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Blind Cigar Reviews

Great review Steve! :thumbs:
What's really weird is... I'm smoking my first K. Hansotia (Silver Edition) as I find your review! My thought are about the same as yours... I wouldn't rush out and buy a box, but I would smoke another one!
Congrats on the new pup! He'd fit right in with the ankle biters at BBS's!!! ;)

Take care!
 
I received this stick form Tomthirtysix. The cigar is what I would call a toro about a 50 ring by 6. The family and I had just returned for a very nice meal of Tom Kha soup and sesame chicken. I put the boys and my wife down for a nap, and headed out to the front porch with a bottle of Propel and a note pad.

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The wrapper was extremely thin and had significant damage from the start. Surprisingly, it didn’t get much worse as I smoked it. The cap did stay wrapped around the head after cutting, but the wrapper just below the head continued to break off in small pieces a stuck to my lips as I smoked it, which was a tad annoying. I’m not sure whether to blame shipping or climate for the cracking and peeling.

I cut the cigar with a Palio. Prelight draw revealed a woodsy flavor with strong undertones of dry tobacco.

I carefully toasted the foot with my Blazer torch, and it burned steadily thereafter. The burn occasionally got uneven, but corrected itself well. I only had to touch it up once, after it had reached one of the larger splits in the wrapper. I don’t think I would have had to touch it up at all if it wasn’t for the split.

First third

The first third of this cigar was very smooth. It started with rich tobacco flavors with hints of cedar. The tobacco flavors faded into a medium spiciness. Over all, at this point the flavor was quite enjoyable.

Second third

About the second third, the cigar transitioned. The first ash fell into my lap at about 2”, revealing a nice ligero cone beneath. The cigar picked up a flavor that I describe a floral. The best comparison I can make is that cluster of smells that a floral boquet has, a melding of the different flowers and greens. The cigar also started to spice up a bit with white pepper and hints of cardamom. About this time also, the quantity of smoke increased significantly.

Final third

As the cigar moved into the final third, it transitioned from a smooth cigar to a strong cigar. Even with a full stomach, this sucker was getting to me. The pepper was stronger. Earthy flavors jumped forward. The floral flavors crept in and out. The cardamom increased and the tobacco flavors returned.

About this time, the second ash fell, this time at my feet, and revealed a branch. OK, it was just a stem, but it was big. Also at this time, the cigar got bitter. I expelled the smoke through the cigar a couple of times, which seamed to help, but all of the flavors seemed to disappear. Finally, the good flavors reappeared causing me to blame the bitterness on the stem which I seemed to have passed by at this point.
I found this cigar much to my liking. As I write this, I still have not opened the envelope, not wanting the band to affect this write up. The flavor profile was right in my favorite zone. I’m guessing that it is a Dominican cigar, and am leaning towards AVO.

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So… What is it?





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Padilla Edicion Especial 2006 Achilles 6X50

Well, I got the size right. Tom, very nice. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
 
Great review! Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry about the damage... looks like that thing went through a war.
 
I've smoked a 3-4 of these and my experiences were pretty much the same as yours. I find the taste VERY enjoyable but the wrappers on these are extremely thin and fragile.

Good review! :thumbs:
 
Nice review, but good god. That wrapper looks like it had the hell beat out of it.

Wilkey
 
Nice review Matt although I am surprised you smoked the whole thing considering the blowout. I bought a bunch of these a while back and smoked a couple right off the bat. They were alright but I am hoping they got better over the last 6 months. Any idea what kind of age this one had?
 
OK, I got my package in the mail from Matt last week, and immediately put the mystery stick in my 65% humi to rest for a few days before I smoked it. Normally I let new purchases and trades/gifts rest in the "ready-to-smoke" humidor at least 6 weeks to let any unevenness settle, but since the premise of this pass was to review quickly to keep the ball rolling, I figured that I would make time this past Saturday to unravel the mystery.

Originally I had planned on going to the [topic="30531"]Harrisburg Herf[/topic] this past weekend, but since that didn't pan out, I took a break from day of chores and MBA studying to head out to the backyard and enjoy Matt's offering. My first impressions were twofold: one, this stick was a very well made torpedo, approximately 6" x 50, with nary a soft spot, and two, having never had an 858 with a red band on the foot (hint, hint ;) ), the only other place I had seen a Rosado wrapper like this before was on an Opus X. Hmmm...a Perfecxion #2, perhaps? No, the size was wrong, and while the wrapper color was similar, it didn't have the characteristic dark veins of the Opus wrapper.

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I took a look at the foot and noticed it to be a little packed towards one side and looser on the other, but I didn't think it would be a deal-breaker, so Auggie the Doggie and I went out back to play some fetch and enjoy the 40-degree weather that has felt downright balmy compared to what we've been experiencing. Besides, snow was coming again Sunday, so this might be the last time I saw my grass for a few more days. Something in the back of my mind told me I was taking a bit of a risk smoking outside in this weather, for if this was a Cameroon-wrapped cigar or another such fragile wrapper...SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!...my review could be very short-lived. Oh well..."taste death, live life," right? :D

The aroma of this cigar was enjoyable, but something I couldn't quite place. I'll describe it as "herbal." I snipped the tip at an angle with my Palio (can't remember where I picked that up, but I heard it helps concentrate the flavors of a torpedo/belicoso/figurado on the tongue), torched the foot, and I was off!

