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BOTL UPCOMING MAINTENANCE
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rockets or real
- Thread starter hdroadglide
- Start date
Smoking cigar #1 for round 2 right now.... I'm very confused.
This thing is all over the place... When I finish I'll post my review and you'll see what I mean.
hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
ok. looks like the first group, minus 1, is through stick number 2. this was my sleeper. it was introduced to me by mr. rabb, which is the first decent thing he's ever done!!!! he described it as a poor mans lp, and i tended to agree. so without further ado.....stick number 2 in group 1 is...............187 esteban carerras. about $6 locally!!!
Here is my very rough review of cigar #1 for round 2.... I like bullet points... you get bullet points.
-The cigar isn't too pretty. A nice oily wrapper with a couple big veins. The wrapper also has some nice 'hairs' on it. Triple cap is decent.
-decent, but tight draw
-sligh grassy and floral flavors upfront
-lots of ammonia and bitterness
-not much smoke out of this thing . very mild/floral/ with hints of vanilla
-About a half inch in I began to get a rich creamy flavor. This is a nice change of pace from the crap that started this cigar.
-About 3 puffs later, I'm getting some bread/wheat notes this thing is all over the place.
-This thing is starting to be very reminiscent of the PLPC but bigger. Maybe the newly released PL Encantos Asian RE? Maybe I'm crazy? (I don't even think these could have shipped yet this might be too thin too.)
-After my bold statement, this cigar takes a turn toward the more floral side again, very similar to the floral flavor that is often found in Dominican tobacco, which I despise. Yuck.
-A little over an inch in and the draw has opened up nicely. The aroma is slightly floral.
-After about another inch, this thing is just getting really bland. Bitter coffee flavors are present.
-Now we are getting back to some PLPC flavors this thing is driving me nuts!!
-The smoke is getting a little bit thicker.. vanilla and cream are the dominant flavors with a background of toast
-A little over halfway in the cigar is getting bitter and grassy again can't this thing make up it's mind?
-Approaching the final third, the cigar picks up a little spice and more bitterness.
-It finishes crazy as well and I am still confused
-My final thoughts this was a decent cigar of either Dominican or Cuban origins. I would say its about an 85 point cigar with aging potential. I'd imagine it is priced anywhere from $6-10.
*sorry for the photos, didn't feel like rotating them lol*
-The cigar isn't too pretty. A nice oily wrapper with a couple big veins. The wrapper also has some nice 'hairs' on it. Triple cap is decent.
-decent, but tight draw
-sligh grassy and floral flavors upfront
-lots of ammonia and bitterness
-not much smoke out of this thing . very mild/floral/ with hints of vanilla
-About a half inch in I began to get a rich creamy flavor. This is a nice change of pace from the crap that started this cigar.
-About 3 puffs later, I'm getting some bread/wheat notes this thing is all over the place.
-This thing is starting to be very reminiscent of the PLPC but bigger. Maybe the newly released PL Encantos Asian RE? Maybe I'm crazy? (I don't even think these could have shipped yet this might be too thin too.)
-After my bold statement, this cigar takes a turn toward the more floral side again, very similar to the floral flavor that is often found in Dominican tobacco, which I despise. Yuck.
-A little over an inch in and the draw has opened up nicely. The aroma is slightly floral.
-After about another inch, this thing is just getting really bland. Bitter coffee flavors are present.
-Now we are getting back to some PLPC flavors this thing is driving me nuts!!
-The smoke is getting a little bit thicker.. vanilla and cream are the dominant flavors with a background of toast
-A little over halfway in the cigar is getting bitter and grassy again can't this thing make up it's mind?
-Approaching the final third, the cigar picks up a little spice and more bitterness.
-It finishes crazy as well and I am still confused
-My final thoughts this was a decent cigar of either Dominican or Cuban origins. I would say its about an 85 point cigar with aging potential. I'd imagine it is priced anywhere from $6-10.
*sorry for the photos, didn't feel like rotating them lol*
Attachments
Round 2, cigar #1
Size 6 ½ by approx 46 (?)
Prelight
Light to medium brown smooth wrapper, with a few veins. Slightly oily, giving off a nice sheen. Cedar and leather from the foot, and a note of cedar and honey on the (very tight) cold draw.
