Jan 15 2013

Cigar Review: Genesis: The Project by Ramon Bueso

Vitola:

Genesis: The Project. A small batch of super-premiums rolled in the Honduras. I have here with me a 6.5 x 50ish stick. It is very dark, definitely an oscuro wrapper. It is very smooth and shows no blemishes whatsoever. Hopefully this cigar is as oily as they say it is. It is packed a little on the tighter end, but we will see if the draw will be alright with a punch cut.

First Third:

A simple punch cut will do. The draw is good, so no need for a guillotine cut. The smoke output is fairly good. The smoke itself isn’t too thick, but it is heavy. It leaves me with a set of pleasantly scorched nostrils. As for the smell, it is fairly light and a little difficult to discern, but upon smoking a little longer I can tell that it’s the aroma of espresso beans. Hopefully, the flavor will become richer as we move on. There is a tiny bit of cream in the scent too, and it complements the coffee notes very well.

About an inch and a half into the stick I just got a huge whiff of coffee and cream. It is very pronounced and frankly I was a little surprised. The taste on the palate is very, very subtle — the simple bitterness and nutty taste of the aged tobacco.

The burn is a little uneven, but again, I think it may be my fault for not rolling the cigar onto its other side. However, this is a very oily, slow-burning wrapper and I will have some faith in the roller and allow the cigar a chance to correct itself. There is no sheen of the oil on the lip of the burning end, but it may be due to the cold. But the taste and burn speed of the cigar tell me that the wrapper is in fact very oily.

The burn is correcting itself nicely. The flavor profile has not changed much from the bold coffee notes, save for a fleeting savoriness that comes and goes.

Second Third:

The second third kicks off with a very distinct spike in creaminess. There is also a pronounced nuttiness in both the bouquet and on the palate.

The savoriness seems to have picked up, but so has the wind, unfortunately. It pains me to think that a warm, summer night would have given me the chance to enjoy the flavors at their peak. The coffee notes are very bold though, and luckily even the wind is having a hard time keeping it from me. Oh and I should also mention that the burn has corrected itself completely.

Final Third:

The final third starts off with a kick of spice and bitterness (and thankfully the wind is taking a break). The cream is pretty much gone at this point. The aromas and taste combine to form sort of a spiced coffee and dark chocolate feeling. Very nice. But I feel like there is a flavor profile I am not able to identify yet on my palate. It’s sort of a lingering nuttiness and bitterness that isn’t just a simple combination of the two. This must be the flavor profile of nutmeg, as the smoker is supposed to taste a whole lot of it. Also very nice. Though the taste is slightly bitter, it isn’t the sickening and lingering bitterness of cheap tobacco. It has a distinctive bite and smooth finish and it is definitely meant to be there.

The predominant aroma is a very interesting one. It is a mellow sweetness (from the dark tobacco) which kicks off with the bite of spice (probably nutmeg or cloves). The spice dies almost instantly and the sweetness finishes off with a distinctive bitterness on the palate which also in turn tapers off nicely, leaving me with a nuttiness on the palate. These are all flavors I have experienced before, but not in this particular combination and order. Quite a new thrill. It’s also a challenge for me to pick up the scents and flavors, and it’s a nice reminder of the long way I’ve come and the many cigars I’ve smoked to arrive at this level of experience.

At this point I’ve got about two and a half inches to smoke on this stick. The flavor has changed significantly as well. The smell is now predominantly of coffee and a very subtle saccharine breadiness (I think). My palate is overrun by a myriad of spices and the bitterness of coffee beans. From what I’ve experienced so far this is a very complex cigar. I am again pleasantly surprised. Also, though this may or may not have been intended, the mellow heat of the nub is giving me a very toasty finish as if I’ve literally had a sip of espresso. It adds very nicely to the nicotine rush. Excellent.

The smell of coffee and spice is very distinct now. The palate is still very pleasantly bitter. The smoke is still very rich and oily, full of flavor. I’m still smoking with an inch and a half left, but the heat is still not bothering me, thanks to the cold, I suppose.

Now the flavor is predominantly coffee, nuts, and spice. The bitterness has toned down. Seems like we’re coming in for a smooth landing.

