Well, I thought it was time to finally review a cigar on here and given the discussion regarding the Viaje Holiday Blend, I thought I'd share my experience. I picked up a 5er from New Havana and let it rest for about 5 days. Here goes nothing:
Set up:
It was an overcast day in Memphis and very windy. I attempted to hide in the corner of my balcony but I think the wind affected the burn. Can you see the Mississippi River and Arkansas?
I used my new cigar stand and Palio cutter that RonC sent my way. Thanks Ron!
Pre-Light:
This was a very firm cigar with one large vein running the length. It smelled of leather and dark chocolate. I cut the cigar and tasted dark chocolate on my pre-light draw.
1st 3rd:
I had a little trouble lighting the covered foot because of the wind/breeze that was present. Once lit, the draw was very smooth and I tasted leather and a hint of cocoa. A little in, I tasted a little spice (not a pepper flavor but my tongue did get a little tingle). The spice was present on the edges of my tongue, not the middle. As the spice kicked in, I lost the cocoa flavor as the leather took over.
2nd 3rd:
Into the second 3rd, I was still tasting a leather flavor and a little bit of the cocoa came back. The spice moved to the roof of my mouth and I was getting a sweet smelling smoke. I noticed a bit of a wood flavor and a cocoa/dark chocolate flavor. I had to touch up the cigar but mostly because I like a very even burn and the wind was screwing with me. The cigar is still very smooth. When the wind died down I got a very thick smoke. Also, the spice has left me again.
Say hello to the barge heading to NOLA:
3rd 3rd:
You can see how dark the ash is, I think this is because I had to keep touching up the burn. I think the natural ash is much lighter. The spice has returned to the tip of my tongue. A smooth leather has been present the whole time. The spice slowly moved from the tip of my tongue to the back of my throat/mouth.
Conclusion:
Even thought the sun came out, I had to give up on this cigar a little early than I would have liked because as it got smaller, I was having a hard time controlling the burn in the wind. Overall, I liked this cigar and how the cocoa and spice came and went. I think I would be able to enjoy the cigar even more when I wasn't fighting the wind. I'm glad I have a couple more to try again.
Set up:
It was an overcast day in Memphis and very windy. I attempted to hide in the corner of my balcony but I think the wind affected the burn. Can you see the Mississippi River and Arkansas?
I used my new cigar stand and Palio cutter that RonC sent my way. Thanks Ron!
Pre-Light:
This was a very firm cigar with one large vein running the length. It smelled of leather and dark chocolate. I cut the cigar and tasted dark chocolate on my pre-light draw.
1st 3rd:
I had a little trouble lighting the covered foot because of the wind/breeze that was present. Once lit, the draw was very smooth and I tasted leather and a hint of cocoa. A little in, I tasted a little spice (not a pepper flavor but my tongue did get a little tingle). The spice was present on the edges of my tongue, not the middle. As the spice kicked in, I lost the cocoa flavor as the leather took over.
2nd 3rd:
Into the second 3rd, I was still tasting a leather flavor and a little bit of the cocoa came back. The spice moved to the roof of my mouth and I was getting a sweet smelling smoke. I noticed a bit of a wood flavor and a cocoa/dark chocolate flavor. I had to touch up the cigar but mostly because I like a very even burn and the wind was screwing with me. The cigar is still very smooth. When the wind died down I got a very thick smoke. Also, the spice has left me again.
Say hello to the barge heading to NOLA:
3rd 3rd:
You can see how dark the ash is, I think this is because I had to keep touching up the burn. I think the natural ash is much lighter. The spice has returned to the tip of my tongue. A smooth leather has been present the whole time. The spice slowly moved from the tip of my tongue to the back of my throat/mouth.
Conclusion:
Even thought the sun came out, I had to give up on this cigar a little early than I would have liked because as it got smaller, I was having a hard time controlling the burn in the wind. Overall, I liked this cigar and how the cocoa and spice came and went. I think I would be able to enjoy the cigar even more when I wasn't fighting the wind. I'm glad I have a couple more to try again.
