Here is my review for cigar #1:
Time: 10:00 local time
I'll be smoking this inside and outside, though I'll be relaxing the whole time so will be able to devote my attention to it. I'm not planning to drink anything while smoking, but may get some water if necesary.
Apperance/Construction: This smoke is very unique in construction. Its robusto in size with a pigtail on the cap and at the foot the wrapper has been left long. Overall this cigar is beautiful to look at, very nice wrapper with some light veining, and a great redish colorado maduro wrapper.
10/10 for apperance from me, mostly because of the unique presentation.
Prelight notes: I'm using my swiss army cutter to cut off the pigtail. Cap came off cleanly. Prelight draw reveals a nice woody spice, with some pleasent herbal notes almost like a spicy tea. I believe I'm in for a treat with this one.
9/10 I've had better but this one is great.
First third notes: Upon lighting this smoke my first impresions are of a woody ligero spice. This one is gonna be at least medium full, if not all out full bodied. Theres also a very nice balance here, and the spice comes into line almost immediatley. Very quickly in the smoke develops a nice creamy sweetness to accompany the woody spice. A very rich plesant flavor. About an inch in this smoke really settled down. Still medium-full but with a very refined and smooth blend. Very creamy with an underlying subtle sweet spice. Starting to develop some nice vanila and coco flavors as well. Nearing the end of the first third and the ash is still hanging on solidly. The flavors continue to develop. Now there are loads sweet creamy bean flavors with a great subtle spice (Similar though not the same as ISOM Cohibas), additionaly there are some great herbal tea flavors present. Burn is razor straight.
Rating 10/10
Second Third: This smoke just keeps changing and adding layers to the complexity. The herbal notes have become more pronounced. The sweetness has transormed into more of a honeyed sweetness. The bean flavors have deepend. There are hints of coffee now. The spice has picked up a bit, but it is perfectly in balance with the other flavors. A great richness coats the palate with every draw on the smoke. Strength really starting to pick up towards the end of the second third.
10/10 -again. What a stogie!
Third third: The home stretch. In the begining of the third third the gar has begun to develop a great carmel flavor, and the smoke really seems to be coating the palate. The tea, bean, and woody flavors are all still present though they seem to be getting richer. The strength keeps picking up, and the burn has been great all the way through. The slightest bit of sourness comes and goes, but I assume this is just a result of the gar nearing its end. The comlexity in the blend is fantastic and has kept me entertained the whole way through.
10/10 again.
Summary: A fantastic smoke!!!! I've really enjoyed this from begining to end. Tbe flavor and aroma were remarkable, and the complexity was great. This smoke reminds me of Cubans, most noteably the Cohiba Robusto, Sancho Panza Beli, and Trini. Though its obviously not one of those, I found it to be every bit as enjoyable. I'm looking forward to see what a few years in the humi will do to this smoke. This will be in my rotation for awhile at least.
Final rating: 9.5/10