Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Man, Seth. That was a little before I joined over there as well so I went looking and found it. Agreed...wow.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

I'm definitely willing to give the Punch another shot, considering the first third before I had the wrapper malfunction.

#5 is headed your way in a few minutes Dan!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Now my interest is piqued for the Fredster/Moki review thread, anyone mind sending me the link to it? I've been searching over there for it but have been unable to find. Thanks!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Any updates? :tt :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

+1

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Yes... the update is that I am a slacker... :r

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

jonumberone Cigar #5
******************

Awesome day for a smoke! #5 is first on today’s death by fire list

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

Initial Thoughts
The stick appears under 5 inches and is a much smaller ring gauge than I’m accustomed to smoking.
The wrapper is a rich brown and I think the darkest yet. I squeeze and find a hard spot about an inch before the cap.
I cut the cap without issue and find the draw to be perfect. I didn’t dry box this one.
Pre-light flavors are creamy and full of cocoa.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

First Third
The first few puffs are far fuller and stronger than I have come to expect from the sticks Dan sent. I get a blast of chocolaty goodness and a lot of thick rich smoke.
Not even an inch in and this stick has me at half mast. I’m also wondering if this is a NC.
I get a lot of burn when I go to my nose, something I thought I was past.
At about the inch mark I get some bite, not peppery but a twang is the best I can do to describe it. As I smoke more the twang resembles licorice.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

Second Third
The chocolate has continued and the twang has increased with every puff. This stick is a powerhouse and I can feel the tip of my tongue going numb.
A purge does little to derail this freight train and an attempt at my nose has me in tears.
A little sweetness creeps in and this stick is starting to remind me of a 601 Blue.
It is starting to get a bit bitter on me, and the roof of my mouth has gone numb as well.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

Final Third
I purge again and the last part starts off a bit nutty with coffee undertones. The bitterness has subsided a bit but it is still there.
Going to my nose is not an option any longer, it’s quite unbearable.
The flavor switches from chocolate to coffee and, the flavor keeps getting stronger and stronger.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

Final Thoughts
Smoking this stick was like being set up on a blind date with a dominatrix.
The night starts out, and you think you got a chance of getting lucky, but in the end you wind up abused, whipped, and wearing a diaper.
Going to my nose literally had tears running down my cheeks, and the tip of my tongue is still numb.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say this has to be a NC. No CC I have smoked has ever been this strong.
If it is a CC, it has totally changed my conception of them. Of the CC’s I have smoked, I always equated them to elevator music, this smoke was heavy metal.
I found it aggressive, and was very punchy in how the flavor was delivered; every puff was like a haymaker.

Final Score 8 / 10
Smoke time 1hr 13min

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Samsquanch Cigar #5
******************

What a day and what a cigar! #5 was a great little smoke that I'll surely pick up some more of.

5" x 35rg this guy was small but packed a punch. A few veins and an overall nice looking cigar.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...3/13b3db35.jpg

On the prelight I got some spice but also a nice honey flavor.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...3/1d80081a.jpg

Smoked great right off the bat, the draw was a little tight but nothing that impeded pulling lots of nice white smoke. Grabbing some hints of cinnamon and cloves now.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...3/7e4db0f3.jpg

The burn got off a little and I had to touch up a couple times, nothing that bothered me though. The ash held on nicely as well. The dense smoke is very creamy with vanilla notes as I worked my down to the final third.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...3/65cf0625.jpg

As I mentioned earlier, this will be on my purchase list in the near future. Great little guy when in the mood for a quick smoke.

Overall 8/10 smoke rings.

(If anyone was wondering, the pictures were taken with the Hipstamatic camera app for the iPhone. I highly recommend you pick up this app, it's awesome!)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

What they smoked:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...myx/btt4-5.jpg

2008 Partagas Princess

jonumberone score: 8

Samsquanch score: 8

Solid reviews for this little guy. That's the thing with guys that start this journey out as predominantly NC smokers... they typically like the stronger, fresher habanos than the aged ones (at first).

These are, alas, discontinued... :td

That said, if you like these, you'll probably dig party shorts. Those are, for the time, still for sale (until HSA gets rid of every cigar that is 58rg and below, those bastards...)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Man...I swear, HSA is discontinuing too many awesome smokes.

Those look delicious! :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

I am completely floored that this was a CC.
I am also devastated that these are discontinued.

I think this stick would have gotten a higher score had I not gone to my nose.
It was one of the most painful moments in my life and made my eyes bloodshot.

Are there any other sticks out there that compare to these that aren't discontinued?
Dan mentioned Party Shorts, any others?

Thanks for an awesome smoke Dan!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

When fresh, Partagas, as a marca, is on the stronger side of the spectrum... as is Bolivar.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales are very reasonably priced and full flavored.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Just realized I had #5 in my inbox and didn't post it yet! Doh.

I'll get it done later today :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Dan #5 is posted :tu

Waiting on #6 :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

:bs

:tt












;s

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Ahhh... in that case, we're waiting on Mr Samsquanch.......

