This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Rothschild

Length: 4.5″

Ring Gauge: 52

Country of Origin: Honduras

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano

Binder: Honduras

Filler: Columbian Viso, Jalapa Viso, Esteli Ligero, Honduras Ligero

Factory: Segovia

Blender: Undisclosed

Number of reviewers: 5 —– Sandeep (Djangos) Ron (shuckins) Gregg (McGreggor57) Derek (StogieNinja) Jason (bigslowrock)

Price: $8.00

Age: 1 Month Rest

Release Date: April 2013

Contributed by: DeSiena Cigars

About DeSiena Cigars

HOW THE DESIENA 312 WAS BORN

In 2011 after 20 years in the cigar business it was time for a new challenge. The goal was to create the finest of boutique cigar brands. A trip was taken to the Tobacos de Oriente factory in Danli Honduras. Numerous cigars were smoked. A batch was discovered vividly marked “312”. After enjoying several it all made sense, a number that has much significance. My son was born in March and my daughter in December. Partnering with the Placensia cigar factory in Honduras the cigar was re blended several times over a two year period. The DeSiena 312 was proudly launched in April of 2013.

BRAND PHILOSOPHY

The goal is to produce a consistent burning smoke, time and time again. The blend was conceived to appeal to all premium cigar smokers, regardless of taste preferences. Medium in body, color, and price, but full on excellence! There is not an over emphasis on packaging, rather fully focusing on the quality of each cigar.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CIGAR BAND?

The cigar band reflects my families heritage from the small town of Siena Italy. Our family visited in 2004 with the remembrance of the rambling countryside used as the band’s backdrop. The focal point being our families Crest, with the crown signifying excellence.

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 94

“Various shades of dark brown with a few black markings make up this wrapper. It’s a bit rustic in appearance but looks to be well made.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Aroma: 92

“The initial flavors are of hay and dry grass. There is also distinct leather and some nutmeg in the background. The dry puff is quite different with notes of coffee and espresso. There are also hints of chocolate.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Starts off with a rich coffee taste and a spicy woodsy tobacco flavor on light up. Towards the end of the first third it turned to more of a peppery wood taste, with the coffee keeping it’s rich flavor, but moving to the background.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Starts off with some wood, a little cocoa, espresso with just a little bit of a pepper bite. A good start! Very nice thick smoke with milk chocolate and baking spices on the fairly smooth retrohale. At an inch, the pepper is almost gone, and chocolate, espresso, a bit of sharp nuttiness (almonds?) and a hint of baking spices combine for what is a very nice flavor combination. Like chocolate covered almonds and espresso beans.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Second Third

Flavor: 91

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“The flavors of coffee and chocolate from the first third continue into this third. These are quite pleasant but are not upping the complexity of the cigar. As the third progresses the sweeter flavors are slowly pushed to the back ground and leather is becoming more prominent. The hay and grassy flavors are also persisting. The burn line skewed for about 10 min but straightened itself out without the need for a touch up. The ash held till the mid point of the cigar before falling off. The smoke is still creamy and billowing.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“This cigar continues to keep me on my toes. Still getting a nice roasted nuttiness with cedar. This cigar is still treating me to a variety of flavors. I’m getting flashes of pepper with a bit of baking spice.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Final Third

Flavor: 88

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Some coffee and chocolate is coming back into the picture with a grassy cedar profile leading the way. The draw has been tight from the start making it difficult to detect any subtle flavors that might be present. The spice on the retrohale is hit or miss.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The boldness remains, and the flavors warm up nicely. The smoke remains thick and creamy, and the flavors blend nicely: wood, coffee beans, rich chocolate, baking spices and hints of black cherry. It remains pleasant until about an inch and a half left.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“Problem free, smooth and easy draw that produced plenty of smoke.” –Ron (shuckins)

Burn: 93

“The burn was a bit wavey, but this cigar didn’t drop its ash until almost the half way mark.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Construction: 93

“Well constructed. Nice shape, with a firm pack that has just the right amount of give. The draw and burn were both great, and the ash held for at least an inch or more.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

Overall Experience: 90

“This was a good and easy smoke with very pleasant and sweet flavors throughout. However it could have been great if the flavors had changed with progression. Also the spice and pepper levels left more to be desired. I will definitely try this again and I feel that perhaps more rest might make this an even better smoke.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“Overall, it wasn’t a very complex cigar and finished a little on the hot side. Definitely an after dinner cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Despite this cigar not offering a flavor profile I enjoy, I didn’t really think the flavors it did offer worked very well together. The citrus notes didn’t pair well with the limited coffee and chocolate flavors. The tight draw of my sample was certainly a hindrance.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“I liked this one a lot. As I’ve moved away from the syrupy sweetness of many maduros, I’ve realized the value and rarity of a dark cigar with a boldness of flavor that doesn’t rely on sweetness to make up for a lack of complexity. This is one of those. Bold flavors, nice complexity and blend of flavors without the syrupy sweetness. There were a few rough edges I’d like to see rounded out and perhaps with some additional rest time that would happen. Overall, I enjoyed it. I recommend it for fans of the RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

“Nubbed it. I have not smoked a cigar this interesting in a while for BMP. This has the early lead for BMP cigar of the year for me. It helps if the flavors are in your wheelhouse, but I really enjoyed the flavor changes and complexity of flavors. I will be awaiting the reveal on this cigar.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 64

Total Score: 92 (Excellent)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: DeSiena | 312 K4