Each: $10.00
Capa: Ecuador
Capote: Mexican
Tripa: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubana, Criollo 98, Nicaraguan Jalapa, and HVA
La Fuerza: Medium
Forma: 6 x 46
Fabricante: Tabacalera La Isla Dominican Republic
As is typical for an Ecuadorian wrapper, there are aromas of floral, cinnamon oatmeal, vanilla, American Airlines warm nuts, and a slight bit of barnyard.
The draw is all too much. With wisps of graham cracker, toasted marshmallow, milk chocolate, allspice, and jalapeno.
The blend comes from an Arizona retailer called Fine Ash Cigars. Four sizes (Corona Gorda, Robusto, Robusto Gordo, and Toro) with a January 2024 release of 5,000 cigars each
Initial impressions are that this blend has a sweet tooth. The blend shows off by wasting no time and delivering a taste of orange marmalade, brown sugar, vanilla, graham cracker, black pepper, and a light creaminess.
A blitz of sweet floral notes from the wrapper and Dominican leaves. While the Mexican binder and Nicaraguan filler notes have some punch with overt earthiness. Nicely done.
The Katman reviewed. with some flourish. four blends from Pospiech: Powstanie Habano (91), Powstanie Wojtek 2023 (95), and Powstanie SBC 22 (98).
The retrohale is delightful. Boom goes the complexity and balance. Flavors teeter between subtle and flamboyant. The richness of the blend is brilliant. I’ve smoked the Toro and Robusto. Twice. Consistent to the bone. Most smokers don’t detect flavor changes in the different sizes of the same blend. But the whole purpose of providing different sizes to the consumer is to challenge the palate of their customer base. Of course, it requires patience and solid detective work to dissect the differences. But it is worth the time and effort if you consider yourself a serious cigar smoker.
Think Casdagli Basilica C#3, Warped La Colmena, Wildfire The Hook, Byron 20th Century Habaneros, and IGM 537 Canonazo.
I bought these cigars 4 months ago and they are ripe. The “Let’s See” period didn’t fare very well. Just a tiny bit of sleep and the blend unfolded like Jagger’s lips doing pushups.
Strength never rises above medium. This love snausage (Katmanism) has morning cigar written all over it.
The cigar is built like a tank. Slow moving. 40 minutes in the shade. The antithesis of linear. It grows on my palate like English Ivy clings to a trellis.
I’d argue with Phil over the term “richness.” Is it different for every smoker? Is the brain wired to receive this impression naked and alone without the benefit of knowing? I don’t know. (Almost a Katmanism).
I love how this inexpensive cigar coats my palate. The retrohale is full of graham crackers, S’mores, and Almond Roca.
I found a new friend in this cigar blend. There won’t be a top 25 list this year. I supposed I could take things in my own hands and compile one. But it’s not my place. If I change my mind, this cigar will be on that list.
But be warned. Flavors are ultra subtle. And then they’re not. A constant flux that keeps me interested in this cigar. Sips of fine libations may alter what your palate reads. Fortunately, the price allows experimentation. This cigar yells old fashioned pricing. You won’t spend $100 for a fiver. You get two fivers for that amount. Experiment away, my friends.
A sophisticated palate is not required to enjoy the Ceniza Fina. Everyone either likes or dislikes a cigar. We’re not fancy boys. No one cares about the silly flavor itemizations. Phil taught me lists are outlined for the pleasure of the manufacturer. To prove we are worthy of consideration. Curious smokers will find a review or two they like and smoke along seeing if they can credit or discredit the author. It is all about the learning curve.
If you live in Glendale, Arizona, you can walk straight into Fine Ash Cigars and touch them before buying them. The rest of us must use the digital method to buy as many as the wife allows.
Appearance: 90
Construction: 92
Aroma, Draw, & Burn: 95
Complexity: 98
Balance: 98
Final Score: 95
The following retailers carry this cigar in all four sizes:
Fine Ash Cigars
Luxury Cigar Club (10% discount: Katman)
Small Batch Cigar (10% discount: Katman
Discover more from Cigar Reviews by the Katman
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
