Cigar Geeks Geek Critique
91
Cigar Geeks Rating
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Welcome to another member sponsored Cigar Geeks Critique. This one is sponsored by Nick (Nes Tek). Up for review this time is the Mi Barrio El Forro. Thanks to Nick for sponsoring this one!
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This cigar was enjoyed with Domestic pilsner light beer
Pre-Light: 19 Points of 10 Possible
The cigar had a nice cocoa brown wrapper with a few prominent veins from the binder to the outer wrapper; it was kind of rugged yet classy in appearance. It had a definite velvety-ness to it and a nice sheen as well. It felt firm when rolled between the fingers and an almost sweet tobacco aroma was present. The cap cut cleanly and the pre-light draw had just the right amount of resistance for my taste.
Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible
The cigar lit evenly with a single-flame torch. At about an inch into the burn, it tried to follow one of the veins in the binder, but it corrected itself just shy of a half-inch. The ash was solid and light gray in color, dropping first at an inch and a half (squarely between my dog T-Bone's eyes; T-Bone likes it when Daddy smokes a cigar outside). After the initial drop, the ash let loose at just under an inch.
Construction: 27 Points of 30 Possible
The draw was perfect. The cap cut cleanly and held together for the duration of the cigar. The wrapper was a gorgeous cocoa color and exhibited a nice oily sheen. The only drawback was the evidence of veins from the binder.
Flavor and Aroma: 33 Points of 45 Possible
The cigar opened with a combination of pistachio and cashew topped with sweet cream. Towards the end of the first third, some mild cedar flavors were noticed, but the underlying flavors were still there.
During the second third, the cedar started to take prominence and the pistachio and cashew gave way to more peat and leather undertones.
During the last third and down to the nub, the cedar got a little peppery, but it never got bitter. I started to notice some more woody flavors instead of the aforementioned leather, as well as the reappearance of that sweet creamy flavor I'd enjoyed at the start.
Summary
This was a very good two-hour cigar. I'd heard this was a limited edition Pepin Garcia offering and was expecting to be knocked on my butt by spice and overall strength based on my previous experience, but I was surprised by the mildness of this cigar, but not disappointed in the flavor. This ranks among the best cigars I've smoked in my somewhat limited experience. If my assumption is correct, in that "Mi Barrio" refers to Don Pepin's formative years in Cuba, he's definitely nailed the "creamy" aspect of the ISOM's I've had the pleasure of smoking. This was just a great damn cigar!
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(5 Review(s))