This cigar had a very strange form factor. The Hexagon shaped press was a bit uncomfortable in the hand, but the wrapper was nearly flawless. Start to finish this cigar performed. It was sweet and spicy, while covering all the bases in between. Strength wise it was at a solid medium but nearly full, thus could be enjoyed any time of day. The only knock I have on this cigar is the feel in the hand. That hexagon press felt strange, but if that is what attributed to the amazing flavor and performance then it’s a completely fair trade-off. I learned the age old lesson ; don’t judge a book by its cover!
Pairing Recommendations:
Red Wine (Malbec, Red Blend, Pinot Noir), Any Beer, After Apple Pie, Fire Ball Whiskey, Milk Chocolate, Malted Milk Balls, Malted Milk Shake, Cinnamon Rolls
Breakdown of My “Overall Enjoyment” Total:
Feel in the hand: 7/15
Ash Strength: 5/5
Versatility (pairings, time of day): 10/10
Appearance: 5/5
Pepper Scale: 8/10
Box Worthy: 5/5
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Colorado Claro / Binder: Nicaraguan / Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Sixto I Hexagon / Size: 6 x 60
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A. / Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Red Man Chewing Tobacco
Red Pepper
Sweet Milk Chocolate
Right before I light up this rather massive cigar, I can’t help but notice a Hexagon shaped box press. This is certainly a shape I’ve never smoked before. Honestly, it feels a bit clunky in the hand. Shape and feel aside, the flavor is phenomenal. That sweet chewing tobacco note I got from the body jumps out immediately. For those who haven’t tasted chewing tobacco; it’s a sweet molasses and a very natural tobacco flavor. The retrohale in the first third has a nice amount of red pepper. Aside from the odd feeling box press, I have zero complaints with how the first third has performed.
The second third kicks off with a transition from prominent sweetness to more spice. I’m getting quite a bit of baking spices, the ones you’d use for an apple pie. A warm flavor profile all around, if that makes sense. The retrohale is still heavy on the red pepper, but a touch a sweetness has mixed with it. It’s as if the sweetness on the palate transferred to the retrohale and vice versa. As we head into the final third, this has proved to be a very interesting smoke.
Wow. Milk Chocolate is front and center in the beginning stages of final third. It’s a very natural milk chocolate note. This is a note I’ve picked up in a lot of cigars, but this one is different. It’s milk chocolate, but in milk shake form. Smooth and creamy, with a lingering taste on the palate that I never want to end. The retrohale has dialed back on the red pepper and changed to more of a white pepper. With the final third coming to close, I’m getting some fruit notes. Cherry and what seems like peach are lingering in the background. I was shocked by the final transition and was even more surprised that I got it with both samples. What an extremely intriguing cigar!