Verdict:

Wow. Very nice cigar. Definitely super-premium. This is a degree of complexity I’ve never experienced before. I was typing almost nonstop about this session as you can see (save for the flavors lost in the second third due to the damn wind). Any experienced smoker would enjoy this stick immensely, as the flavor combinations are bold, complex, and very oily. I feel like the spice on the palate would really bring out the flavors in a nice glass of scotch. Excellent smoke. Whoever is reading this, do yourself a favor and grab a stick.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Jan 10 2013

Nub Cameroon Cigar Review

I’ve been reading about these stout bundles of joy for a while, and I finally got my paws on one this past weekend. There’s a lot to say about these dwarf-like cigars, and I’m not even sure where to begin.

Vitola:

At 4 by 60, these stogies are small and huge at the same time. The wrapper is a beautiful chocolate brown, with no imperfections at all. It’s said these things are engineered for success, and already I’m a believer. The Cameroon wrapper is notoriously difficult to get right, and these guys nailed it.

Smoke:

What a chimney! This thing drew like a dream, and the smoke billowed in unbelievable waves. Excellent construction with such a large gauge meant ample smoke throughout the entire smoke. Aroma was very flavorful, with a certain sweetness that was hard to place. Cedar would be my guess.

Flavor:

As I mentioned earlier, the Nub series are engineered for perfection. Most cigars require a first third to be smoked before the full flavors come through. Not so with Nubs, these bad boys pack a punch right out of the gate. The very first puff brings sweet cedar and and toastiness on the palate, very enjoyable. A little bit of leather hits the palette about halfway through, with notes of pepper. I’m not usually a humongous fan of pepperiness in cigars, but this is just something else. I can’t wait to get my hands on some more of these, and to try others in the series. That’s really the highest honor I can think to bestow on a stogie.

Smoking Time:

Total smoking time was 37 minutes. We were advised closer to an hour, but I just don’t see that happening. Perhaps the oily maduro wrapper Nub could approach an hour. This was a perfect 37 minutes, and I’d gladly smoke another Nub.

Jan 10 2013

Liga Privada T-52 Cigar Review

I stumbled upon this bad boy literally by accident, and my fortunes couldn’t have been better. The Liga Privada line is well known and loved, and any connoisseur can tell you the T-52 is elusive.

Vitola: 

A beautifully wrapped toro weighing in at 6 by 52. The habano wrapper is flawless. And by flawless, I mean flawless. Not an unseemly vein in sight, and the color is fantastic. Love was put into this stick.

Dry Draw:

I decided to punch cut the T-52, and I didn’t regret the decision at all. Initial flavor impressions are coffee and nuts. Not an uncommon start for a cigar, but the flavors to follow were really going to blow me away.

Smoke:

This smoke stick smoked like a locomotive. Draw was silky smooth, and smoke level was so copious I was actually worried it might be a problem in the cigar lounge I was at. The aroma out of the cigar was savory. Savory on a level I’ve yet experienced. I thought the Obsidian and Gurkha Empire IV were savory, but the T-52 knocked it out of the park. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear there was a full course meal laid out before me.

Flavor:

Earth and spice were predominant throughout the cigar. Much like an aged whiskey, the earthiness in the cigar was very pleasant and accompanied the savory aroma very nicely. Many reviews mention black pepper as an identifier of the T-52, but I have to say it didn’t come up for me. The spices were immensely enjoyable, light but complex. The flavors here were much more mild than I expected. Not that the cigar itself is mild by any means, but the Liga Privada line is known for its potency. I could easily seemyself smoking these daily, and has been raised to one of my top three cigars.

Smoking Time:

This cigar smoked for just over an hour. I think I could have made it last longer, but I got a little carried away with the tasty flavors in the first third and smoked it faster than I should have.

Jan 10 2013

Cigar Review: Black Crown

Vitola:

I have here with me a Black Crown Churchill. At 7 x 49, it’s a little smaller than the churchills I am used to smoking, but I have been meaning to smoke this one for a while. Very nice toothy Honduran habano wrapper. No obstructions in the cigar which are visible at this point.

