Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Ventura Cigar Co. Archetype The Master in Review

lo-fi & lovely

Ventura Cigar Co. 
Archetype The Master

WRAPPER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Full

WEBSITE: venturacigar.com

NOTES:
Pepper-spice | Hickory | Chicory

Kicky & boozily-so but not unkind(necessarily) out-of-the-gate and for maybe the first two furloughs. Black & red peppers, baking spices. When that subdues, & it doesn't by much, a chicory-laced N'awlins coffee note shows itself. Some hickory, a touch of cocoa. Hickory evolves a bit of scorchy-bite tendency, is sorted-some by a further intro of smoky earth, sparse but thick leather swatches. A wooly fibrous vibe. Leather elbow patches on a professorial sportscoat? Aggressive but not impolite. Bold, not brash. Smoky, not scorched(mainly). 

Hot Toddy tidings come & go. Something of roasted chestnut. Somehow distinctly a fireplace & not a campfire. In terms of the Mystery genre, this would be a Cozy varietal. I imagine I hear the crackling fire, realize to my chagrin it's the cigar itself. A seam loosens, the leaf splits a coarse-jagged hair. Coarse is an apt word--tho not so much as to be unpleasant. Brawny. Sinewy. Not terribly complex but does show some nice nuance. Well-balanced once it hits its stride. Finishes in a spiced mash bill of gritty earthiness. At the far end is a sweet-citrus surprise that cleanses well. 

Performance-wise I've already mentioned the seam & split--this remains cosmetic but will ding the grade, natch. The char-line is rather thick & operates on a bit of a puckered-wobble, altho no re-touch is needed. The pace of smoke is quick-side of moderate and in keeping with the plot (a fast cozy?) Ash stacks well in varying coinage widths: dime, nickel, a penny. I'd like to say farthing. A bit dry, as is the palate. Smoke out-put is muchly but aroma is lesser-so; a spiced leather room-note builds slowly. A simple-strong unboring smoke for when the sun don't shine & the hooch do flow.

TASTE: B+
DRAW: A-
BURN: B
BUILD: B-

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

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