Clipped easily, revealing a very tight pack, possibly causing the tight draw.
First Third
Again, the draw is extremely tight…I was kinda worried. Initial notes of leather, cedar, and roasted peanuts up front, with a Cohiba-grassy finish. Light to medium strength, with a solid ash clinging nicely to an even burn. Draw improved significantly be the end of the first third 
Second Third
Nice, even burn continued, producing a solid and very dark grey ash. Notes of roasted peanuts and peat in the foreground with leather and cedar as a backdrop. Profile thus far was enjoyable…A medium strength cigar with some nice flavors and great construction.
Final Third
Close to the end of the second third, a vegetal taste started to dominate the profile, pushing the nuts and cedar almost completely out. Hard to pin down what it was, but eggplant kept coming to mind. The burn and draw all continued well, and the ash remained solid.
Closing
Really enjoyed the first two thirds of this cigar. Nicely balanced notes of nuts, cedar, and leather with a nice finish. However, the shift in the final third took the profile for a strange turn! When I find out what this is, I’d like to buy a few in order to give it a fair shake, as I really enjoyed most of it.
I think it's a Boli GM...'08?
(Ha! Added the guess after Bob's post
Size 6 ½ by approx 46 (?)
Prelight
Light to medium brown smooth wrapper, with a few veins. Slightly oily, giving off a nice sheen. Cedar and leather from the foot, and a note of cedar and honey on the (very tight) cold draw.
Clipped easily, revealing a very tight pack, possibly causing the tight draw.
First Third
Again, the draw is extremely tight…I was kinda worried. Initial notes of leather, cedar, and roasted peanuts up front, with a Cohiba-grassy finish. Light to medium strength, with a solid ash clinging nicely to an even burn. Draw improved significantly be the end of the first third 
Second Third
Nice, even burn continued, producing a solid and very dark grey ash. Notes of roasted peanuts and peat in the foreground with leather and cedar as a backdrop. Profile thus far was enjoyable…A medium strength cigar with some nice flavors and great construction.
Final Third
Close to the end of the second third, a vegetal taste started to dominate the profile, pushing the nuts and cedar almost completely out. Hard to pin down what it was, but eggplant kept coming to mind. The burn and draw all continued well, and the ash remained solid.
Closing
Really enjoyed the first two thirds of this cigar. Nicely balanced notes of nuts, cedar, and leather with a nice finish. However, the shift in the final third took the profile for a strange turn! When I find out what this is, I’d like to buy a few in order to give it a fair shake, as I really enjoyed most of it.
I think it's a Boli GM...'08?
(Ha! Added the guess after Bob's post
Last edited:
hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
so round 1 of group 2 is now completed. the reviews were all over the place. and that is not unusual for this stick................08 bolivar gold medal. don't think anyone guessed it?
I have a box of BGMs and it was totally unlike any I have ever had. I usually love the BGM...
hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
unfortunately, this can happen (often too frequently) with cc/s. it can be a crapshoot. these were all out of the same box that i've had sitting since they were obtained fresh.
The BGMs are usually spot on... :argh:
Ok, stick measures in at 6.5 inches and a 48 ring gage. It is cloudy and overcast outside and 31 deg F, Dr. Pepper to accompany. The wrapper is a nice dark chocolate color. The wrapper, while not smooth, is well constructed. The cigar is firm, but yields to slight pressure. The stick has a wonderful smell of well seasoned leather. Reminds me of the baseball glove I had as a kid.
Clipped the end and was pleased to have a perfect draw. The pre-light draw reinforced the seasoned leather. On light up and during the first third the predominant flavor was the aforementioned leather. As I progressed through the third a flavor of roasted nuts started to creep in. Smoke production was great and effortless
As the second third started the leather moved to the background and the nuts with a hint of cinnamon took over. It was very enjoyable. It was during this third that a few burn issues developed. Most annoying was the ash. Instead of holding, it mushroomed and continued to flake off. Being outside, not a big issue, just annoying.
As the last third started the stick tunneled and need a re-light and adjustment. The nuts turned to toast and the cinnamon was gone. The wrapper split at the end was of no consequence.
