Benzopyrene
BoM June 08
Okay guys here we go again. Let the games begin!:eyepoke:
Review Contest deux Cigar 4!!!!!!
- Thread starter Benzopyrene
- Start date
Benzopyrene
BoM June 08
15th of July at midnight!
Review Cigar #4
Appearance (8/15): After the first three cigars in the contest, this one is an anomaly. It was ugly! Crooked and dented, with rough single cap and a spotted wrapper, this does not appear to be a premium cigar. The foot shows roughly bunched filler. When I clipped the cap, the cigar immediately began to unravel, and was held in place only by the band. The tobacco had an earthy barnyard smell.
Ash (8/10): Given the shoddy construction, the ash held remarkably well, about an inch at a time.
Draw (9/10): The draw was fine, neither too loose nor too tight.
Burn (9/10): Again, the burn was a bit of a surprise. Contrary to my expectations, the burn was even and required no touch-ups.
Smoke (8/10): This cigar produced plenty of smoke. The aroma was agreeable, if unremarkable. The smoke was average in density, but made up for this with its volume.
Flavor/Blend (12/20): The first couple of draws had a slightly harsh metallic flavor. There was no complexity at all. The taste was simple tobacco, no other discernible flavors. There was a long tarry aftertaste. Towards the final third, the tar became more noticeable in the taste, and the flavor became somewhat harsh. Every once in a while, I thought I detected a faint hint of Cuban tobacco, so I wouldn't be surprised if this was a cheap machine-made Cuban cigar.
Uniqueness (6/10): This cigar was unique in that I haven't tasted one quite like it. However, the flavors were very ordinary and not at all complex.
Finish (10/15): The finish was marred by the lingering tarry aftertaste.
Total Score:70/100
ETA: I forgot to include the size: the ring gauge was 40-42, and the length was roughly 5 3/8 inches.
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Good review Asher. Definately doesn't look like the prettiest cigar, its too bad it didn't taste too good either.
Benzopyrene
BoM June 08
Welcome back Garvey. You have some catching up to do as well!
tubaman
3 Time BoM
Overview: I was outside yesterday with the kiddies and decided to smoke this up while they splashed around in the pool. This was one ugly cigar!!! More about that later, but after looking at and smelling the cigar, I wasn't too hopeful about this smoke.
Appearance: This cigar had a dark and mottled wrapper. It was a bit rumpled looking and had some weird dents in it. The cap was awful looking and was actually coming up in one spot. There was one fairly large vein running down the length of it. All in all, it looked like I could have rolled it, and I've never rolled a cigar before.
10/15
Ash: The ash was a papery light gray. It lasted about an inch before it fell off, and fell off about every inch after that also. It wasn't very firm at all.
7/10
Draw: This cigar had a very nice draw, not too loose and not too firm. I was surprised at how good the draw was considering the way the cigar had such dents in it. The draw stayed great during the entire cigar and was one of the few highlights of the smoke.
10/10
Burn: Another big surprise given the way the cigar looked. I didn't have to do anything to this cigar after I lit it. The burn was very even and I have to say I was impressed by that.
10/10
Smoke: There was a very nice amount of smoke on this cigar, too bad the smoke tasted like fecal matter (more on that next.) I was never left wanting for more smoke.
10/10
Flavor/Blend: I can not tell a lie, this cigar was awful.
The prelight draw gave me flavors of straw and other more vegetal flavors. I would characterize this as a full bodied smoke, pretty powerful. At the beginning I was getting very strong charred wood and grassy flavors, not very pleasing. It wasn't very complex at all, just powerful with this overwhelming taste of charred wood, like when a house burns to the ground. Towards the end, it became more peppery and bitter.
15/20
Uniqueness: I didn't find this cigar interesting at all. It tasted like a bad cigar, and that's not very unique unfortunatly.
7/10
Finish: The finish on the cigar was very dry and short. The charred wood flavors lingered on my tongue in a very unpleasant way.
12/15
Conclusion: This was a cigar that I would not smoke again even if it was gifted to me. I didn't really enjoy anything about this cigar. I have to give it credit for delivering a good body of smoke, having a very nice burn that was a surprise given it's appearance, and having a fine draw. But none of those items can overcome the displeasing dry, burnt grassy flavors that were present. Strong but one dimensional, I give this cigar two thumbs down!
Overall score: 81
Appearance: This cigar had a dark and mottled wrapper. It was a bit rumpled looking and had some weird dents in it. The cap was awful looking and was actually coming up in one spot. There was one fairly large vein running down the length of it. All in all, it looked like I could have rolled it, and I've never rolled a cigar before.
10/15
Ash: The ash was a papery light gray. It lasted about an inch before it fell off, and fell off about every inch after that also. It wasn't very firm at all.
