BRAND: H. Upmann
BLEND: Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage
WRAPPER: Brazilian Mata Fina
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (654)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Full
SPICE: 3.5/5
NOTES:
Coffee beans | Black Pepper | Dark chocolate
Light up is akin to walking into a large room, wherein a few people are screaming. Also, the floor was just waxed. Perhaps freshly-mopped. When you walk on a wet floor, you walk slowly. Smoke this too fast, and it quickly begins exhibiting creosote then gasoline note attachments. Smoked paprika
Slow-smoking also helps to hear the lesser screams of molasses and dark floral notes out-from-under the louder espresso beans, waxy dark chocolate, and black pepper, red pepper, produce peppers. Also what comes through, if smoked too slowly, is a bandage adhesive note found always on the aroma.
My initial reaction was 'Sorry, wrong room.' But I am glad I stayed and grew acclimated. Raisin wine and cayenne on the retro-hale. Nicely balanced. Consistent to the point of making me a bit punchy from getting hit in the same spot on my head over and over and over again.
Throbbing and plodding; needs a quick jab (slow puff) to maintain safe distance. A somewhat hesitant draw is actually quite welcome. Burns on an even line, builds nice ash, seams and cap hold well. Don't throw in the towel. After the first few rounds, if you don't get caught--it becomes a dangerous and satisfying dance.
TASTE: B
DRAW: B
BURN: A-
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
