DBall's Newb (and not-so-newb) Blind Taste Test #6

[DBall]

AdamJoshua Cigar #3
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Seems to be about PC sized.

Very nice milk chocolate wrapper, no veins to speak of, well packed, a little bit tight with a knot right where my fingers are pinching in the photo, doesn’t seem to be anything too major.

First Third: Lots of wood off the bat, no pun intended, it’s that wood you get when you chew on a No. 2 pencil. The last time I got something like this was a Monte Esp that was a bit tight as well, this is one of those unmistakeable notes to me, wish there was someone else here to try this, they might have another name for it or something more common as far as what type of wood, usually I can tell cedar or oak, but it’s not really either of those.

About half way through the first third and it’s a bit of a smokey oak and tea profile at this point, Is that something, well if not it is now.

Almost through the first third, very little spice to me, nice smooth snorking, nice sharp burn line with no touchups needed.

Second Third: starting out mild to medium the wood is going limp … phrasing … still a bit of wood but I’m getting more leather and a bit of sweetness, I would say honey but it’s way in the back, really faint and hard to pinpoint but it’s definitely not a sweetness like a chocolate or caramel.

Final Third: Strength is picking up a bit, almost like a licorice or anisette.

Overall a very enjoyable cigar, the tightness never came into play.

I’d go with 7 out of 10 smileys.

[DBall]

Ripplingh2o Cigar #3
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Initial observations - 5.0" x 42RG medium brown wrapper, densely composed, firmly packed cigar with a woodsy aroma. Used my Xikar V-cutter. Thought I smelled a hint of cocoa so I chose to pair it with a cup of Swiss Miss. Toasted at 9:55 a.m.

First 1/3 - Right off the first draw I know this is going to be another wonderful cigar. Excellent draw with rich, creamy smoke and only the smallest hint of pepper thru the retrohale. Pairs superbly with my hot chocolate. As usual, I can't pinpoint any particular notes or nuances regardless of how I "sip" or retro but that doesn't detract from its enjoyment. As I now progress to the second 1/3, the initial gray & white ash remains solidly intact.

Second 1/3 - Watched some YouTubers last night as they reviewed various sticks touting proclamations of cedar, vanilla bean, licorice, apricot, leather, citrus, toasted almond, graham cracker, & yes, even hot biscuits. I'm encouraged to discover my cigar palate, but likened to the Herman's Hermits lyric, "second verse, same as the first". This stick continues to be rich & creamy without any harshness. Burn by the way, is razor sharp.

Last 1/3 - Finally, there seems to be a slightly noticeable transition. IDK, maybe a honey or almond note or a hint of toffee flavor .? The Mrs. just visited me in the garage and remarked, "oh, that one sure smells good."
Final thoughts - I didn't have one of those fancy nub holders like Adam has, so I used a 10 penny nail from off my workbench to keep from burning my fingers. Great smoke Dan, thank you. Mirroring the 2nd cigar, I hope this is one I can buy in the future. Overall rating - since it was a tad better than cigar #2,

I'll give it a 9.0. Smoke time: 45 minutes.

On to cigar #4 in a couple days or so.

[DBall]

What they smoked:
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2015 Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona

AdamJoshua Rating: 7/10

Ripplingh20 Rating: 9/10

This is a fresh run of the mill Cuban cigar, but it seemed to get a good reception! Luckily, these can be had for a reasonable price.

Glad to see these got favorable reviews!

So excited for the next two!

[icehog3]

Another pair of fun and interesting reviews.

[DBall]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Another pair of fun and interesting reviews.

Glad people are enjoying this one! I have been long considering this whole new guy/established guy format and this one isn't disappointing, I don't think.

I think I may do another round after this.

[Porch Dweller]

Good reviews, guys!

[AdamJoshua]

Now that's what i call a true cuban cigar!

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Another pair of fun and interesting reviews.

Originally Posted by DBall

Glad people are enjoying this one! I have been long considering this whole new guy/established guy format and this one isn't disappointing, I don't think.

I think I may do another round after this.

[DBall]

Originally Posted by AdamJoshua

Now that's what i call a true cuban cigar!

...aaaaaaand this comment wins!

