Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra, Ecuadorian Habano 92 (Double Binder)
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Peruvian
Size: 5.25 x 54 Robusto Extra – Box Pressed
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $13.25
Quantity Released in 2022: 4,000 boxes of 12
I reviewed this cigar nearly two years ago which prompted me to revisit the blend a couple months ago. Look at the leaf stats…tell me that ain’t purty.
It was a limited release of only 4000 boxes. Which means sticks purchased now are blessed with nearly two years of box age. Who doesn’t love someone else doing the heavy lifting:
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I like that the Luciano website did not provide specific flavors found in this blend. That’s smart. Knowing that palates are all over the spectrum, they leave it up to the smoker to find flavor points that their palates may discover.
I perused 3 different reviews of this cigar. I found that among them, they discovered 24 separate flavors. Not one review was like another. So, there you go. Industry professionals with their own distinct palates. We subordinates have just as many disparate reasons and penchants for spending the kids’ college funds.
Like many limited editions, they don’t evaporate immediately. They are still on the market. I’ve reviewed quite a few cigars with serious age on them that should have been sold out ages ago. I might have a completely different experience.
The cigar is as solid as my six pack. Not a good analogy as I only have a one pack. Still, it wreaks of beautiful construction. I figure it will take at least 6 hours of self-indulgent reviewing. No worries, I will cut myself off at 3-1/2 hours. I could do it in three small paragraphs but that’s no fun…for me, that is. I know exactly the torturous nature of my reviews.
The wrapper has faint aromas of floral notes, dark chocolate, espresso, malt, black and red pepper, caramel, vanilla bean, cedar, and seared choice steak.
The draw is a tad lighter than I prefer. Still, it could always be worse. My PerfecDraw draw adjustment tool is snoring in its sarcophagus, so no need to awaken it.
I no longer care what the cigar band looks like. I do care how easy it will be to remove. A cigar band is a cigar band…know what I mean?
Only the finest construction can save me from the jinx that almost every box pressed cigar sees runs in the burn.
Very creamy start. Complex to its soul. 8 months is the right humi aging.
The flavors pile on dark chocolate, red pepper, black pepper…I like this, a very tart lime citrus…reminds of find carne asada tacos, buttery like a Ritz Cracker, espresso, malt of course, peanuts, and poblano peppers. Yikes. Those flavors came from half an inch burned.
A beautiful richness ensues. Layers of depth form a Tiramisu cake. Toasted sourdough bread slathered with unsalted sweet cream butter.
Luciano strikes gold once again. Patience, my dears, patience is all it takes.
I find myself puffing away too often. I’m not giving the cigar a break to rest and breathe.
A sweet spot shows up with 1” burned. Took 13 minutes to get here. Flavors deepen as more are added: Butter Brickle, the citrus takes two steps forward, the spiciness is adrift and does not interfere with the flavors, vanilla ice cream cools my mouth, a lovely nuttiness, and hot cocoa.
This blend is heading towards flavor bomb status.
The multi-tobacco onslaught provides an elegant baseline for everything savory.
Tutti Frutti, oh Rudy. I swear I can taste summer peaches. Sweet with juice running down my chin to my arm,
When my late 70’s-early 80’s band, The Attitude, was recording a single doing our best to update “Hound Dog,” Little Richard was in Studio A and he heard us while hanging in the studio’s lounge. He came over and introduced himself. What a hoot. He then insisted that he play piano, Little Richard style, on our song. We had a keys player, but he was thrilled to watch and listen. We taped a very low budget music video but our keys player Milli Vanilli’s what Richard played. It was a thrill to meet the man.
1-1/2” burned. 35 minutes. The cigar puts it into first gear and cruises Whittier Blvd.
Lemon custard. Hot fudge on coffee ice cream. Toasted bread. Nutty. Poblano pepper. Buttery shortbread cookies.
A bona fide flavor bomb.
Strength is medium/full on the cusp of full tilt.
Floral notes appear.
The rich depth continues but the complexity isn’t where I’d like it to be. The blend depends heavily on its lavish flavor profile.
Still, for a $12 cigar, after promo codes, it is a life affirming blend.
The explosion of strength calms down. Vision in both eyes returns.
I love the multitude of flavor points. This cigar is rich and smooth. Flavors out the wazoo.
The cigar finishes in 90 minutes. No heat or harshness. Supple to the end.
My sponsor Small Batch Cigar has them in stock. Promo code ‘katman’ will get you 10% off.
RATING: 94
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Wow, Little Richard! Very cool.
These sticks sound very cool as well. Eight months tho huh? I’ll bury them at the bottom like Jimmy Hoffa!
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Kellie Kellie banana fana fo fellie,
With a couple years of box aging, 3 months of naked humidor time should produce a very smokeable cigar.
Hoffa is living in a bedsitter in Flotsam, England. He goes by the name of Sedgwick Gabriel Hoffa. He works part time in jellied eel shop selling gelato. He has three children by his fifth wife, Layla. Don’t tell anyone.
Phil
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Phily Phily so silly…
Unlike the illustrious Dr. Rod, I cannot afford a gold-plated Cohiba collection; therefore and to wit, I must get the most out of my precious sticks. So in with Hoffa they go!
“He works part time in jellied eel shop selling gelato.” Yes, but does he sell jellied eel flavored gelato tho?
Layla…sounds familiar. Wasn’t she married to Eric Clapton for a while? 🙂
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