2024 Springtime Blind Reviews With a Twist · Page 12

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jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#221

BLIND REVIEW CIGAR 1 FROM LEEBOT
Robusto about 5 x 48 or 50. Nice looking parejo, the double cap (I think) is not perfect, seems are visible but no problem, small veins well distributed, 1” from foot squishy soft spot. Surprisingly floral and nutty on nose / preflight draw. Lemon, spice, pepper, floral on kickoff. Sweet lemony retro. The soft spot presenting a burn issue, maybe it will self correct. Nice sweet buttery type smoke. Smooth, mellow, easy draw, copious smoke. Could be cinnamon in first to second transition. Long finish and mouth coating oils. Burn line is self correcting. Lemon and floral is gone, mildly woody flavor shows. Body picking up at transition to second third, more pepper with cinnamon sweetness hanging in there. I’m getting sweet smoked meat occasionally on retro. I’m enjoying this experience very much. Transition to last third burn line is getting slanted and smoke production suffering. Floral sweetness, cinnamon still here, pepper occasionally, picking back up on nutty creaminess. Had to touch up burn line, cigar is getting hot and mushy though I’ve slowed down on draws. Still tastes great. Installing my patented Tele-nubber.

Truly wonderful mellow smoke, probably got a year or more laying down if I know Lee. The color and flavor has my noob azz convinced that this was a Cammie. The best I can do is to say it wasn’t a LPH or RP or Hemingway which are the only Camaroons I have smoked. I’ll have to reserve which category it is until I smoke the others. But I will commit to Camaroon and that I enjoyed it very much. Thank you, Leebo.

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#222

Excellent write ups drginc.

I don't understand the Cohiba price variations. I see them go for what you've quoted and I've seen them go for cheap. Maybe vitola or a fancy box is the difference. The double corona is $19ea on freefall by the box this week and the toro are $4ea in a ten bundle (both prices at the bottom of the fall). How does one actually "tier value" with that kind of disparity? I remember last year there was a complainer who popped into the forum to gripe that he was buying macassar for a few weeks cheaply and then out of nowhere someone started jacking up the auctions and buying out entire lots for weeks at much higher prices.

Interesting on the Buffalo Trace. I know I have a few buried. I'll pay some attention when I smoke 'em.

These reviews can be revealing as to differences in palates and preferences. Danm is a great one to watch as he does mini reviews often in the smokin' azzhats thread. Useful even when palates aren't in line with each other.

Good stuff guys!!

Tiver wrote:

Danm is teaching me a lot. I’m trying to get better at my reviews by following his example.

danmdevries
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

2 years ago

#223

Interesting danm I also wasn’t super impressed with the h99 I guessed it was a run of the mill Roma craft

Jakethesnake86 wrote:

Construction on that one sucked for one. It was just shy of plugged for starters, it struggled to stay lit throughout. Usually LP will happily smoke themselves. Then the flavors were cheap habano to start and progressed to a pepper blend similar to My Father's. Very little smoke production, especially for a LP usually those are clouds of blue smoke.

I've been tempted to pick some of those H99s up to try, glad I didn't spend my money on it.

No2 I liked the most but I was fairly certain it was JGRE. As that's a cigar I'm fairly familiar with though it's been a very long time. Last one I had was from ZRX in a beer trade.

No3 other than the tight draw, had no indication of yard gar. The wrapper was the nicest of the three. The flavor transitions kept me interested till the end. I would've put this in midrange and 2 at the top if I wasn't so sure of what no2 was(not).

Thank you DrgInc. This is why I love this chit. Wrong on all counts!

Cheno
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#224

I would consider #3 a yard as well. And SA wrapper if I remember correctly. Glad you enjoyed them!

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#225

BLIND REVIEW CIGAR 2 FROM LEEBOT APRIL ‘24
This one also smells sweet and floral but noticeable cocoa on the foot, and somewhat nutty…Cashew?? I’m reaching. Beautiful toro 6” or maybe 6+ x 52(ish). Pigtail cap expertly attached, flawless invisible seems, tiny veins delicate and well distributed. Cigar feels light in weight but solid, light brown w/very little, but noticeable mottling. Wait…closed foot too. Never had one of these. (Good Ol’ Lee). Twist and pull, nothing on cold draw but the mouth tobacco is savory and sweet. Kickoff retro is like a curb stomp the smoke flavor is good enough to eat, savory w/a twang and sweet. The wrapper ain’t giving it this full bodied kick, I suspect there is dark tobacco inside there. Retro is pleasant after a couple draws. Having difficulty keeping it lit in this first inch. Easy draw, not too loose. If I keep this up I’ll hyperventilate. Burn line has exceeded 45 degrees, touch up. I’ve got a piece of charcoal I could write my name on the cement. It makes a clanging noise on my stinky stackable ashtray. Finally knocked it off and the burn line is offset at about an inch already. All the flavor and body are completely gone here in second third. Touch up #3 but at least it’s staying lit w/o constant puffing. Ash like Elmer Fudd’s busted shotgun. More charcoal. The juice on the cap end is removing layers of skin from my lips. Tunneling deep and wide where cherry should be. 1/2 way into final third it is under control, installing patented Tele-nubber. Faint honey sweet and mildly spicy. A pleasant savory note.
Just a guess at Corojo wrapper because it’s not too dark and is brownish-red. I suspect some dark tobacco inside so I’ll guess MSA because that seems to be popular. The flavors at kickoff were magnificent. I suspect this could be the premium and just needed to rest awhile longer, but I’m reserving judgement on category until I smoke mystery #3. I’ve definitely never smoked this before.

