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: Corona Gorda

Length: 5.87″

Ring Gauge: 46

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Predominantly Nicaraguan

Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A. Esteli

Blender: Brandon Wilson & Stephen Miller

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

Price: $6.75

Age: 4 Months Rest

Release Date: January 2013

Contributed by: Wilson Adams Cigar Company

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 90

“This is a really good looking cigar. It has a reddish-brown dark wrapper with even seams and no major veins. The wrapper is a little toothy and the triple cap is applied very clean. The foot is just slightly off round and gives nicely when squeezed.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Aroma: 91

“Excitable aroma’s of cocoa, nutmeg and sandalwood that scream “smoke me!”” –Ron (shuckins)

First Third

Flavor: 91

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Unlike most cigars, this one doesn’t start off with pepper and is quite mild. The pepper is however present and slowly builds up as the third progresses. The predominant flavor is that of cedar and tobacco. There is definitely notes of coffee and espresso. The pepper increases in intensity till about the inch mark and then begins to wane. The burn is quite wavy but in no need for a touch up. The smoke is creamy and smooth. The ash is dark grey and somewhat flaky. The draw is very good.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“Very mild nuttiness with coffee noticeable more on the retrohale than the palate. Great smoke production right off the bat. Before this third ends the profile changes a bit to toasted nuts and roasted coffee.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Second Third

Flavor: 91

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“While not as complex as the first third, there are some enjoyable flavors in this with cocoa, coffee and cinnamon.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“The spices have taken over this third. I’m getting a lot of pepper spice, but nothing too offensive, mostly roasted pepper and peppercorn. After that, there are a few baking spices, but bold and bright ones like cumin and cardamom. Towards the end of this third, the complexity has died down and I’m left with mostly green pepper, I hope the next third has something good in store.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Final Third

Flavor: 92

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cigar is a little more creamy tasting, with the cocoa coming to the front as the coffee fades, taking most of the pepper with it. The anise is lighter, as the nutmeg picks up, giving the oak tasting tobacco a touch of sweetness as it nears the end.” –Ron (shuckins)

“This third delivers a mixture of flavors reminding me of a campfire s’more with a nice creaminess, cocoa, wood and graham. I’m also getting a build up on pepper as the third progresses.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 94

“Excellent draw with plenty of tasty smoke, although a little hot at first.” –Ron (shuckins)

Burn: 94

“The burn was great, wavered a little, but never had to touch it.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Construction: 91

“Only a well constructed cigar could burn this good from beginning to end.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Overall Strength: Medium

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

Overall Experience: 89

“Overall the cigar was good but not great. It perhaps would have been significantly better had there been more complexity and the bitterness was not present. I will give it another shot, but if it is still of the same flavor profile then probably will not go looking for it.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“I enjoyed the flavors of the cigar, and would recommend it as a middle of the day smoke.” –Ron (shuckins)

“I really enjoyed the progression of this cigar. While the flavors themselves didn’t seem to vary much, the way they developed was appreciated. It began very mild, transitioned into some richer toasted flavors before settling down to a sweet creamy finish. A cigar I would definitely look forward to smoking again.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“I really thought this cigar had some great flavors and complexity, but the construction was pretty flawed. Unless this was a low priced cigar, I would probably have to read some reviews showing that I just had an off day for the torcedor before jumping in on a purchase.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“The overall experience was not bad, but I would have liked to see a lot more dimension to the flavors, it seemed like it kind of got stuck on spices. There needed to be something to counteract the spice or compliment it. I would like to try this in another vitola to see if I could coax a little more complexity out of it, but as it stands and I can’t recommend much more than a single to see if this bag of spices is up your alley.” Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 70

Total Score: 91 (Very Good)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Wilson Adams | Habano No. 3