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Bump. Been nearly a month since the last review.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Aw, I want to see the next cigars :( Lol

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Will we get an update this weekend? :tt

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

I sent in #6 earlier this week.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

:tu
Sweet!!!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Looking forward to the next one.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

jonomberone Cigar #6
******************

It’s an absolute miserable day for me at work. I had to take an emergency order to load the biggest pain in the ass ship on the pier.
Going to try and make it better by smoking #6.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

Initial thoughts
This stick is a monster compared to the rest of Dan’s selection. I would call it a Lancero though it appears to be a little fatter. I really need to get one of those ring gauge guides.
The wrapper is a nice medium brown with more than a few veins. I squeeze the stick and find nothing out of the ordinary.
As I go to cut I notice that this stick may have had a pig tail that Dan sneakily removed.
Pre light draw is tighter than I would like, but doesn’t seem like it will be an issue, and the flavor is smooth and sweet.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

First Third
The smoke starts out sweet with caramel. After I lit up, I feel like the draw closed up a bit, so I’m not getting as much smoke as I would like.
I go to my nose and get zero burn. This cigar is smooth as hell.
This is the first cigar that going to my nose has made a real difference. After I do I get a ton of nutty flavor, like roasted hazelnut.
As I get closer to the second third a hint of cedar creeps in.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

Second third
As I move in to the second parts the sweetness takes a front most spot on my palate. In the background I get nuts and wood.
A little further in and I get a touch of pepper. The sweetness has died out as the pepper increased.
Right now it is all nuts and wood with a nice bite to it.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407298

Final third
The first puff of the last third was bitter and had a tar like quality.
I have been purging softly the whole while but I think it’s time to empty my lungs with one.
After, I get a mouthful of sweet delicious smoke, however my nose is no longer an option as the burn remains there for some time afterwards.
Tons of sweet tobacco flavored smoke is filling my mouth with every puff.
The smoke has gotten thicker and creamier with every pull and the draw has loosened up.
There are a lot of nutty flavors now and cedar in the back.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1288407871

Final Thoughts
WOW! This smoke seem to hit all the right notes at all the right times. It was really hard for me to pick out distinct flavors because the ones coming through meshed so nicely.
The mixture of flavors in every puff worked so well together, you would think it was planned that way.
The burn was perfect with no touch ups but I had two relights.
The one tar sensation was cleared by a mighty purge and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.
This was one of the best composed cigars I’ve had in my short time smoking, as well as one of the smoothest.
The draw was tight but not plugged and the tar hit me like a ton of bricks.
Had it not been for these two issues, I might have given it a 10.

Final Score 9/10
Smoke time 2hr 47min

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Samsquanch Cigar #6
******************


Enjoyed watching the Apple Cup (University of Washington vs Washington State University) football game while smoking #6. Long and slim 7" 40 rg beauty.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...3/0350ac1e.jpg

Not many veins, a nice light brown color, and a tight draw pre-light. Enjoyed (a bit too much) some Lagavulin single malt - so sorry if this one isn't as detailed.

Don't I look distinguished smoking this one?

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...3/45dc05d3.jpg

Enjoyed this one all the way through, hints of caramel, hazelnut. If customs wasn't seizing shipments left and right I'd order some of these right up...

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...3/814a2586.jpg


I'll put this one at an 8/10. It was a bit long however, I wonder if these are made in a smaller size?

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

What they smoked:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...myx/btt4-6.jpg

2001 Montecristo Especiale #1

jonumberone score: 9

Samsquanch score: 8

Tasty, eh? Not sure how much luck you'll have finding them anymore and, yes, they do make a smaller size (Especiale #2) which I think I may have only had one of ever and it was a long time ago... so I can't tell ya if they are as good.

4 left!!!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

The '09 Especiale #2s are smoking great, about 1.5" shorter I think.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Monte Esp. is probably top 5 territory for me.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

great reviews, and again unbelievable sticks for this

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

I am very happy to find out what this was.
I absolutely loved this stick and just realized I have one at home in my humi.

Thanks again to Dan for an awesome stick :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

They don't get much better than a Monte Esp #1, that's for sure. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Nice review guys :tu Had my mouth waterin', haha

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Updates? I miss this...

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Tremendous thread!!
Great reviews.
Love the mystery.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Me too...

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Saddest updates ever! lol.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

I delivered #7 on 11/05/10.
I guess were waiting on Andrew :sh

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

You are correct, Dom.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Just discovered and read through this thread, and I must say that it is absolutely amazing! This is a great idea, and the reviews are very well-written and presented with great photographs. I especially want to thank those who have discussed nasal exhaling, as this is something I've been hoping to try; however, with only NCs in my humidor (and mostly spicy, Nicaraguan ones at that) I'm a little reluctant to try!

Anyway, I digress. Great thread and great reviews--salud!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Did ya check out the old ones?

Previous Newb Blind Taste Tests here:

Blind Taste Test Thread #1

Blind Taste Test Thread #2

Blind Taste Test Thread #3

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Dom, you have such a great way with words!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Funny you should say that, I usually don't speak, I'm a bit of a grunter ;)
:r:r

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Going to smoke #8 today!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

#8 Delivered :banger

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Due to work, weather and life in general, Andrew needs to bow out.

The final four will be reviewed by Crimps once they are delivered. There will be a brief lull while they are shipped and while they acclimate upon arrival, but we'll be back in no time.

Thanks for stepping up, Zach and I look forward to the reviews!!! :banger

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Work, Weather, and Life happen :( We can all empathize.

It is my pleasure and I look forward to sharing! ;)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

BOOOOOOOO :td


WooHoo! :tu

Back on track!! :noon:noon

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

It's tough being a cigar smoker in Seattle in the winter, especially living in an apartment. Thanks to Dan for being cool with me passing the torch and my apologies to everyone for holding back this great thread.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

Glad to see it will be finished though, thank you for your first 6 reviews Andrew and thank you for resolving this with Dan so it can be finished :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4
 

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