DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

2 of our newer members are going to review these 10 cigars:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...otomyx/All.jpg

If anyone has any ideas of what these might be, please don't share... I want this to be as fun and unbiased as possible.

They will review them at least 1 per week and PM their reviews to me. Once I get em, I'll post them in the thread and post the results.

This is gonna rock!

Cigars are going out tomorrow... :banger

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Cant wait to see the results. Sweet idea Dan.


P.S. I know what all of those are.;)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

good luck reviewers. I wont be helping you!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Can't wait to see the reviews.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/o...rs/popcorn.gif

Subscribed. This will be a fun thread to follow. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Ditto!

Wait..wat?

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I like BTT threads. I try to guess from the smoker's description what they're smoking. (I'm rarely right though. :r )

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Very nice gesture Dan!! :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Kelly:

Delivery Confirmation™ Label Number: 0103 8555 7497 8814 1725

Brad:

Delivery Confirmation™ Label Number: 0103 8555 7497 9862 7486

Let the games begin... :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Dun Dun dunnnnnnnn.

This'll be fun.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

This is great!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Package received. First review will be sent today on cigar #1.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Review submitted on Cigar #1

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Slavic #1


**************************************


Cigar: Mystery Cigar 1
Setting: Back deck on a 70 deg night. Brilliant out.
Drink: Left Handed Brewery Milk Stout

Initial Impressions: Cigar is smaller than my typical cigar and is very veiny. There is some apparent damage on the cigar and obvious weak spots which make me wonder how this one passed QC.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/006-11.jpg

Cut and pre-light draw: Very tight, hard to get any airflow at all with my initial V-cut. Faint taste of English breakfast tea with an even fainter honey sweetness finish.

Lit easily using my tri-torch.

Draw after lighting: Nearly impossible. V-cut failed, re-cut using guillotine in an attempt to get a better draw. This too failed, but what to do. I smoked the stubborn thing.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/008-11.jpg
^You can see how tightly packed this particular cigar is.

First Third: Held its ash through the first third. Tastes of leather, campfire and finishes very very slightly sweet. I got more smoke from the ash end than through my mouth, this cigar was all workworkwork.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/011-12.jpg
^First third. Note the funky ash angle despite the presence of any wind, nor did I set it down which could've bumped it. Weird.

Second Third: Ash fell off at the very end of the First Third. I had to constantly work to keep this cigar lit. The flavor was a bitter throughout. The taste turned to more of a strong leather smell without the aforementioned sweet component. Smoke smells bitter like a campfire after it's been rained on: heavy and acidic. Draw remains next to impossible. The harshness mellowed toward the end of the Second Third. Ash fell off again, and seems the ash wouldn't last for more than 1". Cigar began coming apart at the aforementioned veins and weak spots.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...akid/017-6.jpg
^Second Third. Damage is more evident here.

Dog/helper took a sniff of the cigar, sneezed and promptly left. This should be a sign.

Third Third: Bfargh. The cigar constantly keeps trying to die on me, supposedly from the too tight wrap. The wrapper on this particular day was given 50 yards of leaf to wrap before he could go home and he attempted to put all 50y into this particular cigar. I hate this roller. I imagine his name is Senor Manuel. I hate Manuel.
The cigar now has a heavy tar buildup with an acidic finish and has absolutely no hint of pleasantness. In my notes I have written, "I hate this poor excuse for a cigar."
Cigar has to be re-lit twice in this portion, despite constantly attempting to draw from it.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...akid/019-6.jpg
^Burn was constantly uneven. Note the weak spot + damage.

Final Impressions: This smallish cigar took a solid 80+ minutes to smoke due to its tightly wrapped nature.
Would I buy again: Certainly not.
Would I smoke again: I would not gift this cigar to an enemy nor would I smoke another one even if free.
Overall Rating With 10 the highest possible and 0 the baseline: 1.5/10

Final Thoughts: Avoid this cigar like the plague.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Flat4boxer #1

************

Prelight

This feels like a tightly wrapped stick. Very firm, carmel colored cigar with a nice wrapper that has medium veins.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...elrs2/Unk1.jpg

After clipping, the prelight draw was very tight and I was worried that I'd be putting my lungs to the test trying to smoke this thing.

