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: 6.12″

Ring Gauge: 50

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez

Blender: AJ Fernandez

Number of reviewers: 4 —– Gregg (McGreggor57) Sandeep (Djangos) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (rhetorik)

Price: $6.50

Age: 3 Months Rest

Release Date: July 2013

Contributed by: Esteban Carreras

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 94

“The appearance of this cigar is extraordinary. The wrapper color is dark brown, slightly mottled, but evenly applied with no big veins. The pigtail cap and closed foot are the icing on the cake. The wrapper has no tooth and is pretty soft to the touch.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Aroma: 91

“The major aroma is of unsweetened chocolate and some coffee. There are also some sweet spices and a background of mild leather and tobacco.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 91

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cigar starts off with some white pepper which is pervasive. There is also some of the flavors that were present in the dry puff. The major flavor is that of unsweetened chocolate and some espresso. There is also leather and tobacco. In the background there is some dry hay and grass. The draw and burn are almost perfect. The ash is almost white and very flaky and fell off before an inch was up. The smoke is creamy and delicious.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“First puffs bring more of that sweetness I picked up pre-light, not much spice at all. The draw is nice and loose, and produces lots of smoke while drawing, but not much while resting. There is a nice layer of nuts and light espresso coming in on top of the underlying cake-like sweetness. Really enjoying this so far, not a lot of strength, but nice sweet flavors.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Second Third

Flavor: 90

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Some baking spice is picking up with toast and slight anise on the finish. Deeper into this third, the spice is becoming the main player. Not a lot of complexity, but the flavors present are solid.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“Second third continued where the first left off, a peppery spice and coffee. There is a hint of sweetness and the spice was ramping up. Had a hint of clove towards the end of the third, noticeable on the retrohale. Finish is still short and clean. Great continuation of this stick. During this third, the burn went goofy and wrapper started to come undone, but seemed to stop before the end of the third.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Final Third

Flavor: 89

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The cedar has returned. Combined with the toast, these flavors have elevated in strength and balanced out the baking spices. Nearing the nub, the cedar on the retrohale has become stronger. Every few puffs brought in some coffee.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The strength has picked up quite a bit in this third which is very welcome. It’s bringing out the wood flavors. I still get a background of light espresso and some nuts with just a little pepper now. After a bit, I start to also get a cinnamon spice flavor in the back of my throat, a nice litte finish to this smoke.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 98

“Draw was superb, couldn’t ask for anything better!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Burn: 94

“The burn line wandered a bit but always self corrected. Great smoke production and tight ash.”

Construction: 92

“This cigar was constructed well from start to finish, never hit any rough spots, or had any problems.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Strength: Medium

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

Overall Experience: 91

“Not overly complex, but solid flavors through and through. The baking spices played off the cedar, coffee, toast and anise very well. Not getting an overpowering pepper on the retrohale really allowed some of the other flavors to develop early.” – Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The cigar was great till the very end when a harshness crept in which I am hoping was just a one time thing. It is very difficult to imagine that such a good overall cigar could be this way in the end. Definitely need to find out what this one is!” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“I definitely enjoyed this stogie, from lighting to when I nubbed it. Draw was about as good as it gets. I couldn’t ask for anything more for the draw. The burn issue aand the wrapper issue to me wasn’t enough to drop it from the ‘very good’ category. I’d most definitely have another one or a dozen!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“This was a really good cigar, I ended up enjoying it a lot. I wish the spice had come through before the final third to bring out some of the other flavors. This would make a good late morning/early lunch cigar as it’s not too strong but builds strength. It reminded me a lot of a personal favorite the PDR 1878 Oscuro, but without the strength. I’ll be very interested to see what this was. Two thumbs up.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 75