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: Perfecto

Length: 5.75″

Ring Gauge: 47

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Dominican Habano

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Factory: Tabacalera La Palma

Blender: Rafael Nodal

Number of reviewers: 5 —– Ron (shuckins) Gregg (McGreggor57) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (rhetorik) Derek (StogieNinja)

Price: $12.00

Age: 2 Months Rest

Release Date: July 2013

Contributed by: Boutique Blends

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 95

“The variegated tan leather colored wrapper is somewhat toothy on this interesting figurado. It features a nice taper at the foot and a pigtail cap, a combo I’m not sure I’ve ever seen.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Aroma: 88

“Not getting much at the foot and the cold draw has maybe a touch of light cedar.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

First Third

Flavor: 89

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Pepper and spice right off the bat with a sense of capsaicin left on the tongue. A few puffs in and the heat of the spices has diminished some, leaving only their flavors. Black pepper, red pepper flakes and the capsaicin are really masking any other flavors. Toward the end of this third the spices are blending with a creamy leather mix.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The first few puffs were just as woody as the pre-light aroma, mostly cedar. The cigar does not want to light the rest of the cigar from the pointed tip of the perfecto shape. Once we get into it, I’m still getting a lot of cedar, but also a dark underlying espresso taste, very powerful. It’s like I’m at Starbucks. Love it. The espresso lingers on the finish for a good 30 seconds. The smoke production is fantastic.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Second Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Creamy cedar with light pepper joined by splashes of coffee around the halfway point. It blends really well with the nutmeg and cocoa flavors in the tobacco providing a nice balance and a pleasant smoking experience.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Oak and cedar combined with the same spice profile is giving this cigar a bit more interest. Still, one has to really concentrate to pick up any other subtleties beyond the obvious. The nicotine strength is really picking up.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Final Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Still has a creamy cedar flavor, even though the pepper has kicked it up a notch the nearer to the end it gets. The nutmeg with cocoa stayed steady and balanced well throughout the entire cigar. Now we all know there is no crying in cigars, but it’s okay to be sad when a good one is gone…lol” –Ron (shuckins)

“My only complaint about this cigar so far is that the draw has become a little tight in the final third. Other than that, I’m still loving the flavors. The espresso has come back a bit and the wood has faded a little. Very dark in tone, very good. Just for the icing on the cake, some nutty flavors come out for the finale. Great smoke.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 90

“Draw was really very good for me.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Burn: 91

“The burn was solid for most of the cigar, but did wander occasionally.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Construction: 90

“Very well rolled cigar! I like the shape, with the tight little pig tail and shapely tapered foot, it’s like smoking a Porsche.” –Ron (shuckins)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

Overall Experience: 91

“I really enjoyed this cigar and plan on having it in my regular rotation. I will happily recommend this one to my friends.” –Ron (shuckins)

“On occasion I enjoy a spice bomb and tonight was one of those occasions. I was a bit disappointed that some of the other flavors weren’t allowed to come to the front and compliment the spices. I think there are better cigars in this genre, this one was a bit too one dimensional.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“This was a really good cigar and I enjoyed reviewing it. The flavors were great along with the changes. I wouldn’t argue with anyone who offered me a dozen or two! LOL! The only issue I had was that as I was midway into the final third I got a wicked case of heartburn. I’ve had that a few times with different cigars, and I wouldn’t consider this as a reason not to get some of these.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“Oh what promise it started with! Toasted nuts, dry wood, cloves and spices, and creamy smoke. It actually resembled a Ramon Allones Superiors for the first inch. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. Bitterness, burnt plastic, draw issues, burn issues… I’m not sure if it was just young, wet, or just a bad blend, but I’m not likely to give this one another try.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

“This cigar was right up my alley, nice bold dark flavors with some good transitions. This is a box-worthy smoke for sure, and would follow any big meal nicely. The spice was right in the bullseye of where I like it, not overpowering, but not boring. The flavors were quite balanced throughout and kept me interested.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 84

Total Score: 91 (Very Good)

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