814xx Espinosa Sarsasparilla beli from darklord trade. I've had a couple Espinosa cigars in the past and they didn't wow me so I don't have high hopes but well see.
First light is leathery with some grittiness behind it. Little sweet spice nothing discernable. Burn is uneven in the first inch with an 1/8" void tunnel on the faster burn part. Gonna see if that seals up or corrections won't do chit.
Touched it up and dropped the ash once the burn line evened out. Dunno if it's the name or if it's really there but there's a Sarsasparilla flavor like those root beer barrel candies. Maybe some anise too. It's a weird profile. Gonna grab a root beer to pair for the rest of this. Dunno if if pick that up if it were unbanded/ blind.
Halfway I looked it up. MSA wrapper nic fill. Does have the filthy gritty dirt from the MSA but balanced with a pretty sweet filler blend. No pepper bite, it's a very smooth leathery smoke. There's a lingering salty/metallic quality in there but not overpowering or unwelcome.
I dont know if I'd buy one at $10, but it's interesting enough I wouldn't mind having another. Reminds me of my thoughts on the other Espinosa cigars I've had. Unique for the sake of being unique but not something I want in a regular rotation. Can't say I've ever opened the humidor and thought I wanted a cigar with notes of anise. I'd call this one good.
danmdevries wrote:
