gaspagoo
Genetics & Bad Decisions
So theres no confusion, I posted this review on SnS last night too. This is my first review and my first Headley Grange. So here we go.......
Headley Grange Estupendos (5.5 x 52)
Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan binder & filler
Prelight:
The stick is firm with just the right amount of give, and the wrapper is milk chocolate in color with a nice aroma and one prominent vein. Pretty much seamless. I used a cutter to get into this booger. The draw is perfect and the flavors are of sweet tobacco and raisin.
First third:
I toasted the foot and got this thing going good and went in for a good long draw. Flavors were good right out the gate. Leather, cocoa powder, faint almost red pepper spice, & some rich chocolate on the retrohale with little sting to the nose. Towards the end of this third, the spice is picking up a little on the retrohale, and I'm picking up what I can only describe as a turmeric spice also. This thing is getting really good. It's mild/medium bodied at this point.
Second third:
I'm picking up a dusty earthiness now and the retro is clearing the sinuses but not burning. I'm retrohaling every toke on this thing! Sweet cocoa dusted roasted almonds, crazy I know, but this is what I'm getting now. I'm also getting a flavor that is hard to identify, maybe.......slight vanilla cream? The sweetness is really showing up in a milk chocolaty way. The ash just fell off and the spice is picking up. On a side note, my wife is enjoying the aroma of the HG. This thing is turning into an artisan chocolate truffle: cocoa dusted, creamy, red pepper spice, with the faintest hint of cinnamon. I can't remember if I bought this thing at Godiva, or a B&M! Towards the end of this third, some good bitterness is moving in, and the strength is picking up. Some black pepper is showing up too. I'd say it's moving into a full medium body.
Final third:
I'm getting some hoppy bitterness. The sweetness is coming in strong and there's some charred steak on the finish. The char is stealing the show now, and the smoke is getting pretty warm. I'm sipping on the smoke now as I don't want to ruin a good thing here. Towards the end of the HG, the sweetness is still there, but the char is dominating along with some earthiness. The HG never went into full body mode in my opinion, but I could definitely feel some strength from it.
This was the first cigar from Crowned Heads that I have ever smoked, and as I'm sure y'all can tell, I really, really enjoyed my first encounter with ole Headley Grange here. This thing was like a meal with dessert first. It was more chocolaty than it's wrapper! They have a box that I could get, and payday is Friday..........hmmmm......I'll have to talk to the wife and see what I can get away with. I've read many reviews of various cigars, and have wondered where they get all these flavors from. This is the first time I've reviewed one myself and as I smoked it I had that mindset. I think I'll try to smoke with a review in mind more often. It was a rewarding experience. Thanks for your time and hope you enjoy your Headley Grange Estupendos.
Headley Grange Estupendos (5.5 x 52)
Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan binder & filler
Prelight:
The stick is firm with just the right amount of give, and the wrapper is milk chocolate in color with a nice aroma and one prominent vein. Pretty much seamless. I used a cutter to get into this booger. The draw is perfect and the flavors are of sweet tobacco and raisin.
First third:
I toasted the foot and got this thing going good and went in for a good long draw. Flavors were good right out the gate. Leather, cocoa powder, faint almost red pepper spice, & some rich chocolate on the retrohale with little sting to the nose. Towards the end of this third, the spice is picking up a little on the retrohale, and I'm picking up what I can only describe as a turmeric spice also. This thing is getting really good. It's mild/medium bodied at this point.
Second third:
I'm picking up a dusty earthiness now and the retro is clearing the sinuses but not burning. I'm retrohaling every toke on this thing! Sweet cocoa dusted roasted almonds, crazy I know, but this is what I'm getting now. I'm also getting a flavor that is hard to identify, maybe.......slight vanilla cream? The sweetness is really showing up in a milk chocolaty way. The ash just fell off and the spice is picking up. On a side note, my wife is enjoying the aroma of the HG. This thing is turning into an artisan chocolate truffle: cocoa dusted, creamy, red pepper spice, with the faintest hint of cinnamon. I can't remember if I bought this thing at Godiva, or a B&M! Towards the end of this third, some good bitterness is moving in, and the strength is picking up. Some black pepper is showing up too. I'd say it's moving into a full medium body.
Final third:
I'm getting some hoppy bitterness. The sweetness is coming in strong and there's some charred steak on the finish. The char is stealing the show now, and the smoke is getting pretty warm. I'm sipping on the smoke now as I don't want to ruin a good thing here. Towards the end of the HG, the sweetness is still there, but the char is dominating along with some earthiness. The HG never went into full body mode in my opinion, but I could definitely feel some strength from it.
This was the first cigar from Crowned Heads that I have ever smoked, and as I'm sure y'all can tell, I really, really enjoyed my first encounter with ole Headley Grange here. This thing was like a meal with dessert first. It was more chocolaty than it's wrapper! They have a box that I could get, and payday is Friday..........hmmmm......I'll have to talk to the wife and see what I can get away with. I've read many reviews of various cigars, and have wondered where they get all these flavors from. This is the first time I've reviewed one myself and as I smoked it I had that mindset. I think I'll try to smoke with a review in mind more often. It was a rewarding experience. Thanks for your time and hope you enjoy your Headley Grange Estupendos.
Thanks to everyone for reading.