First Third:

For this cigar I’ve made a punch cut. For cigars of larger gauges (which have rounded caps, of course) I like to make punch cuts. They’re much cleaner, meaning less tobacco pieces flying down your esophagus, and good puffs without putting the entire cigar in your mouth. I also like a little bit of resistance in my draws, and a punch cut usually gets the job done. Just some food for thought. Anyway, time to light up.

Right from the first puff, light coffee and cream in the scent. Some subtle woody cedar on the palate with a toasty finish (I’m usually reluctant to use this term as it is ambiguous and very hard to explain, but as of now there is a unique roasted aftertaste that aptly fits this description). Very nice.

There is a little bit of an unevenness in the burn, and it requires a minor fix.

Second Third:

The second third is not quite as creamy anymore, although the sweetness of the tobacco is still present for the most part. There is also another kind of sweetness—sort of a grainy, nutra-sweetness that you get from bread. I am very fond of this doughy scent and it reminds me of the Gurkha Legend and its cousin, the Gurkha Legend Vintage. Makes for a very nice complement to the coffee notes.

Upon entering the middle of the second third, a savoriness makes its presence known, and every puff ends with a slightly salty, savory finish. I am also very fond of this flavor as well, probably more so than the aforementioned breadiness. Though the scent is on the fuller side, the palate is still left relatively clean, save for the subtle notes of cedar. This savory flavor reminds me of the Partagas 1845 or even a lesser Liga Privada T52, which I will be reviewing later.

Final Third:

The flavor picks up in the final third, and I am mainly picking up the savoriness of meat, and light notes of roasted coffee beans.

Unfortunately, the burn has been a constant problem for me, and I think it is because only one side is properly seasoned. I do like to have the labels facing up in my humidor, so I can imagine that the less exposed sides are seasoned less, causing them to dry out and burn faster than normal. For all the smokers out there, perhaps it might not be a bad idea to turn your cigars once in a while so they can season well on all sides.

The meat is more pronounced now and the flavor is very savory. A very slight peppery bitterness has taken its place on the palate along with the wood, complementing the savoriness very well. I also daresay I’m picking up a very light vanilla scent, although I don’t find it to be very common in unflavored cigars. After a double take, a triple take, and confirmation from my compatriot Kyle, I can say with confidence that I was picking up hints of vanilla bean.

The flavor is dying down now, and the palate is clearing up as well. My last puff has a fleeting savoriness and a lingering woody, sweet scent.

Verdict:

This was an excellent smoke. The flavor profiles of the thirds were almost like those of a three-course meal: a toasty appetizer, a meaty entrée, and a vanilla-sweet dessert (though I must stress that the flavors were very subtle). If it weren’t for the uneven burn (which is to no fault of the roller, but actually mine) this would have been a very pleasurable smoking experience. I just wish I had taken the time to season this cigar properly. Otherwise, very tasty and complex flavors, excellent construction, and overall a very nice smoke.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Jan 2 2013

Cigar Review: Pinar Del Rio Oscuro Liga Cubana No. 2

Vitola:

I have just finished the Pinar Del Rio Sun Grown Habano Liga Cubana No. 5, but immediately next up is its darker cousin, the Pinar Del Rio Oscuro Liga Cubana No. 2 (blue label and ribbon). Contrary to the No. 5, the wrapper of the No. 2 is noticeably darker and toothier.

First Third:

Another guillotine cut, just as I did with its cousin. Immediately, I smell a combination of chocolate and meat. The scent is ever so slightly sweet, fairly savory, and has a nice salty finish. The taste left on the palate is slightly nutty and woody. I’m now finishing up the first third, and the flavors have been fairly consistent. The burn has been excellent as well as the smoke output, though the wrapper did tear a little in the middle from humidity shock.

Second Third:

Now I sense a little bit of coffee coming on, replacing the chocolate. I also smell just a tad bit of cream, without the sweetness. The smell is still very pleasantly meaty and savory. This is proving to be a very nice change in the flavor profile. The burn is also noticeably slower compared to the habano I just had—there is quite a bit of oil getting drawn out from the wrapper.

Final Third:

I have just started the final third, and I can tell that the flavors are mellowing out a bit. The smell is predominantly savory dark tobacco, and the finish on the palate is slightly bitter but mainly oaky. I’ve now smoked down to about an inch and a quarter. Unfortunately, the wrapper is starting to get loose, and since I don’t think the flavors will be lasting much longer, I think this will be a good place to finish.

