"Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46

MurphysLaw · 03-23-2011, 08:00 PM

While browsing facebook last week, I saw Drew Estate had posted something regarding an event in my area, and the opportunity to get an unreleased cigar. I wasn't planning on making this event, but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to get my hands on something not available to the general public. So I went to the event, said the secret phrase to Erik Espinosa (of EO brands) and Marvin Samel, and was gifted a 6 1/4 x 46 "Ratzilla" prototype. Marvin asked me to share my thoughts on the cigar with him, so while I'm at it, I might as well post my first review here as well.

I'm going to preface this with the fact that I usually only keep notes for my own reference and my palate isn't quite as well tuned as others, but since this cigar isn't available yet, I thought I'd share my experience with you.

This is a great looking cigar, wrapper is dark and oily, a little toothy, and it gives off a nice tabacco aroma. The cap is finished with a nice pigtail.

Upon lighting the cigar, I'm welcomed with the familiar blast of pepper, the draw is light and airy, but I get plenty of smoke. The finish is full of pepper and stays on the palate for a while.

An inch or so in, there is a little more earthy flavor creeping in, but still plenty of pepper on the finish. There a slight uneven burn that eventually required a few touchups, and the cigar produces a LOT of smoke, both from the draw and from the foot while resting.

About halfway in, the pepper fades some and reveals some coffee and chocolate notes, but I still pick up pepper/spice on the finish. As I continue there are some woody flavors that I pick up every now and then in addition to the coffee and chocolate. Still some issues with the burn, had to make a few more touchups than I normally like.

Into the last third of the cigar the pepper fades some and the woody flavors pick up a little. Have I mentioned this cigar puts of a LOT of smoke yet? Yeah? Well tons of smoke from the draw and the foot all throughout, but it never gets hot or bitter. With about 2 inches left, the pepper returns along with the sweet chocolate flavor.

Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable cigar, very similar to the Dirty Rat. The only thing that detracted from the experience were the burn issues, however I'm sure that the boys at Drew Estate will have those all ironed out by the time this cigar goes into full production. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Ratzilla changes between now and the release, and I hope to be able to pick up a box when they are available.

Trent0341 · 03-23-2011, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the review. I look forward to giving one of these a try myself!

maninblack · 03-23-2011, 08:40 PM

Great review!

HollywoodQue · 03-23-2011, 09:19 PM

Nice review...glad to see the similarity between this and the dirty rat...can't wait for this to hit the market.

EricF · 03-23-2011, 09:26 PM

Great review Brian! Thanks for sharing!

Humpdebump · 03-23-2011, 10:22 PM

Very nice review

icehog3 · 03-23-2011, 10:59 PM

Thanks for the review, Brian.

CoreyD · 03-23-2011, 11:11 PM

wow my mouth drooled just looking at the pics and reading the review. Thanks.

KenyanSandBoa · 03-24-2011, 02:56 PM

Nice review.

This is a smoke that I'm dying to try.

MurphysLaw · 03-25-2011, 09:24 AM

Thanks for the comments guys!

03-25-2011, 09:27 AM

Nice Reveiw!!

03-25-2011, 09:40 AM

thanks for the review!

Aero95 · 03-25-2011, 09:43 AM

Great review.

03-26-2011, 06:31 PM

Nice review. Too bad I cant get my hands on one of these. Guess Ill have to wait till they become a regular release.

kelmac07 · 03-26-2011, 06:34 PM

Great pics and nice review.

03-26-2011, 07:50 PM

Another LP Coffee, Pepper, Chocolate bomb? Yes please!!!

T.G · 03-26-2011, 08:16 PM

Nice review, thanks.

I've smoked a few of these in varying sizes over the period from last November up until now, and I would have to say that your description is pretty much what I get out of these too.

For anyone who ever wanted a longer smoking Dirty Rat that took a bit more time to develop, this cigar is it.

