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: Toro

Length: 6″

Ring Gauge: 54

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: San Andres Maduro

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Factory: Tabacalera La Palma

Blender: Rafael Nodal

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

Price: $8.60

Age: 4 Months Rest

Release Date: July 2013

Contributed by: Boutique Blends

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“Solid construction with a thick chocolate brown wrapper. Veiny, but flat, with a light sheen. Seams appear a bit loose, and the cap appears a bit sloppy. Draw feels perfect.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Aroma: 89

“Aroma of chocolate and coffee are predominant and on the dry puff there is definitely some pepper and some leather.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“A blast of peppery leather on light up, followed soon after by a coffee and earthy sage tasting tobacco that lingers on my palate. I think it’s a very interesting start to the cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Wow what a very nice start! There is leather, wood and a greek or Turkish coffee flavor. Nothing overboard and in your face, just a gradual growing and flowing of flavors. This is an awesome start, and the texture of the wrapper is wonderfully different. Can’t wait to enjoy every inch of this!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Second Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“More leather is joined by the coffee as the earthy sage picks up a bit of aged wood flavor. It is blending together nicely when suddenly the pepper steps up and kicks it into another dimension.” –Ron (shuckins)

“The cigar continues to deliver some nice flavors. I’m getting nice notes of chocolate, pepper, nuts and earth.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Final Third

Flavor: 94

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“A little creaminess is trying to come to the front as more leather joins the coffee when the earthy sage fades a bit. The aged wood has more of a cedar taste to it that blends well with a peppery allspice as it gets to the nub.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Man, what a stick! In this third, everything but the leather is pretty much gone. Its now about 50/50 leather and medium tobacco, and on exhaling either through the nose or mouth, there is a heat that lasts on the tongue and in the sinuses for a few seconds. I was expecting harshness or bitterness as I neared the end, but it never happened. This was a very, very nice way to end this stogie! Love it!!!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 88

“The draw was a little tight at times, but well worth the effort, as it produced a tasty smoke.” –Ron (shuckins)

Burn: 95

“Cigar had almost a perfect burn. Excellent ash retention. Copious amounts of smoke. The burn wavered just a bit is the only knock here.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Construction: 93

“Seemed decently constructed. No major soft spots, no plugs. Nice round shape.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Overall Strength: Medium

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium

Overall Experience: 87

“A very interesting cigar with lot’s of solid flavors that challenged my palate, in a good way.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Overall, the experience was not a very pleasant one with this cigar. Not only were there issues with the burn, but also a harshness that was present almost the entire time. Also, the flavors were one dimensional and there was not much complexity to speak of.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“This was a magical cigar. It was an hour and a half of pleasure, surprise, relaxation and excitement at what was coming next the whole time! From the wrapper to the draw, burn, appearance, flavors, everything, it was an amazing cigar to have the opportunity to smoke and review!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“Excellent cigar overall. While it wasn’t that interesting from the flavor change department, it delivered very enjoyable flavors from start to finish.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“It remains relatively unexciting and ultimately unfulfilling. Mild tobacco with an herbal bitterness, hints of baking spices and a touch of sweetness. I really wish the chocolate of the first half inch had stuck around, as that would have at least made this a pleasant bargain stick. Unfortunately, as it is, I won’t smoke another one of these and can’t see myself recommending this one.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 83



Total Score: 90 (Very Good)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

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