Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member nirab (Brian). The cigar provided for this round is the Stolen Throne Crook of the Crown Toro.
This cigar was enjoyed with Dark roast coffee, black
Pre-Light: 8 Points of 10 Possible
Dark, oily, toothy wrapper. Fairly veiny with one or two significant ones. Firm body, slightly tight draw. Aroma is a rich dark chocolate with earthy undertones. Cut (guillotine) was clean with no fraying.
Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible
Easy to light. Initial burn is straight and the burn pace was nicely paced. Later the burn goes slightly wobbly as it follows one of the larger veins, but easily manageable by turning the cigar. Ash is shades of grey and flaky but holds well. No issues with tunneling or canoeing, no relights or touch ups required.
Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible
Construction was excellent over all. No issues with the cap, no breakdown or unwrapping over the smoking time. No flaking, splits with the wrapper. Cigar was well packed and held its initial firmness.
Flavor and Aroma: 42 Points of 45 Possible
First 1/3: Strong right of the first draw. Hits the roof of the mouth and throat. No immediate notice of the pre-light chocolate notes but heavy coffee and earthy tones. Retrohale is peppery and some woody undertones. As the first third ends the overall profile has begun to mellow out.
Second 1/3: Thru the second half it continues to mellow setting new base profile of medium with a much smoother and lighter profile. Retrohale is also smoother but retains some of the original pepper.
Last 1/3: The first half of the last third is basically a continuation of the second third. Half way thru this last third it begins to pick back up closer to the opening profile. Strength has picked back up and the pepper is back in the retrohale. Nice pop in the end.
Summary
Overall an excellent cigar and a very enjoyable smoke. I am a big fan of the San Andres wrapper this being 10 years old really adds great flavors. Great match for a nice dark roast coffee. Nice balanced progression of both strength and flavor going from a very string opening thru a nice mellow middle and ending with the reminder of how the cigar started.