Ok, #2 measures in a 6 inches and a 50 ring gage, much more in my wheel house. Sunny outside and 43 deg F (6 deg C, ehh), again I have a Dr. Pepper. The wrapper is a nice chocolate color with a few small sun spots. Some veins are present, but shouldn't be a problem. The stick is firm with no soft spots, seams are tight. Very nice looking. Ive not found many sticks that I dont like the smell of. This one is wonderful, full earthy sweetness over the top of the tobacco. There is something else there but I cant seem to pick it out. Oh well, enough with sniffing, time to fire it up.

Clipped the end and was rewarded with a nice even draw. Taste of earthy sweetness. On the first couple do draws after lighting, I could almost swear that I got a distinct saltiness with the ample smoke. However, it didnt last. For that matter was it there to begin with? Have to say that I loved the first third. Wonderful tastes, just a tingle in the back of the throat, from a little spice.

The construction and burn were wonderful. Razor sharp burn for the first half and then it started to waver a little, nothing that required any attention or correction. No re-lights, and it held a very decent ash length, despite a 15-20 mph wind.
The second third didnt find anything new, just a continuation of the excellent start. Do you ever wish that you were interrupted and had to put down a stick. I wish my experience would have stopped at this point. However, at the half way point the flavors started to become muted and seemed to disappear during the final third. Im at a loss to explain it?

Smoke time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Thoughts:
The first half of the stick was good enough to ensure that I will try at least a couple more. The hope being that I had a bad stick and that the ones that follow will be good from start to finish. If that is the case, this stick could find a place in my regular rotation depending on the price point. In the range of $2- $5 I could see it being one of a couple of everyday smokes. If in the $6-$8 range I believe I could still find some humi space for it. If on the other hand it turns out that the experience is repeated
. I might still have some room for it as a winter time smoke if the price is right. Something I dont feel bad about throwing in the bin at the half-way point, because Im too damn cold and need to go inside.