Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Awesome... this should go much better for ya now (I hope). :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Review #4 has been submitted

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Waiting on Brad

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

(to let you in on a secret, I'm really excited about cigars 5-10...)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Submitted boss :)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

This is a great thread. The hardest part is waiting for the reviews to come in :tt

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Heh... you're tellin' me!

Number 4 up in a jiffy.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Slavac Cigar #4
*************

Cigar: Mystery Cigar 4
Setting: Back Deck again, 55deg night. Bit chilly.
Drink: Nothing tonight.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/007-16.jpg

Initial Impressions: Dryboxed this one on Dball's recommendation for 36 hours. The cigar has light to medium veins, no damage but did have a touch of greenish/blue discoloration around the foot. I'm guessing there was a footband here. Cigar appears well constructed.

Cut and pre-light draw: Cut easily using a guillotine cut. Draw was light to medium with an initial taste of hazelnut coffee.

Lit easily using my tri-torch.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/008-17.jpg

Draw after lighting: Heavenly. Medium draw.

First Third: Tastes of nuts...perhaps macadamian?
Smoothe draw with lots of smoke.
Flavor is fantastic and almost chewy/tangible.
Flavor reminds me of the one Cohiba Siglo II I've had, but superior.
Draw remained smoothe throughout 1/3, with a ragged burn with no runners. There was no flavor of tar or smoke on the palate and no burn.
Ash fell away at the end of 1/3 and turned instantly to powder. Never seen that before.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/012-16.jpg
^Ash fell off right after picture.

Second Third: Burn remains uneven though it's a non issue as there are no runners.
Flavor remains the same with a hint of leather creeping in.
This is an enjoyable/pleasant smoke with no burn or unpleasant taste to the palate.
Hint of a 'creamy' finish but nothing to knock my socks off.
Toward the end of 2/3 I noticed more leather but it was far from overpowering.
Lost ash at another 1" buildup.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/013-13.jpg

Third Third: Flavor remains constant. Very predictable.
Some slight pepper developing at the back of the palate, but only a hint.
Burn line continues to be uneven but there are no runners.
Dark, powdery ash.
Cigar emits clouds of blue/gray smoke which is surprising for such a smallish cigar.
Nutty flavor returns with force the closer I get to the nub.
Lost ash again with 1" of buildup.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...akid/017-8.jpg

Final Impressions: Pleasant smoke, nothing fancy but very enjoyable. Easy on the palate and 'medium bodied' throughout.
Would I buy again: Certainly with a price point of under $8.
Would I smoke again: Absolutely
Overall Rating With 10 the highest possible and 0 the baseline: 8.25

Final Thoughts: Smoke became too hot with 1" of cigar left which left me a bit sad to put it down. Pretty good smoke, but a bit too bland for my maduro loving palate. Don't hesitate to pick up one of these however, it was far better than many I've had.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Flat4boxer Cigar #4
****************

Unknown cigar number 4 is a smaller, firmly wrapped 4 1/2"- 5" stick. Small veins cover this carmel brown wrapper.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk4a.jpg

Pre-light

After the cut, the pre-light draw is VERY tight. I get hints of nothing as I get no air through it. "This is going to be fun" comes to mind as I hit it with the torch to fire it up.

Light

The stick starts to burn uneven almost from the start. It is very hard to draw and when I do, almost no smoke gets to my mouth.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk4b.jpg

First 3rd

I find myself reaching for the trusty draw tool. After several attempts to open the airway, I give up. This thing is a complete plug. The only way I can get a taste of smoke is to REALLY puff on this bad boy. Even then it's minimal smoke and taste for maximum effort. I keep puffing and puffing hoping that as some point it will burn past the plugged area and I'll get to see what this stick is all about. This never happens.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk4c.jpg

Second 3rd

I don't give up totally thinking things will turn around at some point but it is just not happening. The uneven burn continues.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk4d.jpg

Finally I just have to give up. My cheeks are numb and tingling from trying to get this thing to come to life. In the end it's like trying to smoke a 2X4. Just ain't happening.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk4e.jpg

I know know the dissapointment that Brad felt on the first cigar we tested. I did get a hint now and then of a flavorful smoke but never enough to judge or expound on in any manner.

