Sorry no pictures guys, I am technologically challenged. I had this cigar yesterday and it was pretty complex for a young cigar. I will actually break it down into fifths.
The construction is flawless. I particularly love the cap on this cigar, so easy to clip a thin wafer creating the perfect resistance of a draw. The burn was laser like, didnt have to touch it up once.
First fifth, right after the foot was toasted the next 3 puffs showed a light white pepper flavor, by the 4th puff it was gone. This lead to a blossoming floral bouquet. It is something, for me, that was kind of a shock to the system in a very good way. Nice medium body to the smoke throughout.
Second fifth, the floral componant began to fade pleasantly into more of a walnut/chestnut flavor. But within a half of inch or so the floral componant began to peak in the background.
Third fifth, the floral bouguet came back for another half inch or so leading into the perfect transition of what I could describe as white chocolate and almonds. It didnt have the "bitterness" that you get with some dark chocolate flavors, but it certainly wasnt all "sweetness" either. It was difficult to really put a finger on the flavors because before you knew it the flowers were back, very sneaky. I actually think someone with a better pallet than me would say the flowers never truly go away, they just seem more pronounced to me at times.
Fourth fifth, the flowers are back in full force, even the aroma surrounding me reminded me of a nice spring flower bouquet. At this point I turned to the guys I was smoking this with and said to them, if the band was off this cigar I think I would mistake it as something from Cuba, pre-2000.
Last fifth, it was very sad to see the journey end. The flavors sort of all melded together at this stage. I could still detect the flowers in the background, there was definitely almonds/hazlenuts present with a woody character all blended together. Total smoking time was about 2 hours, and I think I may have rushed it a bit. I was like a kid on Christmas morning if you may.
Final thoughts, this is certainly not a one dimensional stick. My flavor profile may be way off for some of you. However I do know the flavors, whatever you perceive them to be, changed a minimum of 5 times. It kept my interest throughout the journey, something that a lot of cigars fail to achieve.
Lastly, if it wasnt for all the guys at Federal/Top Shelf Cigars, this cuban cigar smoker would never have had this wonderfully balanced stick. They have all opened my eyes to the wonderful world of sticks outside that tiny little island. Congratulations to all of you on a successful release. You all should be very proud.
The construction is flawless. I particularly love the cap on this cigar, so easy to clip a thin wafer creating the perfect resistance of a draw. The burn was laser like, didnt have to touch it up once.
First fifth, right after the foot was toasted the next 3 puffs showed a light white pepper flavor, by the 4th puff it was gone. This lead to a blossoming floral bouquet. It is something, for me, that was kind of a shock to the system in a very good way. Nice medium body to the smoke throughout.
Second fifth, the floral componant began to fade pleasantly into more of a walnut/chestnut flavor. But within a half of inch or so the floral componant began to peak in the background.
Third fifth, the floral bouguet came back for another half inch or so leading into the perfect transition of what I could describe as white chocolate and almonds. It didnt have the "bitterness" that you get with some dark chocolate flavors, but it certainly wasnt all "sweetness" either. It was difficult to really put a finger on the flavors because before you knew it the flowers were back, very sneaky. I actually think someone with a better pallet than me would say the flowers never truly go away, they just seem more pronounced to me at times.
Fourth fifth, the flowers are back in full force, even the aroma surrounding me reminded me of a nice spring flower bouquet. At this point I turned to the guys I was smoking this with and said to them, if the band was off this cigar I think I would mistake it as something from Cuba, pre-2000.
Last fifth, it was very sad to see the journey end. The flavors sort of all melded together at this stage. I could still detect the flowers in the background, there was definitely almonds/hazlenuts present with a woody character all blended together. Total smoking time was about 2 hours, and I think I may have rushed it a bit. I was like a kid on Christmas morning if you may.
Final thoughts, this is certainly not a one dimensional stick. My flavor profile may be way off for some of you. However I do know the flavors, whatever you perceive them to be, changed a minimum of 5 times. It kept my interest throughout the journey, something that a lot of cigars fail to achieve.
Lastly, if it wasnt for all the guys at Federal/Top Shelf Cigars, this cuban cigar smoker would never have had this wonderfully balanced stick. They have all opened my eyes to the wonderful world of sticks outside that tiny little island. Congratulations to all of you on a successful release. You all should be very proud.
