OR Viaje Super Shot 10Ga Review

[3/5King]

OR Viaje Super Shot 10ga (February 2012)
Ring Gauge 3 1/2 X 54
Original MSRP 6.40

Solid cigar, a little lumpy, soft leathery feel
Triple cap with a closed foot (which I really enjoy)
Oily, milk chocolate wrapper with soft veins

Pre lite draw: good resistance, rich tobacco, cinnamon and sweet cedar

Initial impression: lit well, not a ton of smoke
orange peel, spearmint, with a slight creaminess; leather and a peppery retro hale
Uneven burn, cigar doesn't want to burn the wrapper. Hard to produce smoke.

The cigar is getting hot fast due to having to take multiple draws to produce any smoke. Touched up cigar before end of first inch. Draw is tight and the cigar has trouble burning properly. Have to take multiple draws each time to get any respectable smoke.

There is any oiliness to the mouthfeel. After the first inch, not much change in flavor profile. A bit of soapiness to the smoke. Extremely spicy retro hale. The burn begins to waiver again. The heat is muting the flavors and making them hard to pin point. The heat build up has destroyed any subtle flavors that might have been trying to develop.

Medium body/medium strength

The filler is burning before the wrapper. Half way through and the cigar wants to die out. Causing me to draw on it every 20-30 seconds and even that's not fast enough to make this cigar burn properly.

The wrapper just doesn't want to burn along with the filler and the flavors are ruined by the heat so I've decided to put an end to this cigar right after the start of the second half which is closing near a nub size anyway with such a short smoke.

Not impressed with this cigar and would not smoke another. Age doesn't seem to have helped this cigar and I'm actually curious and afraid as to how it would have smoked when it was young. Although the flavors were never unpleasant, the cigar was hard to smoke and ruined any enjoyment one might have gotten out of it.

Smoke time: 40 mins

Scoring:

Overall Appearance and Presentation 18/20
Lighting and Burning Properties 4/15
Construction 19/30
Taste Properties 22/35

Overall Score 63/100

 

[3/5King]

I'd like to add that maybe this was an issue with storage, although I have no reason to believe so. I'll retract my statement and say that I'd give another a try to give it a fair chance at burning properly.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I'd like to add that maybe this was an issue with storage, although I have no reason to believe so. I'll retract my statement and say that I'd give another a try to give it a fair chance at burning properly.

I had one of these a couple months ago without the burn issues, although not a perfect burn. Hate to say it again, but typical Viaje burn

Thanks for the review

 

[joe45]

Sorry this one didn't work out. I had a similar experience with the one that I smoked when I get them originally. I have been unimpressed with several Viaje's I've tried, however. I don't usually send out something in a PIF that I didn't care for, but it had been a couple years since I smoked one, and it fit the requirements of one of your MAW requests. I will say that there should be no concern about storage. It was stored in the same Aristocrat end table as the mystery Illusione that you seemed to enjoy. I suppose it could have used some rest after shipping, but with only one day in transit I highly doubt that would have affected it much.

 

[3/5King]

Yes, I've heard that Viaje focuses on flavor and somewhat neglects construction consistency. Which is sad to say because even with the best flavors, poor construction can make the experience miserable. You are welcome for the review. I plan on doing a lot more. It's a way to really find out what a cigar is all about. When we smoke through a cigar without our complete attention, it amasses to that time you noticed that girl out the corner of your eye but were too busy texting to stop her and ask for her number, regretting it for the rest of your life...

You like that romanticized analogy... Hahaha.

 

[3/5King]

Sorry this one didn't work out. I had a similar experience with the one that I smoked when I get them originally. I have been unimpressed with several Viaje's I've tried, however. I don't usually send out something in a PIF that I didn't care for, but it had been a couple years since I smoked one, and it fit the requirements of one of your MAW requests. I will say that there should be no concern about storage. It was stored in the same Aristocrat end table as the mystery Illusione that you seemed to enjoy. I suppose it could have used some rest after shipping, but with only one day in transit I highly doubt that would have affected it much.

Yes, I really didn't think it was storage related on your end at all, and furthermore, I am 100% satisfied with the opportunity to give it a ride.

 

[Sirspanksalot]

From viaje I've only had a holiday blend, and a 50/50, and they both had funky burn lines. Just like you, I've read that it's a pretty common issue though.

 

[3/5King]

From viaje I've only had a holiday blend, and a 50/50, and they both had funky burn lines. Just like you, I've read that it's a pretty common issue though.

It's like saying it's ok that friend is an asshole because that's "just the way he is" Viaje should really concentrate on their craftsmanship to bring their brand to the next level.

 

[Sirspanksalot]

From viaje I've only had a holiday blend, and a 50/50, and they both had funky burn lines. Just like you, I've read that it's a pretty common issue though.

It's like saying it's ok that friend is an asshole because that's "just the way he is" Viaje should really concentrate on their craftsmanship to bring their brand to the next level.

Viaje is the friend that brings cheap booze after everyone's drunk so you can't tell it taste like shit.

 

[fourkicksfan]

I've had the same construction and burn issues many speak about with Viaje, but on the flip side of that coin, a few of the best cigars I've ever smoked were Viaje. The Exclusivo CG was awesome and the Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter I had yesterday definitely cracked my top five of all time.

Their problem is simply inconsistency. And to be a prime time player they'll have to fix that.

Great job at the review Dave!

 

[Sirspanksalot]

Oh wait, I've had a few skull and bones that burned perfectly. Though I'm sure the size helped that some degree

 

[3/5King]

I've had the same construction and burn issues many speak about with Viaje, but on the flip side of that coin, a few of the best cigars I've ever smoked were Viaje. The Exclusivo CG was awesome and the Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter I had yesterday definitely cracked my top five of all time.

Their problem is simply inconsistency. And to be a prime time player they'll have to fix that.

Great job at the review Dave!

This^^ and thank you. Another thing I've noticed is the sheer insane amount of cigars that they have out/have released in the past. Maybe concentrate on a smaller range and improve overall consistency.. Then they have the chance to make me a loyal customer because the way it goes, it makes me hesitant to purchase anything from them with the uncertainty of quality that comes along with it.

 

[BenvolioMustDie]

I've had quite a few of the Supershots from this year and the wrapper never seems to want to burn, I've given them more and more time in the drybox every time but it's not working. Such a shame because I absolutely love the flavours.

Although, in the some of the recent interviews with Andre he's said he wants to focus more on construction in the future. With some blends being done at TABSA now it'll be interesting to see how it goes from here, the one Cache I've had actually burned pretty well.

 

[BenvolioMustDie]

Tempted myself into another Cache after mentioning it earlier. Burn behaved and draw was good, I reckon TABSA might be the way forward for Viaje.