Backgammon Coronas Especiales

[GWN]

I received a couple of these tubos from someone who recently returned from overseas. No information on where they were purchased or how they had been stored since purchased.
Tubes are marked "100% Cuban" and these are machine-made cigars produced in Germany using imported all-Cuban tobacco.



The sticks are 6.2 inches by 40 RG and are shipped in boxes of 10 for about $42USD where available.
Sticks are wrapped in a cedar sleeve inside cello.
The wrapper on this example was somewhat rustic and a little veiny.



The cap was rough and rolled in a such a way that there was no need to cut it.



Colour could best be described as sickly brown and there was no discernible aroma from the wrapper or the foot. Overall, the stick was dry.
It lit well and, after a slightly issue at the start, burned evenly throughout and produced a lot of smoke.
There was no real flavour changes throughout this cigar, which I smoked down to the last half-inch. Overall, it was extremely mild, with a hint of Cuban flavour. At times, there was a slight burst of vanilla but it didn't last. Finish was somewhat nutty.



The cigar has a bit of an aged flavour, but not in a good way. This, combined with its blandness and how dry it was, makes me question how it had been stored.
The verdict: I'd give this a 3/10, mostly because of the burn and the amount of smoke it produced. It would suit a first-time smoker, but that's about it.
Perhaps a fresher stick would impart a bit more flavour as I have seen others describe it as a medium to strong cigar.