Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

I need to work on further developing my cigar palate and profile. Looking forward to #2 blind cigar; maybe I'll toast it up come Wednesday's MMA.
-(P

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Nice job on review #1, Men. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

I'm lucky to have found a local group of guys to herf with every week, it helps when someone can point out subtle and sometimes not so subtle profiles to you or hand you a stick and ask you if you taste certain things. I've only been smoking 3 years, usually stick to the mild / medium sticks and usually if something doesn't hit me over the head I don't notice it, I just put a lot of filler in the reviews that's all. :lr


Thanks, Tom!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Robb, a few tips that may help if you feel like trying them:

* Try closing your mouth after blowing out most of the smoke and push the remaining 10-20% out of your nose. You will certainly be able to pick up more flavors that way.

* Feel free to purge (blow air through the cigar to clear out some stale smoke) every now and then. I find that helps me clarify the flavors a bit more.

* Sometimes sipping the cigar (light pulls, like you were drinking water from a straw) helps as it keeps the cigar from getting too hot too fast.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Well done on round one, gents!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Thank you both for the great reviews!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Also sipping helps your palate from getting overwhelmed, I find when I personally take big pulls I lose all the nuances.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

This is an awesome thread! Really cool to see the different nuances different people taste.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

newbs, I could have told you it was a Cosacos! ;)

Nice review guys, keep it up. I love reading these.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Great read

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Interesting for #1. Good job, guys. Still disappointed by no mention of hot biscuits.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Cigar #2 review concluded & Pm'd to Dan. Stay tuned. -(P

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

So I thought, without bias or review, I would post 3 pics of my Cigar #2. No clue why they appear stretched. But then a technology advanced shutterbug I am not.
-(P

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Nice work on round one

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

The thumbnail preview get's crammed into a ridged box, clicking it again opens it in a window without the distortion. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Bump for Adam...:sh

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Hey it was one per week :lr Review is in, even before I saw this!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

AdamJoshua Cigar #2
*******************

Start time: 1: 45
Finish: 2:50

Size: 14cm 44rg

http://i.imgur.com/EceaO4A.jpg

Drinking water and coffee

Wrapper appears to be a bit thin and with a rustic quality, defiantly not a Cohiba quality to it, that perfect look and construction, this seems to have a much more "hey it's a cigar" quality to it that brings to mind RyJs or JLPs with a few years on them.

Straight cut and there is a nice easy draw, the cigar is well filled but no tightness to the draw.

http://i.imgur.com/BBndlD4.jpg

As you can see the beetle holes were expertly repaired, just funnin, you can tell here that there are more than a few years on this stick and that it has a thinnish wrapper.

http://i.imgur.com/Bfg0Mad.jpg

Temp 78.
Humidity 35

First impressions. Very strong out the gate. Lots of pepper on the snork. Interesting the spice has mellowed within the first half dozen draws.

Really worried about the cigar vs this low humidity, keeping fingers crossed.

I'm confused 6 pulls in and the cigar has totally changed for me.

So far a lot of oak and earth, still some spice but nothing to make your eyes bleed on the retro hale.

Man I have a real love hate thing going for blind reviews.

The first third gives me a bit of nuttiness … phrasing … going with those strong earth notes.

http://i.imgur.com/vxyv9lF.jpg

This is a great example in the difference between nc and cc, while this is medium to strong, the strength comes from earth and wood rather than pepper and dirt.

2nd third. Still holding true to itself. I'd call this "every Cuban cigar". There is a familiarity with the predominant flavors, hopefully that will make some sense to someone other than me.

Ash breaks off fairly easy making me think this is a short filler stick, actually I have no real clue if that makes a difference.

Pretty one dimensional, but it's not a bad dimension, I'd call it a good honest smoke with a lot of wood and earth.

At this point I gave it a tiny touch up with the torch, not because it really needed it, more because I was being anal.

Final third lots of spice picking up

The only thing I get from snorking at this point is watery eyes and a runny nose.

Staying true to itself the finish was very earthy with a lot of wood, one thing I noticed is I never got any kind of sweetness or even fruitiness from this cigar.

Overall enjoyable, would hold it’s own with a cup of strong coffee and would be a good everyday kind of smoke in the rotation.