Smoke time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Thoughts:
Overall it was a very enjoyable stick. Yes, I would smoke it again. If the price were right I could see making a box purchase. Where does it fall with the other sticks that I have been treated to? My favorite has to be #2, already have some on the way to give them an extended testing. Next would be this stick (#4), followed by #1. Even though it kicked my a**. Which leaves #3 to bring up the rear. Thanks for the opportunity Bob :thumbsup:
Clipped the end and was pleased to have a perfect draw. The pre-light draw reinforced the seasoned leather. On light up and during the first third the predominant flavor was the aforementioned leather. As I progressed through the third a flavor of roasted nuts started to creep in. Smoke production was great and effortless
As the second third started the leather moved to the background and the nuts with a hint of cinnamon took over. It was very enjoyable. It was during this third that a few burn issues developed. Most annoying was the ash. Instead of holding, it mushroomed and continued to flake off. Being outside, not a big issue, just annoying.
As the last third started the stick tunneled and need a re-light and adjustment. The nuts turned to toast and the cinnamon was gone. The wrapper split at the end was of no consequence.
Smoke time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Thoughts:
Overall it was a very enjoyable stick. Yes, I would smoke it again. If the price were right I could see making a box purchase. Where does it fall with the other sticks that I have been treated to? My favorite has to be #2, already have some on the way to give them an extended testing. Next would be this stick (#4), followed by #1. Even though it kicked my a**. Which leaves #3 to bring up the rear. Thanks for the opportunity Bob :thumbsup:
hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
Nice review. Any guesses?
njstone
BoM January 2010
Here's my first review, sorry for the delay. I'm not sure what "round" I am, but stick #1 was a lancero! I didn't have a nice camera with me, sorry about that.
Preliminaries: This is a nice looking lancero with a short pigtail cap. Sniffing it gives a nice scent of sweet raisen and pepper which to me screams DOMINICAN! We'll see if that holds true while smoking. (If I had to make a blind guess, I would be Opus X Lancero).
First Third: The cigar started off with quite a bit of pepper and a background of sweet wood and fruit ... great start! The draw is just a hair tight, but pretty good for a lancero (I'm always worried about plugs with these kinds of thin cigars). The ash held for close to two inches which I very rarely see in a lancero and I found quite impressive. The pepper decreased somewhat and more fruitiness came through--dried fruit, raisen and something else a bit more citrusy.
The cigar is medium-full right now but I think it will hit full later on ... good thing I ate some lunch
At this point I'm thinking it's a Fuente or LFD lancero. Wha'ts funny is that although I love lanceros and both of those cigar makers, I've actually never smoked a lancero from either of them!
Second Third: The cigar went out at this point and I had to relight. There was a slight breeze and I was talking with my brother, so that may have had something to do with it. The pepper is still there in the background, but the sweetness has subsided to just a slight effect. There are some fun spices here too ... a bit of clove and some vanilla. This is a nice complex cigar
The primary flavors for me are now this fruitiness with some cedar ... but it's no longer saying "Opus" to me as it did before (it just doesn't have that unique "Opusy" thing). In fact, I'm uncertian whether the wrapper is Cameroon or Habano at this point. The body is full and the strength is starting to increase! I've got a nice nic buzz going and I think I'm gonna need to eat something more when I get inside, lol.
The cigar now went out two more times ... that's gonna cost us a point. Once or twice might be "user error," but three times is a problem with construction.
Final Third: The pepper is coming back now and the strength has ratcheted up a notch into high in the full range. My head is starting to spin ... wow, this thing might kick my butt! I'm pretty impressed with that, and this is definately the strongest lancero I've ever had.
The cigar isnt' too dynamic in terms of flavor changes, other than the pepper and sweetness coming in and out in intensity. That's okay, though, becuase I love the flavor of this cigar. I'm definately leaning towards a Habano wrapper now, which rules out the Fuentes (Don Carlos or Casa) unless it's an Opus ... it's similar in some ways to the other Opus I've had and I've never had the lancero. But I'm figuring this is an LFD.
The cigar finishes very strong and the flavors never get bitter (even though the cigar went out AGAIN in the final third). My head is swimming now and I'm feeling a bit flushed ... gonna need to go chug some milk now, lol!
Final Thoughts: I REALLY liked this cigar. A lot. I'm going to hunt some of these down even though I suspect it's pricey. One thing I liked about this cigar is that the flavors were so strong and prominent throughout, even though the mouth (I often find that flavors are better through the nose, but with this stick retrohaling wasn't necessary to get the good stuff, which was cool).
