Between dealing with allergies and a busy work schedule this is the first time I’ve been able to sit and enjoy a cigar without being rushed or eaten alive by mosquitoes. Toss into that that the review area has been inundated with Bombay cigar reviews that I desperately wanted to read but did not want to be influenced by I was really looking forward to smoking this stick. So here we go…
As you know by now... The MBombay KeSARA is a 6.5 x 52 Shaggy Foot Toro
When I pulled it out of the humi I noticed a nice almost sweet grassy aroma. It felt firm to the touch but lightweight in the hand. That shaggy foot makes it seem bigger than it really is and though becoming somewhat popular, its kind of a novelty but it does help with lighting the cigar. It lights quickly. Not in a ball or burst of flame but there is no toasting the foot here. Light her and start smoking.
The appearance is minimally veiny, with a smooth creamy (like coffee with cream) wrapper with a very mild sheen to it. Fresh looking if you will. There are some minor imperfections most likely from handling or shipping but nothing to detract from its overall quality construction, which is really very nice.
The cap* is different that what we all see or expect, it looks like a balloon knot minus the tail. Not typical of today's cigars.
* I later learned that my twisted cap had lot its pigtail in shipping.
The foot is shaggy, so much so that a good half-inch is exposed.
The band is a large (2.5") decorative band that reminds me of a rug.
The cut was straight and a bit messy with tobacco flaking everywhere. I didn’t cut deep but maybe just deep enough to get the ends of the leaves. Again, not a detractor but I am glad I cut over my ashtray.
First 3rd:
The draw after lighting is loose and very easy. Initial flavors on the shaggy foot are mild on the palate, a touch grassy or earthy but not that dirty earthy, more of a dried grass and almost sweet. It's a clean flavor and pleasant. The flavors were so light that I decided to try a retrohale early on. The retrohale offers some mild tingle initially but nothing intense. I can’t even say it was peppery in any way yet. It was so mild that if it was your first time retrohaling it would not be unpleasant. Smoke production is plentiful and at rest its minimal.
As the wrapper comes into play the flavors pick up a bit of dryness on the palate that would remind me of balsa wood. Granted I've never sat around chewing on balsa wood but I would imagine this is what its like. It's not unpleasant, just the beast way I can describe it. I get hints of an underlying spice and nuttiness as well though very mild. I wonder if this is what people mean when they say baking spice?
The ash is visually different where it was shaggy vs. where the wrapper comes into play. The unwrapped shaggy portion produces a very dark ash. It is a noticeable brown color whereas the ash with wrapper leaf turns a medium grey or dirty white. The ash is holding a nice shape, burning very nicely and seems to be dense but really is not. It was nice enough to drop off into my ashtray instead of my lap when I set it down. The burn has a very nice mascara line but is not razor sharp however when the wrapper comes into play it sure is evening out nicely.
I don't smoke many lighter wrapper cigars but this one is nice. It's light on flavor and spice overall but is a pleasant smoke.
As I near the end of the first third I remove that giant band to find a smaller and equally ornate band with the company name written across it. It makes no difference on how the cigar smokes but it’s a neat touch.
At the end of the first third the flavors have stayed consistently mild. It maintains a mild baking spice, mild woodsy, mild grassy flavors with aromas of tobacco store and baked goods coming from the body. The burn has only a mild wave to it with that near perfect mascara line highlighting it.
Second 3rd:
The ash seems to be consistent in dropping off right before the one-inch mark and for the second time has landed in my ashtray instead of my lap. Each time it drops off by simply setting it onto my ashtray. Is it possible this was by design… if so please share this technology with other cigar makers!
After a drink of seltzer water (I feel the need to mention it was a no sodium seltzer) I start the second third with a clean palate. I get that same balsa wood flavor with just a bit more natural sweetness to it, a lingering mild spice that I can only imagine is baking spice and a continuing but slightly mild and peppery retrohale. The burn continues to work towards becoming sharp and smoke production is excellent both on the draw and at rest. Performance is top notch!
As mentioned, the retro hale through the second third picked up some steam and became more of a sharp peppery with little longer linger and tingle to it.
I do feel as though the strength of this cigar is increasing the more I puff and this is quit unexpected.
For me I seem to equate a darker more peppery cigar with strength but this one seems to be playing hide and seek and I seem to be getting warmer though the cigar is still smoking cool.
At the half I am finding myself enjoying this stick. Initially I did not think it would really hit me and in all honesty I was almost regretting taking this on. It's like doing something you didn't want to but your mom forced you to and you ended up enjoying it.
Seems as though I took too long making my notes as I needed to relight at the half.
As I finish the second third and enter the final I started to get the flavor of toast, which is something I have never tasted in a cigar before. The retrohale has mellowed a bit and aside from that she's being consistent as can be.
Final 3rd:
The transition from second to final brings on a bit more heat and starts to change the flavor. I seem to have gone from toast to that dry grassy balsa flavor again. I also seem to have a slight cigar buzz happening, which is not expected.
My burn has become a slight bit wavier and the ash seems to be holding on a bit harder than it has before. I fear for the safety of my lap.
As it turns out it's time for a relight again because of my note taking. A blessing in disguise as the ash was getting longer than I was willing to trust.
A few more puffs and I'm about a half inch into the final third and the heat has turned up quit a bit for me. I've slowed down the pace but the flavor seems to be gone for me at this point. The burn has gone way off and I'm getting more flavor of ash coming through. That’s the cigar and my palate saying its over.
Overall this was a good smoke. Its much milder in flavor than I’ve become accustom to but I enjoyed that. It’s a nice departure from the in your face sticks kicking around nowadays. As for strength it started to give me a nicotine buzz but that also faded near the end. Also a welcome change in comparison to a lot of todays cigars. I don’t use a scoring system but Id say this cigar is worth trying as long as you don’t expect heavy flavor and a hard kick. This is a mild cigar by todays standards in my opinion. Enjoy!
