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2019 Spring Mystery Cigars With A Twist
lance4824 Offline
#101 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2018
Posts: 664
David (Just Relax) and friends,

I have finished all three mystery cigars. I am will discuss in the order I smoked and I had water with all three. This is my first review of cigars and I don’t know all the taste…

Note: I know everyone has their taste and feel as for temp/humidity. I like a high humidity (68ish) and I don’t smoke cigars right after I get them from a BM or mail… They would let them sit couples before I try them.

Cigar #3 - 5 ¾ x 43 ring – Maduro wrapper

First 1/3 – easy to lite/ good smoke/ good taste/ little dry for me/ even burn/ smooth
Second 1/3 – started uneven burn/ good smoke/ ok taste
Third 1/3 – even out burn/ good smoke/ ok taste/ bitter

***I am guessing AF Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Maduro? – Med

Cigar #1 – 4 7/8 x 60 ring (Gordo) – tan wrapper

First 1/3 – easy to lite/ good smoke/ good taste & flavor/ little dry for me/ even burn
Second 1/3 – even burn/ good smoke/ ok taste/ lost some flavor
Third 1/3 – ok burn/ good smoke/ flat taste

***I am guessing CAO Columbia? – Yar Gar

Cigar #2 – 5 1/2 x 50 ring (Torpedo) – tan wrapper (beautiful)

First 1/3 – easy to lite/ ok smoke/ good taste & flavor (cream)/ little uneven burn/ hard to draw
Second 1/3 – even burn/ good smoke/ great taste & flavor / getting better/ smooth
Third 1/3 – difficult burn/ good smoke/ great taste & flavor

***I have no idea on the cigar but it was the best hands down… - High End

David thank you… I will open your envelope soon.
lance4824 Offline
#102 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2018
Posts: 664
stinger88 wrote:
I would like to participate. I won’t be able to ship until 18/19 March. I am currently out of country and don’t get back until the 16th.


David


Are you home? Beer
lance4824 Offline
#103 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2018
Posts: 664
I got 1 of 3...

Mystery Bands for the blind review. Cigarbid forum https://imgur.com/gallery/kx69ZgU

Thanks David....
Just Relax Offline
#104 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
Lance,

I think that's got to be a record for smoking and getting the review done!

Good job on guessing one. I guess the shape probably gave it away. That box came from DED from the Masters contest last year. Since that is coming up I thought it would be fitting to send.

The Daruma Gold probably had 2 years of age. I do keep mine around 65 but winter has had me fighting to keep them above 62. NWStogie turned me on to that and when I saw a deep sale on them I picked up a box.

The Bolivar is a Belicosis Finos. It is pretty much ROTT. I got a box when I saw stock and they were sold out quickly. I think they arrived the first of February. This was my first Habanos box purchase so I hope to be able to let some of them get some time as everything I have with only a couple of exceptions get smoked within a year.
lance4824 Offline
#105 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2018
Posts: 664
Just Relax wrote:
Lance,

I think that's got to be a record for smoking and getting the review done!

Good job on guessing one. I guess the shape probably gave it away. That box came from DED from the Masters contest last year. Since that is coming up I thought it would be fitting to send.

The Daruma Gold probably had 2 years of age. I do keep mine around 65 but winter has had me fighting to keep them above 62. NWStogie turned me on to that and when I saw a deep sale on them I picked up a box.

The Bolivar is a Belicosis Finos. It is pretty much ROTT. I got a box when I saw stock and they were sold out quickly. I think they arrived the first of February. This was my first Habanos box purchase so I hope to be able to let some of them get some time as everything I have with only a couple of exceptions get smoked within a year.



Herfing

David,

This was fun. The Bolivar was great and i enjoyed it while watching the race yesterday.

I have been fighting the dryness too. I have a couple cigar oasises so running. I make sure I add water to them more offen then summer. I put some in a desk top which I can control quickly.

thanks
Lance
stinger88 Offline
#106 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Lance, got in Saturday after a 27 hour travel day. The cigars arrived. I will post the damages tonight. (Cool little gift!!!!)
shaun341 Offline
#107 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
Package arrived from Phil after it looked like it was making a detour over the weekend. Got some goodies in here with the 3 blind cigars he included an AF BTL and an Isabela (nh for me) and I look forwarding to ashing them after the blind reviews are all done. Also got 3 bags of Zapp's chips regular, cajun dill gator-tators, and spicy cajun crawtators, who doesn't love cajun food! A bottle of Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ sauce which will get tried out on something I cook in the smoker for sure, a florida magnet and a Don Mossi rookie card. Thanks a ton Phil that was fun to open!
Sunoverbeach Offline
#108 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Package received from Rick today. Contained the obligatory mystery cigars along with a jug of local maple syrup.

