Me being me, I could not resist firing up one of my recently delivered Feb '21 stamped D-4's, despite it being cold and snowy outside. I said "box" above, but what I ordered was 5, 3-packs of tubos. Came wrapped together with a humi-pack inside.
When it comes to taste and flavor, people are going to be different. Hey, it's subjective. What I like, you might not like. Just the way it is.
One thing you can't argue about is quality construction, and this had it. Perfectly rolled. No blemishes. Easy to cut. Lights with just a touch of flame. Razor sharp burn. Firm (dark grey) ash that would not fall off. Perfect draw. The commies still doin' it right!
As to the taste, it started off with a salty, savory, "umami" flavor over the tobacco. The salt went away after a short bit replaced by a distinct but not overpowering peppery and spicy profile that was wonderful. I was highly impressed with how good this was so "young," a real joy to smoke. Stayed that way down to the nub when, for the last little bit, the spiciness faded off and it was a stronger tobacco flavor, with a bit of a (mild) nic kick, but never harsh. If you have a roach-clip, you would use it.
The only thing to say "negatively" is that it was not complex. After the saltiness faded off and the spice and pepper took over, it stayed that way until the very end. My older D-4's show a lot more complexity and evolving flavors with more wood and floral notes coming in and out.
So, yeah, I bitch about it being an amazingly, wonderful, cigar but not changing at all throughout the smoke! LOL. Seriously, this was great, but I am sure these will get even better with some more time.
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