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: Robusto

Length: 5.5″

Ring Gauge: 52

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Brazillian Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano and Nicaraguan Ligero

Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos

Blender: Fidel Oliva

Number of reviewers: 3 —– Dave (mdwest) Ron (shuckins) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Price: $4.00

Age: 4 years

Release Date: 2010

Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 90

“Nice looking cigar. Very dark, almost black wrapper, with an oily sheen to it.” –Ron (shuckins)

Aroma: 90

“A slightly sweet aroma with hints of dark earth and chocolate. Very pleasant.” –Dave (mdwest)

First Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Mild-Medium

Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Light coffee with woodsy tasting tobacco on light up. Allspice with light pepper and a little more coffee flavor joins the woodsy tasting tobacco as the first third ends.” –Ron (shuckins)

“The first puffs of this cigar are dry with predominantly woody flavors, mainly cedar. I do detect some spice but not really clear regarding what they are. There is no pepper to speak of, and the retrohale is pleasant.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Second Third

Flavor: 93

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Rich, creamy notes of chocolate with a tiny bit of pepper on the finish. Earth and tobacco on the front and the middle. A very nice blend of flavors.” –Dave (mdwest)

“This third develops more of the baking spices to go along with the cedar. The flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon are subtle, but delicious.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 93

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“No flavor shift noticed from the second to the final third, but that’s OK. I am really enjoying the ongoing chocolate, pepper and earth symphony that this cigar is providing. Great flavor without being overly strong or super complex.” –Dave (mdwest)

“As the final third begins, a sweetness develops and is quite welcome. Unfortunately, a few minutes into this third the wrapper split increases and the wrapper begins to peel away from the binder. As a result the flavor changes significantly and the sweetness and spices disappear, leaving cedar.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 93

“Smooth and easy draw with plenty of cool smoke, just the way I like it.” –Ron (shuckins)

Burn: 95

“The burn was excellent on this cigar. Nice and slow…cool with bright white ash.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 91

“Very well constructed. Performance was excellent, and it is obvious that much attention to detail was put into getting the appearance right. A well made stick. ” –Dave (mdwest)

Overall Strength: Medium

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium

Overall Experience: 90

“Great flavors and excellent performance. A very good experience.” –Dave (mdwest)

“An enjoyable after dinner cigar with a nice blend of hearty flavors.” –Ron (shuckins)

“The flavors, while the cigar was intact, were quite nice. Unfortunately, the construction issues made the cigar nearly unsmokable at the end. Hopefully I’m the only person who had that issue.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 48

Total Score: 91 (Very Good)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

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