Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo ’98
Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca, Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa and Estelí
Size: 5.625 x 46 Corona Gorda
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $10.20
My cigars have had 3 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
From Luxury Cigar Club:
“Y Panda is the story of the Chinese-born Linxu “Panda” Yan, a man who moved away at 16 to the United States, then falling in love with cigars, ending up in Esteli, Nicaragua, working under Luciano Mierelles to learn everything there is to know about premium tobacco. Y Panda was blended by these two and boasts an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper with a very unusual dual binder of Ecuadorian Sumatra and Brazilian Arapiraca leaves. Then filled with a mix of Nicaraguan leaves, Jalapa Viso, and Esteli Seco. Y Panda was blended to offer a completely new look, taste, and feel to Luciano’s portfolio of blends.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The cigar is packed, but the draw is okey doke. I carefully set my PerfecDraw down on the cement and walk away.
Clean start. Creaminess, black pepper, pronounced black cherry, espresso, and a slight touch of chocolate.
Strength wastes no time.
I smoked one stick two weeks after receipt. Mistake. I have smoked two Y Pandas in the last week and was impressed. Scroll down to the rating and avoid the crap on its way.
Black licorice makes its debut. As well as burnt brown sugar, beef jerky, and creamy cashew butter.
I just noticed that the Dalay Zigarren Robusto I reviewed two days ago possessed nearly the identical leaf stats. The wrapper is the same. Both had double binders of Brazilian and Ecuadorian leaves. And a multi universe of Nicaraguan guts. This is a first.
I believe that this is not a coincidence. The Dalay was produced in conjunction with Luciano Cigars. This is a Luciano blend. The folks at this company must have discovered gold as they realized this set of leaves works extremely well together. I’m not complaining as I found the Dalay very good. This morning’s cigar is even better.
Construction is excellent. The burn line is sharp.
The cigar continues on its very rich journey.
There are three sizes. I am befuddled as one is a 6 x 52 toro and another is a 6.5 x 54 bigger toro. And of course, this morning’s Corona Gorda. Not sure why such a slight difference in the two toros. My druthers is the more intense smoke…the 5.625 x 46…which is only $10. The toros jump to $12.70 and $13.70.
The halfway point arrives at 35 minutes.
Strength is medium/full.
Chocolate, creaminess, espresso, licorice, black cherry, black pepper, beef jerky, brown sugar, slight touch of honey, and cashews never move out of play.
Sweet v. savory is in perfect balance.
Nothing subtle about the flavors. Every smoker should be able to recognize them despite their level of experience.
An excellent cigar worth your dough and time.
Final smoke time is 70 minutes.
Two of my sponsors carry this cigar: Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman) and Luxury Cigar Club (15% off with promo code ‘katman’).
RATING: 94
And now for something completely and utterly the same:
You ever ponder that when you smoke a cigar its level of complexity might be a total mystery. Maybe the first inch tastes so-so. Only after that do the flavors that attract your palate seem to kick in. Is it that the cigar did not rest long enough in purgatory. Or that this is just the way the blend was designed. Or maybe your palate is affected by exterior influences such as drink and food consumed…or even your mood.
These microenvironments plague us all on different occasions. How do I know this. Because the palate makes no sense.
I write unapologetically, ad infinitum, ad nauseum, about what I think of a particular cigar, after cigar, after cigar. What do I know. Reviewers aren’t as special as we would like ourselves to believe. We do not hesitate to foist our opinions. Why do we feel comfortable doing this…we write it down.
Each reviewer has their own reason for dissecting cigars in a public forum. Mine…it keeps me busy in my twilight years as I hurtle toward the cosmic oasis.
If you are truly curious about discovering the flavors you read or hear about…write your impressions down. Find that pencil or pen in your kitchen’s utility drawer and have at it. The more you document your experience, the closer you come to understanding what you smoke. A deeper appreciation is available if you want it.
After all, you are spending a lot of your discretionary cash on a fleeting product. A product that your wife or girlfriend wishes you’d put the kibosh on. My ability to recognize flavors accelerated after I took on the responsibility to make my views public. You don’t have to broadcast your experience…but a richer awareness comes in handy. Plus, as humans, we never want to stop learning.
Just thinking out loud…
The urinal trough…are they gone because children don’t like to see adult penises when they turn to the left and then to the right. Or is it because moms don’t like to deal with uncomfortable questions. (With partial thanks to Will Ferrel).
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
