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Johhny-O! Ninja Dart

Kingantz

Growing too fast.
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
7,648
I’ll certainly be glad when the weather starts cooling back down as it is already quite warm out this morning. The temperature feels even higher with the humidity over seventy percent; however there is a nice breeze which does help. I’m going to smoke a Johnny-O! Ninja Dart, which I feel is named appropriately from the look of the cigar, a figurado shape with sharply pointed head and a small bit of “shag” left out the foot. The Colorado shade wrapper looks quite oily, has veins throughout, and underneath the tobacco feels somewhat coarse with a slight sponginess when squeezed. I clip a small amount off the head with my Palio and find the draw has little resistance, however once lit I’m sure it will open up (hopefully not too much). I use my wife’s Bic lighter on the shag foot and let it go until all has burned away, then blow on the small embers to spread the fire as much as possible. After a number of quick puffs and having let the cigar rest for a bit, I take my first draw.

The first thing I notice is the full body of the smoke that is slightly heavy, feeling somewhat oily on the palate, and then the spice that is not overpowering, however I can definitely tell it’s there. Medium is what I would describe the strength as, perfect in my opinion. The draw opens up perfectly once it hits the larger part of the foot, however it does take several quick puffs to produce a good amount of smoke that I attribute to the tobacco still being somewhat damp. The flavor is quite rich and sweet on the palate with taste of what I would describe as very good, straightforward tobacco with the finish semi-lasting.

Through the first quarter and hitting the halfway mark, the burn is sharp with a dark and light ash forming that is somewhat rough looking, however holds well until tapped off. Although the draw is perfect, I still have to puff quite a bit to get good smoke to come through that seems to have increased to a full strength and the spice following suit. Flavor is consistent with a rich, straightforward tobacco taste with the finish semi-lasting. I will throw a couple of descriptors out there, which are sweet honey and coffee.

Since I’ve been sitting out here, the temperature has gone up approximately eight degrees and the humidity has dropped to right at sixty percent, still feeling quite muggy. I’m now heading into the final half and can definitely tell you there is some power in this cigar. Full strength smoke is flowing well through the perfect draw, no longer having to puff so much, and the body and spice both full as well. Towards the end, flavors are still really good with a bit of charred wood taste left in the finish that isn’t a bad taste at all.

The Johnny-O! Ninja Dart is definitely a treat not only from the interesting shape of the cigar, but also with the thoroughly enjoyable smoke. I can only imagine these getting better after a couple few years of aging. With sharp burn, perfect draw, and rich, delicious flavors, this is certainly another of John’s cigars to snatch up when possible.

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I've been anticipating your review on this ever since you mentioned receiving one to review. I'm going to wait a little while to fire any of these up... they look great and are HUGE too.
 
Got one of these resting right now. Now I cant wait to try it! Great review as always, Greg!
 
Still haven't gotten my hands on any of these, I must be slipping... Great review Greg!
 
It's pretty bad when you wish you were built as well as your cigar. ???
 
OK, I have a dumb question......did you cut / light the right end...?? Consider the Fuente BBMF:

gallery_1565_604_47643.jpg


....note that the "flower" is the end that is cut prior to smoking.

I just bought some of Johnny's "XBBMF" smokes, and if I were to smoke one, I'd have chopped the flower off and smoked it that way. The smokes look very similar So....are these backwards? Does it matter?

Just wondering - B.B.S.
 
OK, I have a dumb question......did you cut / light the right end...?? Consider the Fuente BBMF:

gallery_1565_604_47643.jpg


....note that the "flower" is the end that is cut prior to smoking.

I just bought some of Johnny's "XBBMF" smokes, and if I were to smoke one, I'd have chopped the flower off and smoked it that way. The smokes look very similar So....are these backwards? Does it matter?

Just wondering - B.B.S.

I feel confident I clipped it right as the tapered end was closed, not open like the Fuente. But, to be honest I really don't think it would matter.
 
I feel confident I clipped it right as the tapered end was closed, not open like the Fuente. But, to be honest I really don't think it would matter.
....course, Padron 80ths are closed on both ends.....??

I would agree, it probably doesn't matter.....but, it is interesting......:cool:
 
He clipped the right end. The XBMF is rolled like an Opus BBMF while the ninja dart is essentially reversed from that. The "flower" being the fletching on a dart or arrow.
 
That looks amazing. Unfortunately this is my first time even seeing it. How it alluded me, I don't know. Thanks for the review, as always, Greg. I'll be sure to pick one of these up in my travels.
 
So, Greg you seem to be in the "get better with age" camp on Johnny-O vs. the "meant to be smoked fresh" camp. Just wondering. I've only had one of his XBMFs and had it fresh and loved it. However, I'm also letting a few rest and am convinced they'll be even better. So I guess we win either way, right?
 
He clipped the right end. The XBMF is rolled like an Opus BBMF while the ninja dart is essentially reversed from that. The "flower" being the fletching on a dart or arrow.
....last time I threw darts or shot an arrow, the fletching was on the stern of the projectile....maybe I've been doing that wrong, too....:laugh:
 
So, Greg you seem to be in the "get better with age" camp on Johnny-O vs. the "meant to be smoked fresh" camp. Just wondering. I've only had one of his XBMFs and had it fresh and loved it. However, I'm also letting a few rest and am convinced they'll be even better. So I guess we win either way, right?

As long as the temptation doesn't get you and you try to smoke one during the "sick" period. :D I've got only a few from 08 that I've been able to hold onto and hopefully will be able to let them sit there...for another...year...or two...<gulp>.
 
So, Greg you seem to be in the "get better with age" camp on Johnny-O vs. the "meant to be smoked fresh" camp. Just wondering. I've only had one of his XBMFs and had it fresh and loved it. However, I'm also letting a few rest and am convinced they'll be even better. So I guess we win either way, right?

My experience has been (for whatever it’s worth) that with Johnny’s stuff I have to smoke it within the first month or so after it’s been rolled, and then after that I put them down for at least 6 months to a year minimum.
 
Greg cut the correct end as the Ninja Dart is a "shagfoot". It should be lit at the shagfoot. The XBMF is the opposite as its shape is similar to Fuentes BBMF and is a "shaghead" and should be cut at the shaghead. Hope this helps. BTW Greg nice pics as always. John
 
Greg cut the correct end as the Ninja Dart is a "shagfoot". It should be lit at the shagfoot. The XBMF is the opposite as its shape is similar to Fuentes BBMF and is a "shaghead" and should be cut at the shaghead. Hope this helps. BTW Greg nice pics as always. John
Excellent...!! Thanks for the clarification, John...!!

Greg, I shall not doubt your cigar orientation skills again......:p
 
I think someone should send one of these to Zebra and have him do a review.
 
OK, I have a dumb question......did you cut / light the right end...?? Consider the Fuente BBMF:

gallery_1565_604_47643.jpg


....note that the "flower" is the end that is cut prior to smoking.

I just bought some of Johnny's "XBBMF" smokes, and if I were to smoke one, I'd have chopped the flower off and smoked it that way. The smokes look very similar So....are these backwards? Does it matter?

Just wondering - B.B.S.

I know you already got some great answers but here is another way you could tell if you cut the cigar backwards and why not to.

http://www.cigarpass.com/forumsipb/index.php?showtopic=35604
 
Did you say, "Bic lighter", or am I seeing things? :laugh:
 
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