6.5 out of 10 smileys

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Ripplingh20 Cigar #2
******************


Initial Observations - 42 x 5.50" Maduro or Cameroon wrapper.

Being more accustomed to Robusto size cigars, this Corona (as well as cigar #1) felt somewhat pencil-like to hold but holding isn't akin to smoking. Precut aroma lent to wisps of cocoa (or something chocolatey). Excellent firm composition (trying to feel for any hard spots (after cigar #1's plugging issue)). Nice dense construction. Made another clean straight cut just above the shoulder. Pre-light draw left a slight tingle on my lips. Pairing with a 2nd cup of black coffee out in the garage. It's a balmy 41 degrees this morning; toasting began at 9:50 am.

First 1/3 - So we have plenty of rich smoke emanating from a splendid draw. The prelight tingle has become a mild peppery taste (especially thru a retro (or I think "snork" as Adam referred to it)). Finish isn't long lasting. Seems to pair nicely with my rich black coffee. Nice white/gray ash with black burn lines throughout. Reminds me of a wasp nest I had in the backyard last summer (which I evaporated with 1 shot from a 12 gauge) but I divest... Time to tap the ash before it becomes a design on my sweatshirt.

2nd 1/3 - Draw & smoke output continue to be excellent. The peppery note (or is it a nuance?) has subsided (even via a snork). I mistakenly inhaled in prep for the last retrohale & that was a slight jolt (but not in a bad way). Seems this stick is certainly full bodied or at least moreso than my familiar Connecticuts. Burn is razor sharp (another term I've learned). Sipping, as suggested to me, reveals something but unfortunately I can't put my finger on it. Kinda reminds me of the BBQ'd ribeye I had for supper last night. Very good cigar... Looking forward to the final third.

Last 1/3 - Noticed a portion of the wrapper has released but I'll smoke past it. I'm hoping to pinpoint a taste or flavor or two soon but am sure this stick will continue with excellence. Ash, burn, draw, & smoke remain steadily consistent. Seems rolling the cigar while keeping the slow burn edge on the bottom enhances a sharp burn (I read that somewhere). Retro has become equally pleasant. Burning thru the released wrapper now, so its become slightly jagged. I hate to touch it up with my torch so chose not to. Aroma continues to be rich as is the overall flavor. The cigar seems to be burning faster now on its own & a second piece of wrapper is beginning to gently peal away.

Overall rating - This stick was very enjoyable. To me, with my minimal experience, was rich, full bodied yet relatively mild. Hopefully it will be a cigar I will be able to buy in the future & I hope it comes in a larger Robusto size. Discounting the slight canoeing as it burned thru the unravel I'll rate it an 8.5. Smoke time: 1 hour 10 minutes. Kudos again to Dan. Looking forward to cigar #3!! -(P

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

What they smoked:
****************

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...011_191358.jpg

Le Aurora 1495 Corona

AdamJoshua Rating: 6.5/10

Ripplingh20 Rating: 8.5/10

I love that this was described as "every cuban cigar" and, also, this is why I love blind taste tests. Adam was 100% certain this was a Cuban cigar, but this is Dominican. Luckily for Robb, these do come in Robustos, and can be had pretty cheaply from CI (under $3/stick).

This was the first premium cigar I ever had, I think (it was a long time ago), but I vividly remember going to the B&M and buying these. I recently picked up a couple boxes of these as I find myself smoking a lot just to smoke and not to really 'enjoy a good cigar'... having an indoor cigar lounge in my house is a gift and a curse!