Light

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk1a.jpg

All is well, the draw is not as tight as it seemed it would be. I'd have to say medium draw with ample amounts of smoke. Just a hint of spice and pepper in the first few puffs.

1/3rd

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk1b.jpg

The burn is a little bit uneven with loose, dark gray ash. It wanted to go out if not tended to every minute. A couple touch ups were required but nothing major. The cigar has a smooth flavor. The hints of spice and pepper are gone.

2/3rd

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk1c.jpg

Flavor is getting better and better, more smooth.....smoke is easy to come by with every puff. Definatley a medium bodied stick. Still working to keep it lit. The loose, flakey ash is still holding on and the uneven burn continues. The ash makes something that reminded me of a Dr. Seuss hat.....

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk1d.jpg

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

.....and the gray, flakey ash continues.....

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk1e.jpg

3/3rd

The flavor of this cigar continues to be smooth, becoming creamy and buttery. The word "yummy" came to mind over and over. The cigar is now staying lit without me having to puff at it every minute. However, the uneven burn continues.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk1f.jpg

This cigar was enjoyable despite a few touch ups and initially fighting to keep it lit. It became smoother and the tastes blended together nicely as time went on. I nubbed this thing 'til the very end.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk1g.jpg

Overall I'd have to give this stick a 9.3/10 Would recommend it again.

Thanks for reading.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

What they smoked:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/w...hotomyx/01.jpg

2007 Vegas Robaina Familiar

Slavac score: 1.5
Flat4boxer score: 9.3

Strange that you guys had such differing opinions... I love VRs and, while I've smoked very few out of this 07 box, I've never had any draw issues. Hell... I may need to send Slavac a replacement!

1 down, 9 to go... :)

PS - a paperclip is a GREAT draw tool... ;)

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I love the BTT threads. Nice work guys.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

2nd review inbound today.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

This is fun. :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Sweet... Flying through the reviews!

Any thoughts in retrospect on the 1st cigar, guys?

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

2nd review is in :tu

I throughly enjoyed the 1st cigar and feel that Slavac must have gotten a hold of a dog.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Awesome Kelly! Zipping right through them... I'll wait to post yours until Brad's comes in.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Inbound tonight.

I had to have had a shitty example of Cigar 1. Literally my lungs hurt after trying to smoke it from drawing so hard.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Thanks for doing this guys... I enjoyed the first review and look forward to the rest.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Subscribed. I'm blind reviewed out as of late. It's nice to see some other people do this for a change. Doing blind reviews really helps to refine your palate.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Excellent reviews. :tu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

No review #2 from Brad yet....:tt :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Dan,

Great Idea !!!!

It's so true how peoples opinion can differ so much on the same sticks and how different each stick can be even from the same box


This is a good thread for all to watch

Nice gesture

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

He's probably busy: ;)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...akid/022-2.jpg

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Sorry boss, got rained out last night. Soooooon.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

2nd review's submitted :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Great reviews so far!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Is it just me, or did the first examples of cigars actually look significantly different from each other? VRs are quality made, and Brad's first cigar not only tasted horrible, but the pictures themselves showed a cigar of lesser quality.

Is it possible there was a mix-up on the first?

Cheers

Cy

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I was thinking the same thing.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I don't think so. If you look at the pictures closely, the burn looks almost the same, the wrapper the same and length. IMO, I got a cigar that should've been pitched during quality control. My cigar even had a very large off colored blemish you can see in my pictures.
That coupled with it's draw, taste and poor construction (kept falling apart) I don't think it was a good representation of what the company puts out.

I'd like to try one more of them one day just to see what's what.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Nope... same cigar. Both seemed to have difficult draws. When I made these packages, I had the bags pre-numbered, took the pics, removed the bands and placed them in the bag one at a time so there would be no errors. Sounds possible that Brad just got a bad one... draw problems ruin everything about a cigar because it just pisses ya off. Sad that it was that cigar, though, because I LOVE VRs...

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Slavac Cigar #2

**************************************


Cigar: Mystery Cigar 2
Setting: Back Deck again, 75deg night, just after a light rain.
Drink: Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale

Initial Impressions: Cigar is another small one, yet the construction seems flawless. It has what I assume is a triple cap, no flaws visible, light/medium veins and appears a bit oily. This will be fun.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/001-12.jpg

Cut and pre-light draw: Nice tight wrap. Easy draw though not what I would consider loose. Draw reminds me of a Cx2 or Man of War. Tastes slightly earthy with a hint of pine and leather.

