Rob (Fourkicksfan) was so generous to share with me one of the 2 pre-release HR52 J.D. Howard Reserves with me for my birthday. So at his request he had asked if I put out a little review, so bare with me as this is my first review ever, watch out as I have more coming in the blind review thread! Now I have bee smoking on an off for around 9-10 years but only really jump over the cliff this year, so I by no means have an expert palate. The quick and easy skinny will be posted at the bottom if you want to look at the pretty pictures then a quick summary!
It was a pretty warm out but it wasn't raining for once and the humidity was actually not too bad (for Florida summers).
CIGAR SPECS
SEX APPEAL
Construction was top notch with nice rich chocolate wrapper that had a slight velvety feel and some noticeable veins but nothing super large. I used a straight cut to the triple cap which came off cleanly.
FOREPLAY
The nose was a sweet raisin and a little hay, she had a nice firm feel down the body with a just a little play. Pre-light draw gave the sweet notes I was expecting from the nose but the flavors didn't have as much punch. Time to toast the foot and get this underway.
FIRST 1/3
There is a good amount of smoke from this easy pulling cigar, I was also surprised that it didn't hit me with too much spice right away. The finish was long that left a spicy like tingle on the tongue and rested there. After being a few puffs in a hint of cocoa came in and at one point a little spice seemed to be left on my lips. The aroma in the air was sweet and light, not over whelming by any means. The retrohale is easy going and I didn't really get any kicks of spice to burn my hairs. As she burns down a salt and pepper ash is left holding tight.
My ugly sweaty mug
SECOND 1/3
As I moved into the second 1/3 the spice didn't seem to linger on the tongue as long anymore. Towards the middle and end of the second 1/3 I was starting to get notes that reminded me of drinking a dark roasted coffee and the spicy ramped up for a little. The ash was holding tight to just about half way to which it gave way when I set it down on the stinky tray. When looking at the burn line I noticed some areas had the oil burn line going as well, but not everywhere. I also finally got a little pepper in the retrohale but this could have been from a large smoke intake. Before getting into the last 1/3 the burn did get a little wonky but I left it alone.
HOME STRETCH
The aroma has picked up in the air (might be due to the breeze had left). The burn has now come back to being nice and sharp on its own with out any help from me. The cocoa has come back for me and the coffee notes have subsisted slightly to also give way to a bit more spice. The vitamin N is coming through to me now (this was also a before dinner smoke) but it wasn't making me feel gnarly or anything. The burn got wonky once more but I left that alone and she came right back to being nice and tight.
Just about finished and you can see the change in my surroundings.
Nubbed
It took me and hour and 48 minutes to bring her to a climax and I enjoyed every minute of it. The short of it Notes of cocoa, splash black coffee and a little bit of spice in the 2nd and last 3rd on the tongue. Easy retrohale accompanied by a sweet aroma. Most enjoyable and can't wait for these to hit the shelves along with the six shooter.
Thanks for checking this out and hope your head didn't explode...
It was a pretty warm out but it wasn't raining for once and the humidity was actually not too bad (for Florida summers).
CIGAR SPECS
- Cigar: J.D. Howard Reserve HR52
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
- Size: 6 inches
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Vitola: Toro
WHATS UNDER THE HOOD? - Binder: Ecuadoran Sumatra
- Filler: Nicaraguan
SEX APPEAL
Construction was top notch with nice rich chocolate wrapper that had a slight velvety feel and some noticeable veins but nothing super large. I used a straight cut to the triple cap which came off cleanly.
FOREPLAY
The nose was a sweet raisin and a little hay, she had a nice firm feel down the body with a just a little play. Pre-light draw gave the sweet notes I was expecting from the nose but the flavors didn't have as much punch. Time to toast the foot and get this underway.
FIRST 1/3
There is a good amount of smoke from this easy pulling cigar, I was also surprised that it didn't hit me with too much spice right away. The finish was long that left a spicy like tingle on the tongue and rested there. After being a few puffs in a hint of cocoa came in and at one point a little spice seemed to be left on my lips. The aroma in the air was sweet and light, not over whelming by any means. The retrohale is easy going and I didn't really get any kicks of spice to burn my hairs. As she burns down a salt and pepper ash is left holding tight.
My ugly sweaty mug
SECOND 1/3
As I moved into the second 1/3 the spice didn't seem to linger on the tongue as long anymore. Towards the middle and end of the second 1/3 I was starting to get notes that reminded me of drinking a dark roasted coffee and the spicy ramped up for a little. The ash was holding tight to just about half way to which it gave way when I set it down on the stinky tray. When looking at the burn line I noticed some areas had the oil burn line going as well, but not everywhere. I also finally got a little pepper in the retrohale but this could have been from a large smoke intake. Before getting into the last 1/3 the burn did get a little wonky but I left it alone.
HOME STRETCH
The aroma has picked up in the air (might be due to the breeze had left). The burn has now come back to being nice and sharp on its own with out any help from me. The cocoa has come back for me and the coffee notes have subsisted slightly to also give way to a bit more spice. The vitamin N is coming through to me now (this was also a before dinner smoke) but it wasn't making me feel gnarly or anything. The burn got wonky once more but I left that alone and she came right back to being nice and tight.
Just about finished and you can see the change in my surroundings.
Nubbed
It took me and hour and 48 minutes to bring her to a climax and I enjoyed every minute of it. The short of it Notes of cocoa, splash black coffee and a little bit of spice in the 2nd and last 3rd on the tongue. Easy retrohale accompanied by a sweet aroma. Most enjoyable and can't wait for these to hit the shelves along with the six shooter.
Thanks for checking this out and hope your head didn't explode...
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