hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
i've decided the old adage "don't judge a book by it's cover" is still true. when you hold this stick it just doesn't feel right. box press, to me, has always been a round cigar pressed to a basically square condition. this baby is more like a stack of tongue depressors, at least 2 times wider than it is deep. it was even difficult to cut with a xikar. just the tip fit, but enough was trimmed to get a decent draw. the prelight draw was a little bit acrid. this kind of concerned me as it's overall construction appeared very good and had that nice dark oscuro like wrapper i prefer on lfd's. the next worrisome bit was that it took some effort to get it lit. not sure why, but it took about three times to get it well ignited. now, had i been a professional and only smoked the first third in order to judge, i would have said this was an overpriced, overhyped too strong stick. but luckily, i ain't no pro. just before half way, this baby opened up! the draw was full and just right. the smoke was full and almost chewy (always liked that descriptor). the flavor was deep and rich, and while it was plenty strong, it had enough cocoa to keep it toned down to the point where i actually nubbed it with no appreciable changes.
so, on a 0 - 10, i'd give it an 8. i'm pretty conservative and don't think i've ever smoked a 10. had the early issues not been there, i'd bump it up another 1/2 point. the wide and flat shape and the price were still an issue to me, but the ugly duckling turned into a pretty decent swan.
so, on a 0 - 10, i'd give it an 8. i'm pretty conservative and don't think i've ever smoked a 10. had the early issues not been there, i'd bump it up another 1/2 point. the wide and flat shape and the price were still an issue to me, but the ugly duckling turned into a pretty decent swan.
