I just smoked an ESG that I picked up a week and a half ago. I managed to get my hands on 6 of these from 2 different sources. I paid $21.60 from one source, and $25 from another. I smoked the $21.60 today (so it's probably not as good as the more expensive one :thumbs: ). They've been sitting in my humidor at 75 degrees and 66% RH. 2 liters of Diet Sams club soda accompanied the experience. I smoked outside after lunch (sunny skies, 80 degrees, light wind, and too many flies).
The wrapper was flawless. I cut the cap with a Xicar I and prelight draw was perfect. I could appreciate sweet tones mixed with a healthy barnyard taste. After toasting the cigar with a Nimbo 2 flame butane lighter, I was impressed with a very pleasant first draw.
The flavours are characteristic fuente, however the sum total was unlike any previous offering that I've appreciated. The ESG is a bit more leathery than other Fuente smokes. There were also sweet elements, such as cocco, coffe, and honey (to me, these flavours are more reminiscent of the Diamond crown line). There were also nuances of floral tones (which I think others would describe as spice). These flavours were consistent throughout the entire smoke. The taste did mellow after the first third and throughout the remainder of the smoke.
Burn was razor sharp, and the ash was a beautiful white that greyed over a period of five minutes. There was plentiful amounts of thick white smoke throughout. I've heard people say that this cigar is deceptively strong, and I would wholeheartedly agree. The smoke is satisfyingly strong from the get go, but you're hit by a strong nicotine buzz by the last third (much uinlike the diamond crown line, which I find to be too weak). I never needed a relight, and I almost nubbed all $21.60 (to be fair, I left about 1/2", or $1.54 worth of cigar).
From this experience, I think that the ESG shouldn't necessarily require any more aging.
Now for the editorial...
I've heard a number of people comment that they were'nt impressed by the ESG, and I'm sure you've also read that some people found it dissapointing. On the other end of the spectrum, I've read people say that this is the best cigar they've ever smoked bar none. A while earlier, someone posted the brief cigar insider review and overall score of 88. Personally, I disagree with all of the above. This was a great cigar. So is the anejo 77, as well as the Opus Double Corona, and the entire PAM line. I would rank this cigar (in terms of satisfaction) with any of the above (on the Spinal Tap scale, I would rank tham all an 11 :sign: ). Although taste is subjective, I don't think anyone here would disagree. If any of these cigars cost 1/4 as much and were easily obtainable, we would smoke them all regularily and appreciate them for what they were (then perhaps we would chase afer expensive flavoured Ghurka's and limited Perdomos (both of which I havent tried and have absolutely no desire)). They're relative scarcity and cost make them all the more attractive (we all ant what we can't have) and I think that makes us appreciate them more.
In the meantime, I'll cherish the remaining five of these that I have. When I smoke the $25 one, I'll post an updated review!
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