Verdict:

This was a pretty solid cigar. I am very partial to savory, meaty, and oily flavors, so if you’ve got a liking to such flavors, this is would be a pretty good choice. As you can see, the smoking time was much longer than the sun grown habano due to the oils in the wrapper—approximately 14 minutes of extra smoking time. For this cigar, I’m not very sure what drink would go well with it, but I feel like anything dark and creamy would enhance the general smoking experience as the tastes on the palate are not very complex. Alternatively, this cigar would be a fine choice after a good meal. Even without a drink accompaniment, this cigar was very good to smoke by itself.

Total Smoking Time: 56 minutes

Jan 2 2013

Cigar Review: Pinar Del Rio Sun Grown Habano Liga Cubana No. 5

Vitola:

My buddy Kyle is out paintballing, and I am coincidentally broke, so here I am sitting in the middle of some godforsaken farmland in Chino, spectating. I’ve got many an hour to kill, so what better time for a cigar? I’ve got here with me a Pinar Del Rio Sun Grown Habano Liga Cubana No. 5. Very nice presentation. Very nice embossed labels and a festive ribbon on the end of each one. Just a side note: the ribbon is nice and all, but I’ve noticed that, without taking it off, the first inch of the cigar does not season properly even at a solid 80% humidity. For those who are planning to smoke a cigar with a ribbon on it, I’d recommend removing the ribbon prior to seasoning the cigar. I’ve learned from my mistake and have made sure to do so this time.  For those who don’t know this cigar by its name, it’s the one with the red ribbon and label. It’s a small cigar, rolled fairly well without too many blemishes, and a fancy pigtail knot on the cap of the cigar. The tobacco is a dark caramel color. Time to light up.

First Third:

I have tried to punch-cut these in the past after cutting off the pigtail, but since the cap is twisted closed, there is a lot of excess tobacco, and the use of a punch cutter leaves you with a lot of loose flaps of tobacco near the cut. So, for this occasion I’ve used my guillotine cutter. Now that I can taste the first third properly, I can say that the smell is fairly unique. The bouquet of the cigar is currently that of raisins and leather. I also daresay I sense a little bit of licorice in the mix as well. I think one would describe this smell as a “chewy” scent. The finish on the palate is fairly clean, save for a little bit of a leathery taste. Very pleasant. I feel as though a nice brandy would complement the raisin and leather fairly well. It’s a shame I don’t have any on me right now.

Second Third:

The first third burned away relatively quickly, mainly due to the dimensions of the cigar (5 x 52 or 54 I believe). The cigar itself does not burn away quickly though, as I can see the shine of a fair amount of oil in the sunlight. The flavors have changed since the second third—the finish on the palate is slightly more bitter. The chewiness of the smoke is a lot less pronounced, and I smell a lot more straight tobacco as opposed to the raisins and licorice. The leathery smell and taste is still there, although it seems to be fading a little bit. The burn has been fairly even, save for a little bit of canoeing in the first third which corrected itself relatively quickly.

Final Third:

I am now entering the final third. The aromas have not changed very much, but the taste is more distinctively leathery now.

I’ve smoked down about a third of the final third, and still no change in the scent of the smoke.

After smoking a little bit, I sense a little bit of savoriness coming out. I think it is perhaps a little bit too light though, as I really have to try to pick it up. Unfortunately, the cigar is too unbearably hot to smoke, so I have to put it out.

Verdict:

This cigar was very pleasant in the beginning, but was a little bit of a letdown in the final third. But overall, it was a fairly pleasant cigar to smoke. The presentation, construction, draw, burn, and smoking time were great, but this stick was a little lacking in the flavor department towards the end. It is a good amateur smoke, as it isn’t too large of a cigar and the tastes aren’t very bitter.

