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BoM Jan '11
I've wanted to do a review for ever since I joined BOTL but until recently was unable to as I was unable to retrieve pictures from my camera. Now that I've got the bugs sorted out I figured what better way to celebrate my first review with a smoke that was almost as old as my parents, a 1953 John Alden.
Make: John Alden
Year of origin: 1953
Size: 4 3/4 X 40-42
Shape: Box Pressed
Wrapper: Unknown
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Unknown
I originally received this little oldie from Jason (Funkejj) as an "extra" in a trade he graciously did with me a while back. I had intended to save this smoke for a special occasion, but once I got my camera working I decided that after 57 years this thing had already waited long enough, I clipped the end and got to work.
The pre-light draw wasn't overly complex, there were very mild tobacco flavors with sweet accents, similar to sweet grass.
First third: Upon lighting I was hit with very mild tobacco flavors coupled with the sweet accents that were present in the pre-light draw. These flavors also came with the accompaniment of toasted nut that was specifically present on the tongue after the draw. I was unable to place the flavor initially but it was both an unexpected and welcomed passenger. The retrohale at this point was rather plain with notes of mild tobacco and not much else.
Second Third: As I made my way through the first third and into the second the intensity of the sweet tobacco picked up quite a bit. The previously unidentifiable flavor of toasted nut now started to bloom and reveal it self as hazelnut, complimenting the sweet notes of the tobacco quite nicely. The retro hale also picked up a bit here and the notes of sweet tobacco and hazelnut that were present in the draw became noticeable as well.
Final Thrid: Coming into the the finish of this cigar I have to say I was very impressed. The flavors and the changes presented up until this point were exceptional for a cigar that originally bore the words "Extremely Mild" on its band.
All of the flavors present in the first two thirds had come forward and intensified yet again. The sweet tobacco and Hazelnut flavors came out in force complimenting one another more heavily, now, leaving me with a slightly heavier presence of toasted nut on the tongue after the draw. The retrohale also came out more fully at this point carrying the intensified notes of sweet tobacco and hazelnut somewhat comparable to the smell of infused coffee.
Overall I was hit with quite the surprise while smoking this particular stick. After reading similar reviews of period cigars like Charles Denby and Odin, as well as having talked with others who have smoked them I wasn't really expecting allot of this John Alden. I have to admit I was caught off guard and found it to be a superb breakfast smoke.
Total smoking time was 50 minutes.
Hope you enjoyed my first review, there will be more to come.
Make: John Alden
Year of origin: 1953
Size: 4 3/4 X 40-42
Shape: Box Pressed
Wrapper: Unknown
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Unknown
I originally received this little oldie from Jason (Funkejj) as an "extra" in a trade he graciously did with me a while back. I had intended to save this smoke for a special occasion, but once I got my camera working I decided that after 57 years this thing had already waited long enough, I clipped the end and got to work.
The pre-light draw wasn't overly complex, there were very mild tobacco flavors with sweet accents, similar to sweet grass.
First third: Upon lighting I was hit with very mild tobacco flavors coupled with the sweet accents that were present in the pre-light draw. These flavors also came with the accompaniment of toasted nut that was specifically present on the tongue after the draw. I was unable to place the flavor initially but it was both an unexpected and welcomed passenger. The retrohale at this point was rather plain with notes of mild tobacco and not much else.
Second Third: As I made my way through the first third and into the second the intensity of the sweet tobacco picked up quite a bit. The previously unidentifiable flavor of toasted nut now started to bloom and reveal it self as hazelnut, complimenting the sweet notes of the tobacco quite nicely. The retro hale also picked up a bit here and the notes of sweet tobacco and hazelnut that were present in the draw became noticeable as well.
Final Thrid: Coming into the the finish of this cigar I have to say I was very impressed. The flavors and the changes presented up until this point were exceptional for a cigar that originally bore the words "Extremely Mild" on its band.
All of the flavors present in the first two thirds had come forward and intensified yet again. The sweet tobacco and Hazelnut flavors came out in force complimenting one another more heavily, now, leaving me with a slightly heavier presence of toasted nut on the tongue after the draw. The retrohale also came out more fully at this point carrying the intensified notes of sweet tobacco and hazelnut somewhat comparable to the smell of infused coffee.
Overall I was hit with quite the surprise while smoking this particular stick. After reading similar reviews of period cigars like Charles Denby and Odin, as well as having talked with others who have smoked them I wasn't really expecting allot of this John Alden. I have to admit I was caught off guard and found it to be a superb breakfast smoke.
Total smoking time was 50 minutes.
Hope you enjoyed my first review, there will be more to come.
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