in this final third.

The stronger and more pronounced flavors continue through the final 3rd. It peaked about 2-1/2" from the end and started to drop off. Some good puffs still there but it's quitting on me. I'm going to leave this one with a little more nub than usual as it's telling me it is done. Overall smoke time is just under 2 hours.



Overall I enjoyed this smoke. It's got potential to age and smooth out(I think) but it's not bad at all right now. I'll look forward to smoking the 2nd one in a month or two. Thanks again Ian!

 

[samb]

Whatever it is, it sounds awesome!

 

[Iholmes]

I've really enjoyed them so far and I think this was a great review. I found in the final third of you go any further than you did there is just too much heat and the whole thing becomes very loose.

I love that woody taste you get for about the first hour, probably my favorite part of the cigar.

These were made for me by a man in Miami on southwest 8th street in a place called cabana cigars. My best friend's dad introduced me to them while I was in college and I always remember smoking with him and I had a choice of something very similar to these or one he ordered with a Connecticut wrapper. I've got about 24 left so I'm going to try to let some age for a good bit of time.

I'm really glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the great review

 

[Bearclaw]

I've really enjoyed them so far and I think this was a great review. I found in the final third of you go any further than you did there is just too much heat and the whole thing becomes very loose.

I love that woody taste you get for about the first hour, probably my favorite part of the cigar.

These were made for me by a man in Miami on southwest 8th street in a place called cabana cigars. My best friend's dad introduced me to them while I was in college and I always remember smoking with him and I had a choice of something very similar to these or one he ordered with a Connecticut wrapper. I've got about 24 left so I'm going to try to let some age for a good bit of time.

I'm really glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the great review

Not being sarcastic- cool story bro.

I figured this was a short filler based on what I experienced. It makes sense given the price point. And that takes nothing away from the smoke. Twas good!

I smoked one similar to this last week that was gifted to me in PVR. It too was a short filler (smaller vitola) and I regret not going back and picking up a box. Price point was about the same and it was a nice gentle smoke that I now wish I had more of!