danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Size: 4 x 44
Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas
Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina & Nicaraguan
Price: $5.40 ($135 bundle of 25)
Intro: The MUWAT brand is a collaboration between Subculture Studios (a division of Drew Estate) and Joya de Nicaragua. Originally released in larger ring gauges (5 x 60, 6 x 60, and 7 x 60) there was much desire for a smaller size of the blend. The fellas that make these kinds of decisions listened and the Bait Fish was released back in December. I liked the MUWAT blend, but am always on the hunt for a petit corona size cigar to have on hand for colder weather or when there isn't time for a longer burning smoke so I was excited to give this a go. Today was another unseasonably warm day, but windy as hell. I managed to find a spot on the front porch that was out of the wind and warmed by the sun. By the time I got around to smoking I had a narrow window before it started cooling off so a petit corona was just the ticket.
Prelight: Inspecting this cigar it is visually similar to the other MUWAT and Liga Privada offerings. In a word sexy. The dark chocolate wrapper gleamed with oils and exuded a slightly nutty barnyard aroma. There are no large veins, but the cigar does give me a slight rustic feel when looking at it. Feels well packed, but with a slight give to it when pressed between my fingers. Seams are tight and the cap neatly applied. Sliced off the cap with my Palio, smooth and effortless. The draw is spot on with a dark, nutty tobacco flavor. Due to the wind I had to step into my shed to roast the foot into a glowing red cherry.
First Third: The initial flavors were a mellow pepper, most noticable on the retro hale, and a dark, slightly bitter chocolate flavor. Smoke output was on par with what you would expect with a Liga product...in other words smoke poured out of this sucker, but was quickly carried off to parts unknown by the wind. Not far into it the flavors started to be tained with a slight, but definite harshness on the finish. The pepper hung around, but mostly detectable on the retro hale and an earthy flavor began to creep in. The burn line was thin and straight.
Second Third: The flavors became more earthy and a woodiness started to come into play. But more of a burnt or charred wood flavor with the harshness on the finish. The burn line wavered a little and I ended up touching it up a few times during this part of the cigar. The more it burned the harsher it seemed to get.
Last Third: Didn't make it this far. Due to a combination of the increasing harshess and the falling temps I chucked it in the Stinky and went inside.
Final Thoughts: I was a little disappointed that my first time around with this stick wasn't a very good showing. Can't win 'em all I guess. I like the size for sure, but the flavors didn't come together for me. I think that maybe it was a little too wet. I tossed my hydrometer in a bag with a Boveda to see if it needs recalibration, but it was reading 65%. I'll have to revisit these further down the road and I'll update this when I do that.
