AdamJoshua Cigar #5
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Fifth and final.
Ok so let's see what we have here, looks like it has quite the box press going and about 13.5 cm and a I'm guessing a 42 ring gauge if still rounded. Going to say this is a corona.
No real veins and a nice milk chocolate wrapper, more of a dry sheen rather than oily, as well as a small triple cap, which begs the question of why I wasn't looking for that before, do'h.
I get a strong "fish tank" note on the dry draw, which is snug but by no means too tight.
First Third : Staring out very muted with some cedar and wood shavings notes, with a hint of spice but not a pepper, more of a cinnamon. Nice even burn at this point. I keep expecting some sweetness from this stick, it reminds me of others and I think that's why I am having expectations which I usually don't have, there is a familiarity here. Taking little sips you get much more of the cedar, right off the bat I can tell you there is a more pronounced and friendly set of notes with tiny little sips over those long pulls. ....phrasing. With small sips I can almost pull out some caramel notes... For some reason I find this intriguing.
Half way through the first third and still a good sharp burn, I'm actually more concerned with why there is so much Metallica in my Foo Fighters inspired music stream.
I've noticed that it's a dry smoke, I would be interested to know if that resonates with anyone else, some cigars have that thick creamy smoke that coats your mout, this is opposite of that, even on longer draws with a lot of smoke it's a dry smoke and brings me right back to cinnamon or maybe an allspice but very light.
Second Third : Really trying to enjoy this smoke, trying to turn my brain off and live in the moment, with life's spiral, work, sister and now dad just trying to zone in on this stick and out on everything else. I have a feeling that for someone used to big in your face sticks this would come off as a bit "woody and bland", yet if you take your time with it it's a nice mellow and enjoyable stick, if this falls into that $4 a stick range sign me up for a couple dozen boxes stat.
Final Third : Started a cup of coffee at this point and its overpowering the stick, time for larger pulls and on those pulls picking up a lot of wood and ......something. Still a nice sharp burn, the wood is definite and its oak and cedar, still no sweetness to me, I was hoping the coffee would open that up but there just isn't any that I can identify. I think that something that keep coming across is moss, I don't want to talk myself into anything but it's definite there.
With about an inch to go, three inches if there are any ladies out there ready this, it's finishing up with that earthy / woody strength. Yup I think for review purposes coffee was a miscalculation for the most part, yet for the finish it's working out well. There is actually a touch of pepper on the snork now, just a tickle but it's recognizable, like Benicio Del Toro in a lineup. I also notice no "taste" on the lips, where as at times you get a sweetness or saltiness, really quite plain in that aspect.
Final Thoughts : While not a super distinctive smoke to me I found it enjoyable and not ....hmm... That doesn't stand out, I would say this is my favorite of the 5, this bends the line between "just a smoke" and something that that I could see inserting into my rotation with no problem. Starting to pick up a bit of tar at the end but not notice in the smoke or enough to stain my fingers.
I'd like to thank Dan for the opportunity to show what a noob I am
and to try a few smokes that I would have experienced with his generosity. At 2 or 3 a week I don't think 10 would be an issue and again this makes me think I need to be writing more reviews and enjoying my cigars that much more. Thank you again for your generosity and hopefully I'll get to thank you in person one of these days, maybe SoCal next year
Final rating 7 out of 10.