To answer the question as I have in the past. Always pancakes, but occasionally hotcakes, flapjacks, or jonnycakes. No waffles

The box also contained a selection of hangers on:
Castro's Backroom - a signature blend from the local B&M
7-20-4 Hustler - I've seen online but never had. Apparently an old blend revived by a local company
Padilla Havana and a Fighting ****

You figured correctly Rick. I've never had a fighting one. Mine has always been for lovin'

Actually all of these are nh's and I'm looking forward to all of them. Thank you much

Dan
Sunoverbeach Offline
#109 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
I'll be dammed. They auto bleeped my cigar name even used in the proper barnyard context. That was another name for rooster for anyone not quite on the ball right now
frankj1 Offline
#110 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
shaun341 wrote:
Package arrived from Phil after it looked like it was making a detour over the weekend. Got some goodies in here with the 3 blind cigars he included an AF BTL and an Isabela (nh for me) and I look forwarding to ashing them after the blind reviews are all done. Also got 3 bags of Zapp's chips regular, cajun dill gator-tators, and spicy cajun crawtators, who doesn't love cajun food! A bottle of Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ sauce which will get tried out on something I cook in the smoker for sure, a florida magnet and a Don Mossi rookie card. Thanks a ton Phil that was fun to open!

I believe Don Mossi, because of his ears, was once described as looking like a cab driving down the street with it's doors open.

Edit: Jim Bouton said it
RMAN4443 Offline
#111 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
Sunoverbeach wrote:
Package received from Rick today. Contained the obligatory mystery cigars along with a jug of local maple syrup.

To answer the question as I have in the past. Always pancakes, but occasionally hotcakes, flapjacks, or jonnycakes. No waffles

The box also contained a selection of hangers on:
Castro's Backroom - a signature blend from the local B&M
7-20-4 Hustler - I've seen online but never had. Apparently an old blend revived by a local company
Padilla Havana and a Fighting ****

You figured correctly Rick. I've never had a fighting one. Mine has always been for lovin'

Actually all of these are nh's and I'm looking forward to all of them. Thank you much

Dan

glad they made it, and pretty happy to hear that they were all nh's...hope you enjoy them
stinger88 Offline
#112 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Lance’s Blind Review package arrived on Saturday.

At first I was confused because all of the cigars had bands on them. And not just the typical white “label” type of bands. Here it turns out that Lance has some personally made bands. They were blue with his name on it and which cigar number it was. Pretty cool.

Along with the three mystery cigars there were
CAO Brasilia
Antaño Gran Reserva
Cuesta-Rey turbo with an Andrews Air Force Base sticker on it
And finally ................Camacho Liberty 2017....very nice.

Swag.....a mini bottle of Woodford Reserve along with one of the coolest personalized items. It is a small wooden figure. Kinda in the shape of a chess piece. However, instead of being a knight it was a cigar holder. It had a little Air Force emblem on it along with STINGER88 around the base. It is pretty damn cool. The wife liked it too.

I smoked cigar #3 but it will be the weekend or later until I can get to another. Headed to Orlando Wednesday morning.

Thanks the cool stuff Lance. I look forward to the mystery smokes and putting my cigar holder to use.

David
Phil222 Offline
#113 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
I’m happy to hear it arrived safely, Shaun. That sauce is really great on pulled pork. I grew up on really sweet sauces, so that one is nice when I want a change of pace. Hope you like it and enjoy the cigars.
gummy jones Offline
#114 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
delta's package arrived intact

3 monster mystery cigars (Churchill, corona gordo and toro maybe?)
2 tasty looking stragglers
2 stowaways from a forbidden land

jerky (ill crush it tomorrow for lunch)
sees candy - 3 varieties

well played sir

I hope to dig into one of these mystery monster sticks soon
lance4824 Offline
#115 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2018
Posts: 664
stinger88 wrote:
Lance’s Blind Review package arrived on Saturday.

At first I was confused because all of the cigars had bands on them. And not just the typical white “label” type of bands. Here it turns out that Lance has some personally made bands. They were blue with his name on it and which cigar number it was. Pretty cool.

Along with the three mystery cigars there were
CAO Brasilia
Antaño Gran Reserva
Cuesta-Rey turbo with an Andrews Air Force Base sticker on it
And finally ................Camacho Liberty 2017....very nice.