My first impressions were that despite it's appearance it was a very mild cigar. After about the first 1/2", the flavor picked up to a mild-medium bodied smoke, with no real standout flavors, but a slight creaminess on the palate. The draw was perfect for the entire smoke, and while the burn wasn't razor-sharp the entire way, it never needed touching-up and any runners corrected themselves quickly. The ash was light gray in color and held on until I tapped it off. By the time there was an inch and a half remaining, the taste was starting to get a little on the sour side, so I called it a day. I think I smoked for about 75 to 90 minutes total.

Auggie and I had decided to go for a walk after about a half hour of fetch (the smoke came along, of course), so when we came back I pulled out the envelope:

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La Libertad. Never had one before, enjoyed it, and would have one again if I come across any next time I'm in the old country! Thanks for the smokes, Matt, and thanks to the big Blue Dragon for setting this all up!
 
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I thought it would be fun to send you a local rarity.
 
Damn old man winter claims another innocent victim in the blind cigar reviews.. Nicely done nevertheless. A nice BOTL recently sent me one of these and I look forward to torching it soon.
 
This is the review of the stick mike sent in this post.

Pre light, the mystery stick is a torpedo and has a dark maduro wrapper. It’s five inches long with a 48 ring. It has no distinguishing smell other than the pleasant fermented aroma that most good maduros have. The tobacco seems bunched evenly at the foot and it’s a firm cigar with no discernable soft spots.

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I round up my lighter and Manhattan and off we go. I toast the foot and then set fire to it. The first draw gives volumes of creamy smoke and presents molasses and rich tobacco to my palate.

The wrapper has some defects early on but it’s not affecting the smoking.
One half inch into it now and there is a hint of dark chocolate showing up and the molasses is still there and a stronger tobacco flavor but not overpowering.
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An inch in and it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable smoke. More pronounced molasses and tobacco. It continues to be very smooth and full of flavor with not even a hint of being harsh.

Three inches left and I’m still tasting molasses. The dark chocolate is showing up again also, or maybe the Manhattan is messing with me.

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The wrapper splits close to the ash and the grayish ash has dropped off.

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Half way through and the cigar is still very tasty with lots of creamy smoke. Molasses and tobacco are still dominate with some chocolate.

My wife chimes in and says the cigar smells good. I tell her to go away this is my review. <g>

Two inches left and the wrapper is coming apart but it is not affecting the smoking.

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Less than two inches left and it’s still has a great delicious taste. The wrapper is having some issues but with a smoke this good who cares.

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An inch to go and there is a great tobacco flavor with. Right now I’m wishing this was a larger vitola.

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Three quarter’s of an inch left and the flavor is all strong tobacco but not harsh and still enjoyable. The aroma is still very pleasing.

But after fifty minutes it’s officially nubbed.
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I’m really sorry this one is done. It was a pleasure all the way through. I wish every cigar was this good.

So what was it Mike sent me?

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I’ve liked Rocky Patel’s other cigars and this is on the top of the list for me now. I find myself liking Honduran and Nicaraguan blends more than Dominican on average so I’ll have to explore more of RP’s stuff.

Thanks for this stick Mike.
 
What a great review and faaaantastic pics! :thumbs:
 
Nice reviews everyone! Keep 'em comin. :thumbs:

I have been keeping a list of the reviews on the first post. The list seems to be getting long and will just continue to get longer. :cool: I have been keeping it in order of reviews but am considering changing the list to alphebetical. This would allow people to search for a cigar they might be curious about easier. I'd like your thoughts/suggestions. Please respond via PM.

Thanks!
- C
 
Glad you enjoyed the smoke, CK! Makes me look forward to trying my first this Friday night. RP's going to be at Holt's, so I'll fire it up there and post a review over the weekend.

Although this goes w/o saying, I hope you enjoy the rest of the smokes as well.
 
Nice reviews everyone! Keep 'em comin. :thumbs:

I have been keeping a list of the reviews on the first post. The list seems to be getting long and will just continue to get longer. :cool: I have been keeping it in order of reviews but am considering changing the list to alphebetical. This would allow people to search for a cigar they might be curious about easier. I'd like your thoughts/suggestions. Please respond via PM.

Thanks!
- C
First post modified, links fixed. Thanks guys!

- C
 
Nice work with this Cory. I really like the way you put it all together in the first post. :thumbs:
 
Well I got my package last week while fighting a cold off. Would be my luck, I have no desire to smoke anything now with everything smelling and tasting "off".
I had to wait a few days to let it get out of my system. Well let's us take a look at this cigar.
This was a seemingly well constructed cigar with minimal veining with a small piece of the wrapper missing. Most likely from taking off the band. This did not affect the smoke in any way.
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Made the cut on the cap and tested the draw......easy, with a very loose draw. After toasting the foot for a few seconds I had a sniff and smelled mild woody smoke. After the first five or six draws I noted a mild, woody cigar with underlying tobacco flavor coming through. No burn issues and loads of smoke.
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The next two thirds of the cigar developed into somewhat mild cigar that still managed to have a bitter finish.
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Then as the cigar started to warm up on the last couple of inches the wrapper split. This did not affect the draw so, I kept going with it. Smoking it to the point of wanting to put it out after becoming too bitter for my taste.
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This smoke did not seem too bad. I would not say that I did not enjoy it. But, I would go as far to say that.... I don't think it is going to be something that fits my type of preferred profile. Let's see what we have here.
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A Bauza Pyramid. Nice looking cigar, nice looking band. Maybe I just need to give the smoke another chance......Could have just have been the remnants of a cold.
Sorry Chuck, I tried to like it as much as you do. You know what they say about opinions though. :whistling:
 
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