Specifics
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cubano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Price: about $6.75 each
Smoking Location: Cannibal Lounge Tiki Bar
Beverage: None
Strength: Medium
Lit with a Perdomo Thundra
Maker: Altadis
Purchased at: Local Shpo
Pre-Light
The pre-light inspection showed a medium weight dark but not maduro wrapper. No flaw was seen in the wrapper however it was not oily. It did pass the "pinch test". Cut with a Liga 9 Cutter. Pre-light draw was smooth and easy. The cigar was not toothy and smelled paper pulp and pine...
First Third
The cigar lit cleanly and easily. It mainted a fairly even burn and did not require any touchups in the first 1/3. It started with a slight bitterness but that faded quickly and the cigar turned more earthy and kind tasted of pine or even pinecone. Not that I have ever really tasted or smoked a pinecone. The draw was effortless and it had plenty of smoke.
Second Third
The seocon third was better then the first although it did require a couple touch ups. The flavor stayed in the realm of pine but was a little heavier and certainly stronger then the first third. I suppose you could through nutty and earthy into the flavor realm also. Still pretty one dimensional but it was a pleasent flavor and I was enjoying it. The draw remained fine however the amount of smoke noticably reduced
Final Third
Flavors remained consistent until about 1.5 inch mark where it did get a little bitter. This cigar would benefit from Humi time. The smoke volume was now greatly diminished and it even went out when I stopped paying attention for a minute during a conversation with my daughter. I relit, which I hate to do but it recovered. Not sure if this caused some of the bitterness.
Final Thoughts
The Warlock was a decent smoke but probably only a 87 on the C.A. scale. It was pretty 1 dimensional throughout and certainly not complex. For the most part the flavor was nice but not great. The fact that it went out so easily and the lack of smoke as it burned down may shine a light on construction issues. I think if these went up on c-bid they would quickly become an $11.00 fiver.
I probably wont buy any more of these however if I had more I would smoke it in a situation where I wasn't giving full attention to it. For example riding the lawn mower etc. Its not wasn't bad but not real good either. I suppose having some to hand out to non smoking buddies would be good as it was good enough to please them and they would probably get off on the cool name.
recomendation: If you get a chance try it but certainly don't search it out. Grab a single first and see if it itches you where you scratch. I am still itching!
