Notes:

I’ve had a fairly productive day doing chores around the house that I have neglected to do during finals week. But there is one thing I don’t do enough of—smoking. So I have here with me on a pleasant evening a cigar by La Herencia Cubana, also home to the Core line of cigars. This particular stick here is the Oscuro Fuerte, apparently yet another cigar that is rolled by A. J. Fernandez. The wrapper is on the rougher, grainier side, but it is not as dark as the other oscuros I have smoked. Considering that this is an alleged oscuro and a double corona at that, I should be expecting a lengthy smoking time, but something inside me tells me that there won’t be too much oil in the cigar to slow the burn down. We will see. The pre-light aroma is that of sweet cocoa, and maybe some coffee. I have been seasoning this for a while so let’s see how it smokes.

First Third:

Another guillotine cut. Tonight I didn’t have a choice as I have misplaced my Bugatti B-1 torch lighter which has a built-in punch cutter. But nevertheless the cut is clean, and after toasting the foot, we’re in business. Right from the first puff I smell a mild but distinct chocolately sweetness. It was expected from what I have read about this cigar, but not this early on. A great way to start. The smell of sweet tobacco is also beginning to emanate from this stick. And on my palate I taste a certain nuttiness and woodiness. The finish is very clean though which is nice, but that also means that the flavor does not linger on the palate for long, unfortunately. It’s a mild but pleasant start, and hopefully we will be getting some more pronounced flavors as we progress through the thirds.

Now I am about halfway through the first third, and the sweetness is still there, but some more aromas were added to the mix. The smell is still chocolatey, but right at the end of the scent, I feel a subtle tartness, somewhat like that of raisins or some other dried fruit. The taste is slightly different now as well: the woodiness is more pronounced now, and it tastes like oak to me. Also, a pleasant bitterness has entered the mix as well, complementing the sweet aroma and giving me the sensation of a fruit-infused bar of dark chocolate. I also sense the onset of a little bit of spice, like white pepper, but I might be wrong. We will see.

Second Third:

No pepper on the palate as of yet, but other significant changes have taken place. The tartness in the scent has lost its bite, and has mellowed out a little bit. It was a nice scent while it lasted. Also, the bouquet has taken on a distinct, moderately strong roasted coffee flavor. The sweetness has toned down as well, and in conjunction the bitterness has picked up quite a bit, though it is fleeting and does not linger as much. This combination of flavors reminds me of the cup of Brazilian black coffee that I had a few nights ago. An interesting transition.

The ash clings well to the cigar, and burn is fairly even with the exception of one section that is always dipping a tiny bit more down the stick. I am still satisfied. The smell of cocoa has made a small but noticeable return, but not the sweetness. Nevertheless, in combination with the savory coffee notes, it makes a good combination. However I am still secretly hoping for the tartness to come back again.

Final Third:

I am starting to think perhaps my prediction about the smoking time is correct. There isn’t that much oil soaked in the tobacco, so this oscuro smokes like your average habano wrapper. I have only smoked about 48 minutes, and I am already down to the second band and the final third. Let’s see where this goes.

The roasted coffee flavor is declining and I am sensing an increasing amount of nuttiness in the scent. The taste on my palate is also decreasing in bitterness and a clean woodiness is taking its place. The experience is something close to a light coffee and the familiar but subtle proteiny bitterness of almonds.

I am about a third through the final third, and I am surprised by a sudden spike in nuttiness, both in the scent and on the palate. It is accompanied by the smell and taste of straight tobacco. The flavors right now are a little boring, but still very much pleasant.

As if the cigar could read my thoughts, it has presented me with a less boring addition. I am now tasting leathery notes and the smell has taken on a more savory profile. The flavor is a little bit wishy-washy, alternating between nuttiness and oakiness.

I have now smoked down to an inch and a half, and it is this stogie’s final chance to shine before I make a verdict. The tastes are still the same as before, and so is the smell. I just wish the meatiness would pick up a little bit, but I suspect the flavors will mellow out soon and leave me with a clean finish.

As predicted, the sensory stimulation is grinding down to a halt, and it’s now time to put this cigar down.

Verdict:

Decent cigar. Nothing really special, just a mediocre smoke in my humble opinion. There was nothing about the construction, the flavor, or taste that was particularly striking. If anything, the smoking time for this stick was a bit underwhelming for its length and darkness. Also, the flavors are on the milder side and they can be a little hard to pick out at times. I’d say a simple Romeo Y Juliet would make a better smoke than this cigar. It still makes for a nice relaxing smoke, but it’s not particularly good, or particularly bad.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour and 14 minutes