As you know by now... The MBombay KeSARA is a 6.5 x 52 Shaggy Foot Toro
When I pulled it out of the humi I noticed a nice almost sweet grassy aroma. It felt firm to the touch but lightweight in the hand. That shaggy foot makes it seem bigger than it really is and though becoming somewhat popular, its kind of a novelty but it does help with lighting the cigar. It lights quickly. Not in a ball or burst of flame but there is no toasting the foot here. Light her and start smoking.
The appearance is minimally veiny, with a smooth creamy (like coffee with cream) wrapper with a very mild sheen to it. Fresh looking if you will. There are some minor imperfections most likely from handling or shipping but nothing to detract from its overall quality construction, which is really very nice.
The cap* is different that what we all see or expect, it looks like a balloon knot minus the tail. Not typical of today's cigars.
* I later learned that my twisted cap had lot its pigtail in shipping.
The foot is shaggy, so much so that a good half-inch is exposed.
The band is a large (2.5") decorative band that reminds me of a rug.
The cut was straight and a bit messy with tobacco flaking everywhere. I didn’t cut deep but maybe just deep enough to get the ends of the leaves. Again, not a detractor but I am glad I cut over my ashtray.
First 3rd:
The draw after lighting is loose and very easy. Initial flavors on the shaggy foot are mild on the palate, a touch grassy or earthy but not that dirty earthy, more of a dried grass and almost sweet. It's a clean flavor and pleasant. The flavors were so light that I decided to try a retrohale early on. The retrohale offers some mild tingle initially but nothing intense. I can’t even say it was peppery in any way yet. It was so mild that if it was your first time retrohaling it would not be unpleasant. Smoke production is plentiful and at rest its minimal.
As the wrapper comes into play the flavors pick up a bit of dryness on the palate that would remind me of balsa wood. Granted I've never sat around chewing on balsa wood but I would imagine this is what its like. It's not unpleasant, just the beast way I can describe it. I get hints of an underlying spice and nuttiness as well though very mild. I wonder if this is what people mean when they say baking spice?
The ash is visually different where it was shaggy vs. where the wrapper comes into play. The unwrapped shaggy portion produces a very dark ash. It is a noticeable brown color whereas the ash with wrapper leaf turns a medium grey or dirty white. The ash is holding a nice shape, burning very nicely and seems to be dense but really is not. It was nice enough to drop off into my ashtray instead of my lap when I set it down. The burn has a very nice mascara line but is not razor sharp however when the wrapper comes into play it sure is evening out nicely.
I don't smoke many lighter wrapper cigars but this one is nice. It's light on flavor and spice overall but is a pleasant smoke.
As I near the end of the first third I remove that giant band to find a smaller and equally ornate band with the company name written across it. It makes no difference on how the cigar smokes but it’s a neat touch.
At the end of the first third the flavors have stayed consistently mild. It maintains a mild baking spice, mild woodsy, mild grassy flavors with aromas of tobacco store and baked goods coming from the body. The burn has only a mild wave to it with that near perfect mascara line highlighting it.
Second 3rd:
The ash seems to be consistent in dropping off right before the one-inch mark and for the second time has landed in my ashtray instead of my lap. Each time it drops off by simply setting it onto my ashtray. Is it possible this was by design… if so please share this technology with other cigar makers!
After a drink of seltzer water (I feel the need to mention it was a no sodium seltzer) I start the second third with a clean palate. I get that same balsa wood flavor with just a bit more natural sweetness to it, a lingering mild spice that I can only imagine is baking spice and a continuing but slightly mild and peppery retrohale. The burn continues to work towards becoming sharp and smoke production is excellent both on the draw and at rest. Performance is top notch!
As mentioned, the retro hale through the second third picked up some steam and became more of a sharp peppery with little longer linger and tingle to it.
I do feel as though the strength of this cigar is increasing the more I puff and this is quit unexpected.
For me I seem to equate a darker more peppery cigar with strength but this one seems to be playing hide and seek and I seem to be getting warmer though the cigar is still smoking cool.
At the half I am finding myself enjoying this stick. Initially I did not think it would really hit me and in all honesty I was almost regretting taking this on. It's like doing something you didn't want to but your mom forced you to and you ended up enjoying it.
Seems as though I took too long making my notes as I needed to relight at the half.
As I finish the second third and enter the final I started to get the flavor of toast, which is something I have never tasted in a cigar before. The retrohale has mellowed a bit and aside from that she's being consistent as can be.
Final 3rd:
The transition from second to final brings on a bit more heat and starts to change the flavor. I seem to have gone from toast to that dry grassy balsa flavor again. I also seem to have a slight cigar buzz happening, which is not expected.
My burn has become a slight bit wavier and the ash seems to be holding on a bit harder than it has before. I fear for the safety of my lap.
As it turns out it's time for a relight again because of my note taking. A blessing in disguise as the ash was getting longer than I was willing to trust.
A few more puffs and I'm about a half inch into the final third and the heat has turned up quit a bit for me. I've slowed down the pace but the flavor seems to be gone for me at this point. The burn has gone way off and I'm getting more flavor of ash coming through. That’s the cigar and my palate saying its over.
Overall this was a good smoke. Its much milder in flavor than I’ve become accustom to but I enjoyed that. It’s a nice departure from the in your face sticks kicking around nowadays. As for strength it started to give me a nicotine buzz but that also faded near the end. Also a welcome change in comparison to a lot of todays cigars. I don’t use a scoring system but Id say this cigar is worth trying as long as you don’t expect heavy flavor and a hard kick. This is a mild cigar by todays standards in my opinion. Enjoy!