Swag.....a mini bottle of Woodford Reserve along with one of the coolest personalized items. It is a small wooden figure. Kinda in the shape of a chess piece. However, instead of being a knight it was a cigar holder. It had a little Air Force emblem on it along with STINGER88 around the base. It is pretty damn cool. The wife liked it too.

I smoked cigar #3 but it will be the weekend or later until I can get to another. Headed to Orlando Wednesday morning.

Thanks the cool stuff Lance. I look forward to the mystery smokes and putting my cigar holder to use.

David



I am glad you are back. Yes I made my own bands. I know the Cuesta-Rey is lower level but I picked it up because of the sticker... Herfing

Phil222 Offline
#116 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Mystery Cigar #5

It’s a 4x48ish cigar with a medium brown wrapper. It has a few noticeable veins, and has a nice weight to it in the hands. It’s what I would call a tight roll, especially at the tip.

I got a very nice pepper spice-mix off the initial light. Am I the only one who enjoys those first few puffs of a cigar the most? The draw is tight and forcing me to take a double-pull in order to get the amount of smoke that I like out of a cigar. I’m all about those big smoke clouds.

The main flavors that I got from this cigar were baker’s spices, leather, and a very slight sweet-citrus. The pepper spice-mix that I got from the initial light-up seemed to fade pretty quickly. For the most part, I found the flavors to be mild, and at some points they seemed to be muddled, making them hard to identify. I had no burn or construction problems of note. Overall, the cigar performed well and my guess for this one is “under $5.” This was my first cigar in a few so if I'm wrong then I will blame it on that. Ha! Thanks for the experience.
NWStogie Offline
#117 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Just Relax: Very nice review! Glad the cigar was a good experience for you. Sorry for the cracked wrapper. Glad the glue worked with only a minor touch up. I look forward to providing you with the intel on it after you’ve smoked the others. This one recently hit my radar and I’d definitely like to stock up on more of them.
ypetryna Offline
#118 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
out last night. eta thursday

9505 5065 7811 9077 0586 57
Just Relax Offline
#119 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
NWStogie wrote:
Just Relax: Very nice review! Glad the cigar was a good experience for you. Sorry for the cracked wrapper. Glad the glue worked with only a minor touch up. I look forward to providing you with the intel on it after you’ve smoked the others. This one recently hit my radar and I’d definitely like to stock up on more of them.


No need to apologize about the wrapper. I've never fixed one and this was a great 'how to' so to speak. I'm glad it was one you picked to send.

I haven't smoked the others yet but I might be thinking myself out of the yard gar classification too...
NWStogie Offline
#120 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
I keep a lot of yard gars in my smoking rotation. I tend to save the good stuff for bombs and trades. I typically only smoke higher end stuff that has been given to me, if that makes any sense. I love this review in particular because it gives me the opportunity to share intel on delicious, low-priced stuff.
tamapatom Offline
#121 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
ypetryna wrote:
out last night. eta thursday

9505 5065 7811 9077 0586 57


Ypetryna..............Coincidentally, the one I am sending to you is due Thursday too 840-5335-0050-004-00044-40327-02

Side note: Although unintentional, it turns out your mystery selection will be somewhat of a maduro showdown - high to low end. Hope you enjoy.




Phil222 Offline
#122 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Mystery Cigar #1

It’s a 5x54ish box press cigar with a medium brown wrapper. It has a few veins and spots on the leaf, but it’s very soft and smooth to the touch. The box press is more rounded than a sharp-square. A nice pack, not too tight with a little bounce.

I got a very tasty salt and pepper blast off the light up. Flavors were a bit mellow to start. I got some leather, cinamon, brown sugar, and a slight bit of woodiness. Halfway down was a major shift in flavors. It went full vegetal mode with some mineral like flavors. Not sure what minerals taste like, but that’s what I’m gonna call this. A little black pepper and charred wood joined the party too.

The cigar performed fairly well. I had to do a few relights, but it might've been due to me not smoking quickly enough. The draw resistance was almost perfect, and by the halfway point it was putting out lots of smoke. This cigar had some strength to it. It kicked me in the balls and I ate a meal prior to smoking it. I had to tap-out heading into the final third. If not for that I probably would've nubbed this one. My guess is “above $10.” Thanks again.
kombat96 Offline
#123 Posted:
Joined: 04-12-2010
Posts: 9,717
Phil222 wrote:
Mystery Cigar #1

It’s a 5x54ish box press cigar with a medium brown wrapper. It has a few veins and spots on the leaf, but it’s very soft and smooth to the touch. The box press is more rounded than a sharp-square. A nice pack, not too tight with a little bounce.