Keep 'em coming, guys!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Nice curveball Dan :tu

I've always said I thought certain La Auroras have a cubanesque profile to them, glad they made their way into this tasting

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

I scrolled up from the bottom of this thread and saw the pic of the cigar, first. I immediately thought that someone was going to praise on about how wonderful that "cuban twang" was. :r

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Nice reviews, gents! And a nice change-up from DBall. :)

This is why I enjoy these blind tests.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Cigar #3 is done; PM'd to Dan. Stay tuned. -(P

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

See and it had that earth and wood to it that I always pull as Cuban, it's that one constant. so **** you guys. :lv

I would still put it on course with a JLP (looks like I took that comparison out of the review) for an every day kind of cigar with coffee. That being said I will be looking for them. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Great reviews, Guys. I've heard those La Auroras can throw you for a curve, though I thought from the picture of the foot that it looked more like an NC roll. Easy to say after it's already been identified, but that's what I thought. So **** me, Adam. :r

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Never really thought of that, I have to dig out some NCs and do some comparisons, learn something new every day.

http://media.tumblr.com/2376de131ab7...7ty1qzem8g.jpg

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Can't wait to see these final cigars! Robb already finished #3 and Adam is keeping us in suspense (yet sticking to the proposed schedule of 1/week, so no complaints here)...

Man, I forgot how much I enjoyed these things... :noon

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

... funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to ****ing amuse you?

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

The proposed schedule as I understood, said "at least one per week". Didn't want to extend this to a 5 week episode.
:cb

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

AdamJoshua Cigar #3
*******************

Seems to be about PC sized.

Very nice milk chocolate wrapper, no veins to speak of, well packed, a little bit tight with a knot right where my fingers are pinching in the photo, doesn’t seem to be anything too major.

First Third: Lots of wood off the bat, no pun intended, it’s that wood you get when you chew on a No. 2 pencil. The last time I got something like this was a Monte Esp that was a bit tight as well, this is one of those unmistakeable notes to me, wish there was someone else here to try this, they might have another name for it or something more common as far as what type of wood, usually I can tell cedar or oak, but it’s not really either of those.

About half way through the first third and it’s a bit of a smokey oak and tea profile at this point, Is that something, well if not it is now.

Almost through the first third, very little spice to me, nice smooth snorking, nice sharp burn line with no touchups needed.

Second Third: starting out mild to medium the wood is going limp … phrasing … still a bit of wood but I’m getting more leather and a bit of sweetness, I would say honey but it’s way in the back, really faint and hard to pinpoint but it’s definitely not a sweetness like a chocolate or caramel.

Final Third: Strength is picking up a bit, almost like a licorice or anisette.

Overall a very enjoyable cigar, the tightness never came into play.

I’d go with 7 out of 10 smileys.

http://i.imgur.com/fTEIscF.jpg

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Ripplingh2o Cigar #3
******************

Initial observations - 5.0" x 42RG medium brown wrapper, densely composed, firmly packed cigar with a woodsy aroma. Used my Xikar V-cutter. Thought I smelled a hint of cocoa so I chose to pair it with a cup of Swiss Miss. Toasted at 9:55 a.m.

First 1/3 - Right off the first draw I know this is going to be another wonderful cigar. Excellent draw with rich, creamy smoke and only the smallest hint of pepper thru the retrohale. Pairs superbly with my hot chocolate. As usual, I can't pinpoint any particular notes or nuances regardless of how I "sip" or retro but that doesn't detract from its enjoyment. As I now progress to the second 1/3, the initial gray & white ash remains solidly intact.

Second 1/3 - Watched some YouTubers last night as they reviewed various sticks touting proclamations of cedar, vanilla bean, licorice, apricot, leather, citrus, toasted almond, graham cracker, & yes, even hot biscuits. I'm encouraged to discover my cigar palate, but likened to the Herman's Hermits lyric, "second verse, same as the first". This stick continues to be rich & creamy without any harshness. Burn by the way, is razor sharp.

Last 1/3 - Finally, there seems to be a slightly noticeable transition. IDK, maybe a honey or almond note or a hint of toffee flavor .? The Mrs. just visited me in the garage and remarked, "oh, that one sure smells good."
Final thoughts - I didn't have one of those fancy nub holders like Adam has, so I used a 10 penny nail from off my workbench to keep from burning my fingers. Great smoke Dan, thank you. Mirroring the 2nd cigar, I hope this is one I can buy in the future. Overall rating - since it was a tad better than cigar #2,

I'll give it a 9.0. Smoke time: 45 minutes.

On to cigar #4 in a couple days or so.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

What they smoked:
****************

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...011_191745.jpg

2015 Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona

AdamJoshua Rating: 7/10

Ripplingh20 Rating: 9/10

This is a fresh run of the mill Cuban cigar, but it seemed to get a good reception! Luckily, these can be had for a reasonable price.