7/10
Draw: This cigar had a very nice draw, not too loose and not too firm. I was surprised at how good the draw was considering the way the cigar had such dents in it. The draw stayed great during the entire cigar and was one of the few highlights of the smoke.
10/10
Burn: Another big surprise given the way the cigar looked. I didn't have to do anything to this cigar after I lit it. The burn was very even and I have to say I was impressed by that.
10/10
Smoke: There was a very nice amount of smoke on this cigar, too bad the smoke tasted like fecal matter (more on that next.) I was never left wanting for more smoke.
10/10
Flavor/Blend: I can not tell a lie, this cigar was awful.
The prelight draw gave me flavors of straw and other more vegetal flavors. I would characterize this as a full bodied smoke, pretty powerful. At the beginning I was getting very strong charred wood and grassy flavors, not very pleasing. It wasn't very complex at all, just powerful with this overwhelming taste of charred wood, like when a house burns to the ground. Towards the end, it became more peppery and bitter.
15/20
Uniqueness: I didn't find this cigar interesting at all. It tasted like a bad cigar, and that's not very unique unfortunatly.
7/10
Finish: The finish on the cigar was very dry and short. The charred wood flavors lingered on my tongue in a very unpleasant way.
12/15
Conclusion: This was a cigar that I would not smoke again even if it was gifted to me. I didn't really enjoy anything about this cigar. I have to give it credit for delivering a good body of smoke, having a very nice burn that was a surprise given it's appearance, and having a fine draw. But none of those items can overcome the displeasing dry, burnt grassy flavors that were present. Strong but one dimensional, I give this cigar two thumbs down!
Overall score: 81
indyrob
BoM Feb '06 & Sept. '08
Oh my...this one was tough to finish.
Appearance: 8/15
Rough and had several holes in the wrapper. Verry toothy. Ruddy with a halfass attempt at a cap.
Ash: 5/10
Very weak structure and held like a Marlboro with the same color.
Draw: 10/10
Unfortunately, this had a perfect draw. Effortless and full of smoke.
Burn: 9/10
For a cigar with a pretty ugly construction, the burn was very nice and even.
Smoke: 9/10
The smoke was huge. Not a pleasant smell to it, but I think it might be a te-amo.
Flavor/Blend: 15/20
Not a very good profile for me. The unlit cigar reminded me of manure. Looking at the foot, I could see at least 2 ligero leaves but was surprised that the taste suggested more. I could taste a lot of cinnamon & nutmeg. Overall it was a good bend and nothing stood out drastically.
Uniqueness: 5/10
I didn't like the cigar but have not had one like it before but would not consider it unique.
Finish: 10/15
The after taste reminded me of truck stop java. Stayed with me for longer than I wanted it to.
Conclusion: 71/100
Not a cigar for me. It didn't have anything that I like in a cigar and would also have to pass on this cigar if I had a choice. I think that it was Mexican in origin, but the binder could have been from somewhere else.
Appearance: 8/15
Rough and had several holes in the wrapper. Verry toothy. Ruddy with a halfass attempt at a cap.
Ash: 5/10
Very weak structure and held like a Marlboro with the same color.
Draw: 10/10
Unfortunately, this had a perfect draw. Effortless and full of smoke.
Burn: 9/10
For a cigar with a pretty ugly construction, the burn was very nice and even.
Smoke: 9/10
The smoke was huge. Not a pleasant smell to it, but I think it might be a te-amo.
Flavor/Blend: 15/20
Not a very good profile for me. The unlit cigar reminded me of manure. Looking at the foot, I could see at least 2 ligero leaves but was surprised that the taste suggested more. I could taste a lot of cinnamon & nutmeg. Overall it was a good bend and nothing stood out drastically.
Uniqueness: 5/10
I didn't like the cigar but have not had one like it before but would not consider it unique.
Finish: 10/15
The after taste reminded me of truck stop java. Stayed with me for longer than I wanted it to.
Conclusion: 71/100
Not a cigar for me. It didn't have anything that I like in a cigar and would also have to pass on this cigar if I had a choice. I think that it was Mexican in origin, but the binder could have been from somewhere else.
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
REVIEW DETAILS
APPEARANCE: 9/15
This is one of the least attractive cigars I've ever reviewed. It has a splotchy
dark brown wrapper leaf, and the foot is noticeably several shades darker
than the head. The single cap is rough and wrinkly and doesn't appear to be
attached particularly well. All is not lost, however, as there is an attractive
box press, and the pleasant aroma is earthy and pungent, reminiscent of
mushrooms and vinegar.
ASH: 9/10
Ash is fairly firm and dense, with a light-gray color marked with dark
bands and a dark core. It is just a tad bit flaky, and as such doesn't
hold on for any extraordinary length.
