I know this cigar has been reviewed on the other site but after smoking a couple of these I thought I'd have a go at it. The first time I tried the Decade it was in the torpedo size. I was a little dissapointed considering the 95 rating it had received from CA but I had smoked it straight from the local shop. Maybe it needed a little time to dry out or maybe it was just me. A friend then gifted me a robusto and I was very happy to revisit this blend in a different size. I immediately purchased another and it's been sitting in my humi at 67% for about 3 months. Time to burn it!
**I have since figured out how to use the macro function on my camera to take better close ups**
:-)
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RP Decade Robusto 5x50
Full Strength
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Dark Sumatra
Filler: Nic
Binder: Nic
Origin: Honduras
Price: $8.50
Place: my porch
Weather: 56F and sunny
Drink: filtered water
Smoking buddy: Bogey
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I "primed" it in a non humidified cedar box for 24 hours before torching. This stick has a slight box press and was firm to the touch. While fairly well constructed there were a few gaps where the wrapper overlaps itself, slight veins, and a beautiful dark chocolate color.
Clipped smoothly, foot smells of sweet tobacco and earth. Prelight draw is almost perfect for me, just the slightest bit firm and spiciness immediately on my lips. Toast and first draw is powerful: black pepper, earth, slightly grassy, wood.
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First 1/3:
I noticed a slight tear in the wrapper about 1 1/2 inches from the foot but no problem otherwise. Light gray ash and smoke and I'm hoping the draw will improve just slightly as it burns. Burn is perfect so far and the draw improves after 1/2 inch as it heats up. Good amount of smoke, lots of leather, subtle tanginess, long dry finish, definitely woody, and getting spicier.
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Second 1/3:
Still a nice leathery flavor on the front of my tongue, burning nice and cool. Flavor is a little acrid so I purge about halfway through and immediately it mellows out, smoke is super creamy now. Draw is excellent, espresso comes to mind, still lots of wood, leather is fading.
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The free lighter I just received from gjcigars.com
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Last 1/3:
I’m picking up orange peel, leather has returned, notes of wood are fading, smoke is billowing now. I wasn't crazy about the aroma at first but now it is awesome.
Appearance: 9 (beautiful color, classic band design)
Construction: 8 (in line with RP, small bubbles drop it a point)
Burn: 10 (perfect, no issues, no touch up)
Draw: 9 (starts out slightly firm, finishes perfectly)
Aroma: 8 (starts strong and harsh, mellows out)
Flavor: 8 (not super complex, subtle variation as it burned)
Final Score: 8.7
Would I buy this cigar again? You betcha and I’d like to try it after some significant aging. Till next time…
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