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Herf or turd? by Herfdog - EP Carrillo Inch Maduro

herfdog

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It is BIG. 64 ring gauge. 1 inch diameter.
Oily dark brown cape with little nerves.

It is EP Carillo's Inch Maduro.

0-cello.jpg

But the question is: is it herf worthy or some huskey's dog rocket? Who better than a dog to recognize dog rockets? Let's try it out.

The cigar has great aromas of hay. The smell is more faint, but even without canine smell you'll recognize the maduro-ness of this stick.

1-inch.jpg

But, but, but... IT IS BIG. too big for the usual cutter, which only fit it somewhere at the middle of the shoulder. Without having a punch cutter, had to resort to give it a try. Luckily it was deep enough to give a nice pre-draw, leading to flavors of hay, licorice and pepper.

2-cutter.jpg

Lighting was done with matches. Matches in plural. its bigger, harder to light than smaller sticks. But it does light good, and its oily wrapper even generated a flame upon lighting, and once lighted the smoke smelled good.

3-cut.jpg

First draw had woody flavors with hints of coffee.
Straight at the beginning, the burn had to be adjusted. It never became fully straight, but will burn equally crooked trough the whole cigar.


During the first third, we could find subtle flavors, wood and grilled nuts, and it evolved to sweet almonds roasted coffee by the next third. But very subtle.

Retrohaling revealed some spices

4-lighted.jpg



The second third continued in the sweet nuts department, with a bit of spices and some subtle woody flavorish coffee.

The third third keeps the subtlety but the wood and sugary coffee flavors are subtly more prominent: it looks like sweet coffee cedar.


The ash is rock solid, white, and kept together all the way to the beginning of the last third when it was time to remove the band. The ash-to-wrapper line is fine and black.

5--ash.jpg

The burn kept burning even if the cigar was left unattended, but had some issues at the last third. A quick relight solved everything.

The smoke produced is rather cold. more than most cigars, particularly in the first third. Might come with the larger ring size territory, but it is not as nice as warmer smoke.


It was paired with a Bourbon barrel aged craft beer, which had more flavors than the cigar.


Duration of this cigar: about two beers, or nearing two hours.


It is a good smoke, but the larger wrapper-to-filler ratio makes that flavors are dim and subtle. It would likely be awesomerer as a robusto. But as is, it isn't a cigar to bring to a herf: too long and not strong enough. Smoke it at home, as a week-end morning gar. It would be awesome for a Sunday morning. Wake up late, breakfast, and smoke till lunch.

What happens to a good cigar that cannot receive the herf paw of approval?
This dog says: smoke it to the nub


6-stamped-nub.jpg
 

herfdog

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Thanks.

I have to add. Don't take too alcoolized a beverage with this. It is longer than it seems, as it is rather short but with a very large ring gauge.
Lasted near two hours, and drank two glasses of this rather treacherous bourbon barreled beer with it. Enough to reconsider driving once done.
 

herfdog

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I've had both the natural and maduro of these and enjoyed them more than most large rg cigars and would smoke them again
This was my first larger-than-54 RG cigar. It was enjoyable and I would like to smoke it again. I like the consistency of the smoke and the construction. The flavors are great for a milder cigar. and it has complexity. The flavors might be mild but there's a nice evolution.

I'd have it as a week-end morning relax smoke, with coffee and some TV.
The last third kicks a bit more, which would be perfect for morning longer smoke.

Special thanks to @javelin377 who selected it for me in a trade.
 
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Awesome review. I really like the number 60 Natural. It's my go to smoke at the Cigar Bar. I can finish it right at an hour with two beers. I have yet to have one that didn't smoke great!
 
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Great review - thanks.

Though it didn't get the paw oh approval, I am still looking forward to having one of the three naturals I got not to long ago - they still need a little rest.
 
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The more I think about it the more I'd like to try it some sunday morning after a continental breakfast, with an espresso...
I'm had to get on BOTL before I pulled the trigger for a few of these on cbid for $2. I got two. Outstanding review!
 
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