Smoke Date: 7/25/09
Cigar Specs:
Length: 6.0
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Price: $6.00
Pre-Light:
Construction is near flawless with only one leaf vein visible. However when removing the band the wrapper was ripped and extra care had to be taken to correct that mistake. After cutting the draw is perfect with no appearance of being plugged and subtle hints of a nutty cedar like aroma. The cigar lit very easily and the burn was near perfect (see below) but never required retouching.
First Third:
A wonderful sweet woodsy flavor dominates the first third of the cigar. As I smoked it I noticed a wonderful aroma emanating from the head of the cigar. This smell was so pleasant I was repeatedly sniffing the head of the cigar over and over. Even though the cigar is made by Pepin for Ashton the classic Pepin pepper taste is absent but not at all missed in the various complex flavors present. The smoke is voluminous but not overwhelming with a silky texture. The draw is even and concise. After about half inch of ash I notice the ash is leaning about to fall off. A very gently tap verifies that the ash is loose as it falls into the stinky.
Second Third:
The cigar presents a cedar or coffee influenced character still reminiscent of the woodsy flavor in the first third of the cigar. The head of the cigar continues to emit a sweet nutty aroma that is quite intriguing. The smoke continues with the previous texture and the draw remains the same. As a result of the loose ash in the first third the cigar is burning slightly unbalanced but appears to be correcting itself quite nicely.
Last Third:
The cigar remains largely the same but towards the last part I was required to slow down my smoking considerably to keep from burning my tongue. Cedar notes dominate the last third of the cigar and I finally nub out the cigar after almost two hours. The cigar has corrected for the uneven burn completely and burns quite well.
Overall Impression:
I love this cigar. A few minor construction issues prevent this cigar from being legendary. The flavor profile could be a bit more complex but at this price it is an outstanding smoke. I can easily see why it was rated a 94 by the other CA.
- Jason
Overall Rating – 4/ 5 Stars
Overall Rating factoring its price – 5/5 stars
[Reply]
Great review Jason. I think we should do a box split of these....... oh wait.......
:-)
I may fire one up today, a very good cigar.
[Reply]
I agree with the review with the exception that I would rate at a 5/5. This cigar is at the top of my current favorites list and I expect it to remain in the top five for a long time.
Smoking a #2 at the moment and have another for later this afternoon. The #5's are my first choice as torp's are my preference.
Ron
[Reply]