Total Smoking Time: 40 minutes

Dec 20 2012

Cigar Review: La Herencia Cubana – Oscuro Fuerte

La Herencia Cubana

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

Dec 16 2012

Liga Undercrown Cigar Review

Undercrown

Notes:

God damn finals are finally over. TIME TO SMOKE! I’ve been saving this one for review for quite a while. The Undercrown by Drew Estate, a spinoff of his famous and tasty Liga Privada line. I’ve smoked it once before and I was instantly hooked. I just had to review this one. Nice, dark wrapper. A nice, cedary pre-light scent with a hint of roasted coffee. It is packed perfectly. Perfect amount of resilience and resistance. Minimal veins and obstructions (made sure of that when I bought it). Also, I am smoking in the lounge, on a rather comfortable leather seat to the sound of Frank Sinatra’s Christmas music.

First Third:

Made a guillotine cut, knowing the cigar was well rolled. Perfect cut, excellent dry draw. And it should be—I’ve been seasoning this one for a while. The smoke is very tasty even with the first draw. The bouquet is moderately strong and very pleasant. I smell a little bit of a roasted mesquite wood scent. And oily leather. Almost meaty. Very savory. The smell of the tobacco itself is very dark and savory as well. The finish is slightly creamy without the sweetness. The aftertaste of this cigar is very light. I usually need to spit all the time and hence find it uncomfortable to smoke inside lounges, but I feel no need to do so right now. Every puff is just heavenly. Great combination of scents.

Second Third:

As soon as I enter the second third, an instant change. The woodiness and smoky, savory scents really pick up. This woodiness is definitely a creamy cedar. Very nice. The leather, meat, and oily tobacco tastes have toned down a bit, but they’re still there. I don’t say this very often, but I am seriously considering buying a box of these. Everything about the construction of this stick is spot-on. The burn is razor sharp and very quickly self-correcting. The draw is easy with the perfect amount of resistance. And the smell is just decadent. I’ve decided this great stogie needs a great drink accompaniment. I am now sitting down with a delicious Belgian white, called Duvel. The taste is light and the foam is creamy, a perfect match for this cigar. The cream accompanies the smell of the smoke very well. The taste of the cigar is light, but the beer brings out the flavor a bit more.

Final Third:

The creamy cedar is accentuated by the beer, but it is far from overwhelming the palate. The savory notes are only limited to the palate now and no longer in the bouquet, which is kind of a bummer, so I’m expecting a light finish. The woodiness and cream is still there though. I feel as if there isn’t that much oil in the final third, so the burn is actually speeding up a bit, though it’s still very even. Mmm—the meatiness is back! A very pleasant surprise. This stick is going to be quite hard to put down. Unfortunately, the pleasure is short-lived—I’ve smoked this stogie down to less than an inch, so it’s time to put it out. Perhaps it’s a business tactic, because I cannot wait to have my next Liga Undercrown.

Verdict:

Great cigar. So great that I would definitely buy a box when my financial aid money comes in next quarter. This just might be my go-to stogie. The taste is clean and so is the finish. The bouquet is a nice combination of dark, sweet-ish tobacco, savory, smoky, slightly salty, and meaty with a light touch of cedar and cream. The smell reminds me strongly of the Partagas 1845, another fantastic cigar. I’m surprised I never got any hints of coffee. Maybe there were and I just missed them. I will be sure next time, when I buy a box of these. Anyway, for those of you reading this, great smoke. Light on the palate, flavorful, and well-constructed.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour and 33 minutes

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Dec 13 2012

Man O’ War Ruination Cigar Review

Hold onto your hats ladies and gents, this here’s quite a ride. Man O’  War has become quite a staple for me whenever I’m looking for that full bodied punch after a savory dinner. This particular ruination certainly did not disappoint.

Vitola:

This bad boy features a 54 gauge at 5.5″. Quite the robusto, this stick packs quite a wallop despite the seemingly small size. The ruination comes in two robusto sizes, this one and a 6″ 60 gauge monster. Considering how strong the tobacco is, I’m quite content with the smaller of the two.

Dry Draw: 

I decided to punch cut this thing instead of my usual straight cut, and I was pleased with the ease of draw I got. Initial pre-light flavors were very complex. It took me several moments to sort out exactly what I was tasting. Coffee was present, but secondary to an unusual pre-light flavor: earthiness. Not common by any means, earthy flavors are usually absent in a dry draw, so this was quite the surprise.

