lou2row B.T.T. cigar #2

We have a full panel, so let's roll with the reviews for cigar #2


Jimbud
Cigar: lou2row’s Cigar No. 2 in 4th (or 5th) Blind Taste Test.
Vitola/Wrapper/Binder: 5 by 50; Natural wrapper.
Drink/Food: Ice water; before lunch.
Outside Factors: About 84 degrees (and rising); patio.
Price: Unknown.
Cut: Using a cheap cutter that has a feature that is breaking me of the habit of clipping too much.

Construction: Looks to be a well-made cigar; there are several veins visible, but none are offensive; none should affect the smoking experience. I’ll note off the bat that this stick looks to me – in my limited experience with them – to be Cuban in origin. It has that lighter-than-expected feel to it; and I mean that in a good way. No soft spots; just the veins I mentioned. Triple capped.

Prelight: The foot of the cigar reveals, perhaps, a few stems, but still, this appears well-rolled and filled. Pre-light draw gives me spearmint tea with floral notes with some underlying old book scent. I like it. I suspect this will be a lighter medium bodied stick, and I’m glad I’m smoking this in the (late) morning.

First Third: Lit with me incredibly reliable Bugatti lighter. Initial draw is perfect. Very interesting…I am having some difficulty identifying the tastes – burn is sharp; ash is whitish gray. An inch in and I can’t put my finger easily on even a broad flavor range yet. I really expected this cigar to trend heavily toward the floral/herbal notes—and there is some of that to be sure—but there is an underlying “kick” to it. I virtually certain I’ve never had this stick. The smoke smells quite sweet (floral, perfume, lilac). As the first third ends, I’m getting lilac, tea, and very light milk chocolate (I think I mention chocolate of some kind in just about every review…. No coffee taste yet, which I always seem to pick up on in cigars.)


Second Third: A bit of pecan or cashew makes an appearance. I rarely pick up these flavors. The retrohale yields clear floral, sweet notes that are more discernable than when taking regular puffs. I still suspect this is a Cuban. The smoke coming off of this cigar is quite sweet. Absolutely no construction issues; no relights. This cigar does not fit my normal definition of “complex,” which I usually use to describe more full bodied sticks, but I think I would still describe this cigar as complex – just in a different way. I find this cigar to be mild to medium, and, thus far, is a very good morning stick. As I approach the end of the second third, the flavor picks up in strength a bit, but not a lot.

Final Third: Still a bit of pecan, and now some butterscotch or toffee, along with the subtle tea and floral. I’ve got to rely on the retrohale here – still floral and sweet. Great burn; great draw. In contrast to stick no. 1 – which was only slightly longer – this is a quick smoke. Reached the final third in about 30 minutes. Just poured myself a bit of coffee to see how this pairs or changes things up – the butterscotch or slight saltiness comes through. Bit of a nic kick when I stood up. Without the coffee, the floral notes return. Toward the very end, the inevitable (for me) coffee ground flavor appears with a bit of cedar and spearmint. Just about finished – 40 minute smoke, although I tend to quickly.

Overall: A light to medium stick. Not a significant change in flavors over the course of this smoke, but I enjoyed it very much. This is a great change from many of the full/full sticks coming out. I would definitely buy it and keep in stock. I can tell from the construction this is not a cheap stick. The only people who would not enjoy this cigar are those who only like cigars that punch them in the face. I am betting this is a Cuban because of the construction and taste. I don’t want to break down my rating into different categories because I have found that I end up manipulating the numbers to get where I want to end up. I would give this cigar an 86. Thanks Lou!

Emjaysmash
Cigar: Number 2
Vitola / Wrapper / Binder: N/a
Drink / Food: N/a
Outside Factors: Nice
Construction: The cigar is a bit lumpy but firm all the way through. The cap is decent but looks a little sloppy from the sides. The wrapper is a khaki/dark tan color with no large veins.
Prelight : Not much flavor on the prelight. Slight grass and hay notes.
First Third: This cigar begins with a slightly herbal flavor accompanied by vegetal and woodiness. The major flavors are nuts and possibly tannin.
Draw: The draw is tighter than I would like. It seems there is a tighter wrap near the cap that is restricting airflow.
Burn: Excellent burn despite a slight breeze outside.
Ash/Smoke: The ash is white streak with light gray. IT is solid and stays on for a good inch before needing to be tapped off.
Second Third: The second third is comprised again with slight vegetal notes, slight sweetness form the tobacco and woodiness. The tannin has ramped up a lot into the second third, giving the flavors a sharp bitterness. The nuttiness from the first third progresses into a sunflower seed flavor. The finish is of sweet tobacco and feels creamy/thick on the palate.
Final third: This third is much the same as the second third, except for some citrus notes weaving in and out of the smoke. The sharp bitterness overshadows most of the other flavors now to the point where there are only hints of sunflower seeds and tobacco.
Strength: mild Flavor: medium
Overall Impression: I was surprised by this cigar. It had no triple cap that I could discern which made me think that it wasn’t a Cuban cigar. However as I smoked it further I and fairly certain this was a Cuban. Not sure of the Marca but I think I’ve smoked this marca before. If there was no tannin/bitterness this would be an excellent cigar in my opinion. Because the flavors were so over shadowed by the tannin I can’t give this cigar an “excellent” grade.
Construction: 8 10
Prelight: 3 5
First Third: 12 15
Draw: 7 10
Burn: 10 10
Ash / Smoke: 10 10
Second Third: 8 10
Final Third: 6 10
Overall impression: 13 20
Total Score: 77 100

hoyodude
Cigar: Cigar #2
Vitola / Wrapper: Dusky, medium brown wrapper on this robusto with
some veins but very smooth.
Drink : Modelo Especial.
Outside Factors: It’s finally cooling off from almost 100 to the
upper 80’s so it’s been a hot one. Almost cool in my house at about
83.
Construction: Medium firm to the squeeze and looks very well made.
Prelight: Nondescript.
First Third: Once lit I immediately was taken by the sweetness of
this mild cigar. Not a trace of pepper and somewhat creamy but mostly
a mild, sweet smoke.
Draw: Perfect.
Burn: Mostly straight burning, nothing that didn’t correct itself.
Second Third: Now another element is showing up and it’s a kind of
almond-like flavor that I find in mostly, but not only, younger
cigars. As I smoke it further down that flavor begins to get a little
tannic and a leathery taste is coming forward. The sweetness is still
present but not nearly as noticeable.
Final third: The flavor on this one has gone a little south for me
now. The sweetness is mostly gone and the tannic leathery taste has
ramped up while not being a rich flavor, just more “crisp”. Not a bad
tasting cigar but not one I’d persue.
Strength: Mild
Flavor: Mild/Medium
Overall Impression: A well-made, mild cigar that might have paired
better with a morning coffee than with a light pilsner. As noted, it
was not a bad cigar but it just didn’t fit with my palate in the end.
If it had been consistent with the first third I would have written a
completely different review but it changed in ways I wasn’t thrilled
with.
Construction: 9
Prelight: 5
First Third: 12
Draw: 10
Burn: 7
Ash / Smoke: 8
Second Third: 5
Final Third: 9
Overall impression: 8
Total Score: 73