Monday, October 14, 2024

La Aurora Cigars 115th Anniversary Regular Production in Review

BRAND: La Aurora
BLEND: 115th Anniversary

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
BINDER: Brazilian
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Brazilian

FORMAT: Toro (5 3/4x54
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
INTENSITY: Medium-full
SPICE: 3/5

NOTES:
Cedar (toasted) | Butterscotch | Black pepper

Straightforward-uncomplicated. Could still take a newbie into deep-sarsaparilla waters. Leathersavory oils atop compact-composted earth. See italicized for what is above those aforementioned. 90% cocoa twixt.

TASTE: B+
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

::: very ::: 

Friday, October 11, 2024

J London Cigars Gold Series in Review

BRAND: J London
BLEND: Gold Series

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Connecticut
BINDER: Ecuadorian Connecticut
FILLER: Dominican

FORMAT: Piramide (652)
ORIGIN: Dominican
INTENSITY: Mild-medium
SPICE: 1.5/5

NOTES:
Cedar | Vegetal | Citrus

Champagne foam. IPA head? Frothy. Some hops. Lively cedar. A small garden of white-yellow springflowers; white-pink peppercorn borders. Witch hazel astringency. Drying, some. Orange Julius.

Smokes like a Monet. The Artist's Garden at Vetheuil, in ways. Sure beats Coolidge's Dogs Playing Poker, in ways.

TASTE: B+
DRAW: B+
BURN: B
BUILD: B+

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

::: very ::: 

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

H Upmann Cigars Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage in Review

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 ::: 

Monday, October 7, 2024

CAO Cigars Arcana Series Thunder Smoke in Review

BRAND: CAO
BLEND: Thunder Smoke (Arcana Series)

WRAPPER: Honduran Olancho San Agustin
BINDER: Mexican San Andres
FILLER: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon

FORMAT: Toro (6.5x52)
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 1.5/5

NOTES:
Blackberry* | Earthiness** | Spiced tea***

*Compote. **Compost. ***Chai tea notes move in Tai Chi movements. Circular circles circle loosingly-consistently. Laterally-lower, sweet dark nondescript meanderings meander~borderlessly. Ravel's Bolero enjoyably almostnotquite unravels.

TASTE: B
DRAW: B
BURN: B
BUILD: B

FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

::: very :::