Cigar Geeks Geek Critique
80
Cigar Geeks Rating
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Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member ninfiction (Brian). The cigar provided for this round is the Warped Upper Realm.
The Upper Realm is an exciting release from the mind of Kyle Gellis, limited to just 250 boxes of 200 cigars. Aganorsa Leaf was tapped to produce these Nicaraguan puros that feature a Corojo 99 wrapper from Jalapa, a binder from Esteli, and filler tobaccos from Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa. "The blend is deliberately transitional, and clearly showcases each individual region," said Kyle Gellis. "This is the first time we are using so much Estelí and Criollo material, and it celebrates the essential raw power of Nicaragua and the Estelí region, and it delivers a powerful, primal taste."
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This cigar was enjoyed with Coffee
Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible
Nice oily sheen to the golden brown wrapper. Several small vein lines but they don't detract from the cigars appearance. The cannon feels solid from cap to foot and the pack looks well done and even. Cap is slightly crooked but seems well done and takes a punch like a champ. The prelight aroma is a nice earthy tobacco as is the flavor when checking the draw.
Lighting and Burn: 10 Points of 15 Possible
Took to the flame well enough and smoke production is good. The ash is a bit flaky in sections but mostly solid and a light grey with black flecks. Burn got a little wavy a few times but always managed to get back on track without my assistance.
Had to relight after the first inch. and took a little effort to keep burning and smoke volume dropped significantly. It picked back up after about an inch once I got past the bad spot but unfortunately the flavors were off point after that.
Construction: 29 Points of 30 Possible
The draw is good with just enough resistance . The wrapper really sets the cigar off with it's wet, oily sheen. There are several small vein lines but they don't take anything away from the appearance of the cigar. The cap is well done and held up to a punch cut just fine.
Flavor and Aroma: 32 Points of 45 Possible
It starts with a healthy amount of spice in the retro and a slightly sweet tobacco and wood flavor set. Hints of toasted malt round things out and keep the balance good.
The second third opens with a paper flavor that becomes more of a wood as I get to the halfway point and the profile goes back to a tobacco and wood. I'm guessing the off flavor has to do with the burn issue I was having at the beginning of this third.
The last third has the paper back with hints of espresso. Not quite the finish I was hoping for . . . sort of bland and one dimensional.
Summary
This one started out good but had some burn issues and although the flavor was good for around half the cigar the other half was somewhat disappointing. I appreciate the opportunity to try this cigar and would try it again on the chance that the one I received was just a bad apple in the batch.
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(1 Review(s))