Both review samples had consistent dark coloring, with tight seams, a few knobby veins, an even roll, and a noticeable tooth. A little firm on the draw, but it actually made for a pleasant experience.
The flavors start off with notes that remind me of Asian cuisine, before changing to more earthy, umami, and dark notes before long. The smoke texture is semi-dry with a long, earthy/beefy finish. The burn started off a little wavy, but settled down fairly well about an inch into the cigar with a white and fairly solid ash.
The middle third on both samples had a little too much bitterness for my taste, though some may find it enjoyable. The final third unfortunately fell a little flat for me, with too much overtly astringent bitterness. Some very unique flavors to be sure, just rather off balance in the back half.
This could be a nice stick right after a beefy stir fry, ramen, or any spicy Asian beef dish. A sweetened coffee, Dr. Pepper or a bourbon and coke would be good pairings as it would help offset the bitterness. Total smoke time: 60 minutes.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro / Binder: Nicaragua / Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto / Size: 5 x 50
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua / Country of Origin: Nicaragua
![Stallone Alagan Review: The Body](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/body_new.png)
Light florals, black pepper, damp earth
![Stallone Alagan Review: The Foot](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/foot-third-headers.png)
Chocolate chips, biscuits
![Stallone Alagan Review: The Cold Draw](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/colddraw-third-headers.png)
Oak, soy sauce, ginger
![Stallone Alagan Review: First Third](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/first-third-title.png)
Sesame oil, ginger, brown sugar, mineral rich earth, very dark cocoa powder, beef broth, chai spice
Retrohale: cocoa, cedar, anise, ginger
![Stallone Alagan Review: Second Third](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/second-third-title.png)
Charred oak, Chinese five spice, a more heavily bitter earth, sauteed mushrooms, turmeric
Retrohale: cedar, white pepper, bitter charred oak
![Stallone Alagan Review: Final Third](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/final-third-title.png)
Prune, more charred oak, tannins, black pepper, very bitter earth
Retrohale: bitter orange rind, white pepper, burnt paper
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/draw-8.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/burn-8.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/complex-8.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/dynamic-range-6.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/smoke-texture-3.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/wrapper-quality-4.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/overall-enjoy-38.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nicotine-strength-plus.jpg)
![](https://cigarpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/intense-M-F.jpg)