BLEND: Vintage Series Natural
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian
BINDER: Nicaraguan Habano
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Robusto Gordo (556)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
NOTES:
Praline | Pink peppercorn | Suede
Lots of caramelized sugar, mixed nuttiness, you know, praline. A pepperiness a bit more fruity-floral and vivid than usual, you know, pink peppercorn. A chicken coop laced suede earthiness carries all along nicely; envelops via progression. Stratified bits of tea, cedar, and dessert spices. Table sugar threatens to imbalance somewhat at the second-third's opening.
Then, about at midway, the structure falters a tick. Profile muddles some. Borders bleed. Quite dandelion then, and traces of weak, wet softwood. A glimpse of sweet grassiness. Still, a nuanced and surprisingly affable smoke. Cardamom. Seems to rev up toward its final act in terms of flavor-pacing. A bit like putting the pedal to the metal in an electric car, maybe. Very transitional.
Sends off plumes of creamy smoke, leaving a gently-sweet aroma. I smell-taste duck sauce. A half-bit cloying. Ash builds loosely but holds. Burn line wiggles and self-corrects. Nice burn-rate. Excellent smooth draws. Cap and seam assemblage holds quite nicely. Smokes like a rather decadent fruity dessert. Ambrosia Salad. Overall, a fun and attainable ride.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: A
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::