Okay folks, I decided I was gonna post a review out of my notes. I really didnt want to, but then again this is a cigar I wanted to share with you all. And since I don't have a box or more to send around I thought I would post this.
Be nice!
Phil's Cigar Notes
12/9/2003
Saint Louis Rey
Corona
(ISOM)
This cigar had a nice dark and veiny wrapper. The cap was triple seamed and slightly crooked. The cigar felt fragile yet seemed constructed very well. I clipped The tiniest bit off of the cap and tested the draw, which was not super lush but was more than adequate. It smelled nice, but lacked that certain mustiness I usually associate with Habanos. I did not give this cigar a proper chance to sit prior to lighting ( I usually like to let a cigar sit for at least an hour outside a humidor that I keep at 70 RH.
Regardless of the fact that I smoked it rather "wet" IMHO, it lit right up. I used wood matches, my recent weapon of choice ( had 3 butane lighters crap out on me all in 2 weeks ), to which I have recently been told it doesn’t even matter! Anyway, the first puff or so was pleasant but lacked a certain depth that I look for and seemed to be a bit on the med. To mild side of things. I decided to puff this cigar a bit quicker than normal to see if I couldn’t bring out some flavor to what I felt was a rather bland cigar.
After about 5 minutes of 4 PPM the flavor and overall strength of the cigar changed very drastically to a medium to Full-bodied cigar with many pleasant "notes". I slowed my pace and sat back to enjoy what this cigar had turned into. I couldn’t believe it! I had all but given up on this cigar, but it seems I jumped the gun. I opened my Soda (Diet Pepsi) and took a sip glad to finally feel that I needed it, and took another puff. YUCK!!! I am not sure what that was all about but EWWWWW!! It seems that I hit a rather harsh spot in the cigar. Tasted kinda like I was smoking hay or something that burns HOT and HARSH with a very strong tang. I almost tossed it, but remembered reading something on the ICG message board about.letting the cigar burn past a rough spot and even back out into the smoke you remember a few puffs ago. So I set the cigar down and stared out into the sky, which was rather clear for the fact that it was raining heavily, for a few minuets and ignored the cigar. Once I felt I had given it time to relax I picked it back up. Just as promised the rough spot was gone and the previous full-bodied yummyness returned in full force.
I smoked this cigar down to the nub, and won't be able to wait long before I try and add this to my lineup and think I will post a wanted thread to see if I can't scare some of these up. Remind yourself to ask BLEEP what year this was as it looked to be pre-2000 (hence why I thought it looked "delicate")
I am not used to rating a smoke but I feel I have had quite a few and give this an overall 87 which I believe to be a good solid score and maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing but I gave it marks off for the slow intro and marks off for the rough spot. Plus sides include overall great construction, draw and taste. A fine Corona and a great intro for me into the world of Saint Louis Rey, Habanos style!
Phil
A very special thanks goes out to the STAND UP BOTL whom made this review possible, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE BRO! (I will refrain from names to avoid exessive mooching) I owe you one!
Be nice!
Phil's Cigar Notes
12/9/2003
Saint Louis Rey
Corona
(ISOM)
This cigar had a nice dark and veiny wrapper. The cap was triple seamed and slightly crooked. The cigar felt fragile yet seemed constructed very well. I clipped The tiniest bit off of the cap and tested the draw, which was not super lush but was more than adequate. It smelled nice, but lacked that certain mustiness I usually associate with Habanos. I did not give this cigar a proper chance to sit prior to lighting ( I usually like to let a cigar sit for at least an hour outside a humidor that I keep at 70 RH.
Regardless of the fact that I smoked it rather "wet" IMHO, it lit right up. I used wood matches, my recent weapon of choice ( had 3 butane lighters crap out on me all in 2 weeks ), to which I have recently been told it doesn’t even matter! Anyway, the first puff or so was pleasant but lacked a certain depth that I look for and seemed to be a bit on the med. To mild side of things. I decided to puff this cigar a bit quicker than normal to see if I couldn’t bring out some flavor to what I felt was a rather bland cigar.
After about 5 minutes of 4 PPM the flavor and overall strength of the cigar changed very drastically to a medium to Full-bodied cigar with many pleasant "notes". I slowed my pace and sat back to enjoy what this cigar had turned into. I couldn’t believe it! I had all but given up on this cigar, but it seems I jumped the gun. I opened my Soda (Diet Pepsi) and took a sip glad to finally feel that I needed it, and took another puff. YUCK!!! I am not sure what that was all about but EWWWWW!! It seems that I hit a rather harsh spot in the cigar. Tasted kinda like I was smoking hay or something that burns HOT and HARSH with a very strong tang. I almost tossed it, but remembered reading something on the ICG message board about.letting the cigar burn past a rough spot and even back out into the smoke you remember a few puffs ago. So I set the cigar down and stared out into the sky, which was rather clear for the fact that it was raining heavily, for a few minuets and ignored the cigar. Once I felt I had given it time to relax I picked it back up. Just as promised the rough spot was gone and the previous full-bodied yummyness returned in full force.
I smoked this cigar down to the nub, and won't be able to wait long before I try and add this to my lineup and think I will post a wanted thread to see if I can't scare some of these up. Remind yourself to ask BLEEP what year this was as it looked to be pre-2000 (hence why I thought it looked "delicate")
I am not used to rating a smoke but I feel I have had quite a few and give this an overall 87 which I believe to be a good solid score and maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing but I gave it marks off for the slow intro and marks off for the rough spot. Plus sides include overall great construction, draw and taste. A fine Corona and a great intro for me into the world of Saint Louis Rey, Habanos style!
Phil
A very special thanks goes out to the STAND UP BOTL whom made this review possible, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE BRO! (I will refrain from names to avoid exessive mooching) I owe you one!
:thumbs: 