I got a very tasty salt and pepper blast off the light up. Flavors were a bit mellow to start. I got some leather, cinamon, brown sugar, and a slight bit of woodiness. Halfway down was a major shift in flavors. It went full vegetal mode with some mineral like flavors. Not sure what minerals taste like, but that’s what I’m gonna call this. A little black pepper and charred wood joined the party too.

The cigar performed fairly well. I had to do a few relights, but it might've been due to me not smoking quickly enough. The draw resistance was almost perfect, and by the halfway point it was putting out lots of smoke. This cigar had some strength to it. It kicked me in the balls, and I ate a meal prior to smoking it. I had to tap-out heading into the final third. If not for that I probably would've nubbed this one. My guess is “above $10.” Thanks again.



My Father, The Judge. Glad you liked it. Price range, 11-13 bucks.
danmdevries Offline
#124 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Lemonhead ya dink wait till all 3 done been smoked before the reveal
Sunoverbeach Offline
#125 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
SMH noops...grumble mumble...lanceros

Beer
tamapatom Offline
#126 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
Shaun............the package has landed

3 mystery cigars (2 dark robustos and a natural toro) plus a Talavera and a Super Stroke (?). (I notice that Shaun's super stroke is on the smaller side)

Other goodies include Cape May garlic dills (can't wait!) and Hank sauce (aged peppers) NH - wow..............both apparently very local delicacies.

Will get started right away. I usually like to publish findings all at one time though - so I can summarize too.


kombat96 Offline
#127 Posted:
Joined: 04-12-2010
Posts: 9,717
danmdevries wrote:
Lemonhead ya dink wait till all 3 done been smoked before the reveal



Frying pan
kombat96 Offline
#128 Posted:
Joined: 04-12-2010
Posts: 9,717
Sunoverbeach wrote:
SMH noops...grumble mumble...lanceros

Beer




Applause

I like this noop, he gets me.
ypetryna Offline
#129 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
tamapatom wrote:
Ypetryna..............Coincidentally, the one I am sending to you is due Thursday too 840-5335-0050-004-00044-40327-02

Side note: Although unintentional, it turns out your mystery selection will be somewhat of a maduro showdown - high to low end. Hope you enjoy.






nice, if there is something i can confirm, its that i enjoy the casually late arrival. its my style lol

nice maddies, so ill atleast get that portion of the review right
Phil222 Offline
#130 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
kombat96 wrote:
My Father, The Judge. Glad you liked it. Price range, 11-13 bucks.

Very cool. I never would’ve guessed MF and first time smoking a Judge.
Phil222 Offline
#131 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Mystery Cigar #4

4x48ish Dark brown maduro wrapper with a slight oil sheen. It’s what I would call a tight roll with minimal bounce; vein city and almost invisible seams. Nicely rolled.

Light up provides a pepper bomb; black, red, white, cayenne. Draw is tight but produces tons of smoke. Flavor definitely gives me a Nicaraguan vibe. The pepper overload from the initial light mellowed a great deal, but stayed present throughout the entire smoke. Main flavors I got were a nice oily leather, black pepper, and wood. There was a little bit of a sour-sweetness at certain points too, almost like a dark fruit. The flavors were not overly complex, but consistent and easily identifiable.

Burn and construction were excellent. I would say the strength was around medium-full, but hung on the lower end of that scale for the most part. I’m gonna guess “medium $5-$9.” Assertive and enjoyable.
shaun341 Offline
#132 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
tamapatom wrote:
Shaun............the package has landed

3 mystery cigars (2 dark robustos and a natural toro) plus a Talavera and a Super Stroke (?). (I notice that Shaun's super stroke is on the smaller side)

Other goodies include Cape May garlic dills (can't wait!) and Hank sauce (aged peppers) NH - wow..............both apparently very local delicacies.

Will get started right away. I usually like to publish findings all at one time though - so I can summarize too.





Yes, both were made very close to home, hope you enjoy. Its not the length of the stroke. it's motion that counts. Glad they got there safely and I do the same in regards to reviewing all 3 and then posting it on here.
NWStogie Offline
#133 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Boom! Holy carp, I know why the USPS took an extra day to deliver Yaro’s package: He cleverly made use of some PVC pipe in his packing material to keep a huuuge jar of some fine Tony’s hot pepper spread safe. I’m sure some poor federal employee was sitting behind an x-ray scanner, sweating over the contents just about as much as when I will be sweating when I crack open that jar and start enjoying it! I loved the last (smaller) jar you sent in my ASS2019 bomb. It went quick. I’m grateful to be able to restock!