EDIT: when I stood up it suddenly occurred to me that this cigar might have a little oomph behind it.

Edited by user 2 years ago | Reason: Not specified

Tiver
Aficionado

2 years ago

#226

You jumped right into Jeebs. I kind of hate to think of burn issues in a premium. But you smoked it so it's your guess =d>

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#227

You jumped right into Jeebs. I kind of hate to think of burn issues in a premium. But you smoked it so it's your guess =d>

Tiver wrote:

I’m reserving final judgment on which category it falls into. It’d be just my luck to waste a nice premium.

Huzza3045
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#228

Overall, it's not a bad trip, ya know? Real solid construction, but nothing that'll blow your mind, just a good ol' yardgar, man.

Let me tune you into this cosmic revelation, my brother. My vibes are telling me this cigar is like a blend of the universe, ya know? It's like a Graycliff G2 maduro that's been chillin' in a humidor next to an Alec Bradley, maybe some Diesel, and definitely on top of a La Aurora, ya dig? And get this, Huzza, he's vibin' with some aftershave, but not the splashy alcohol stuff, more like the lotion-y type, like Nautica or somethin', ya feel me? And he's been groovin' with a workout earlier, but hasn't hit the shower yet.

Final answer. It's like the universe conspired to bring this cigar into existence, a cosmic blend of vibes and flavors. Peace and love, fellow travelers.

LeeBot wrote:

Nice review, which stick number was this?

Tiver
Aficionado

2 years ago

#229

On to my first in the series of three from the Jakester. Animals are the theme. We have a dog, a horse and a bull.

We'll begin with man's best friend. Big Grey the dog. Jake has chosen Grey over Gray and has instructed me to "deal with it". I like the spelling with the 'e' better anyway. Jake says it's a British dog. I don't think the cigar is British.

Good looking 5.25 x 50-52 medium or slightly darker brown

Looks like a triple cap, Multiple small veins. Not rough and only slight if any tooth. Has a mild sheen and any wrapper seams are tight and well done. Seems solid and firm with the exception of two softer spots opposite each other about 1/2" in from the foot.

Head to foot aroma of mild baking spice and cocoa with a light barnyard. Straight cut reveals simple tobacco flavor on the cold draw and a slight pepper as my tongue and lips meet the wrapper.

Lighting the cigar I am greeted with mild black pepper with some light chocolate. Early retro holds a mild pepper tinge that fades quickly. The first 6 to ten puffs and a hint of espresso forms with a basic tobacco flavor trying to make it's way through. Another couple puffs and the tobacco takes the front and pretty much bullies any other flavors out of the way.

Five minutes in and I see the affects of the soft spots just beyond the foot and the burn is a bit erratic. I'm going to try and power through and hope the burn self corrects. The wrapper ash is white and the inner tobacco ash is a dull grey with a little splayed bloom from the soft spots. Ample, but not copious smoke output.

Started and continues a strong medium on all counts and the nicotine doesn't wait for an invitation. 15 minutes and 1-1/2" in and I'm reaching for some other flavor. Maybe a little salt and mineral. The tobacco has a dry attribute and only a subtle sweetness.

The burn is not self correcting and has about a 1/2"-3/4" one sided irregularity which I end up evening out with my pocket knife. I hate touch-ups if avoidable. The added flame can damage flavors IMO and my lighter is out of butane. Finally about the 1/2 point the burn has manged a reasonable symmetry. Medium + still holds

But that's all this cigar is going to give in the flavor department. Pretty much straight up tobacco flavor for the last half. Maybe a little astringent, but that may have been me chuffing a little too much trying to get the cherry to even out the burn.

I'm too much of a noob to confidently call out a cigar, but I suspect there was at least some ligero filler in this one. It smoked with a strong nicotine component. I'll stick my neck out and say maybe a private label or club cigar.

Unlikely Big Grey is the premium, but I'll reserve yard and mid level until the others come to play.