Glad to see these got favorable reviews!

So excited for the next two!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Another pair of fun and interesting reviews. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Glad people are enjoying this one! I have been long considering this whole new guy/established guy format and this one isn't disappointing, I don't think. :)

I think I may do another round after this.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Good reviews, guys!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Now that's what i call a true cuban cigar! :lv

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

:tpd:
:cl

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

...aaaaaaand this comment wins! :r

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Nice reviews fellas :tu

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Thanks for another set of fine reviews!

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Nope - you comment about pairing a certain cigar with a glass of bleach - was wayyyyyyyy better LOL!

This has been fun to watch

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

That was an Illusione Epernay. I will never forget the vileness of that cigar!

For those interested, here's the link.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Too funny, the Epernay is one of my favorite NCs. ;s :r

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Maybe I just had an 'off' one, but man... that one was BAD.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Yeah, me saying it's one of my favorite NCs means I have probably smoked 4 in the last 3 years. :r

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

PM'ing Cigar #4 results to Dan.
-(P

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Nice! :banger

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

Well geez at this pace 10 would have been nothing :lr

I'll puff puff write in a bit.

Re: DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6
 

AdamJoshua Cigar #4
*******************

170 x 46

A very rustic wrapper, a little damage about half way up the stick, painted it up with a little pectin so hopefully it won't be an issue. The stick is firmly packed and the shoulder is a bit dry as you can see when I gave it a straight cut, a bit of the wrapper around the shoulder flaked away but nothing major.

First third: very mild start with lite smoke, starting this with a cup of coffee seems to have been a mistake to start. What I am getting to start is a sweetness, such lite smoke makes this a stick you have to concentrate on, don't get me wrong it's really good but for review purposes it's taking a little bit extra. Light gray ash that breaks away fairly easy, no a smoke to be enjoying while doing 90 down the 15 with the top down. For my life depended on it I'd say ...well I'd say anything but since my life doesn't depend on it I'd say I'm picking up a bit of honey, marzipan and sweet cream, not that big mouth full of creamy white....phrasing, boom nailed it, but just a hint.

Around the end of the first third their is some wood starting to ent it's way in, no spice of any kind that I can tell, a lot of tea, sweetness and a bit of wood, those are the stairs of the show.

Second Third: this cigar is right there on the razor's edge, I keep hoping it's going to pick up in strength, the favors are good just a bit muted for my goat palette, I'm hoping once it gets past the little repair the smoke will pick up, I can tell there is air drawing in there and even a little would be too much for how delicate this stick is.

End of the second third and a bit of spice is rearing it's head, the tiniest bit of white pepper really only noticeable on the snork and as a bit of a lingering note on the back of the tongue.

Final Third: smoke production is picking up and so is the spice, a bit of nose tickle on the retro-hale, of course when you have a um proud Jewish nose like I or Tucan Sam have that's not saying much, it would probably kill one of you lesser nosed people.

Half way through the final third and the pepper is really picking up.

Toasted wood toasted wood!!!! I finally picked something out that I don't have to hunt for and that would be, Bueller, Bueller?

Um, toasted wood. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who knows someone that smoked one of these and he said toasted wood at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty strong.

Thank you, Simone.

No problem what-so-ever.


This cigar really picked up at the end, I’m assuming that most of that had to do with smoking past the problem area, really needed a cigar bandaid, I think i need to go create, patent and sell those, lots of toasted wood, and light spice, the final third of this cigar really shined, if the entire cigar was like this it would have been much more enjoyable with the coffee and in general, as it was I ended up switching over to water about half way through just so the coffee didn’t overpower the stick.

I’m going to split the rating the two thirds was just very mild and lite smoke and I’d have to give it a 5 out of 10, while enjoyable I really had to work at it and none of us enjoy a cigar you have to work.

The final third I’d go with 8.5 out of 10, really strong notes, enjoyable and while strong it wasn’t overpowering, I will not there was a lot of nicotine to this stick, at least the end, time to dig out a couple chick-o-stick minis!




http://i.imgur.com/l2BpASd.jpg[/quote]