DBall's Newb Blind Taste Test #4

[Samsquanch]

I sent in #6 earlier this week.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by Samsquanch

I sent in #6 earlier this week.

Sweet!!!

[CRIMPS]

Looking forward to the next one.

[DBall]

jonomberone Cigar #6
******************

It’s an absolute miserable day for me at work. I had to take an emergency order to load the biggest pain in the ass ship on the pier.
Going to try and make it better by smoking #6.



Initial thoughts
This stick is a monster compared to the rest of Dan’s selection. I would call it a Lancero though it appears to be a little fatter. I really need to get one of those ring gauge guides.
The wrapper is a nice medium brown with more than a few veins. I squeeze the stick and find nothing out of the ordinary.
As I go to cut I notice that this stick may have had a pig tail that Dan sneakily removed.
Pre light draw is tighter than I would like, but doesn’t seem like it will be an issue, and the flavor is smooth and sweet.



First Third
The smoke starts out sweet with caramel. After I lit up, I feel like the draw closed up a bit, so I’m not getting as much smoke as I would like.
I go to my nose and get zero burn. This cigar is smooth as hell.
This is the first cigar that going to my nose has made a real difference. After I do I get a ton of nutty flavor, like roasted hazelnut.
As I get closer to the second third a hint of cedar creeps in.



Second third
As I move in to the second parts the sweetness takes a front most spot on my palate. In the background I get nuts and wood.
A little further in and I get a touch of pepper. The sweetness has died out as the pepper increased.
Right now it is all nuts and wood with a nice bite to it.



Final third
The first puff of the last third was bitter and had a tar like quality.
I have been purging softly the whole while but I think it’s time to empty my lungs with one.
After, I get a mouthful of sweet delicious smoke, however my nose is no longer an option as the burn remains there for some time afterwards.
Tons of sweet tobacco flavored smoke is filling my mouth with every puff.
The smoke has gotten thicker and creamier with every pull and the draw has loosened up.
There are a lot of nutty flavors now and cedar in the back.



Final Thoughts
WOW! This smoke seem to hit all the right notes at all the right times. It was really hard for me to pick out distinct flavors because the ones coming through meshed so nicely.
The mixture of flavors in every puff worked so well together, you would think it was planned that way.
The burn was perfect with no touch ups but I had two relights.
The one tar sensation was cleared by a mighty purge and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.
This was one of the best composed cigars I’ve had in my short time smoking, as well as one of the smoothest.
The draw was tight but not plugged and the tar hit me like a ton of bricks.
Had it not been for these two issues, I might have given it a 10.

Final Score 9/10
Smoke time 2hr 47min

[DBall]

Samsquanch Cigar #6
******************


Enjoyed watching the Apple Cup (University of Washington vs Washington State University) football game while smoking #6. Long and slim 7" 40 rg beauty.



Not many veins, a nice light brown color, and a tight draw pre-light. Enjoyed (a bit too much) some Lagavulin single malt - so sorry if this one isn't as detailed.

Don't I look distinguished smoking this one?



Enjoyed this one all the way through, hints of caramel, hazelnut. If customs wasn't seizing shipments left and right I'd order some of these right up...




I'll put this one at an 8/10. It was a bit long however, I wonder if these are made in a smaller size?

[DBall]

What they smoked:



2001 Montecristo Especiale #1

jonumberone score: 9

Samsquanch score: 8

Tasty, eh? Not sure how much luck you'll have finding them anymore and, yes, they do make a smaller size (Especiale #2) which I think I may have only had one of ever and it was a long time ago... so I can't tell ya if they are as good.

4 left!!!

[DennisP]

The '09 Especiale #2s are smoking great, about 1.5" shorter I think.

[Doctorossi]

Monte Esp. is probably top 5 territory for me.

[hscmit]

great reviews, and again unbelievable sticks for this

[jonumberone]

I am very happy to find out what this was.
I absolutely loved this stick and just realized I have one at home in my humi.

Thanks again to Dan for an awesome stick

[issues]

They don't get much better than a Monte Esp #1, that's for sure.

[Brutus2600]

Nice review guys Had my mouth waterin', haha

[CRIMPS]

Updates? I miss this...

[zappaFREAK]

Tremendous thread!!
Great reviews.
Love the mystery.

[DBall]

Originally Posted by CRIMPS

Updates? I miss this...

Me too...

[Brutus2600]

Saddest updates ever! lol.

[jonumberone]

I delivered #7 on 11/05/10.
I guess were waiting on Andrew

[DBall]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

I delivered #7 on 11/05/10.
I guess were waiting on Andrew

You are correct, Dom.

[jesseboston81]

Just discovered and read through this thread, and I must say that it is absolutely amazing! This is a great idea, and the reviews are very well-written and presented with great photographs. I especially want to thank those who have discussed nasal exhaling, as this is something I've been hoping to try; however, with only NCs in my humidor (and mostly spicy, Nicaraguan ones at that) I'm a little reluctant to try!

Anyway, I digress. Great thread and great reviews--salud!

[DBall]

Originally Posted by jesseboston81

Just discovered and read through this thread

Did ya check out the old ones?

Previous Newb Blind Taste Tests here:

Blind Taste Test Thread #1

Blind Taste Test Thread #2

Blind Taste Test Thread #3