Kingantz
Growing too fast.
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.
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.
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>.
