Blind Review, “C”, from DED
7/7/2022
Start: 9:30pm Finish: 11pm Total: 1 1/2 hrs
5 X 50 robusto, light brown, natural shade wrapper with hint of red
paired with iced water
The cigar was firm and solid, with little give when pinched. Negligible fragrance, other than a mild pencil wood from the exterior. The pre-light draw was bland, and a little tight.
First few puffs had a strong Cuban twang covering a nice rich tobacco flavor. There was just a bit of spice and barely any pepper, through the nose. Other flavors appeared: hay, earth, minerals. Smoke was smooth and mellow but packed with flavor. Each puff seemed a little different than the one before. The twang backed off to let the myriad flavors shine. There was cocoa, mild coffee, marshmallow, nuts, hay, earth and minerals. Ash was solid… tapped off at 1 inch. This is an outstanding cigar, brimming with flavors.
The second third had the flavors coming together into a nice herbal veggie broth, along with rich tobacco, on the retrohale. There was a touch of citrus and spice in the mouth, but no pepper. Cocoa, light coffee and mild tea popped in and out. About halfway through, the strength of the cigar kicks in, and I’m pushed into the back of my recliner. Past the halfway mark, I tasted some saltiness in the herbal veggie broth. There was a mild minty quality that blended with the herbal veggie broth flavor that was dominant. When I enjoy a great cigar like this one, I’ll let the smoke slowly drift out of the nose, so my palate in the sinuses can enjoy the full and lingering tastes of the flavors of the smoke.
The final third began as a continuation of the end of the second third, a rich minty herbal veggie broth. This was a strong yet mild and mellow smoke, full of flavors. There were a few flowery notes that came and went in the final third. Some earthy mineral flavors came on to join the minty herbal blend near the end. I really enjoyed this cigar, which smoked cool and true to a half inch nub. I used a draw poker pierced through the end so I could get a few last puffs without burning my fingers. I rarely find a cigar worthy of this effort.
Thanks to DED for sending me this wonderful cigar, and also for the fine set of three. I also appreciate his all-Cuban lineup of ride-alongs…some extra nice smoking pleasure that I am looking forward to.
I’m guessing that the “C” was the high-end, a Cuban, possibly a Bolivar Royal Corona or an El Rey de Mundo Choix Supreme.
The “A” and the “B” were very close in my evaluation of their flavors and quality. I will give the “A” the nod for being the second tier cigar, and using the size as a guide and the Cuban cigar flavors it had, maybe a Juan Lopez #1 or a H. Upmann Mag 46, if we go back to the pre-pandemic pricing levels of Cuban cigars. It’s impossible to find corona sized Cubans for the second tier pricing level of $6 - $10 nowadays.
So that leaves the “B” as the everyday smoke, and what a wonderful one it is. It’s a perfect mild cigar to have with the morning coffee, with enough complexity and body to enjoy at any time. It reminded me of a Cabaiguan or an Ashton Classic, though it’d be hard to find those at below $5 a cigar.
Thank you, DED for a great selection to taste and review, as well as a wonderful selection of "throw-ins."