Also included were 3 interesting mystery cigars, accompanied by a La Palina Blue Label TAA exclusive and a CH Angel’s Anvil TAA exclusive from 2017.

Brother Yaro, thank you so much for your creative packaging and excellent contents! Can’t wait to try them!

I just came down with a #%^*&@ cold that has taken up residence in my lungs, so in might be a little bit before I’m able to start reviewing.

You guys are a great bunch. I don’t care what Frankie Tripod says about you.
Phil222 Offline
#134 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Mystery Cigar #2

6x50ish box press that is a bit more oval than pure box, medium brown, lightweight, some prominent veins, spongy pack, and the wrapper is soft to the touch.

I got a very slight salt and pepper kick from the light. It has a very loose draw that produces tons of smoke. The smoke is light and airy with some mild flavors that are not easily identifiable.

The flavors that I get are a semi-sweet floral, clean linen, and the occasional appearance of some baking spices.
I would say medium in both strength and body. It burned well. Flaky ash. No major construction issues. It’s stayed consistent all the way down. I’m gonna guess “under $5.” I enjoyed it.
gummy jones Offline
#135 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
Getting over the flu. Will hopefully be able to did into the mystery cigars next week.
frankj1 Offline
#136 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
NWStogie wrote:


You guys are a great bunch. I don’t care what Frankie Tripod says about you.


These guys? These guys are great.
I meant them other guys.
NWStogie Offline
#137 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Ah... It all makes sense, now. Yeah, those guys are terrible.
NWStogie Offline
#138 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Yaro’s packing-fu can be seen here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/S8FJJzoK5BsjDcDP7
Sunoverbeach Offline
#139 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Quality assembly. Note on the top made me think of the kidnappers in Taken
Phil222 Offline
#140 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Mystery Cigar #3

5x50ish medium brown wrapper with a nice smooth and oily feel. A few veins and tight invisible seams. It’s heavy in the hand with a tight pack, but still has a little bounce to it when squeezed. Very nice looking construction.

An excellent salty spice-mix off the light up. I like this one right away. Salt, pepper, wood, spices. It’s not really complex, just good flavors that agree with my palate. The draw has a nice resistance and puts out a nice amount of smoke. The burn was fantastic. Beautiful ash. No significant changes and finished around medium-full in strength and body; probably closer to full. It got a little warm and bitter in the final third, but I was ready to put it down by that point anyways. I’m gonna say this was my favorite cigar out of the bunch. My guess is “medium $5-$9.”
delta1 Offline
#141 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,754
Just got back from vacation...my mystery cigars trading partner, gummy jones, sent his PACKAGE last week, just before I left. Besides the three mystery smokes, the box included a Tatuaje Black petite lancero, EG Family Series (Pennsylvania shpo house blend), Bolivar petit corona, and a Montecristo Media Corona...plus several Sarris Candies chocolate confections (best chocolates ever) and a bag of pistachios (I considered sending them to FGM, but ate them while I was thinking about it)

Review: Mystery cigar #1

4 3/4" x 52, medium brown wrapper with a matte appearance, thick wrapper leaf with similar hued fillers; solid cigar with very little give when pinched; smelled of barnyard, earthy cocoa and veggie mix pre-light. Paired with ice water.

First few puffs and the flavor profile immediately said Cuban cigar, with the distinctive sweet, smooth, mild grassy, tangy, floral, boutique tea mix flavors. The smoke was dry, and the flavors became apparent only when retrohaling. Seems my tongue/mouth does not taste cigar smoke well, so I always push the smoke out through my sinuses and nose. The draw was about medium, which produced ample smoke.There was an initial slight spicy/pepperiness that disappeared after half an inch. The sweet floral grassy tea flavor remained solid and was joined by some citrus peel. The burn got uneven and needed a touch up after about 1 1/4" and the next puff caused the solid ash to finally drop, onto my lap.

The flavors popped after the burn correction, tasting sweet, floral and fruity mixed with the grassy veggie mix and tea. The smoke left my mouth feeling dry with a slight burn/spiciness, but a sip of water solved that. The mild flavor allowed a full retrohale...what a tasty cigar! Though I wanted to smoke faster, the cigar performed better at a slower pace...about a puff every minute or two. Half way in, and the strength of the tobacco appeared. Getting the warm jitteriness that happens when I have a strong cigar, but this is unusual because the flavors are so mild and mellow. After about 2+ inches, there was a minty flavor that came on, replacing the floral flavor. The sweet veggie, grassy tea mix remained strong. Needed another correction with about 2" left.

