Brickhouse
J.C. Newman owes me royalties.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2006
- Messages
- 10,164
Acquired a 5'er of these through a stellar trade with tolije a few weeks ago and I simply had to give one a go, knowing that it was a bit early. It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to review a cigar, but I've been waiting for this one.
Below are my thoughts and opinions on the cigar.
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VITAL STATS: (Information courtesy of www.vitolas.net)
Cigar name: Litto Gomez Small Batch No. 1
Vitola: 7" x 52
Wrapper: Sumatran seed, Dominican LFD farm grown
Binder: Dominican LFD farm grown tobacco
Filler: LG Diez blend (Dominican LFD farm grown tobacco)
Released: August 2006
Quantity: 200 boxes world-wide, 105 cigars per box
MSRP: $16.00 per cigar, $1,510.00 per box of 105 cigars
Storage: 3 weeks @ 65 degrees 62% humidity
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TOOLS USED:
Cutter: Palio
Lighter: S.T. Dupont X-Tend
Ashtray: Colibri
Pairing: 16oz water
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PRELIGHT:
- Easily the most gorgeous cigar I've laid eyes on. The oils were so prominent that I couldn't get a photo with flash on. The wrapper had a delicious dark look. Perfectly constructed, zero blemishes.
- Wrapper had an immediate spice on it, very similar to the Diez, no surprises here.
- Great aroma, tobacco undertones with hints of tobacco (preembargo).
- Cut went flawless and the draw was easy
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1st Quarter:
- The taste is all there, very excited from the first draw. Billowy clouds of smoke pour out giving it an almost "chewy" characteristic, just the way I like it.
- Spice isn't nearly as strong as I thought it would be from the prelight, but it's just enough for me.
- Complicated for me to pick out much, I'm no taste expert, and it's apparent from the get go that I'm not going to be able to pick out the small details
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2nd Quarter:
- Having some draw issues. It's not that it's hard to draw, it's still rather easy, but I'm not getting the clouds of smoke I was in the beginning. It has the feel that this cigar is tunneling on me, which makes me nervous.
- I find myself puffing short iterations of 8-10 times in order to get that large mouthful of smoke I liked in the 1st quarter....something isn't right here
- Taste is still there, however, due to the large amount of puffs...the draw is hot and a bit uncomfortable on my palate, not overly so, but not what I'd hoped for.
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3rd Quarter:
- I've found the draw problem (see photo). The cigar is in fact tunneling on me just a bit. It's not causing any major issues, and I don't have to relight, but it's hurting my ability to get a full draw each pull.
- Wrapper burn is fine, never goes badly, however the tunnel is an issue which I'm working.
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Last Quarter:
- Tunnel has improved with some touchups and a few ashs. I'm still puffing a bit to get a full pull, but it's not as bad, it is now easier to enjoy.
- Taste is still there, the only thing I could really pick out was some cocoa hints, the rest is just....well......good shit.
- Since the tunnel has subsided a bit, the taste picks up as the smoke is not has hot anymore.
- I finish this cigar with about 1" left
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Overall Impressions:
Overall I really enjoyed the taste of this cigar. The construction was hands down the best I've seen in any cigar I've smoked, I was very impressed. I have a feeling a few of the shortcomings were my own fault (should have let it sit longer, could have dry boxed it a few hours). I can't wait to try another one in about 4 months. I would recommend a dry box of about 4-6 hours if you can allow it, this cigar just seemed to retain a good amount of moisture.
Even though I smoked this one early it still performed well enough to recommend it. I have no doubts the next one I smoke will do even better. So is it worth the price tag? Well, I think it will be....but this one fell a bit short of the $16.
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Rating: (Brickhouse style) (1-10 scale)
Appearance: 10
Construction: 10
Taste: 7
Burnability: 6
Aroma: 7
Complexity: 9
Overall: 8.16
Sorry about the quality of photo's, my camera sucks.
Below are my thoughts and opinions on the cigar.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VITAL STATS: (Information courtesy of www.vitolas.net)
Cigar name: Litto Gomez Small Batch No. 1
Vitola: 7" x 52
Wrapper: Sumatran seed, Dominican LFD farm grown
Binder: Dominican LFD farm grown tobacco
Filler: LG Diez blend (Dominican LFD farm grown tobacco)
Released: August 2006
Quantity: 200 boxes world-wide, 105 cigars per box
MSRP: $16.00 per cigar, $1,510.00 per box of 105 cigars
Storage: 3 weeks @ 65 degrees 62% humidity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOLS USED:
Cutter: Palio
Lighter: S.T. Dupont X-Tend
Ashtray: Colibri
Pairing: 16oz water
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRELIGHT:
- Easily the most gorgeous cigar I've laid eyes on. The oils were so prominent that I couldn't get a photo with flash on. The wrapper had a delicious dark look. Perfectly constructed, zero blemishes.
- Wrapper had an immediate spice on it, very similar to the Diez, no surprises here.
- Great aroma, tobacco undertones with hints of tobacco (preembargo).
- Cut went flawless and the draw was easy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Quarter:
- The taste is all there, very excited from the first draw. Billowy clouds of smoke pour out giving it an almost "chewy" characteristic, just the way I like it.
- Spice isn't nearly as strong as I thought it would be from the prelight, but it's just enough for me.
- Complicated for me to pick out much, I'm no taste expert, and it's apparent from the get go that I'm not going to be able to pick out the small details
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Quarter:
- Having some draw issues. It's not that it's hard to draw, it's still rather easy, but I'm not getting the clouds of smoke I was in the beginning. It has the feel that this cigar is tunneling on me, which makes me nervous.
- I find myself puffing short iterations of 8-10 times in order to get that large mouthful of smoke I liked in the 1st quarter....something isn't right here
- Taste is still there, however, due to the large amount of puffs...the draw is hot and a bit uncomfortable on my palate, not overly so, but not what I'd hoped for.
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3rd Quarter:
- I've found the draw problem (see photo). The cigar is in fact tunneling on me just a bit. It's not causing any major issues, and I don't have to relight, but it's hurting my ability to get a full draw each pull.
- Wrapper burn is fine, never goes badly, however the tunnel is an issue which I'm working.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Quarter:
- Tunnel has improved with some touchups and a few ashs. I'm still puffing a bit to get a full pull, but it's not as bad, it is now easier to enjoy.
- Taste is still there, the only thing I could really pick out was some cocoa hints, the rest is just....well......good shit.
- Since the tunnel has subsided a bit, the taste picks up as the smoke is not has hot anymore.
- I finish this cigar with about 1" left
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Overall Impressions:
Overall I really enjoyed the taste of this cigar. The construction was hands down the best I've seen in any cigar I've smoked, I was very impressed. I have a feeling a few of the shortcomings were my own fault (should have let it sit longer, could have dry boxed it a few hours). I can't wait to try another one in about 4 months. I would recommend a dry box of about 4-6 hours if you can allow it, this cigar just seemed to retain a good amount of moisture.
Even though I smoked this one early it still performed well enough to recommend it. I have no doubts the next one I smoke will do even better. So is it worth the price tag? Well, I think it will be....but this one fell a bit short of the $16.
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Rating: (Brickhouse style) (1-10 scale)
Appearance: 10
Construction: 10
Taste: 7
Burnability: 6
Aroma: 7
Complexity: 9
Overall: 8.16
Sorry about the quality of photo's, my camera sucks.
