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My Boris Review

Poriggity

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Ok, so I figured I ought to do a Halloween review of a cigar, and since I just got the “Drac” review done yesterday, I figured why not throw up the review of the “Boris”. I picked up this cigar at my local retailer, with a price point of $12.99 plus tax. The box it comes in is very plain, but a nice looking box nonetheless. After being disappointed in the “Drac”, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this cigar. Tatuaje’s website says this about the “Boris”:

The Boris (The Frank out of Costume) 7 x 49 Churchill – Wrapper: Sumatra Ecuador Rosado – 1,000 boxes of 10 produced

So, I don’t know if essentially this is a “Frank” with a different band, or if its a different blend. I do seem to recall the “Frank” being quite a bit larger in ring gauge and length, but I could very well be wrong about that, as I’ve never had a “Frank” first hand. Anyhow, on to the review!



Pre-Light: Before I lit this up, I took a good look at it. The first thing I noticed was this particular stick was really well rolled, with very little in the way of veins or any imperfections. I ran this cigar across my nose, and got some of that typical Tatuaje spice, with a little bit of a sweet tobacco smell on the foot. I clipped this cigar with the ever trusty Palio, and lit it up with my Ronson Jetlite.





1/3: As I started in on this cigar, I got a nice blast of spice, typically found in most Tatuaje’s. This was followed immediately after with some pure tobacco flavors, along with some nice sweetness mixed in. The smoke was incredibly thick, and billowed nicely. As I retrohaled on this cigar, I got ALOT of the spice that I was getting on the beginning of this cigar. Not so much spice that it was uncomfortable, but just enough! The burn is really straight on this one at this point, despite it being a bit breezy at the house today. The ash is a nice white/grey color, but it very flakey, and tends to want to fall every 1/2″ or so. That doesn’t really bother me, as I have an ash tray right next to where I am sitting. So far, I am REALLY enjoying this cigar, and it reminds me a little bit of a larger Tatuaje Black Label, just a bit. Not every flavor I am getting is the same, but it does have some of the same nuances.



2/3: As I continued on this cigar, not a whole lot has changed. I am getting a little bit more of that nice straight tobacco flavor, but other than that, this cigar is staying pretty consistent. I am ok with that, because I am really enjoying the flavors I am getting out of this cigar. The ash is still flaking off at about the 1/2″ point every time, and the burn is staying pretty darn straight. At this point, I am seriously wishing I had a box of these to keep around for a while longer, since these are going to be difficult to find shortly.



3/3: At the final third, the typical Tatuaje spice came back, this time full force. The natual tobacco flavors have seemed to diminish a bit, and I am getting mostly spice. It was a nice change, that I wasn’t expecting. The smoke is still coating my mouth nicely, and the finish is fairly short on this cigar. Now I am REALLY kicking myself. I really want a box, but I have no room in the wine-a-dor, and I have no money. Crappy predicament to be in, for sure, but alas, such is life.



Overall Impression: Overall, the “Boris” is hands down one of the best cigars I have ever had the pleasure of smoking. I am very disappointed that I didn’t buy more of these. I recommend these highly, and enjoyed it very much. If you haven’t had the pleasure of smoking this cigar, start running around now to try and find one or 10.

Check out the full review at:
http://www.cigarchoice.net/?p=318
Smoke Em If You Got Em, Buy Em If You Don’t!
Scott
 

njstone

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Another great review!

It seems like if we took a vote, more people have preferred the Boris to the Drac at this young age. Interesting. I had been more excited for the Drac, but when I heard the story of how the Boris wrapper was chosen ... I became much more excited for the Boris :wink:

I haven't smoked either yet, but have decided that Boris get's the honors tonight!
 

MP.

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Great review! I think that I'm going to be going with the Boris tonight instead of the Drac as well. I'm going to try to let the Dracs sit for a little.
 

Poriggity

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Never managed to get my hands on a Frank. I'd really like to get a couple of those too, but I know that's gonna be near impossible.
Scott
 
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I can't believe Scott has not smoked a Frank. I have smoked half a dozen of them over the past year. Kumar and I split a box last year. IMO, the Frank is nothing like the Boris. IMO, the Frank was a very light bodied cigar and every one of them smelled like baby powder while smoking it (grammar issue). However, the Boris was a tasty full bodied cigar that tested my palate on every draw.

Scott:

Talk to Nick, I think he still has a few.

Jason
 

Poriggity

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I can't believe Scott has not smoked a Frank. I have smoked half a dozen of them over the past year. Kumar and I split a box last year. IMO, the Frank is nothing like the Boris. IMO, the Frank was a very light bodied cigar and every one of them smelled like baby powder while smoking it (grammar issue). However, the Boris was a tasty full bodied cigar that tested my palate on every draw.

Scott:

Talk to Nick, I think he still has a few.

Jason

I will talk to Nick. I do still want to try a Frank, just to say I've tried it.. Got any left? I'll pay ya for one :D
Scott
 

e-man67

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The Frank wasn't even in the same ballpark as the Boris in the taste department....I think the boris is like a cross between a Tat black and a tat East coast....I think it is the best Tat yet!
 
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Very nice review... I also was very disappointed in the Drac, piss poor construction. I'm looking forward to trying the Boris on Mon when they arrive, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will knock the box off the Drac. I still can't believe BrooksW gave that cigar a 96 talk about helping the hype machine, I guess he needed more free cigars, LOL!:cool:
 

Poriggity

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If I had one, I would make you blow me. However, I smoked my last one about 4 months ago. That is a good thing for you!!

Jason
Yeah.. its a good thing for me! Screw you LOL. IMHO, the Tat Boris was the BEST cigar I've smoked. That is again, my opinion, so take it for what its worth, which isn't usually much :D
Scott
 

hdroadglide

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smoked a frank last night. it was still full and flavorful after a year. reminded me of an aged opus as far as power. no powder here. i'm anxious to try the boris to see how it compares for me.
 

BrooksW

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Very nice review... I also was very disappointed in the Drac, piss poor construction. I'm looking forward to trying the Boris on Mon when they arrive, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will knock the box off the Drac. I still can't believe BrooksW gave that cigar a 96 talk about helping the hype machine, I guess he needed more free cigars, LOL!:cool:
Just saw this comment...

First: I smoked a Drac that had been sitting in my Vino for 2 weeks, which is why I did not have any problem with burn...

Second: I take my impartiality VERY seriously. I was given the Prerelease of the Drac as a result of a contest on this board (in which 3 other BOTL were given the same thing), NOT because I gave the cigar a good score. The Drac I smoked was sublime, and I think that if people gave theirs a bit more time before they smoke them, they would have a different opinion of it.

~brooks
 

AlohaStyle

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Yeah I agree Brooks... seems like a lot of people are smoking them right out of the box and just days after shipping to the vendors. Add to the fact that the Dracs were stored in a freshly painted box, I can see why some people might not have a great first impression.

I smoked my first Drac on Halloween night and really enjoyed it. Granted it was also my daughter's 1st birthday party so I had a few beers and some Ron Zacapa rum sitting around the table with a few guys helping the situation... I'm sure any decent cigar would've tasted good that night! LOL

I am looking forward to smoking another one in a few weeks after the dust settles...
 
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