#6: A Driving Range Review
Well, I woke up knowing my grading is finished and I have few responsibilities remaining for my academic year and thought it a perfect opportunity to treat myself to stick #6 while practicing my golf swing for the first time this season. What better combination can their be than a nice cigar and an opportunity to swing the clubs on a beautiful spring day.
I’m with Hendy when he says this is the best cigar of the bunch. The look, the light, the draw, the flavor, and the smoke made this a truly enjoyable experience.
I carried my clubs to the most isolated part of the driving range, went and purchased my two buckets of balls, and did my pre-routine stretching. Not as young and limber as I once was – and the last thing I needed to have happen was to pull a muscle before the golf season even begins.
Today was the first time I have integrated a cigar into my golf game – and it really made my time on the range more enjoyable. After stretching, I pulled the #6 (cigar, not iron) from the three-finger holder and looked it over. The #6 possessed beautiful color and construction – and a great aroma.
I clipped the cap, nice and clean, and pulled a leathery earthen predraw that was absolutely effortless. The wind caused some havoc getting the #6 lit, but once toasted and fired up I never had to worry again about the light (the consistency of burn is another issue).
After a few draws, the flavor really emerged – and the flavor was recognizable and enjoyable. Light spice, earthy flavors, and a beautifully full smoke. Between swings I would return to the cigar, and each time the flavor was consistent and growing in spice for the first half of the smoke. At the halfway point, the flavor stabilized until the end.
I did discover the cigar served as a fabulous swing tool. While holding the cigar in my lips, I pointed the ash toward the ball. Using the ash as a point of reference, I could see exactly how far I would pull my head of the ball. A little bit is fine, but I could really see how far I would pull off and ultimately cause a miss-hit. What a nice discovery, and it didn’t cost me a $75 lesson!
My only concerns about the #6 are: (1) while the cigar remained lit, I needed to touch up the burn two or three times – nothing major, just a minor annoyance; and (2) the flavor was solid – but not as varied as my top smokes.
I really did enjoy this cigar – and the experience. I think I have a few of these (in a different size) sitting in my aging humidor. I know I’ll have this cigar again.
NICE FINISH BENZO!
Appearance: 15/15
Ash: 10/10
Draw: 10/10
Burn: 8/10
Smoke: 10/10
Flavor: 17/20
Uniqueness: 8/10
Finish: 14/15
Score: 92/100