[stearns]

Nice reviews fellas

[CigarNut]

Thanks for another set of fine reviews!

[Conch Republican]

Originally Posted by DBall

...aaaaaaand this comment wins!

Nope - you comment about pairing a certain cigar with a glass of bleach - was wayyyyyyyy better LOL!

This has been fun to watch

[DBall]

Originally Posted by Conch Republican

Nope - you comment about pairing a certain cigar with a glass of bleach - was wayyyyyyyy better LOL!

This has been fun to watch

That was an Illusione Epernay. I will never forget the vileness of that cigar!

For those interested, here's the link.

[icehog3]

Too funny, the Epernay is one of my favorite NCs.

[DBall]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Too funny, the Epernay is one of my favorite NCs.

Maybe I just had an 'off' one, but man... that one was BAD.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by DBall

Maybe I just had an 'off' one, but man... that one was BAD.

Yeah, me saying it's one of my favorite NCs means I have probably smoked 4 in the last 3 years.

[Ripplingh2o]

PM'ing Cigar #4 results to Dan.

[DBall]

Originally Posted by Ripplingh2o

PM'ing Cigar #4 results to Dan.

Nice!

[AdamJoshua]

Well geez at this pace 10 would have been nothing

I'll puff puff write in a bit.

[DBall]

AdamJoshua Cigar #4
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170 x 46

A very rustic wrapper, a little damage about half way up the stick, painted it up with a little pectin so hopefully it won't be an issue. The stick is firmly packed and the shoulder is a bit dry as you can see when I gave it a straight cut, a bit of the wrapper around the shoulder flaked away but nothing major.

First third: very mild start with lite smoke, starting this with a cup of coffee seems to have been a mistake to start. What I am getting to start is a sweetness, such lite smoke makes this a stick you have to concentrate on, don't get me wrong it's really good but for review purposes it's taking a little bit extra. Light gray ash that breaks away fairly easy, no a smoke to be enjoying while doing 90 down the 15 with the top down. For my life depended on it I'd say ...well I'd say anything but since my life doesn't depend on it I'd say I'm picking up a bit of honey, marzipan and sweet cream, not that big mouth full of creamy white....phrasing, boom nailed it, but just a hint.

Around the end of the first third their is some wood starting to ent it's way in, no spice of any kind that I can tell, a lot of tea, sweetness and a bit of wood, those are the stairs of the show.

Second Third: this cigar is right there on the razor's edge, I keep hoping it's going to pick up in strength, the favors are good just a bit muted for my goat palette, I'm hoping once it gets past the little repair the smoke will pick up, I can tell there is air drawing in there and even a little would be too much for how delicate this stick is.

End of the second third and a bit of spice is rearing it's head, the tiniest bit of white pepper really only noticeable on the snork and as a bit of a lingering note on the back of the tongue.

Final Third: smoke production is picking up and so is the spice, a bit of nose tickle on the retro-hale, of course when you have a um proud Jewish nose like I or Tucan Sam have that's not saying much, it would probably kill one of you lesser nosed people.

Half way through the final third and the pepper is really picking up.

Toasted wood toasted wood!!!! I finally picked something out that I don't have to hunt for and that would be, Bueller, Bueller?

Um, toasted wood. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who knows someone that smoked one of these and he said toasted wood at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty strong.

Thank you, Simone.

No problem what-so-ever.


This cigar really picked up at the end, I’m assuming that most of that had to do with smoking past the problem area, really needed a cigar bandaid, I think i need to go create, patent and sell those, lots of toasted wood, and light spice, the final third of this cigar really shined, if the entire cigar was like this it would have been much more enjoyable with the coffee and in general, as it was I ended up switching over to water about half way through just so the coffee didn’t overpower the stick.

I’m going to split the rating the two thirds was just very mild and lite smoke and I’d have to give it a 5 out of 10, while enjoyable I really had to work at it and none of us enjoy a cigar you have to work.

The final third I’d go with 8.5 out of 10, really strong notes, enjoyable and while strong it wasn’t overpowering, I will not there was a lot of nicotine to this stick, at least the end, time to dig out a couple chick-o-stick minis!




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