Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Full
Price: $14.00
Released: 2023
My cigars received 4 months of naked humidor time.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
This cigar is produced in 5 sizes. No messin’ around. You can find the perfect snausage to your liking.
This is a good-looking cigar. A reddish hue to this holiday caramel log. Only thing missing is nuts. My best buddy John Turner lost his in a bizarre playground accident.
If you’re a regular cigar smoker like me, you go through cigar cutters like a squirrel through moose. This is a shameless plug for my PerfecPunch. This baby never dulls…unlike me. And it’s a great presence piece in photos of your favorite cigar…see photo above.
Shameless plug #2. The cigar is plugged like a kishka made by my Aunt Mamie. My PerfecDraw initiates countdown from its place in my sock drawer. The obstruction is at the usual place…the cigar band area. One schaniggle and it’s as clear as my Uncle Antonitus after drinking a bottle of prune juice to rectify hoarding an entire kishka at Mt. Shiksa B’nai B’rith annual dinner.
This cigar has gone mostly unnoticed. Not sure why. Maybe due to its only revenue coming from only TAA authorized sellers.
Buttercream start. Smooth and luxurious. I’m often fooled by a plethora of new cigars that begin the beguine in a silent but deadly introduction but fail shortly after. This is my fourth cigar, so I know how it ends.
My two weeks with Covid was nothing like I have experienced. I was sure that I was going to die. I was sure that what I endured was how we old farts give up the ghost. I had no point of reference for this illness and how it attacks. I’m good now. Thank God.
Buttercream is the most obvious. Following in this conga line are notes of black tea, warm cashews, black pepper, caramel, graham cracker, and a touch of apple fritter.
How did it end up that Ezra Zion only sells dessert cigars? Every cigar’s name is a food. Every cigar is the best they ever found behind the freezer at an obscure tobacco farm in Botswana. I’ve tried most of their wares and they all fall short. But they have the last laugh as everything they market sells out nearly instantly.
In 1965, I bought a 5-string banjo. I took lessons from now legend John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band). The man had too many teeth. We sat facing each other during my lessons. Our legs were interlocked so he could interact with me. He drooled. I came home after each lesson and my mom yelled at me for having a soggy pant leg. You can’t make this shit up.
Smooth blend. Pretzel logic in play with a sourdoughy saltiness I like. There is a fishy aroma…er, wait. I rinsed my mouth with alarcritic acid and I’m OK. I sleepwalk and eat sardines. Rock star syndrome.
Very smooth slow roll. Construction is excellent. A stout toro that sees no need to rush to its demise.
For a cigar destined to kick ass and take names, it is surprisingly effortless and rich. Complexity kicked in almost immediately from the get-go. Transitions take their time. This is a good cigar.
Cinnamon sees daylight at 2” burned. Strength is medium.
Advice from an old codger: You gotta let go of the what ifs.
Smokers will read something I wrote 10 years ago and ask questions pertaining to that cigar. I remind them I’m 75. I fake the appropriate answer.
Every time I sneaked a cigar while down with Covid, I knew it would make the news that stupid man died with a stogie in his grip. ‘Cause we’re living in a land of fools.’
The first half was a precursor. The second half rears its head back and laughs, “You schmuck…you didn’t know what to write but now you will.”
Sip of water and the story continues. Sharp edge to the creaminess. A good thing. Wish you were here. Spicy black pepper oozes life. Nuts turn into giant beings roaming the land looking for a good palate. Graham cracker has a schmear of cream cheese and blueberries. An aged oaky barrel emerges to thunderous applause. Fish leap from the water to clap the macarena.
This is good. Ride the river.
Richness, complexity, and transitional depth are serious mother fuckers now. I’m telling you, my friends, that I’m having a boundless journey with this tobacco latke.
In 1966, I saw bassist Lee Sklar in a three-piece instrumental only opening act for a typical 60’s extravaganza of 10 chart topping bands. Each band was allowed 20 minutes and only played their top 30 tunes. I sat in wonder as Sklar did things to the bass that had me wanting to throw my 1964 Hofner away. My friends didn’t get it. You gotta listen to the music.
The second half is killer. Super complex. Supinely rich. Simply put.
Ever wildly stick your hand into a girl’s purse to impress her that you’re a character worth knowing? Me neither. I still have the pencil’s graphite stuck in my forearm.
An all-day caramel lollipop. A creamy masterpiece. Nicotine poisoning left the building before I put torch to stick. I can’t say ‘smooth’ rapidly enough.
The second half shows what this baby is all about. I get now why this was a special blend from Garcia. This cigar is eminent domain. Some people call me space cowboy. Some people call me the gangster of love. I’m a midnight toker.
It’s a nubber. One toke over the line…
You can purchase the Don Pepin García Vintage Edition TAA from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. 15% off with promo code KATMAN through Dec. 31, 2024.
RATING: 96
Check out Katman’s Kartel at Small Batch Cigar and score deals on cigars from My Top 32 Cigars of 2023 ~ Rated 96 or Higher! Use promo code: KATMAN for 10% off. Until Dec. 31, katman promo code will get you 15% off.
Discover more from Cigar Reviews by the Katman
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
