I don't usually buy cigars "on faith". I have three sons all in college at the moment, so I don't have a lot of money to spend for my own enjoyment. But I'm always on the lookout for a good smoke on the cheap.
These John Bulls just caught my eye as I was looking through the latest CI catalog. They simply looked like something I'd like. I read two very favorable reviews a couple of days later, and suddenly they sounded like something I'd like, too. And a few days after that CI put them on sale at a crazy-good price and I caved.
To be honest, if it weren't for those glowing reviews, I would never have tried them. I mean, c'mon: how good can you expect a $1.50 cigar to be? And it's not at all like me to buy 20 sticks of a brand I've never tried, but I'm very glad I did.
The John Bull I tried was the Prime Minister size: 7.2" x 54. It's a big, hefty beast of a cigar. The wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut, veiny but attractive, and inside is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long fillers.
The taste is better, and smoother, than I would have expected for the price. At first it had a woodsy, almost earthy taste. Unusual, but not unpleasant at all. After the first few puffs that went away almost completely and the taste evened out and turned creamy and toasty, and from there it was cool, consistent flavor all the way to my fingertips.
I used a bullet cutter and had absolutely no issues with the draw, as kaelaria had in his review. The ash was medium gray and not very firm, but the burn was slow and cool and even. The one I had yesterday lasted well over an hour, and I could have easily (and pleasurably) drawn it out even more. Lots of smoke, too, which I like.
Not the best cigar I've ever had, but very good overall and an incredible value at the price I paid. I heartily recommend it for anyone looking for an inexpensive but smooth, mild-to-medium everyday stogie.
Appearance and Construction: 12/15
Flavor: 21/25
Smoking Characteristics: 23/25
Overall Impression: 28/35
Total: 84/100
(If anyone's interested, I have more reviews in my blog, The Toasted Foot.)
These John Bulls just caught my eye as I was looking through the latest CI catalog. They simply looked like something I'd like. I read two very favorable reviews a couple of days later, and suddenly they sounded like something I'd like, too. And a few days after that CI put them on sale at a crazy-good price and I caved.
To be honest, if it weren't for those glowing reviews, I would never have tried them. I mean, c'mon: how good can you expect a $1.50 cigar to be? And it's not at all like me to buy 20 sticks of a brand I've never tried, but I'm very glad I did.
The John Bull I tried was the Prime Minister size: 7.2" x 54. It's a big, hefty beast of a cigar. The wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut, veiny but attractive, and inside is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long fillers.
The taste is better, and smoother, than I would have expected for the price. At first it had a woodsy, almost earthy taste. Unusual, but not unpleasant at all. After the first few puffs that went away almost completely and the taste evened out and turned creamy and toasty, and from there it was cool, consistent flavor all the way to my fingertips.
I used a bullet cutter and had absolutely no issues with the draw, as kaelaria had in his review. The ash was medium gray and not very firm, but the burn was slow and cool and even. The one I had yesterday lasted well over an hour, and I could have easily (and pleasurably) drawn it out even more. Lots of smoke, too, which I like.
Not the best cigar I've ever had, but very good overall and an incredible value at the price I paid. I heartily recommend it for anyone looking for an inexpensive but smooth, mild-to-medium everyday stogie.
Appearance and Construction: 12/15
Flavor: 21/25
Smoking Characteristics: 23/25
Overall Impression: 28/35
Total: 84/100
(If anyone's interested, I have more reviews in my blog, The Toasted Foot.)
