Project X: Offering #1 - Blind Review (Gran Habano 3 SLS)

Gentlepersons, welcome.

The hype is over and we are knee deep now, in the nitty gritty smoky of Project X. I may or may not be wearing a lab coat. I do feel that not actually owning one, is a good hint toward answering that question. Nevertheless, these BLIND REVIEWS will read a good tick more 'sciency.' I 'spose.

I will break down flavors into categories as you will see below. I will then note when a flavor arises. Too, I will grade according to my K A P L O W I T Z Scale guidelines. This all shall be noted at every 1/3.

I will then offer a final grade ruling. THEN, on Radio Herf 03062016, Mr. Darryl Martin shall reveal what it is that I reviewed. We'll kibbitz 'bout it.

I'm rather excited.

THE CIGAR

*CLASSIFIED*
Lettuce call it "Brown Toro."
DECLASSIFIED
Gran Habano 3 SLS
6 x 54 Toro
Nicaraguan Corojo Shade Grown wrapper
Nicaraguan binder
Nicaraguan, Costa Rican, & Colombian Ligero fillers

ACT I

FLAVORS

Animal: n/a
Sweet: Coffee & Cream. Buttery. Honey. Caramelized sugar.
Spicy: White pepper. Salt. Nutmeg.
Woody: Oak. Tobacco.
Vegetal: Floral. Raw nuts. Hay.
Earthy: Dirt.
Chemical: Mineral.
Malts: n/a

K A P L O W I T Z SCALE

K being the least, Z the greatest

Appearance O
Construction W
Combustion W
Flavors/Body O
Strength K

NOTES

Slight dry palate.

Needed a re-touch.

Seemed juvenile.

ACT II

FLAVORS

Animal:
Sweet: Bittersweet. Honey. Coffee & Cream. Buttery. Fruit.
Spicy: White pepper. Cloves. Salt. Cinnamon.
Woody: Cedar. Oak. Toasted. Tannic.
Vegetal: Raw nuts. Floral. Fresh grass.
Earthy: Dirt.
Chemical: n/a
Malt: Honey

K A P L O W I T Z SCALE

Appearance O
Construction W
Combustion W
Flavors/Body W
Strength P

NOTES

Matures, deepens.

Sweetness is braced by a better spiciness.

Less dry palate.

Mellowed a lot at the end.

Some blistering on burn-line. (Re-touch)

Very coffee & cream. Nutty. Buttery. 

Sweet > Spice

ACT III

FLAVORS

Animal: n/a
Sweet: Bittersweet. Honey. Coffee & Cream. Buttery.
Spicy: White pepper. Black pepper. Salt. Orange peel.
Woody: Oak. Cedar. Toasted. Roasted coffee. Hickory.
Vegetal: Roasted nuts.
Earthy: Dirt. Musty.
Chemical: n/a
Malt: n/a

K A P L O W I T Z SCALE

Appearance O
Construction O
Combustion W
Flavors/Body I
Strength P

NOTES

Burn shows a looser packing.

Toasts, roasts.

Loses some delineations.

Almost perfect moisture on mouth-feel.

Woodsier.

Some loose tobacco at cap.

Stogie sense: tingling.

Smooth, even, cool draw.

Some bite threat at band. (Citrus/coffee/Less buttery)

FINAL GRADE
****B+****

REMEMBER: Tune into the next Radio Herf for the reveal.

POSTSCRIPT: In the interest of uniformity, I will be working from a flavor chart via Stogie Fresh.