03-23-2011, 08:00 PM	#1
MurphysLaw Anything can go wrong Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: Brian Location: SoFlo Posts: 2,823 Trading: (19)	"Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 While browsing facebook last week, I saw Drew Estate had posted something regarding an event in my area, and the opportunity to get an unreleased cigar. I wasn't planning on making this event, but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to get my hands on something not available to the general public. So I went to the event, said the secret phrase to Erik Espinosa (of EO brands) and Marvin Samel, and was gifted a 6 1/4 x 46 "Ratzilla" prototype. Marvin asked me to share my thoughts on the cigar with him, so while I'm at it, I might as well post my first review here as well. I'm going to preface this with the fact that I usually only keep notes for my own reference and my palate isn't quite as well tuned as others, but since this cigar isn't available yet, I thought I'd share my experience with you. This is a great looking cigar, wrapper is dark and oily, a little toothy, and it gives off a nice tabacco aroma. The cap is finished with a nice pigtail. Upon lighting the cigar, I'm welcomed with the familiar blast of pepper, the draw is light and airy, but I get plenty of smoke. The finish is full of pepper and stays on the palate for a while. An inch or so in, there is a little more earthy flavor creeping in, but still plenty of pepper on the finish. There a slight uneven burn that eventually required a few touchups, and the cigar produces a LOT of smoke, both from the draw and from the foot while resting. About halfway in, the pepper fades some and reveals some coffee and chocolate notes, but I still pick up pepper/spice on the finish. As I continue there are some woody flavors that I pick up every now and then in addition to the coffee and chocolate. Still some issues with the burn, had to make a few more touchups than I normally like. Into the last third of the cigar the pepper fades some and the woody flavors pick up a little. Have I mentioned this cigar puts of a LOT of smoke yet? Yeah? Well tons of smoke from the draw and the foot all throughout, but it never gets hot or bitter. With about 2 inches left, the pepper returns along with the sweet chocolate flavor. Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable cigar, very similar to the Dirty Rat. The only thing that detracted from the experience were the burn issues, however I'm sure that the boys at Drew Estate will have those all ironed out by the time this cigar goes into full production. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Ratzilla changes between now and the release, and I hope to be able to pick up a box when they are available. __________________ It's THIS easy to help our Troops.

03-23-2011, 08:21 PM	#2
Trent0341 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Dan Location: Kentucky Posts: 195 Trading: (7)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Thanks for the review. I look forward to giving one of these a try myself!

03-23-2011, 08:40 PM	#3
maninblack Will smoke for food Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Kevin Location: Where the hoot owls f$ck the chickens Posts: 10,637 Trading: (80)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Great review! __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

03-23-2011, 09:19 PM	#4
HollywoodQue Invictus Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Howard Location: In the "D" Posts: 3,123 Trading: (46)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Nice review...glad to see the similarity between this and the dirty rat...can't wait for this to hit the market.

03-23-2011, 09:26 PM	#5
EricF Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Eric Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,004 Trading: (116)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Great review Brian! Thanks for sharing! __________________ It might taste crummy, but at least it's huge.

03-23-2011, 10:22 PM	#6
Humpdebump Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Chris Location: Ct Posts: 263 Trading: (1)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Very nice review

03-23-2011, 10:59 PM	#7
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,441 Trading: (60)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Thanks for the review, Brian. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

03-23-2011, 11:11 PM	#8
CoreyD Licking my wounds Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Corey Location: NE Wisconsin Posts: 1,468 Trading: (23)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 wow my mouth drooled just looking at the pics and reading the review. Thanks. __________________ Serenity - 1. A disposition free from stress or emotion. 2. The absence of mental stress or anxiety

03-24-2011, 02:56 PM	#9
KenyanSandBoa The Nightman Cometh... Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Jim Location: Massholia Posts: 1,463 Trading: (74)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Nice review. This is a smoke that I'm dying to try. __________________ I hope you brought a change of clothes because your eyes are about to piss tears.

03-25-2011, 09:24 AM	#10
MurphysLaw Anything can go wrong Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: Brian Location: SoFlo Posts: 2,823 Trading: (19)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Thanks for the comments guys! __________________ It's THIS easy to help our Troops.

03-25-2011, 09:27 AM	#11
Christiel49 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Nice Reveiw!!

03-25-2011, 09:40 AM	#12
kickerb Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 thanks for the review!

03-25-2011, 09:43 AM	#13
Aero95 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Aaron Location: Loveland Ohio Posts: 295 Trading: (2)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Great review. __________________ "If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go." -- Mark Twain

03-26-2011, 06:31 PM	#14
lyle23 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Nice review. Too bad I cant get my hands on one of these. Guess Ill have to wait till they become a regular release.

03-26-2011, 06:34 PM	#15
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Great pics and nice review. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

03-26-2011, 07:50 PM	#16
thecatch83 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Another LP Coffee, Pepper, Chocolate bomb? Yes please!!!

03-26-2011, 08:16 PM	#17
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: "Ratzilla" 6 1/4 x 46 Nice review, thanks. I've smoked a few of these in varying sizes over the period from last November up until now, and I would have to say that your description is pretty much what I get out of these too. For anyone who ever wanted a longer smoking Dirty Rat that took a bit more time to develop, this cigar is it.