Overall I have to give this cigar a 7.5/10

It was well constructed (too well perhaps) and the little flavor I did taste left me wanting more but I just never got it.

I'll hold off on recommending this stick. I'm sure that if I could have drawn some more smoke it would have faired very well. I will chalk this one up to being a "bad one in the bunch."

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

What they smoked:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...hotomyx/04.jpg

2007 Jose L Piedra Petit Cetros

Slavac score: 8.25
Flat4boxer score: 7.5


First off, Brad, thank you for dry boxing that. It'll make this a lot better for ya. 24-48 hours should be fine... as long as it's around the low 60's. Funny you said that it's superior to the Cohiba Sig 2 (don't worry, I'd probably say the same thing... I am not a cohiba fan in the slightest).

Also, Brad, you'll be happy to know that full boxes of these are around $35. :D

Kelly, I'm sorry yours was plugged. These cigars do have a tendency to be unpredictable construction-wise, but the flavors are good and the price is right for a taste of Cuba on the golf course or when you're just not really paying attention. It's quite likely you got a bad one, and I'm surprised you rated it so highly. They really are pretty tasty if they draw well.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Great reviews!!! I'm looking forward to the back end of the sampler now!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Shazam. I figured this one was a CC but that was as far as my intuition got.

I'll be picking up a box or two of these.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

great reviews, keep it up. Looking forward to the rest since i know what the sticks are :ss

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

My first anniversary is this Monday so I will be out of town for the majority of the weekend.

If you submit your review and I don't reply within 18 seconds, that's why... :D

Just a heads up.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Nuce cutter and review Brad!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Happy Anniversary Dan!:wo:wo

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Smoke some cigars, noobs!!! :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

JLP flavor superior to a Sig II???

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

#5's in boss.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Waiting on Kelly...... :tt

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

It'll be another day or so.....still out of town on business. :mad:

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Review #5 has been submitted.

Waiting on Daniel :tt

:tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Balls is slow

:tt

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Just found this, what an awesome thread! I have always wanted to do this and see what cigars I like blind, regardless of the brand, price, country, ect.

Looking forward to more!

aj

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

AJ, I know what you mean. I have subscribed to this thread too! It is very cool to read the different perspectives of the two guinnea pigs! :ss

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Slavac Cigar #5
*************

Cigar: Mystery Cigar 5
Setting: Back deck on a 50 deg evening. Not quite snotsicles, but nearly.
Drink: No drink this go around.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/007-17.jpg
^Deadpool, XD and a good stick.

Initial Impressions: The cigar is roughly the size of one of the 'smaller' sticks I usually enjoy. The construction is flawless with very very few veins showing through, smoothe wrapper.

Cut and pre-light draw: V cut this one on a whim. Dry boxed for 36hr prior to smoking on DBall's recommendation. Draw is medium to hard with the very distinct flavor of fresh cut hay.

Lit easily using my tri-torch.

Draw after lighting: Moved from hard to 'medium' where I consider the draw to be ideal.

First Third: Lots of smoke and a mild flavor.
Light draw.
Favor reminds me of BTT 1, but only faintly. I was having a hard time picking a particular flavor out.
Burn began very funky but eventually evened out to a razor burn. This alternated from draw to draw.
Construction and wrapper remind me of a 5 Vegas Gold, though none of the flavors are similar. This cigar is lovely, a 5 Vegas Gold is best saved for another, less prestigious review.
Ash reminds me of a CC.
Flavors mellowed out through 1/3 with more straw flavor coming through. Hint of pepper are evident at the back of the palate.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/016-11.jpg
^First Third.

Second Third: Lost ash with 1.5" of buildup. Ash was very weighty suggesting a tightly constructed cigar.
Pepper flavor returned with a vengence. I taste straw, wood and pepper.
Burn became ragged which continued throughout.
Flavor profile has now moved from 'medium' to strong.
There is no tar taste however, but the straw flavor comes through with a hint of tobacco. So far, lovely smoke.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/018-10.jpg
^2/3

Third Third: Pepper flavor has spread to my lips. I enjoy this cigar and am reminded of both the MOW line and the OpusX line.
Ash continued to fall off every inch.
At the end of the cigar, the pepper flavor mellowed to result in a fantastic cigar.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...akid/020-8.jpg
Nubbin!