Lit easily using my tri-torch.

Draw after lighting: Medium draw and for lack of a better word, 'ideal.'

First Third: From notes: "Oh yes, this is bliss."
Clouds of smoke with a smoothe, even draw.
No hint of bitterness anywhere on the palate.
From this impression, I would consider this a medium bodied cigar.
Tight white ash with an even burn.
Flavors are a hint of leather, mostly tobacco with no sweetness.
Toward the end of the First Third, the burn became slightly uneven though it appears to be self-correcting.
Absolutely lovely.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/003-14.jpg
^Slightly off burn lines, nice tight, white ash.

Second Third: Burn continues to be slightly uneven. Ash is white and seems to be a bit looser, but not shaggy.
Burn stopped being self correcting at this point.
Lost its ash at the 3/8ths mark.
Flavors are a bit stronger now. Tasting more peat, earth, tobacco. Reminds me of a Cohiba black in flavor. This cigar seems more full bodied now than medium.
Slight tar taste on the end of 2/3, but it is very slight.
Amazing thus far. Truly enjoyable smoke.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/004-13.jpg
^As BigAsh would say, "Don't knock the ash."

Third Third: From notes: "I love this cigar. I will name her Consuela. If I didn't have Amy, I would run away with Consuela.
Taste remains the same from the Second Third. Tar taste has gone and all that remains is earth, tobacco and love.
Bit of a funky ash angle for some reason.
This cigar still emits clouds upon clouds of white smoke despite it's smallish nature.
Lost the ash again with about 1.5" of ash buildup.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/006-12.jpg
^Funky ash. Bit of shagging, but very minor. Despite uneven burn, never had a runner.

Final Impressions: This smallish cigar took about 40 minutes to smoke, which is ideal for a late night smoke before bed.
Would I buy again: In a heartbeat.
Would I smoke again: Not only would I smoke this one again, I would recommend this to my friends/family.
Overall Rating With 10 the highest possible and 0 the baseline: 9.0/10

Final Thoughts: This is one of the few cigars I've nubbed until my lips couldn't stand the heat. This was truly an amazing cigar.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...kid/008-12.jpg
__________________

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Flat4boxer Cigar #2

******************************************

Mystery cigar #2 is a short, maybe 4" stick. This is a very well constucted cigar with a medium dark wrapper.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk2a.jpg

Prelight

After clipping the end off, prelight draw worries me as it tastes like a Swisher Sweet and it has a firm draw.

Light

Pleasently supprised that it is not a Swisher. The draw is firm and full bodied smoke fills my mouth with a hint of spice.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk2d.jpg

First Third

There is a bit of uneven burn goin on with that bit of spicyness hanging on. Hints of leather are coming out. A medium gray ash is holding will. The spice hints are mellowing out about 1 inch into this cigar.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk2f.jpg

Second Third

Volumes of smoke are coming easy. At this point it seems to turn to a medium-full bodied smoke. Leathery notes continue with hints of some type of berry add to the complexity of this cigar. The uneven burn continues but no touch ups are needed.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk2g.jpg

Third Third

The medium-full bodied smoke becomes more steady. The hints of berry and leather mellow out. One slight touch up was needed after the long ash dropped. This is a great morning smoke with a cup of coffee.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...lrs2/Unk2i.jpg

Overall I'd give this stick a 8.9 out of 10. I would recommend this cigar and would probably buy a fiver just to have on hand.

Thanks for reading.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

All the pics of the smokes are at home, so you'll have to wait till I go on lunch to post the results... :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Slacker :fu

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

:tpd:

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Hurry! I don't know what it is, but I want some. :D

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

:tt

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Oh WTF

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

You'll be waiting til I get home at 8pm... :D

If someone guesses what it is between now and when I update it, I will send them a 5er of them. Slavac and Flat4Boxer are not eligible... first right answer wins.

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Boli Corona Junior is my guess!!

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

I say Partagas Short or RASCC

Re: DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test Thread
 

Since my two first choice are gone I will say punch petit corona.