This is a blind review of a cigar labeled #9, issued by DanTheBugman, handed out at the regional herf we had in Springfield [MO] in late February.
Construction was very good, clear triple-capped, about a 5 X 50 robusto. Pre-light inspection of the foot gave me a mild barnyard aroma with a nice earthiness. The Praying Mantis custom cigar band verified this came from DanTheBugman, for sure! The wrapper was a pretty chocolate brown to dark brown and it was an attractive stick.
I lit it up and the draw was very easy and I picked up earthiness, followed by spice on the tip of my tongue right away, making me think of Pepin-type smokes. It began with a crisp, even burn with only one or two minor corrections later. It put out plenty of smoke when drawing, but it didn't put out very much smoke when I set it down - in fact, I thought it had went out, but then it picked right back up when I puffed it again. I picked up woody tones of oakiness, and was able to confirm that with retrohale. The ash held well, up to about 1/2" or so, and it chunked off nicely.
This cigar seems very familiar; thinking I might have had it before- lots of rich, well-aged tobacco. At about halfway in, I picked up some hints of chocolate, so I appreciated having some change-ups as the cigar progressed.
When I got about 2/3 of the way in, I did have a wrapper split, but it did not affect the draw. Shortly after, I started picking up some pepper again, very similar to the spice blast I had at the outset. I liked this cigar, and if I had to guess, I would say it reminded me a lot of the Gran Habano Vintage 2002. I'm thinking the wrapper on this one was corojo, but I am anxious to see what it was. A very nice cigar and I enjoyed it; I'd buy some for sure.
Thanks, Dan, and to whomever else might have helped facilitate this; I especially appreciate Dan mailing this one to me after the event; I had just had knee surgery, so I had to cut out early that day. Even nicer, he threw in a few bodyguards when he sent me this blind review, to make sure the package safely made it to me! That's class! Good man, that Bugman...
Construction was very good, clear triple-capped, about a 5 X 50 robusto. Pre-light inspection of the foot gave me a mild barnyard aroma with a nice earthiness. The Praying Mantis custom cigar band verified this came from DanTheBugman, for sure! The wrapper was a pretty chocolate brown to dark brown and it was an attractive stick.
I lit it up and the draw was very easy and I picked up earthiness, followed by spice on the tip of my tongue right away, making me think of Pepin-type smokes. It began with a crisp, even burn with only one or two minor corrections later. It put out plenty of smoke when drawing, but it didn't put out very much smoke when I set it down - in fact, I thought it had went out, but then it picked right back up when I puffed it again. I picked up woody tones of oakiness, and was able to confirm that with retrohale. The ash held well, up to about 1/2" or so, and it chunked off nicely.
This cigar seems very familiar; thinking I might have had it before- lots of rich, well-aged tobacco. At about halfway in, I picked up some hints of chocolate, so I appreciated having some change-ups as the cigar progressed.
When I got about 2/3 of the way in, I did have a wrapper split, but it did not affect the draw. Shortly after, I started picking up some pepper again, very similar to the spice blast I had at the outset. I liked this cigar, and if I had to guess, I would say it reminded me a lot of the Gran Habano Vintage 2002. I'm thinking the wrapper on this one was corojo, but I am anxious to see what it was. A very nice cigar and I enjoyed it; I'd buy some for sure.
Thanks, Dan, and to whomever else might have helped facilitate this; I especially appreciate Dan mailing this one to me after the event; I had just had knee surgery, so I had to cut out early that day. Even nicer, he threw in a few bodyguards when he sent me this blind review, to make sure the package safely made it to me! That's class! Good man, that Bugman...
