PROLOGUE
I've taken too long to realize that "Punch Drunks" is very much retold in "Playing the Ponies." The part of Curly is played by Thunderbolt -- the guy who goes nutsy strong when Larry fiddles, becomes the horse who goes nutsy fast when he gets fed pepperino snacks by, you guessed it, Curly. Fine, it'd be cooler if (Larry) Fine fed him the treats like he fed the other him the tunes. I'll discuss this more at a later date. Remind me if'n I forget.
#TheThreeStooges
Is there much else much better than stooges and stogies? I almost took that on as a project. Stoogies & Stogies. Still like the idea. Also, let's see if I like --
THE CIGAR
Wilson Adams CigarsRed Label (Sumatra)
Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper
Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder
"Predominantly" Nicaraguan
No. 4 (6 x 52 Toro)
Sample courtesy of Mr. Brandon K. Wilson of Wilson Adams Cigars.
PRE-LIGHT
Brown. The thing is brown. I 'spose chocolate complected and fine-tooth textured. A bit of espresso bean hued marbling over-top. A reddish-yellow vibrancy underneath it all. Veins are there in plenty, as are off-shoots of spiderweb veins. None hamper the hand-feel or seem to be a threat to the burn. Nice sheen over-top of the thing. Oil-slick to the hand. Seams are visible but even. Cap looks a tad jenky cosmetically. Structurally, it doth appear sound. Foot tobacco is medium+ dense in appearance, and missing a tiny tuft o' guts. There is a speck of very dark near black tobacco in there, the rest is a matte cocoa with auburn upticks.
Density of pack is an even medium throughout, which reacts lively to a Charmin squeeze. Schnoz notes from the shaft are an unassuming hay/earth note with a hint of leather. Floral spice rack at the foot, in a far away and almost dusty mineral way. I Old Timer Mighty Mite the cap off and a cold pull is a medium+ resistance which delivers dusty notes of haunting nondescript spices, stiff leather, and a bit of red pepper in the throat.
Density of pack is an even medium throughout, which reacts lively to a Charmin squeeze. Schnoz notes from the shaft are an unassuming hay/earth note with a hint of leather. Floral spice rack at the foot, in a far away and almost dusty mineral way. I Old Timer Mighty Mite the cap off and a cold pull is a medium+ resistance which delivers dusty notes of haunting nondescript spices, stiff leather, and a bit of red pepper in the throat.
LIGHT
10:40amToasting the foot gives stiff leather aroma notes, which contain a bit of a floral component. First hot pull is stiff leather, earth, and hay -- in that particular order. Finish intros a nice cocoa that clings to the creamy mouth-feel and sweetens once there. Second hot pull is retro-haled and BAM red pepper. It does a nice bit on the draw, showing another dimension there. Serves to lengthen legs on finishing, as it abrades the cheeks and palate just enough to hold notes a bit longer. Cocoa is interesting. It begins on the finish, but in such a way as wrapping around from there to influence the draw. Kinda sdrawkcab. I like it.
Primary notes are red pepper and cocoa. Secondary notes are hay, leather, earth, and floral stuffs. Kitchen spices appear to be backing it all, which is another somewhat oddity. Mouth-feel is a creamy but not burdensome thing.
Room-notes are cocoa and leather with a red pepper twang. Off the foot, there is a floral bit that has yet to fill the "room," (read: my porch).
Burn is not even, but still working off an outdoors lighting. Packaging holds, draw is a medium+ resistance and right in my wheelhouse there. Profile is straight to a good, solid medium. When's lunch? Ash is salt/pepper flaky ladder rungs and I ready my schmatta in my lap. I'm NOT wearing a suit. I simply threw on a by-the-door suit jacket and happened to be wearing Dickies pants. Both black. I'm kinda wearing a suit.
ACT I
Finish of cocoa earthinesses has extended to my near-lips and near-throat and it's awful nice. Very long legged. Lotsa smoke output both off the foot and into my smoke-hole. Red pepper doesn't mute, but roasts to maturity and looses it's abrasiveness. Very warm and cozy against the cocoa. I'm calling the spices kitchen, because it sounds better than generic. Tastes better, too. Floral notes have both darkened and subdued. Those kitchen spices are a secondary note now, as the hay earthiness goes to the backing. It's a high backing though, and it showcases what it carries quite well. Leather ebbs and flows in a seemingly meaningful way, as each movement brings attention to another note. Cream remains light but not airy -- again, just not weighty. Moisture level is near perfect with a tick toward dryness but nothing requiring a sip.
Burn is not evening, but not needing a touch-up either. Its line is either thin or medium, dependant upon where you look. Toasting cream brings body to medium+, deepening and entrenching notes bring flavors to medium+, and strength is still medium+ as well. I guess I could have simply stated medium+ profile, huh? Ash is flaky but ain't dumped yet. It's a tad yellowed, as is the foot-smoke. At the end of the opening act, cocoa is a definite sweet creamy dark chocolate and floral notes are on the rise. Very nice.
Leather tightens and sharpens. Floral notes hold quite well. Coasting...coasting...costing. Ash darkens and gets flakier; flowers a bit. A nice mineral zetz is upon us. It's nicely balanced by a touch of raw sugar. Moisture of the mouth-feel has dampened nicely to a perfect level. I love the way this Red Label stick seems to call its shots -- we are transitioning. Very well-orchestrated performance. Unlike my previous cigar, one from CAO.