I do have to knock a full 3 points off for the fact that I had to do like 4 relights, which is just not right. Kind of harsh maybe, but it really did effect the enjoyment of the cigar.
Score: 92
Rocket or Real? This is the real deal, baby!
Guesses: If this isn't an LFD or Fuente, I'll turn in my cigar ho card, lol. Though I thought Opus X at first, it seemed more and more like a Lito Gomez cigar as I smoked it down. It didn't really taste like a Ligero/DL, though, so I'm going to guess it's one of Lito's smaller batch cigars (none of which I've had before so I'm not sure which). I'm guessing this stick was pricey ... probably $12-$15.
Preliminaries: This is a nice looking lancero with a short pigtail cap. Sniffing it gives a nice scent of sweet raisen and pepper which to me screams DOMINICAN! We'll see if that holds true while smoking. (If I had to make a blind guess, I would be Opus X Lancero).
First Third: The cigar started off with quite a bit of pepper and a background of sweet wood and fruit ... great start! The draw is just a hair tight, but pretty good for a lancero (I'm always worried about plugs with these kinds of thin cigars). The ash held for close to two inches which I very rarely see in a lancero and I found quite impressive. The pepper decreased somewhat and more fruitiness came through--dried fruit, raisen and something else a bit more citrusy.
The cigar is medium-full right now but I think it will hit full later on ... good thing I ate some lunch
At this point I'm thinking it's a Fuente or LFD lancero. Wha'ts funny is that although I love lanceros and both of those cigar makers, I've actually never smoked a lancero from either of them!
Second Third: The cigar went out at this point and I had to relight. There was a slight breeze and I was talking with my brother, so that may have had something to do with it. The pepper is still there in the background, but the sweetness has subsided to just a slight effect. There are some fun spices here too ... a bit of clove and some vanilla. This is a nice complex cigar
The primary flavors for me are now this fruitiness with some cedar ... but it's no longer saying "Opus" to me as it did before (it just doesn't have that unique "Opusy" thing). In fact, I'm uncertian whether the wrapper is Cameroon or Habano at this point. The body is full and the strength is starting to increase! I've got a nice nic buzz going and I think I'm gonna need to eat something more when I get inside, lol.
The cigar now went out two more times ... that's gonna cost us a point. Once or twice might be "user error," but three times is a problem with construction.
Final Third: The pepper is coming back now and the strength has ratcheted up a notch into high in the full range. My head is starting to spin ... wow, this thing might kick my butt! I'm pretty impressed with that, and this is definately the strongest lancero I've ever had.
The cigar isnt' too dynamic in terms of flavor changes, other than the pepper and sweetness coming in and out in intensity. That's okay, though, becuase I love the flavor of this cigar. I'm definately leaning towards a Habano wrapper now, which rules out the Fuentes (Don Carlos or Casa) unless it's an Opus ... it's similar in some ways to the other Opus I've had and I've never had the lancero. But I'm figuring this is an LFD.
The cigar finishes very strong and the flavors never get bitter (even though the cigar went out AGAIN in the final third). My head is swimming now and I'm feeling a bit flushed ... gonna need to go chug some milk now, lol!
Final Thoughts: I REALLY liked this cigar. A lot. I'm going to hunt some of these down even though I suspect it's pricey. One thing I liked about this cigar is that the flavors were so strong and prominent throughout, even though the mouth (I often find that flavors are better through the nose, but with this stick retrohaling wasn't necessary to get the good stuff, which was cool).
I do have to knock a full 3 points off for the fact that I had to do like 4 relights, which is just not right. Kind of harsh maybe, but it really did effect the enjoyment of the cigar.
Score: 92
Rocket or Real? This is the real deal, baby!
Guesses: If this isn't an LFD or Fuente, I'll turn in my cigar ho card, lol. Though I thought Opus X at first, it seemed more and more like a Lito Gomez cigar as I smoked it down. It didn't really taste like a Ligero/DL, though, so I'm going to guess it's one of Lito's smaller batch cigars (none of which I've had before so I'm not sure which). I'm guessing this stick was pricey ... probably $12-$15.
hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
Bullseye Nate! This was the LG lancero!