The final third, I kept thinking "great cigar!" The draw opened up here. The slight spiciness/peppery flavor came back for awhile, but the sweet minty veggie tea flavor stayed strong. The flavor in my mouth near the end was of mild tobacco with a slight burn. Had to do a last correction of the burn line with one inch left. An even burn line produces the best flavors...

Nubbed to about half an inch, and regretted putting it down. Total time was an hour and 25 minutes... quite a while for a smallish cigar...proof that it was solidly constructed. It was a strong yet mild flavored cigar with complex flavors which were difficult to describe. Despite a few burn corrections, this was a great cigar...guessing it was a high end Cuban, not sure which, though.

Thanks for the great cigar, gummy!


edit: please wait until I review all 3 mystery cigars before revealing what they were....
Phil222 Offline
#142 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Reveals and final thoughts:

I tried my best to base these price guesses on appearance, construction, and complexity instead of what my palate enjoys the most. Not knowing how many of each price level really made it a lot of fun too. Thanks again to kombat for the great selection.

Mystery Cigar #1: My Father The Judge
My guess: Above $10
I thought this was the most complex and unique cigar of the bunch. And the strongest.

Mystery Cigar #2: Avo Syncro
My guess: Under $5
The construction is what led me to believe it might be under $5. This is one of maybe two different cigars that I’ve gotten a “clean linen” taste from and forgot about it until the reveal. Would’ve been awesome to guess this one blind.

Mystery Cigar #3: La Boheme

My guess: Medium $5-$9
Smoked a few of these in the past and really enjoyed them. I didn’t recognize it and wasn’t thinking dominican cigar when smoking it. This makes two years in a row now that I’ve picked a dominican cigar as my favorite. Trend or coincidence?

Mystery Cigar #4: Roma Craft Cromagnon
My guess: Medium $5-$9
Great cigar. I’ve had a few different Roma Crafts and they’ve yet to disappoint.

Mystery Cigar #5: Tatuaje Black
My guess: Under $5
The tight draw was the main reason I decided to go with under $5. In hindsight, I was probably a bit too critical with this one.
ypetryna Offline
#143 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
Package received. Will check it out later tonight and post. It's decievingly heavy. Excited
kombat96 Offline
#144 Posted:
Joined: 04-12-2010
Posts: 9,717
Glad you liked the selection. Tried to get you a variety.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#145 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Plebian Palate Reviews – Precursor

I had concerns about running through these this quickly having only received the cigars this past Monday. However, opportunity presented itself with an early day Thursday and Mrs. Beach having to work all weekend. Opportunity like this does not arrive often, so full speed ahead and damn the torpedos.

All reviews were conducted with a side of water. My usual beverages in order of preference are black coffee, a nice stout or porter, and Arizona Green Tea w/honey (something amazing about this. Not sure why). My choice of water was due to my fear of influencing the taste I was getting from the cigars. My second fear was my mind, desperate to identify flavor notes, would make some up, but my mind’s been f$%king with me for 43 years and I have yet to discover proper mitigation. I mention this because I tend towards the “I know good when I taste it” frame of thought as opposed to “I taste morning dew from a daffodil blooming on the north slope” sense of taste. In other words, take all of the following tasting notes with a big ‘ol whopping block of salt. Did you notice the review title? Believe it.

I’ll be foregoing a description of all the sniffing I did on all of these, my sniffer’s apparently worse off than my tastebuds. What’d I smell? Tobacco, every time. Sometimes some cedar. Point covered.

Having given you all fair warning, away we go.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#146 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Plebian Palate Review #1 – Cigar #3

I attempted, based off looks, to grab the yard-gar first, and work my way up to the high end. I chose this one because I thought I detected some rougher seams through the cello. Closer examination proved this to be inaccurate. Seams were tight. There were a number of smaller veins and about 3 branch sized ones running the length of the cigar. The cigar was firm throughout with only the slightest give when squeezing. I can’t locate a third cap, but the little bastid could be hiding. The wrapper was smooth to the touch with some slight bumpiness. It was a lighter brown color, if not a full-on connie by appearance. It had about 5” in length and I’d put it at about a 54ish gauge.

