Davidoff Nicaragua Box Pressed – Arriving in March

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium, a Davidoff Appointed Merchant, will be receiving two box-pressed formats of our customer favorite Nicaragua line.  The Davidoff Nicaragua was launched in 2013 to much critical and customer acclaim and was the first Davidoff to use 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos.  Davidoff Nicaragua was still expertly handmade at Cigars Davidoff factory in the Dominican Republic using all Nicaraguan tobaccos.  It was ranked the Cigar Aficionado No. 3 Cigar of the Year 2013 and the Cigar Journal Best Brand of 2015.

This year the line will expand by two box pressed sizes the Robusto (5″ x 48) and Toro (6″ x 52).   Thus far, Davidoff Nicaragua has been a Medium-bodied, balanced smoke with great nuance and complexity; definitely Nicaraguan delivered in smooth Davidoff style.  The Davidoff Nicaragua blend came from aged Nicaraguan tobaccos from the volcanic soils Jalapa, Ometepe and Condega from lower primings for that smooth nuanced taste. For the new Davidoff Nicaragua Box Pressed sizes, their master blenders added famously strong Estelí Ligero for added strength and spice and have changed the color of the Habano wrapper from a Rosado to an Oscuro.

From Davidoff: “The Davidoff Nicaragua Box Pressed brings uncharted territories of taste, stirring the senses of those who discover them. The spice has been boosted with a fiery Esteli Ligero leaf that complements aged Jalapa, Ometepe and Condega tobaccos for a complex bitter, sweet palate stimulation.  A richer, sharper Habano Nicaragua Oscuro wrapper then rolls the experience into a dynamic box pressed format to liberate enhanced flavours and aromas.”

Browse the Davidoff Nicaragua Box Pressed at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium’s online store here.

Davidoff Raconteur LE Review

The Raconteur LE
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Ecuadorian, Mexican, and Nicaraguan
Vitola: 6 by 56

This new 2016 limited edition from Davidoff sports an amazing secondary band reading “Never never never give up.” This is a quote from Winston Churchill himself, which is well justified on this cigar because it is a Winston Churchill limited edition. Of course with the name comes expectations, but in my opinion that secondary band adds an amazing touch to this cigar. Visually beautiful, lets see what it has to offer with a Davidoff Raconteur LE Review.

Prelight

Firm even pack, some lumps from binder stems. Visible seams and large veins. Light tooth on the wrapper. Perfectly formed cap, wonderful detail on construction. Light cedar and a floral note on the foot. Great cut, no cap flaws, this cigar fits very well in the mouth for a 56 ring gauge. The prelight draw reveals the floral note up front with some light hay, white pepper finish and a cedar undertone in the profile. Very easy draw, could use a bit more resistance. Let’s get it lit up and see how it goes.

1/3

I have never had a cigar that toasted easier than this one. And it is pouring off tons of medium thickness smoke. Cedar and hay are heavy on the front with a gentle floral note rounding the front out with perfect balance. The floral note is a very light lavender mixed in with the cedar and hay. Very tasty and very complex. The finish is white pepper at the moment but the front has control of the profile. Did I mention the smoke production on this, it is a chimney. Decent burn, cedar and hay have come up on the front. White pepper still controls the finish, mild to medium body it is rising slowly though. Low to medium strength, which I predict to rise with the body. Beautiful white compact ash, very sturdy.

2/3

At the start of the second third, body and strength are up to a medium. The front has retreated, the finish is up. There is a peanut and white pepper mix controlling the finish. Hay and cedar maintain the front, just softer than the first third. Smoke production is constant, and the burn line is still allright. The ash fell at about the halfway point. One thing to note is that this cigar is burning very quickly. That is a testament to how much I am enjoying this blend, as well as the fact that it is burning quickly in general. The front and the finish are back balanced.