Final Impressions: I enjoyed this smoke immensely. There was no tar flavor present throughout, though this may have been helped with frequent purging.
Moderate nicotine buzz.
Construction remained flawless.
Would I buy again: Depending on the price point yes, it was pretty darn good.
Would I smoke again: Certainly.
Overall Rating With 10 the highest possible and 0 the baseline: 8.9/10

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Flat4boxer Cigar #5
****************

Review of cigar #5

Pre Light

This is another carmel colored stick about 5" long. It's wrapped well from top to bottom and feels firm but not too tight.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk5a.jpg

Light

The draw is better then expected but a good puff is needed to get a mouthful of smoke. It has mild to med body and med - full flavor. Leather notes are noticed right away. Another thing that is noticed is the amount of times I had to touch it up----4 times in the first inch!

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk5b.jpg

1/3rd

The uneven burn continues and it seems hard to keep lit. The flavors are very good, leather notes becoming more pronounced. It has a dark gray ash that holds well. My only concern is that it is cumbersom to smoke with all the touch ups needed.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk5c.jpg

2/3rd

Burn issues continue, if it didn't taste so good I'd have tossed this stick an inch or so ago. Mild mellow flavors settle down to a creamy leather and woodsy taste. Very good! "Blast the uneven burn!!!!"

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk5d.jpg

3/3rd

By now the touch ups have lessened somewhat. I'm able to enjoy the last bit of this cigar for all it's worth. This ends up being yet another nubable stick.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk5e.jpg

Overall I'd give this stick an 8.8/10

I would have rated it higher had there not been the burn issues. Despite the aforementioned issues I'd buy this one again and would recommend it with the cautionary warning of said uneven burn.

Thanks for reading.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

What they smoked:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...hotomyx/05.jpg

2008 San Cristobal de La Habana Oficios

Slavac score: 8.9
Flat4boxer score: 8.8

First off... what's up with the guns and bullets? Is it a warning to me to hurry up with posts. Sheesh. I'm pretty quick with these things... calm down!

I'm glad to see these reviews kind of in line with each other. Any thoughts now that ya know what it is?

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Its a bad@ss manly thing to have in your pics! I get it guys. Don't worry somebody appreciates it ;)

As for the SC, I have never had one but now I want to try!! Those were some good ratings, a burn thats a bit off doesn't bother me. I smoke cause it tastes good not because it has nice combustion lol. When it totally burns down only one side that is a different story.

aj

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

You just happend to pick a couple of gun nuts is all. :tu

I think both of us do some type of competitive shooting at different levels. :ss

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I used to be an Olympic marksman. Can take away the guns and ammo stuff, but it does make for a sexy picture.

While smoking it, I 'knew' this was a CC but that was about it. I really enjoyed mine and intend to pick up some more. Thanks again for the opportunity :)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Thats pretty cool! I'm certainly not gonna break into your house lol

All CCs have a triple cap which can give them away, and often have a dark, almost black ash.

The problem with using just that to determine is that some NCs have the triple cap (Tats and I think Opus too) and can also have a dark ash occationally... :2

aj

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I'm totally joking... I rather enjoy the guns, ammo, armadillos, etc... this is about you guys being individuals, posting individual reviews, and seeing how they sync up. Anyway, the pictures from both of you are great... I certainly chose the right 2 guys.

So please... keep em coming and have fun! :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Forget the guns, I love the Deadpool tpb in the image.:tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Smoke any cigars this week...? :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

.

Reminds me of the pics on ar15.com!! :banger


Love the thread!
Tim

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Where's the next one?!?!?!?! I'm eagerly awaiting :ss

aj

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Review #6 has been submitted. Thank god the temps came up today :banger

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Brad..............




















:D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Wow what a swing...but overall great information

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Sorry guys, my PC decided to shred it's primary hard drive, leaving me without my law school notes/the paper that's due in a week or the ability to post pics online.

I should be up and running again by the weekend. Sorry for the delay :/

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I got a virus on my business computer yesterday morning. HQ is still remoting in as I type this trying to get it fixed. I feel your pain.