Edited by user 2 years ago | Reason: Not specified

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#230

Nice job, T. Review really makes you slow down and concentrate on the moment, don’t you think?

Tiver
Aficionado

2 years ago

#231

Nice job, T. Review really makes you slow down and concentrate on the moment, don’t you think?

jeebling wrote:

Yes. I have spent time like this before, but this one had more nic kick than I was ready for, even though i had a sandwich just a little before. Had to get up and walk around. I was at a park and the weather was gorgeous. Out of butane and a wonky burn, but I just didn't find any break out moments. I don't think I missed out on anything. Jake will let me know once the reveal time comes [frypan]

ZRX1200
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#232

Blind cigar #2

It’s a well rolled 5x50 robusto with a light Corojo Ecuadorian Habano or a dark Connecticut wrapper….very slight veins, a double cap, very nice bunching and a noticeable barnyard nose. Pre-light draw tastes like cinnamon sticks smell (no pepper) or like fig Newton filling. Tight-ish draw.

1/3 first bit is BIG pepper, then it gone as fast as it got there. Then oak. Then the flavor diminishes noticeably, and oak comes on even stronger.

2/3 oak is turning into charcoal so I slowed the pace, then purged just hoping to improve it. Pepper came back again, then left and settled back into it.

3/3 rates more like a Connie now and flavors still haven’t changed but it did get hot. Put it down and total time was a hair over 85 mins.

Not a bad smoke but not one I’d reach for again, though if I was handed this at a gathering I wouldn’t say no. Origin? This isn’t as confusing as the first one but it doesn’t taste like a Puro I think it was a Habano wrapper and maybe a Connecticut binder? No idea the brand it’s not something I regularly smoke. Which, now that it’s a narrow band of go to’s these blinds are much harder for me than they used to.

Very confident it’s the yard cigar at this juncture. #1 is still in the lead but it’s off putting how good the bunch was on #2 too….🤷‍♂️

Telecaster52
Aficionado

2 years ago

#233

Z you wearing 2 too?

Sunoverbeach
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#234

Sorry, been sidetracked again. Cheno, you were dead on with my intended tier rankings. Nicely done

deadeyedick
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#235

Been waiting for the cigars from tele to get used to their new neighbors. Prolly get my reviews done this weekend.

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#236

ZRX1200 wrote:

Great review. I should edit my reviews down a bit. I do word salad.

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#237

Sorry, been sidetracked again. Cheno, you were dead on with my intended tier rankings. Nicely done

Sunoverbeach wrote:

Spot on, Cheno! Happy 40th!

=d> =d> =d>

Huzza3045
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#238

Smoke number 2 from Tiver:
Paired with Void Sake Company Opalescent Junmai Nigori (so I have an excuse for day-drinking)

Visual description: a thicc conny, double capped, even coloring, firm and consistent construction throughout, a couple of big ol’ veins on the wrapper. I started with blind smoke #2 because it was the largest, and I have some time to burn.

Unlit description: molasses, cedar, cashews and a little bit of spice. I feel like I will enjoy this.

First third: pleasant and light. The molasses from the pre light is not present, but the cedar and cashews are coming on strong. There’s a hint of citrus on the backend. I attempt a retrohale, I proceed to cough for the next minute or so. This is clearly what I deserve for pretending I know what I’m doing. The smoke production on this thing is immense. I feel like I’m making enough smoke that the Green Party is about to knock on my door and tax me. The burn line is even and consistent through the 1st third. Ash made it about an inch before gravity did the job for me. I attempt another retrohale. Clearly, I don’t learn from mistakes. As I approach the second third, I’m starting to notice a note of milk chocolate in my future.

Second third: The cedar is gone. Cashew is the predominant flavor. There’s a hint of milk chocolate on the aftertaste. I lose attention as I try to pin the next flavor, the ash falls into my lap again. Burn line remains straight. I’m now realizing that I probably smoke cigars too quick, I’m at 30 minutes and I’m halfway through.

Third third: The nut changed… kind of almond-y and vanilla-y? I approve of this change. I’ve been impressed that the burn line has stayed consistent throughout the stick and didn’t need to be relit, which is pretty rare when I’m smoking.

Total smoke time 1.25 hours

Final thoughts:
Overall a pleasant smoke, which had some mild changes throughout. Id buy a fiver of it. I’d reckon it’s a Mid range stick. However as I write in my psychiatric evals: I reserve the right to change my professional opinion when new information comes to light. At that point, I would be happy to revise the contents of this evaluation.

Edited by user 2 years ago | Reason: Not specified

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#239

Huzza, LMAO at the internal dialogue there. Excellent observations in your review. Sounds like I might try a fiver of that myself.

Tiver
Aficionado

2 years ago

#240

Seems like you enjoyed it pretty well Huzza. Nice review.

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