Smoke: 

Smoke quantities from the ruination were moderate, nothing fancy. Considering I was sitting in a cigar lounge surrounded by no less than a dozen people smoking cigars at the time, this didn’t bother me so much. Aromas coming off the cigar were very unusual. An indescribable sweetness lingered in the smoke, quite at odds with what flavors the cigar itself gave off.

Flavor:

If there’s one word I had to use to describe the ruination’s smoking experience, it would be “smooth”. Regardless of what flavors I was getting at the time, this stogie was velvety throughout the entire smoke. The first third of the cigar starts off quite spicy. The complexity of the flavors is quite enjoyable, though. White pepper is predominant  at this stage. The spiciness slowly gives way to more pronounced yet lighter flavors, with oakiness being very evident. This just tastes like a well aged whiskey, and I can’t help but feel a little disappointed that the cigar is half gone. The final third of the cigar sees a toastiness rise alongside a flavor that I at first have quite a hard time identifying. It tastes like how a campfire smells, if that makes any sense. A toasty, woody, burnt flavor that is actually very nice. Almost comforting I’d say.

Smoking Time: 

The ruination has a very oily wrapper (evident in the corona-like sheen surrounding the burn) that prolongs the smoking time of this tobacco stick significantly. Burn time for me was just over an hour and a half.

Drink Pairing:

I enjoyed a Jameson and ginger ale with the ruination. I wasn’t quite in the mood for straight whiskey, but the 12 year aged Jameson has a nice woodiness to it that I think meshed with the ruination nicely. The ginger ale just helped to sweeten the overall experience; after all,  the ruination is full bodied and quite a heavy smoke.

Dec 1 2012

Obsidian Robusto Cigar Review

After a great meal at the Cheesecake Factory tonight, I decided to smoke something savory and strong, and the Obsidian didn’t disappoint.  This is a new cigar for me, so other than the excellent tips I’d received from our other writer Josh, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

Vitola:

This robusto sports a nice 5.5″ with a 54 gauge. Not the biggest cigar out there, but a deceptively long smoke. The Obsidian is a very oily cigar, which slows down the burn. I’ll talk more about smoking time later, but this is definitely a cigar to sit and take your time with.

Dry Draw:

I decided to use the punch cutter I got from my friend Darian tonight (attached to an attractive Nibo double torch lighter no less) to cut the Obsidian, and I was very pleased with the ease of draw I was getting. Surprisingly  cocoa was the most notable dry draw flavor I was getting, and would prove to be a dominant smell in the cigar’s bouquet (note: not a flavor in the cigar itself).

Smoke:

The Obsidian gave off very large quantities of nice, white smoke. The plumes were so large in fact, I almost felt like I was smoking my hookah. This is pretty unusual for a cigar, and I’m not sure if my stick was an errant aberration or if all Obsidians smoke this much. As I mentioned earlier, aroma notes out of the Obsidian were quite different from the flavors I was getting, with cocoa and coffee being quite evident.

Flavor:

The Japanese have a word that describes the Obsidian perfectly: umami. Meaning savory, it embodies everything about this wonderful stogie. First puffs after lighting are rich, with  tobacco dominating. This quickly gave way to a lovely roasted tobacco flavor, which would last until the cigar’s second third. The coffee gave way to one of my favorite cigar flavors: a savoriness bordering on meaty. “Meat” is not how I would describe it; rather, the cigar gives a feeling of savory contentedness that one receives after a particularly hearty, meaty meal. Having followed an excellent dinner, this was the perfect way to wrap up the night. The cigar’s final third saw a rise of another flavor. Though light, woodiness is unmistakable. Slightly oaky, this balanced well with the savory meatiness of earlier. It should be noted that the cigar was not peppery at all, and remained silky smooth throughout the entire smoke.

Drink Accompaniment:

I decided to keep things simple tonight with Jim Beam and coke. No need to get fancy, this is a nice, stiff drink. Jim isn’t the most robust whiskey out there, and it didn’t detract from the Obsidian’s delightful flavors.

Total Smoking Time:

1 hour 34 minutes. As I mentioned earlier, this seemingly small tobacco stick offers a nice long burn thanks to the oily wrapper.