Blind K A P L O W I T Z Scale Cigar Review - La Hoja Edicion 1962 Maduro - Offering #3 Serie III

B"H

PROJECT X, gentlepersons.

THE CIGAR

La Hoja Edicion 1962 Maduro

5 3/4 x 56 No. 9 Toro Box-press

w. Mexican San Andres

b. Dominican
f. Dominican Piloto Cubano & Nicaraguan

K A P L O W I T Z SCALE

K least, Z most

Construction W
Combustion L
Flavors W
Body W
Strength W

&

Sweet I
Sour O
Salty P
Bitter W
Umami O

&

Complexity I
Nuance I
Transition T
Balance I
Smoothness W

&

Animal I
Spicy L
Woody I
Vegetal W
Earthy L
Chemical K

SUMMATION

Rich yet intricately and delicately balanced, particularly in the sweet/sour realm -- backed by quite a BBQ note. Cedar and mesquite toast roast but never scorch. Sweetness is vastly low hanging apples and the wood limbs they cling to. Apple BBQ sauce. Bitter ramps up at half-way mark on a mocha note. Spice and white pepper are mainly on retro-hales and drop to palate in a bittersweet nutty manner, then to tongue in a kindly tingle. Finish is apple/wood and espresso. Mouth-feel is nice moisture level and already mentioned tingle. At times it errs toward dry, but never transgresses. Transitions well and gently so. Bitter realm flexes a new mocha -- then smokiness -- then a leathery venison quality -- then its oils. Post-finish is clean and pleasant sans chemical stuffs. Strength sneaks up with a war hammer in the 3/3. From an L to a W on one puff. Texture is a pleasant 'nuff creaminess which toasts throughout and stays cool to the nub.

Hand-feel is toothy and dry; a tick unwieldy. Lotsa tobacco, stay awhile. (I actually feel like I stayed longer than the clock said.) Combustion is a nice slow pacing but uneven and require-some of a couple re-touches. Nigh canoe-threat. A tick of tunnel threat. Some blistering. Ash is grey with light flaking but very densely core'd, yet too it lilts side-long off the uneven char. Press and packaging hold to half-way mark, then round/soften but maintain. Draw is a 99% medium tensioned ending in a satiated smoke-hole.  Smoke out-put is delicately robust off each end... a heavily starched lace curtain.

SMOKE TIME

110mins

FINAL GRADE

****A-****

L'shalom