Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican Seco, Dominican Ligero
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Medium
Price: $14.95
I wasn’t going to review this cigar. I just picked it out of my humidor thinking this’ll do for a morning stick. A few puffs in I thought wow… potential! I whip out my computer so I can document the experience.
Lemon cream cookies right out to the gate. This is a very smooth cigar with a mild-medium start. It is creamy and velvety smooth in the mouth.
I hadn’t heard of Hiram & Solomon cigars until I went to Tampa a couple of years ago with my wife to visit her sister. After an hour of sitting with the sisters, trying to make sense of the conversation, I needed a break. “Bye, bye ladies …I’m going to town”. I rolled into Ybor City and bought a cigar. There was a cool street scene there I had never experienced. I pulled up a chair on the sidewalk, lit up, and watched the world go by. A young lady decided to sit in the chair next to me. She pulled out a fat one and fired it up. “Whatcha got there?” I said. “It’s called a Traveling Man. It’s a Hiram & Solomon stick”. Really? Never heard of it. We yacked for an hour. It turns out she was representing Hiram & Solomon at the Cigar & Whiskey Festival over the weekend. “You coming to the event?” “Yup. I have tickets already. Don’t tell my wife, though, she thinks I tagged along from Oregon to visit her sister.” (laughing) “Well, drop into my booth and I’ll give you an H&S sampler!” Cool. I did. They make some great cigars. I really do recommend you try a sampler.”
This Heart & Soul reminds me of my first Cuban Romeo and Juliet. Both have very subtle flavor notes and almost indiscernible transitions. There’s even a slightly fermented milk twang here. There’s dry roasted peanuts with a creamy lemon kefir chaser.
There is a transition to Lemon cheesecake with a crusty graham cracker crust. Yum. Wow, another half inch reveals a dollop of vanilla whipped cream topping the aforementioned cheesecake. This is delightful and oh so subtle. This cigar doesn’t smack you in the face, rather It has a certain restraint like my wife does when yet another shipment of cigars shows up at my door. My cigar, at least, doesn’t give me the big eyeroll.
Halfway through this beauty, the lemony notes fade and I’m left with a nice, creamy smooth toasted meringue.
This is a well-constructed cigar with almost pure white ash and razor sharp burn. The wrapper is a bit rustic and veiny. It is solid and tight in the hand.
Nicotine into the final third. There is still that toasted meringue, now with a hint of peanut shell. The strength is holding mild-medium.
I am temporarily living near Seattle until my 1996 Land Cruiser is ready for international action. A beautiful spaniel lives on the balcony above us. I have no idea who the owners are because they are rarely home. This poor dog’s only excitement is to peer at me through the railing as I smoke my cigars during the day and into the night. She is a medium sized creature with sad eyes and a sweet, plaintive bark. I talk to her and ask for advice on cigars. She listens as I explain the nuances and subtle flavors of this stick. She nods in agreement. She wishes she could join me. She growls as a cat saunters by, smirking. I mention the “Cat” man. She growls at me, her lips curl back and the fangs come out. “Yes… I know, calm down girl”. She just wants to be in the wetlands retrieving ducks for some respectful owner. Alas, it’s not to be.
With 1.5 inches to go the flavors fade to indiscernible notes. It’s pleasant with no sign of harshness.
With an inch to go I’m done.
This was a 1hr 50min smoke.
This is a very satisfying morning stick. I’m calling it a solid 93.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
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