The 1st cigar of this review pair had a few burn issues as well as an extremely tight draw. The best thing about smoking two cigars for every review is that while the 1st one had issues and muted flavors, the 2nd cigar was full of flavor and had an amazing burn and draw. If it hadn’t had been for the issues with the 1st cigar my scores may have been a little higher. I definitely recommend this cigar with a black coffee or a latte. I do also think this would be a great cigar with a higher proof whiskey.
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo was already making his way in the world as a Jazz musician when the entire trajectory of his life would change. His Father, who had rebuilt a life for them all after moving to Miami from Cuba, fell ill. Perez-Carrillo left his life as a professional musician and set about learning everything he could about his father’s craft to keep the El Credito factory open rather than see it sold. In 1999, nearly 20 years after Ernesto left New York and the future he had planned there to join his father in Miami, the Perez-Carrillo family passed ownership of the Dominican La Gloria Cubana brand on to what is now Scandinavian Tobacco Group and General Cigar Company.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro / Binder: Nicaraguan / Filler: Dominican Seco, Nicaraguan Viso
Vitola: Toro / Size: 6 x 50
Factory: El Titan de Bronze / Country of Origin: United States
Molasses.wet tobacco, barnyard. raisins
Molasses and raisins
Cake, tobacco, plums, red pepper tingle on the lips
On the light I get a slight bready note followed by dark chocolate and a sweet tobacco. The retrohale brings oak, black and red pepper, cedae, and a dark chocolate. Further into this initial third I am met with lots of earth, dried fruit, espresso and a dark chocolate. The retro is black pepper coffee and oak. Closing in on the end of this third I get dried fruit, plums, and a strong espresso and oak. The retro picks up the chocolate with a little red pepper and oak. Full body smoke that is thick and chewy medium to full strength with a fantastic burn.
Into the second third the burn is still going great. The ash is holding over an inch and the flavors are turning more earthy with more notes of espresso oak and chocolate. The retro brings chocolate and fruit, and a slight cedar with a black pepper tingle at the end. Long finish with thick smoke that is full body and turning to full strength. Ending this third, the burn is still good. Picking up notes of a slight molasses. The retro is bringing a red pepper spice.
Heading into the final third, the prominent notes are dark black coffee, dark chocolate, raisins and charred oak. The retro is bringing notes of espresso, earth, creaam, and cedar. There’s a red pepper tingle at the very end. Closing out the cigar most of the flavors have turned dark. Espresso, bitter chocolate, black pepper, charred oak. On the retro I’m getting notes of a dark fruit with black pepper and cedar. Even though the flavors have turned dark this is still a great cigar. I’ve enjoyed this one from start to finish. The burn has finished great and the smoke is full flavor and full strength.
