Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan Estelï, Condega, Ometepe
Size: 7 x 57 Salomon
Strength: Mild/Medium
Price: $12.00
My cigars received 4 months of naked humidor time.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Reviews are scattershot in their reaction to this blend. Some rave…others, it’s a thumbs down. I will now offer my opinion to add to the chaos.
The draw is a tad bit tight. I will perform surgery using my PerfecDraw. I shamelessly plug PerfecSmoke products for two reasons: It’s a brilliant product and, because Dr. Rod and I grew up together in Long Beach, California. Rod paid me to keep him safe from marauding tough guys as he was only 4’-8 and 100lbs soaking wet. It didn’t help that he smoked Rum Crooks at 16. High school girls hate that.
The Ecuadorian Connie flavor hits my palate with hints of creaminess, baked bread, lemon citrus, black pepper, and Wheaties.
I’m not a fan of mild strength cigars. Generally, they fall short in all important complexity and flavor. There are rare exceptions of course.
Milk chocolate shows up along with malted milk, hazelnuts, plus sweet baking spices.
A wisp of complexity is apparent. Some depth is present. The finish is the most interesting component…a tiny orca using its blowhole inappropriately. Growing up near San Diego was pretty cool. So many whales, so many of them were whores…but expensive.
Strength is mild/medium as advertised.
But the character is active and pleasant. Lemongrass appears.
At this point (1” burned), this is a typical flavor profile for a cigar with these leaf stats. Yet, this blend has some panache going for it. I know saying this will jinx it, but I like it.
Construction is excellent and the burn is a slow roll. The char line is on point.
The tart citrus flavor works well with the inherent creaminess that steers me to thoughts of lemon crème pie.
An excellent cigar for newbies. Sophisticates? Hang on, Sloopy…not there yet.
Salomons are big cigars. Can’t dangle which I truly enjoy. Of course, the manner in which you smoke the big wanker is the determining factor. Don’t huff away like an out of breath cow. If you puff like an old blunderbuss, regardless of a cigar’s size…it will burn hot, decimating delicate flavor profiles.
I reviewed the Valacari Astronomia (rated 94) and the Valacari MK19 Black Iris (also rated 94), so it is clear that the company is solid.
A lovely sweet spot occurs 1-1/2” into the little bugger. The sweetness is dominant. The black pepper offers a counterpoint. The tobacco leaves make their own statement.
Nothing linear at hand. A very good sign. Nothing worse than smoking a cigar that goes nowhere. This blend gets better with every wheeze. I let it rest for a couple minutes, take a couple swigs of water, say something stupid to no one in particular…insert it into this review, and pick the cigar up again.
The creaminess offers a very rich heavy cream, with vanilla bean, as Valacari’s website describes the blend.
Strength is a solid medium.
I’m pleased that the cigar does not burn like an out-of-control cigarette. It takes its ever McLovin’ time. Experienced rollers were employed. The char line remains dead nuts.
20 minutes in, only 1-3/4” burned. Can I get an amen.
The late 70’s was a sad time for bass players. You were either a Disco Duck and played like Larry Graham or did the punk thing like DeeDee Ramone.
The flavor spectrum widens. Flavors aren’t added, but the ones I’ve mentioned are intensified…giving the blend some added complexity and style.
It is now summery lemonade while it simulates canned whipped cream spooging into my mouth. I’m not cleaning that up. Thank God Charlotte hasn’t read my reviews in years. Hard to believe I’m straight.
The halfway point arrives at 55 minutes. Delightful.
This is a nice little blend.
For me, mild/medium strength cigars were appreciated in small doses but in the last 5 years (age 70-75), I grew fond of them as they became my first smoke of the day. Since this cigar is so nicely blended, I’m guessing that the 5 different sizes should possess their own character with diverse qualities.
‘Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye is playing. I will never allow myself, or Charlotte, to be placed in a retirement home. Fucking is the sport of champions. The places are virally rampant with STD’s. That is a fact. I somehow managed to avoid my schmekel falling off while in the music business. How I never got herpes or gonorrhea is a baby Jesus miracle. I dated a hot stripper. On our 6th date, she told me she had herpes. Jump back. I lost her phone number after that. You can’t trust a burlesque queen to tell the truth.
This stick is just excellent. Really. Super flavorful. Just short of a flavor bomb. There is a nice edge to the mild strength. Amazing field of depth.
And…a very affordable cigar to boot. A fiver whose price point you won’t need to hide from your wife. Tell her you bought a case of saltpeter for her pleasure.
Chocolate reappears. Now we have a creamy chocolate mousse. There are also alternate flavors of Tiramisu. I get a hint of berry jam.
My son-in-law stopped by a couple days ago and we went out back to smoke. He is Milwaukee SWAT. He told me stories that made my fro grow back. I’m sure the cops that read me are nodding their heads. It’s a shame that more stories of good cops aren’t picked up by the media. I could never in a million years do what he does for a living. Of course, he is built like a tank. While I am squishy.
I’m having a bloody good time with the Valacari The Messenger Portofino. Well done.
Gotta gets me more sticks.
No heat…cool as a cuke. No harshness as the cigar dwindles.
The cigar glides to the end of its journey in two hours 10 minutes. I am impressed.
If you want a Casdagli-like blend that is has a very reasonable price point, this is a solid buy. Tip: Let ‘em sleep. Don’t hurry the process.
You can purchase Valacari cigars from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off your order with promo code KATMAN.
RATING: 93
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.
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