Alright you impatient ho's, I pulled the stick out right after work and smoked it in the shed, hidden from the wind (and later rain).
Pairing - water.
Prelight- stick looks and smells good. Good size, didn't measure but maybe 50rg ish and between 5 and 6 inches, not too big for cool weather. Soft around the foot, and a couple of places that look like they may be problematic as it smokes, but probably from shipping, not construction. Oily medium-dark wrapper with some spots that glisten, like they used a little extra pectin. Quick cut aggravated one of those trouble spots, but nothing I couldn't work with.
Burn- Good burn throughout, one side got a little ahead of the other in the 2nd, but not enough to touch up. Left a nice gray ash they held on an inch easy. Nice draw, though the small crack at the head had to be tended to keep the draw. Never needed to be relit, which considering, was quite nice.
Flavor - 1st third started strong, with some pepper on the back of the tongue. A lot of spicy on the retro. Pepper started to heat up, then cooled down and allowed some leather to come through.
2nd - As the pepper continues to fade, the leather gets stronger and brings some wood tones, maybe oak? Not positive on which, just that there is wood behind the leather. Had to slow down a little as the strength started to make itself known. Spice is fading on the retro, but still there.
3rd - Still leather and wood, pepper is gone and spice continues to fade (or else my palate is getting more and more used to it). Pretty strong cigar, never really lost its kick, but never overwhelming either (looking at you fausto).
Overall - It was definitely a quality cigar, but the head starting to unravel made me fight with it for a bit, and it completely split and shredded on the final 3rd, though it remained quite smokable. Probably a little stronger than I would have preferred (or at least I would have eaten dinner beforehand). It didn't transition a whole lot- but kept a very linear path, starting with quite a lot of spice that fading into strong leather tones with some wood. If that fits your profile, you'll really enjoy this stick. I'm pretty critical with my reviews, so it may not sound like it, but I did really enjoy this cigar. In spite of the issues, smoked it until it got a little too hot to hold.
On a true 1 to 10, I would give this a 7. If it had stayed together, maybe an 8.5.
Reminded me of the La Bomba.
Thanks again wombat, I really enjoyed it!