Clipped the cap and did a cold draw. Draw was excellent with just the right amount of resistance. Tasted like tobacco with maybe a hint of pepper. The light went smoothly and we were on our way. Initially flavor had a sweetness to it with a little peppery bite on the tongue. There’s also the presence of a woodsy tone to it. What type of wood? I don’t know. I haven’t gnawed on much bark in my day. The finish is about medium, not immediately dissipating on exhale, but neither hanging around long after. Strength seems to be a consistent mild, possibly medium.

The ash is a very light grey and very solid. The burn is pretty tight. It goes off one side or the other a little, but returns with some light encouragement (a.k.a. corrective saliva). Smoke output off the foot is not tremendous, but there’s plenty on the draw, no need for double puffing.

At about an inch in, the pepper has disappeared and a creaminess has developed. The sweet and woodsy taste remains. Finish is decent but not overly long. For much of the remainder of the smoke, the profile holds to the same theme, with only the woodsy note moving in and out on occasion.

With about 2-2.5” left changes occur. Pepper returns. What kind of pepper? Peppy pepper. Don’t ask me these things. Along with pepper there’s some saltiness in the draw. The adjustment shakes me out of the lull that the creamy sweetness has brought me to. Aside from the flavor, a crack appears in the wrapper at the foot, and the burn has officially gone wonky. No amount of slobber can fix this. I kill it with fire. The remainder of the smoke is uneventful until I finally toss it with about a half inch to go. I felt a general contentment afterwards making me question whether a little more vitamin N didn’t sneak in there somewhere unbeknownst to me.

My gut judgement on this was that I was correct in thinking this was a yard-gar. Further reflection, and consequent mystery smokes had me elevate this one to the medium range. It was a good smoke. It just wasn’t the flavor and strength I tend to gravitate towards. It reminds me of an HDM Excalibur I ashed early on in my cigar discovery journey.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#147 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Plebian Palate Review #2 – Cigar #1

After some comparison and slight wavering between the final two, I pulled this one out of the cello. On one side it looked fairly smooth with little in the way of prominent veins. Turning it over I found what looked like the work of a 1st year medical student reconstructing a face that had flown through a windshield. Lots of veins with a couple prominent ones. The cigar seemed packed well and was firm with a little give during some exploratory squeezing. Seams were very tight and appeared triple capped. The wrapper was a solid dark chocolate in color and looked to be about 6” in length and 52ish in gauge.

One clipped cap and a cold draw later, I taste tobacco, cedar, and I think I detect a hint of dark chocolate. Is it actual or a figment placed in my imagination by the wrapper color? I dunno. Draw was good on this one as well with just the right amount of resistance.

The light goes smoothly and I’m hit with some immediate sweetness. There’s also a touch of spice involved that blends well with the sweet flavor. No sign of the anticipated, possibly imagined chocolate. Oh well. I can work with this.
Ash is acting very flaky from the onset. This puts me in fear for my at the moment unburned genitalia. The color’s looking blotchy as though it can’t decide whether it wants to be light or dark grey.

At about an inch in there appears to be a toasted quality to it. Some type of nut per chance (timing of this relative to the genitals comment above is entirely coincidental). The original spicy sweetness remains and a hint of dark chocolate rears its head. My only complaint with the profile is that all of these flavors feel muted, like mere whisperings of potential. The finish is very short.

The burn tries to go sideways on me several times. I attempt to curse back into line to little effect. Fire being the only resolution to this dilemma. The ash droops menacingly, continuing to shower me in bits of burned leaf reminding myself of Tommy Lee Jones at the end of Volcano. I tap it to prevent catastrophe but it hangs on with a desperate need for unification. Finally I force the issue against the side of the ashtray and it collapses into an loose pile on the bottom. My continued unburned loins cheer in triumph.

Smoke production from the foot is ok, and excellent at the draw. On oddity I’m noticing during this is that there is a sponginess developing about 3” ahead of the cherry. I’m familiar with it doing so closer to the foot, but not used to it traveling so far. This may be a factor in my next issue. About 2.5” left in the cigar, a crack develops near the head. I wipe the ash from my eyes and lock it down with nature’s own oral adhesive.

About this time the flavor intensity increases, excepting the spice which has made a run for the hills. Same toasted, sweet, slightly chocolatey notes just stronger. Despite the missing spice, I become intrigued. My intrigue is met with a return to their thin, muted forms, like a demonic game of peek a boo.

The cracked wrapper reopens with a vengeance with about 1” left to smoke. I cannae hold her together Cap’n. Abandon ship.

