Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Left Hand Cigar Co. Left-Hander in REDUX Review "I've Never Actually Climbed a Mountain"

“Have you Kaplowitz’d to-day?”

Familia Rodriguez Tobacos
Ohana Cigars
Left Hand Cigar Co.
Left-Hander

WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro (652) box-press, closed foot
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Full

WEBSITE: ohanacigars.com

The reasoning behind this redux is a switch from lesser-aged to more well-aged offering of same vitola & receipt. The original review (Oct. 2019) can be read at: https://bit.ly/2LkX4vR This 2d will not reference that 1t. You should read it anyway. It is superbly written.

NOTES:
Peppercorn | Licorice | Oak

Aggressive. B - E aggressive. Black & red peppercorn are way too out-front; burying something like a dusty & whimpering pantry spice. Age didn't calm my Gruncle Leon and apparently revved up this blend. A bit of anise settles sweetly alongside molasses (licorice vibe) after the harsh wave. Scorched oak structures tf out of the profile. tf, I say! Hyper-focused & sharply-so.

Undertones are way under. Potting soil, cola, patent leather. They don't reach the primaries. Underbelly is scorched black dirt w/ a pissed off cayenne addition. Touch of grain, dark. Imbalanced in terms of flavor/strength lurching spastically ahead of body. Finishes with a mineral charcoal cocoa lilt. Aroma is a heady bittersweet pungency I find myself ducking out of the way of -- voluminous smoke out-put.

No complexities. Charred nuances. Burns slowly & on an even line. Ash grows dense, dryly to an easy inch. Draw is open/even. Pack density holds, as does shoulder & cap. Press holds, as well. When you climb a mountain it's challenging but the view is rewarding. I feel that's pertinent to this experience, somehow. (I've never actually climbed a mountain.)

FINAL GRADE: B-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59

::: very :::