My POOR tastebuds...

[SvilleKid]

And from an unexpected source!!

I've had AF's King B sticks on several occasions, and liked them. Enough so I occasionally wish for one when I do a MAW/PIF request.

I pulled this one out of my regular humidor, which runs around 62-64% Rh. From the very toasting of the foot, I sensed doom. The draw on this was like sucking thru a paper towel tube. And the initial taste reminded me very strongly of the nose-taste of airplane glue. There was a strong taste of plastic (for lack of a better descriptor) from the very first draw. And it did not improve. I don't remember throwing away a cigar before, with less than half an inch smoked. This one hit the grass at maybe 3/8 inch gone. I swished my lemonade and spit it out three times, no go. Taste still there. Whiskey swished around didn't kill the taste. Finally resorted to toothpaste and mouthwash. Needless to say, I no longer had a desire to smoke a cigar tonight.

After finally getting the taste out of my mouth, I retrieved the dead cigar from the grass and examined it. First thing I noticed was a 1/4 inch hole in the center, extending deep into the cigar:


I took the cigar apart, fully expecting to find plastic twine or some other foreign matter in the stick. Nothing of the sort. Just tobacco. But, I did find that the center of the stick was burned almost an inch and a half deeper into the stick than the burn mark on the wrapper (down the hole in the center):


That accounts for the windy draw, but I don't know what the taste was so bad from. Here is the remains of the stick. Nothing unusual noted in the tobacco.



As I sit typing this, I still think I can taste the remains of this smoke. Not a pretty experience from a brand that is one of my main "go-to" brands. And the first really bad stick I've had from Arturo Fuente. I'm not about to belly up on the brand, but I'm going to be leery the next time I try a King B, whether it's warranted or not. And it might be a while before I can go back there again!