In spite of the negative tone of this piece, the smoke was in and of itself, ok. The burn and consruction issues had throughout along with a minimal amount of flavor leads me to believe this cigar would be better served on a lawnmower or while pulling weeds in the flower bed. This one reminds me of some of the Gurkhas tried in an effort to discover a diamond in the rough. Not the case today, so I must dub thee the yard-gar.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#148 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Plebian Palate Review #3 – Mystery Cigar #2

We are in the home stretch now and I examine the final specimen. This smoke has a milk chocolate appearance with some darker mottling and a hint of a reddish hue to it. Veins are very small excepting to larger branches. Seams on this are near invisible and it has a nice triple cap on it. The cigar is firm throughout with very little give. It appears to be 6” in length and 50ish for the gauge.

I behead the condemned and take a draw which I find to be very tight. Armed with a poker by which I am not sponsored and therefore won’t name, I clear a plug just past the cap making the draw Perfec. Cold draw reveals some tobacco (shocking I know) and some pepper.

The light proceeds without issue and I’m started off with some sweetness and pepper. It’s not a blast per se but blends well with the sweetness. On the retrohale I distinctly note chocolate. Excitement stirs in my loins. I do get a kick out of actually identifying something. A salty note comes into play, complementing the sweetness. Pepper recedes and hangs out in the background with toasted something (no, not nuts this time. IDK) which has popped in as well.

The ash is looking tight and beautiful. Lighter ash on the outside with striations revealing an almost black ash underneath. I couldn’t handle this chit on some quality shrooms. The burn starts to go off a little. This is not the cigar’s fault. I blame the operator getting a little too excited like a teenage boy on prom night. I slow my roll and it sorts itself out. Then I go too far the other way and it goes out on me. Oops.

The relight brings the salted chocolate into play. Pepper smacks me in the face and tells me to stop fugging this up. Then it steps aside as some creaminess comes in and, I know this sounds odd, but I swear I sense carbonation on my tongue. Sweet baby Jaysus, I am now smoking cream soda. The finish is so long, I spend the entirety between each puff licking my lips to catch every last bit of it.

The ash resumes its former artistic quality and I can see a face frowning in disapproval at having fouled up its initial efforts at a masterpiece.

Flavors have now become bored with teasing me and have officially gone batchit crazy. Everything mentioned earlier is still in and out along with some caramel and a few other things I can’t pinpoint. Each sip of water I take riles them up and they scramble like kindergarten class let out for recess.

My elation at this experience is tempered with outright terror that it all has to end. Once the remainder gets too hot to handle, I use the PerfecDraw (oops, now they have to sponsor me, right?) to create a nub kabob. This extends the experience until there’s not enough tobacco left to spear. At about an 1/8” I call it quits and mourn its loss with a single tear. Though that might be the smoke in my eye.

This cigar was awesome. I firmly believe it to be the high end smoke, but if I’m wrong will be immediately funneling my savings to Rick that he might procure me a lifetime supply. I have nothing in my mind’s catalogue to compare it to and eagerly await the reveal.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#149 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Plebian Palate Reviews – In Summary

For the TL/DR folks – I apologize and I don’t blame you. I babble on occasion. My formal education was in literature wih a minor in creative writing. If pressed I could probably do a solid 5 pages on bathroom mold.

To review: Cigar #3 – A good enjoyable smoke, even if it didn’t hit the profile I tend to seek out. Guessed to be the mid-range cigar.

Cigar #1 – A decent smoke with some issues encountered throughout. Good for keeping occupied while knocking out the to-do list. Guessed to be the Yard-gar.

Cigar #2 – An amazing experience I would happily repeat ad infinitum. Guessed to be the high end smoke.

Rick, thank you for the selection. I had a great time going through all of them even if my tone didn’t reflect that throughout. I request a favor. Due to a wide variety of bolt holes I’ve created throughout the house, I’ve temporarily lost track of the envelope. I know I’ll find it eventually, but please let me know what I just smoked.

Kombat, seeing that I was sent this along with a number of others that were, I feel I’ve done you a disservice in not sending an envelope with the mystery bands. If you’re a band collector, I still have them and can send them your way.

Dan, thanks for running this exercise. It really does urge you to focus more closely on the cigar you’re smoking is a different experience. I’ve definitely had a lot of fun with it.
kombat96 Offline
#150 Posted:
Joined: 04-12-2010
Posts: 9,717
I'm ok. I'll post by the weekend and u can give me the answers then.
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