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: 4.87″

Ring Gauge: 50

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Factory: Nicatabaco SA

Blender: Vicente Castillo

Number of reviewers: 5—–Sandeep (Djangos) Milton (mjohnsoniii) Robert (NavyPiper) Dave (mdwest) Jason (bigslowrock)

Price: $4.00

Age: 4 Months

Release Date: July 2013

Contributed by: Roberto Duran Premium Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“Appearance is fair, as it looks rather rough. Color is medium, light brown, and is uniform in color. Cigar looks pretty straight, but has a lot of lumps and bumps, along with what appears to be stems or heavy veins under the wrapper creating ridges running the entire length. Head is flat with a short rounded shoulder.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Aroma: 93

“I get tons of aroma and scents from this cigar. I smell lots of deep barnyard notes with coffee and chocolate along with hints of fresh cut grass and nutmeg.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

First Third

Flavor: 89

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Upon initial light, I got plenty of black pepper that was very mild. There was also a faint harshness that could be tasted at the back of the throat. The harshness disappeared after about the first inch and transitioned into sort of floral notes and roasted coffee beans.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

“I’m really surprised by the flavor profile this stick produces. It is not at all like what I expected after the cold draw where I got very strong hay and barnyard notes, and not much else. The first third instead brings light, almost delicate flavors that are slightly floral and herbal with a very small bit of black pepper on the finish.” –Dave (mdwest)

Second Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Once the draw has opened up a little, the cigar opens a lot more. The floral nature and the sweetness of the flavors is a welcome change. The chocolate and coffee are more prominent as well. The smoke has improved considerably. The burn line is improving as well as the ash is holding a little better. The pepper is a constant feature but very mild and to the back of the throat. The strength has kicked up a little bit as well. Significant improvement to the initial third.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“This third doesn’t present the complexity of the first. I’m just getting the core flavors of cedar and pepper with just the slightest hint of creaminess.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Final Third

Flavor: 89

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“The sweet flavors of chocolate and coffee continue into the final third as well. The pepper is ramping up a bit in the last inch or so. The floral nature is now gone and replaced with more leather and hay like flavors. The draw continues to improve to the end. The smoke now is thick and creamy. As I nub it, I feel that the experience would have been definitely a lot better had it not been for the draw in the initial third. Overall not bad and would try again.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“The pepper noted on the finish of the first third, that started to fade away in the second third, is now all but completely gone. Very floral and herbal from beginning to end, this has been a very nice stick.” –Dave (mdwest)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 86

“The entire cigar smoked almost perfectly. It offered the perfect resistance and allowed me to taste the flavors that it did have to offer.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

Burn: 93

“I had a great burn on my cigar with no touch ups or relights. There was only a slight wave to the burn and there was decent smoke production.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Construction: 91

“The construction was great. There weren’t any soft spots and despite the almost tattered wrapper, it didn’t unravel or crack at all which honestly surprised me. ” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

Overall Strength: Medium

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium

Overall Experience: 90

“If it hadn’t been for the burn issues in the initial third, I would have scored it much higher. The flavor profile was very pleasant with sweeter and floral flavors. I will give it another try to see if the draw issue was a one time thing.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“This cigar definitely could have been better. It offered a few different flavors that didn’t necessarily pique my interests, but it was an overall decent hour and a half. I would keep some of these on hand, but I don’t think they’d be ones that I’d necessarily save for special occasions. It was…decent.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

“Overall I’d have to give this one a ‘fair.’ The appearance and construction looked pretty rough, and the wrapper and binder issues didn’t help at all. Flavor wise, the pepper was pretty dang stout. Don’t get me wrong, I like spicy, peppery stogies, just this one was really, really peppery, to the point that it was almost too much for me. When it settled down in the final third, that was, to me, the best third for flavor. Would I try another, sure. I’d like to see if having an intact wrapper and later wrapper and binder would affect the flavor at all, but probably wouldn’t go chasing down a box for the humidor.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“A true medium strength, medium flavor cigar with an extremely nice profile and wonderful silky smooth smoke. I would certainly be interested in smoking this one again.” –Dave (mdwest)

“I didn’t get any real complexity from this cigar, but I did enjoy it. If I was in the mood for the flavors delivered here, I would smoke one again.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 80

Total Score: 90 (Very Good)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

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