After one look at these cigars, I was already anticipating how great they were going to smoke; and it’s easy to see why with the elegant vitola and oily wrapper. The cigar is a larger vitola and while the wrapper has an uneven blotchy color distribution, the nice oily sheen and rich molasses tint elevate the appearance. Together these attributes give the cigar a grand, upscale look.
There are visible seams and veins along with a bumpy pack that has an even, loose bunch. The loose bunch serves a purpose as the draw was perfect throughout the smoking sessions of these larger cigars. A scruffy ash formed, which made sense with the loose bunch, and there were a few points deducted for the burn due to multiple touch-ups required for both samples.
For me, the blend was worth the effort of the touch-ups. This cigar doesn’t disappoint with a great draw and rich flavor profile. Pay attention to the first third and enjoy. The blend would pair well with Four Roses Small Batch and even better if that comes after a nice steak dinner. It would also be perfect for a movie, an F1 race or an NFL game.
Wrapper: Jamao Dominican / Binder: Honduran / Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican
Vitola: Churchill / Size: 7 × 49
Factory: General Cigar Dominicana / Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Barnyard
Black tea, raisins and walnut
Raisins and hay
Toffee, white pepper, powdered sugar, bakers spice, oak, leather and coffee. Toasted cream, powdered sugar and oak on the retrohale. Clove developed to create a pleasant mellow long finish.
Toasted cream, coffee, hazelnut, leather, oak and clove. White pepper and oak on the retrohale. The sweetness dropped off and made way for the balance in this blend.
White pepper, toasted sourdough bread, oak, coffee, clove and nutmeg. White pepper and oak on the retrohale.
