History Lesson first:
Twins Smoke Shop in Londonderry (and Hooksett) New Hampshire has brought back the 7-20-4 cigar, originally produced by the R.G. Sullivan company of Manchester, NH. R.G. Sullivan was the largest maker of 10-cent cigars in America, producing more than 54 million cigars a year in the early years of the 1900s from its seven-story factory and warehouse at 175 Canal Street in Manchester. 350 cigar rollers were employed making the famed 7-20-4 in 1910 and the brand was produced from 1875 until finally closing up shop in 1963. (The 7-20-4 building still stands in Manchester.)
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Review
Date: 9/16/09
Cigar: K.A. Kendall's 7-20-4 (Manufactured for Twins Smoke Shop, Londonderry & Merrimack, NH.)
Price: $6.75
Size: 5 x 46
Shape: Corona with pig tail
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: 3 different fillers, not specified
Binder: Columbian
Flavor: Medium bodied
Beverage with cigar: Iced Tea
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Appearance: medium-dark brown wrapper, slightly oily, with prominent veins.
Pre-Light: mild leathery smell. Good firm feel, no noticeable soft spots.
Clip: Very easy straight cut (Palio), no mashing or stray tobacco, or loosened wrapper.
Draw: medium
1/3: After initial light, strong, somewhat spicy with noticeable coffee/tea notes.
2/3: Initial strong coffee/tea has mellowed, but with a hint of baking chocolate now coming through making it mildly bitter, but in an enjoyable way.
3/3: The flavors have now faded a bit into a leafy, burnt coffee note. Very slight hint of honey(!) when I press some smoke thorough my nose.
Burn: Excellent! Seriously one of the best, most even burns of any cigar I've had.
Ash: would only hold on to about 1/2" But to me that's not a problem since I usually knock it off before 1" anyway.
Strength: medium-mild, very little nicotine effect.
Finish: The basic cigar flavor lingered several hours as a pleasant after-taste.
Time: I smoked very leisurely while reading a book, took about 60 minutes. Could probably be smoked in 30-45 if desired.
Impression: Nice, pleasant smoke, with great flavor for it's price point!
Comments: This is the second one of these I've smoked. I highly recommend them as they are a pleasant, easy smoke with lots of flavor. At $6.75 they are a bargain. Kurt Kendall, the owner of Twins Smoke Shop did a great job bringing an old cigar brand back to life.
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BTW: I am not employed by Twins nor do I have any interest in the business, except as a customer.
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