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: Torpedo

Length: 6.25″

Ring Gauge: 52

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sungrown Habano

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic

Factory: Cuban Stock Cigar Co.

Blender: Undisclosed

Number of reviewers: 5 —– Dave (mdwest) Robert (NavyPiper) Brian (B-daddy) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Emmett (rhetorik)

Price: $8.30

Age: 1 Month Rest

Release Date: 2009

Contributed by: Cuban Stock Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“A handsome cigar. Deep dark brown wrapper with a slightly oily sheen. Moderate box press that increases in degree to the foot. Wrapper has a few medium sized veins and very tight seams. It has a toothy roughness to it. Overall, a very attractive cigar. The foot is cut noticeably uneven though (maybe indicative a QC issues?).” –Brian (B-daddy)

Aroma: 90

“The aroma from the foot and wrapper is very faint, maybe some cofffee. The pre-light draw, however, is quite sweet and creamy. ” –Emmett (rhetorik)

First Third

Flavor: 91

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“First few puffs were a pretty good blast of pepper, settling down to flavors of strong dark coffee, smoky wood and tobacco. Not much in the way of smoke, and the draw and burn are good. Half way into the third, the wrapper split , extending to half way of the 2nd third (major bummer!). Towards the end of the third began getting a nice sweetness. Other than the wrapper splitting, this is a great start and I’m excited to see what this stogie gives me!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“This cigar is giving me a nice distribution of wood, coffee and spice . The draw is a little snug for my taste, but I’m getting enough smoke. This spice to me is a mixture of cumin and paprika, more what I would call cooking spice than baking spices. The wood is definitely a cedar taste, and the coffee is light. Towards the end of this third, an earthy sweetness comes in suddenly, like a raisin taste.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Second Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Pepper continues to be the strongest flavor present well into the second third. Chocolate notes begin to become present in the second third as well though and the cedar seems to have come back a little bit. The smoke is creamy and smooth. The further I get into the second third the more strength is shown. We are now well into the medium-strong range.” –Dave (mdwest)

“In the second third, I start to pick up on some bittersweet chocolate, which mixes very nicely with the earth and tobacco core. The flavors and body become less intense but a bit more to my liking. The length of the finish also decreases. During the second half of this third, the woodiness (oak) comes back and overrides the chocolate but it’s still there in the background.” –Brian (B-daddy)

Final Third

Flavor: 91

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“At the beginning of the final third the flavors are still the same (strong coffee, smoky wood and tobacco, as well as the sweetness), but about half way into the third, the sweetness went away, and it slowly began to grow harsh and bitter. Bummer about this third, I was really digging this stick! The aroma of the smoke is still there which is VERY pleasing!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“As the final third came into play there was a note of earth/dirt that developed. The change of pace was welcome as there really weren’t any flavors up to that point. As the earth faded a bit of a note of black coffee appeared but remained very subtle till the nub.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“The draw was tight at first, but opened up after the first third.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Burn: 95

“Truly a great burn. The stick kept an extremely sharp line from start to finish. No touch ups required.” –Dave (mdwest)

Construction: 93

“Nice solid ash and a good burn and draw. Nothing to complain about here. There was one small firm area just above the foot but it didn’t prove to be any problem at all. The crooked foot was a non-issue once the flame was applied.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

Overall Experience: 91

“Overall a really nice smoking experience. If this isnt a Pepin stick, it certainly reminds me of one. Well made, nice flavors and creamy smoke. What more could you ask for?” –Dave (mdwest)

“Overall impressions are that I really liked this stogie. I’d accept more any day! I couldn’t ask for a better draw and burn that continued despite the wrapper splitting. Flavors were very good, and the aroma of the smoke was fantastic. Despite that dang wrapper splitting bad, and the harshness and bitterness in the final third, this was a great smoke, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what it is!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“I’m a little torn on this cigar. The appearance, construction and performance were really good throughout most of it but each of them had little missteps/weaknesses. The flavors were lackluster in the first two thirds but the cigar finished very strong. I actually want to rate this cigar high because of the high-points and the potential it showed but it did ‘drop the ball’ a few times. Overall, though, I’d smoke it again. I’d buy and smoke a couple more before passing judgement.” –Brian (B-daddy)

“This was a good morning smoke for sure…easy and mild and needing no attention to detail. I’d smoke another if I could track one down.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“This was a great overall experience, I would recommend at least a fiver of these to anybody, and a box for myself. The transitions of flavor were some of the best I’ve seen and the flavors were always balanced and never overpowering. Great cigar.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 100

Total Score: 92 (Excellent)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Cuban Stock | Royal Selection Torpedo