MORE smoke? Well, hot dawg! Pace quickens and notes all grow. Thus far, it's been a transition which serves to show a pre-determined course has been set from the very beginning and prior to that, even. An occasional retro-hale is recommended as it feels great in the sinuses and enhances a fantastic red pepper. Nice warm chest. Comfortable throat. An inch of growth is rolled off and is cosmetically the same, but with less oiliness. Raw sugar note goes to brown sugar. I'll again mention the floral notes: they stay in spite of being surrounded by very powerful flavors. Very impressive. A bit of wrapper doesn't ignite, but I'll hold off on a re-touch. Seams open a tick ahead of the burn, ultimately holds.
A bit of salt is sprinkled toward the mineral aspect and it's nicely done. I always like the addition of a salty mineral vibe, although I'm aware it ain't everyone's cup of tea. It's in the earth backing and seems to brace the hay note therein for a fairly complex canvass for limited but powerful and delineated top notes. Oh, burn corrects itself and the burn-line shows an even thin+. Nutmeg and to a lesser extent cinnamon, distinguish themselves from the kitchen spices. I'd say they are now a more familiar baking spice mix. Far less dusty than before.
Profile is medium +. Draw is unchanged. Density of construction retains its firmness but picks up a tad of sponginess as the table is set for --
Red pepper flares, then subdues and mineral earth joins chocolate as primary notes. A deep floral vibe heightens to lead the secondary flavors of baker's spice and leather/oils. A coffee note comes in as the band approaches and is always a wonderful way to end a great meal. Now shut up, Kap, and grab a toothpick.
Burn is not evening, but not needing a touch-up either. Its line is either thin or medium, dependant upon where you look. Toasting cream brings body to medium+, deepening and entrenching notes bring flavors to medium+, and strength is still medium+ as well. I guess I could have simply stated medium+ profile, huh? Ash is flaky but ain't dumped yet. It's a tad yellowed, as is the foot-smoke. At the end of the opening act, cocoa is a definite sweet creamy dark chocolate and floral notes are on the rise. Very nice.
ACT II
We begin here with a clumping off of an inch+ of ash. It's cool and dense coarse powder with a nice dab of oil. Red pepper intensifies without hurting. Chocolate is pretty. Secondary is the already mentioned notes, backing is another ditto. We're coasting nicely, gentlepersons. Very well-constructed Wilson Adams offering. Very much a smoker. Smoke out-put is even more so than prior, and the burn slows to smoldering. Near evens, too.Leather tightens and sharpens. Floral notes hold quite well. Coasting...coasting...costing. Ash darkens and gets flakier; flowers a bit. A nice mineral zetz is upon us. It's nicely balanced by a touch of raw sugar. Moisture of the mouth-feel has dampened nicely to a perfect level. I love the way this Red Label stick seems to call its shots -- we are transitioning. Very well-orchestrated performance. Unlike my previous cigar, one from CAO.
MORE smoke? Well, hot dawg! Pace quickens and notes all grow. Thus far, it's been a transition which serves to show a pre-determined course has been set from the very beginning and prior to that, even. An occasional retro-hale is recommended as it feels great in the sinuses and enhances a fantastic red pepper. Nice warm chest. Comfortable throat. An inch of growth is rolled off and is cosmetically the same, but with less oiliness. Raw sugar note goes to brown sugar. I'll again mention the floral notes: they stay in spite of being surrounded by very powerful flavors. Very impressive. A bit of wrapper doesn't ignite, but I'll hold off on a re-touch. Seams open a tick ahead of the burn, ultimately holds.
A bit of salt is sprinkled toward the mineral aspect and it's nicely done. I always like the addition of a salty mineral vibe, although I'm aware it ain't everyone's cup of tea. It's in the earth backing and seems to brace the hay note therein for a fairly complex canvass for limited but powerful and delineated top notes. Oh, burn corrects itself and the burn-line shows an even thin+. Nutmeg and to a lesser extent cinnamon, distinguish themselves from the kitchen spices. I'd say they are now a more familiar baking spice mix. Far less dusty than before.
Profile is medium +. Draw is unchanged. Density of construction retains its firmness but picks up a tad of sponginess as the table is set for --
ACT III
Mouth-feel oils up, as does the wrapper and ash. I don't think ya could tap it off if ya tried. The oils spread from the leather note and to all the others; not in a mottling way, however. In the way you might sink into a rich leather easy chair. Primary notes are chocolate and red pepper still -- speaking of still -- all else is unchanged. Very undemanding yet un-boring offering from Wilson Adams. Not over anyone's head, just some might find deeper enjoyment than others. We strain the borders of medium+ profile, but the boundaries doth hold.Red pepper flares, then subdues and mineral earth joins chocolate as primary notes. A deep floral vibe heightens to lead the secondary flavors of baker's spice and leather/oils. A coffee note comes in as the band approaches and is always a wonderful way to end a great meal. Now shut up, Kap, and grab a toothpick.
NOTES
Another on construction: At the band, I ran inside to cut up an start some potatoes frying. That takes what, a couple/few minutes? The nub was ready to smoke smoke smoke.
PAIRINGS
Coffee. I'd imagine it might pull out some coffee notes that I'd further imagine were lying underneath all along. Or at least it'll put 'em there.
FINAL GRADE
****A-****
LESS SCHTICK MORE STICK
Mellow: Warmly not overlyCoarse: Comfortably so
Sweet: Quite but in balance
Spicy: Red Pepper
Savory: Kinda
Strength: Medium+ on avg. Comfy not dull
Draw: Great
Burn: Hiccups and fixes itself
Construction: Wundy
Primary note: Chocolate. Red Pepper till 3/3
EPILOGUE
Burn: Hiccups and fixes itself
Construction: Wundy
Primary note: Chocolate. Red Pepper till 3/3
EPILOGUE
11:55am
Just go see about Mr. Wilson, huh?
Just go see about Mr. Wilson, huh?