DRAW: 9/10
Surprisingly, the head didn't instantly fall apart when I cut through the
wrinkled single-cap, and the resulting draw is firm but not restrictive.
BURN: 10/10
This cigar burns even and true, with no touch-ups required. Due to the
PC size, it does tend to burn a bit hot, so care must be taken not to
work it too fast, but the burn is quite flawless.
SMOKE: 9/10
While it doesn't pour out vast clouds of smoke, this cigar does create and
appropriate volume of smoke for a petite corona. No visible discoloration,
no unusual aromas.
FLAVOR: 17/20
WOW! On initial light I was instantly bowled over by a zesty lemon-pepper
twang that was, truth be told, a complete shock. I was NOT expecting this
flavor profile from such an unattractive cigar. Beyond the twang, there is a
rich mushroom-like earthy flavor, and after about an inch or so a creamy
sweet-and-nutty tone develops as the initial twang settles down. There is
a light hint of dry ammonia present, so perhaps these cigars could stand
to age for a few years.
UNIQUENESS: 9/10
What a shocker--for a cigar that looked like initially looked unappetizing,
it turned out to be fantastic and surprisingly unique!
FINISH: 14/15
The cigar finished beautifully, with a long sweet aftertaste on the lips.
Smoked this one right down to the nub!
TOTAL: 86 Points
PS - What in the world is this cigar? If it's easily/legally attainable
(questionable) at an everyday cheapie price (doubtful), I'll buy a truckload
of them! If this were a more attractive stick, it could easily have scored a
90 or 91. I've certainly reviewed plenty of other higher scoring sticks that
weren't as tasty as this one.
Interesting reactions thus far.. every one agrees its butt ugly but some how Sheep's review seems most honest the other reviews read as if the writers were put off by the look of the stick and just couldn't get past it.
No offence intended brothers I'm really enjoying the reviews, keep up the good work!
No offence intended brothers I'm really enjoying the reviews, keep up the good work!
Cigar #4
Appearance: This was not the best looking stick by any means. The foot was cut very uneven and wrapper had spots all over it. It had a sweet, grassy smell to it.
8/15
Ash: The ash was light grey to almost white. It held on for about an inch before dropping off.
9/10
Draw: I liked the draw on this one. It was just the way I thought it should be. Not so loose that it feels like your smoking air, and not so tight that you feel like you’re sucking an extra thick milkshake through a coffee stirrer!
10/10
Burn: For such and ugly log this thing burned pretty straight. I had to correct it just a little around midway. I thought it would go nuts because of the way the foot was trimmed at the beginning.
9/10
Smoke: There was a good amount of white smoke from this cigar.
9/10
Flavor/Blend: I didn’t get much of a flavor at all form this cigar. It was very bland for almost the whole smoke. I was surprised it was so bland. It took up to the end almost before I could taste anything.
10/20
Uniqueness: This was a different cigar for me. I reminded me of something you would buy from a guy hand rolling them on the streets in Old San Juan or something.
8/10
Finish: I was not very happy with the finish on this one. It got very bitter about 2 inches from the end and I had a tough time trying to finish it. I made it for another ½ inch or so then it had to go.
8/15
For a total of 71!
indyrob
BoM Feb '06 & Sept. '08
Quite the opposite for me, I don't look at a cigar longer than it takes to select it, cut it and light it. These reviews have made me stop for a couple of extra seconds just to jot down the required info.
Cigars are not any different than food. You can have an elegant looking plate of food that tastes like shit and on the other hand you can have a plate of slop & hash that tastes out of this world.
Appearance does count for something, but the proof is in the roll.
Benzopyrene
BoM June 08
Alright guys here is the cigar...my review to follow (hopefully tonight) as I am having difficulty getting my lap to connect to the internet on this boat and I have to use their comps. The cigar I'd like to present to you is the one, the only (drumroll please) The Padron Classic Londres maduro. Anyways, I'd love to hear some afterthought on this. Did anyone have any idea? Cheers!
Altercall
I beat you all May '08 :)
Wow, mine was more like Duanes. I smoked it before my trip and didn't take notes. I couldn't remember enough to post a review, but what I do remember was thinking it tasted a heck of alot like a Hoyo short corona.
tubaman
3 Time BoM
Wow, that was manufactured by Padron? I'm very surprised. Doesn't change my opinion however, it sucked.
And I thought I was more than fair with my review, giving it perfect scores in burn and draw, and something else but I'm too lazy to go back and look.
And I thought I was more than fair with my review, giving it perfect scores in burn and draw, and something else but I'm too lazy to go back and look.
indyrob
BoM Feb '06 & Sept. '08
It burned like a Padron but I'd be damned if it tasted like one. The one I smoked had almost nothing in common with any Padron I smoked. Chalk this one up as a stick not for me.