Computer problems :td

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

:tu:tu:banger

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Then just smoke the cigar (and enjoy it) and don't worry about the pics... just do the review. Kelly did a pretty good job on them anyway.

Also, that cigar should really cheer you up! :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I'm waiting on a 10P call from my computer guy. If that goes as I was hoping, I should be up and running tomorrow :)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

BTT 6 sent in. Sincere apologies for the egregious delay :(

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Slavic Cigar #6
************

Cigar: Mystery Cigar 6
Setting: Back deck on a 60 deg night. Soon turned to a 45deg night with rain.
Drink: Nada

Initial Impressions: Cigar is constructed very well. So dark it looks almost dyed. Medium veins, tight wrap.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...usakid/254.jpg
^Evil bunny.

Cut and pre-light draw: Cut easily with my Xixar multi-tool. Draw is medium/easy with a flavor that reminds me of chewing tobacco. Noted a triple cap after cut.

Lit easily using my tri-torch.

Draw after lighting: Remains smoothe at medium/easy. Fantastic.

First Third: Clouds of smoke come from this cigar.
Peppery start, and seems to be a very strong cigar flavor wise.
Burn was uneven for 1/3.
I managed to purge this one a bit hard and ended up shooting hot ash right down my jacket :/
Pepper mellowed a bit but was still heavy at the back of my throat/tip of my tongue.
This reminds me strongly of a MOW.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...usakid/256.jpg
^Dusty ash.

Second Third: Frequent purging kept this cigar tasting clean.
Pepper was still strong but no tar notes.
Cigar continued to emit tonnes and tonnes of smoke.
Ash was brown and looks dusty, this is a first for me.
Construction remained flawless.
Pepper flavor mellowed slightly. The actual flavor was hard for me to place, but suffice it to say, "pleasant."
At the end of 2/3 it dropped 10deg and started raining. Moved to covered front porch like a cat on fire.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...usakid/260.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...usakid/262.jpg
^Good ash even after relocating to front porch.

Third Third: Very very strong nic. buzz off of this one. I mean slap you in the face buzz.
Flavor mellowed out significantly.
Ash would last for about 1.5" and would always fall off during purging. I'd since learned to dodge properly.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...usakid/264.jpg

Final Impressions: This was a good cigar, though I didn't think it was anything fancy. Construction held throughout. The pepper was a bit overwhelming, but not so much that I wouldn't want to try another.
Would I buy again: If the price point was right, yes.
Would I smoke again: Absolutely.
Overall Rating With 10 the highest possible and 0 the baseline: 8.8

Final Thoughts: I'm interested to see what this cigar was. It reminded me of a MOW in looks and flavor, smoked like an Opus but didn't pick up the pepper flavor at the end like either cigar did.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Flat4boxer Cigar #6
****************

Prelight

Cigar number 6 is a dark brown maduro wrapped stick. Firm to the touch and well constructed with a somewhat oily sheen. Pre-light draw is firm.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...rs2/Unk6a5.jpg

Light

Perfect draw (for me) with plenty of full flavor, full bodied goodness.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk6b.jpg

First 3rd

Great flavor!!! Not as bold as a Camacho Tripple Maduro. Nice even burn starting out. Smooth flavors are not overpowering. Slight linger on the finish with just a hint of spice and it forms a nice tight, white ash.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk6c.jpg

Second 3rd

Flavor holding steady with hints of what I'd say is cedar. Even burn continues. As a side note, I set a personal record on my hand held comunications device in Bubble Breaker at this point.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk6d.jpg

Third 3rd

More full flavor coming out....seems to be getting stronger. Perhaps it's just the length of time I've been smoking it. *shrug* Can't seem to stop puffing....I'm going to nub this thing!!!

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk6e.jpg

Overall I'd give this powerhouse a 9.1/10

Would recommend this to everyone and would buy again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for reading.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

What they smoked:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...hotomyx/06.jpg

2006 Fuente Anejo

Slavac score: 8.8
Flat4boxer score: 9.1

Kelly needs to hide his credit card... these puppies aren't all that cheap.

Thoughts now that ya know?

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Hell I liked it. My local B&M has'em!