Cigar Geeks - Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Stephen (appollo)

90
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. This one has been generously sponsored by our member ninfiction (Brian). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=193113">Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro. We did a Geek Critique in May 2017 on the original HHG Rapier. So how do you improve upon a classic? You wrap it in a flawless San Andres Maduro wrapper. Viaje's fondness for San Andres is no secret, so when they began experimenting with Honey & Hand Grenades, this beautiful cover leaf was an obvious choice, and became the new HHG Maduro, which began shipping in June 2021.

Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro

Brand:: Viaje
Name:: Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro
Length:: 6.5
Ring Gauge:: 44
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Mexico
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Figurado
Notes:: https://halfwheel.com/viaje-honey-hand-grenades-maduro-shipping-this-month/393700/

This cigar was enjoyed with Water

Pre-Light: 10 Points of 10 Possible

Love the red foil on it very pretty to look at. Once you remove this you see a nice dark brown wrapper that had an oily feel to it. There are a couple of vines I notice. The stick has a nice form pal work no soft spots. I get a nice barnyard smell off the wrapper.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

The stick fires up nicely after a very easy cut. The ash is medium Gray with black stripes and the ash holds on for about an inch at a time. The burn stays almost dead on for the entire stick. The smoke volume is great for the entire stick.

Construction: 27 Points of 30 Possible

The draw is dead on and throat stays intact for the whole smoke. The only thing I find it gets a little spongy in the last third. As I stated the wrapper does have a couple good some vines but nothing to serious.

Flavor and Aroma: 40 Points of 45 Possible

Now for the fun part. I have to say this is one high octane smoke when it comes to strength, it's at the high end of strong. The first third starts out with some good spice and pepper on the retro but does out a little as I get close to the second third. I get some dark coffee at the start that levels out as you progress and I feel that dark chocolate comes in a little. The stick stays smooth no bitterness.

As I get into the second third the pepper and the spice have subsided on the retro and now I getting a smokey meat flavour with the dark coffee in the background. At this time I'm getting spice on the end of the tongue. The oil sensation is covering my lips at this stage. The stick is still nice and smooth and at the end of this third I start getting a little sweetness.

The last third starts and I almost have been smoking it for1:15min.As I said it's a slow burner. The burn is still great along with the smoke output. I'm still getting the meaty flavour along with the dark coffee in the background. The spice and pepper standstill on the retro bursts about a medium. About halfway through this part the stick is becoming a little spongy and is staring to get a little warm on the lips. A few more puffs and I believe it is time to put it down. The total smoke time was an 1:30mind which was very enjoyable.

Summary

I would like to thank Brian for including me in this review and found the stick very enjoyable. I would recommend it ,but I will say again this is one strong stick so make sure you have a full stomach.