The MCS Contest blind review

[markem]

aka, pics to follow.

I am writing this as I sit in the garage getting ready to light this bad boy up. Almost too big for the palio. Almost always a bad sign given that I don't smoke even robustos anymore. But still, we soldier on.

The head is a bit raggedy, but not worrisome except for the green spots. Lights easily and I'm working on it, but only air so far. Let's work on it a bit more. About 30 puffs in, it is staying lit and starting to release its flavors. I think it is because of the tea pre-light, but the very light flavor is sort of reminiscent of a Tat. The flavor is staying light to the 1/4" mark and I must admit is tasty, although muted.

I am starting to get a chemical flavor now that is similar to how some infused cigars taste. Hope it isn't a Gurkha. The head of the cigar has a lot of pectin/glue on it and it is starting to peel off. Not affecting the flavor, but sticking to my tongue (no shot, this is a family board). If I work really hard and get the stick hot, I can get back some of that subtle flavor. Otherwise, not a lot going on in the first 3rd of this stick. Took me a while, but I am not automatically retrohaling every puff, so the stick is tasting a bit better.

As a side note, I am smoking this in 25* weather. The garage feels warmer though because of the direct sun and no wind. The smoke that this cigar makes looks just like a Murhen painting. Lots and lots of smoking curling away to infinity.

Went and got a Dr. Pepper. Hope that settles my stomach. Gotta quit automatically retrohaling.

Just starting in to the second third. I get the distinct flavor of undercooked Rocky Mountain Oysters. I just did about 10 rapid puffs to heat up the cigar and got a flavor that, unfortunately, reminded me of cleaning out stalls in my younger days. The wrapper is starting to give up the ghost, but on I go.

Approaching the half-way point and it is starting to take on that taste that you find in the air when your street is freshly oiled on the hottest day of the year. Did I mention that this size stick is not in my wheelhouse?

The ash is interesting because it crumbles in to very, very small pieces, even smaller than I expect for a short filler cigar. It's a nice white color, however.

Starting in on the last third and I am not getting many flavors, just really big smoke. Rinsing my mouth with Dr. Pepper between each taste now.

When I started, I had great expectations of Tat flavors all the way through. Didn't happen. My mustache informs me that it is quitting. My upper gums are in rebellion. Did I mention that this format is not in my wheelhouse? Starting to get an uneven burn. Went to touch it up and the wrapper started burning freely. Took a couple seconds to put that out.

We're in the home stretch now. Sorry Scott, but if given the choice of continuing this cigar or licking the differential on my car ... But I'm a friend and promised a review, so it will all get smoked.

Starting to split a bit as we near the end. The flavors are coming back with a vengeance. Part of me wants to cry "Mommy!"

In summary... I'm not sure what it is that I just smoked and I know that Scott would never send me a joke smoke, so I admit to just not getting this one. It may be that I'm just a mamby-pamby smoker who can't rock with the big boys, but my tongue, lips, gums and right eye are in rebellion. Although thankfully the stomach bowed out of the proceeding at about the half way point (was worried for a while).

I apologize, Scott, for not being able to appreciate this stick. I am guessing that it is one that is well known and respected, but it just doesn't do it for me. Do I get to keep the gravy boat?

I'm going to lay down now. Pics when I get them off the phone.