3/3

The body is still at a medium, the strength is level with it. The peanut and white pepper note now includes cashew. Hay and cedar on the front have retreated. No touch ups have been needed the entire cigar. The burn did slow down a bit as I reached the end of the stick. Wonderful smoking experience, great flavors, and very well-balanced.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 95

Construction was perfect, could’ve had a little bit more complexity. Transitions were well-defined, and really pleasant flavors. Needless to say if you find them at your local store and buy them. At limited production of 6000, these are going to go quick because they’re a good cigar and that’s all there is to it. It absolutely justifies the price point that it is set at.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Illusione Gigantes Review

Gigantes
Made by: Illusione
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6.5 by 56

This is a great company that is under recognized in my opinion. Illusione has put out several great blends but for some reason they tend to fly under the radar. The Rothchildes is a great example of one of these blends, the MJ12, the Epernay. In this Illusione Gigantes Review, I will be covering the bigger bother of the Rothchildes. Lets get it started.

Prelight

There is one thing to immediately note, the Rothchildes and the Gigantes are not on a mission to impress aesthetically. Very big veins, toothy, wrapper imperfections, and an excessive amount of rollers glue categorize the looks of this cigar. That doesn’t sound like a great start, but I know that if the Gigantes is anything like the Rothchildes there is a surprise in store. The foot gives off cashew, cedar, oak, and a lightly sweet cocoa note. That is further confirmation that this is going to be on a similar page as the Rothchildes. Firm pack with a couple of soft spots. The cap fell off as soon as I cut it, but no unraveling due to the excess of rollers glue. There is a very open draw, and the prelight flavors are a dry mix of cedar and cocoa with a black pepper on the finish.

1/3

Extremely easy to light, there is a mix of dry cocoa and cedar on the front (cocoa holding more power). A cashew and macadamia nut finish with black pepper lingering in the mouth. There is some leather in the center of the profile that helps balance the transition from the primary flavors to the finishing notes. Medium to full body and low strength. Wonderfully thick smoke production, and the burn is getting underway great. There is no cream playing into the profile because the flavors are very strong holding back influence of the smoke. As the first third burns down the leather comes up in the profile overtaking the mixed nut finish which has fallen. The dray mix of cocoa and cedar is still on the front. Great burn, great smoke production, and overall great experience so far. Toward the end of the first third leather dominates the profile, and there is a light finish of white and black pepper. Great transitions and complexity so far.

2/3

As I get into the second third the strength has come up slightly to a low-medium. The body is holding at a medium-full. The front has change significantly and now has the cashew and macadamia notes that were on the finish alongside the leather. The finish has more power in the profile now with the mixed white and black pepper notes. This has been a very well balanced cigar. No issues with the burn, still solid smoke production. Great cigar and it is well rounded and well balanced, a hidden gem. As I reach the end of the second third the dry cocoa returns on the front and the pepper finish retreats. The leather and mixed nuts have been pushed back to the center of the profile. No further changes to body or strength in this third.

3/3

As the last third got underway the nuts came back up to overpower the cocoa on the front. the mixed pepper finish held and the leather seems to be rising again. The body is holding constant as is the strength (at a low-medium). There have been no burn issues throughout the cigar. No draw issue, no problems, the only deductions really occur in the area of appearance which is significant. Good complexity, left some room for improvement in that area. The transitions were well presented but could have taken place more distinctly. As I reached the nub the flavors came back to match the second thirds profile. A heavy leather controlling the front and the center, with a mixed white and black pepper finish.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 87

Well the flavors and performance of the cigar were wonderful, but the aesthetics hurt the score. And I believe that is part of the reason this cigar fly’s under the radar. I could easily smoke these once or twice a week and not get tired of them. However, I would not bring one of these to an event. Its not beautiful but it is very enjoyable. Worth buying a couple to test out for yourself and have for the end of a busy day. It carries that feel to it, the “accomplished hard work” feeling.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Caldwell Long Live the King Jalapeño Review

Long Live the King
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 7 1/4 by 40

Lancero February is here! It is not a trend that is widely recognized, but among some of the forums this month is known for the lancero size. To get it started I’ll be doing a Caldwell Long Live the King Jalapeño Review, in lancero size (Jalapeño). I have done several reviews on Robert Caldwell’s blends over the past several weeks. This will be another one for the books but the first in a lancero. Let’s see what it has to offer!

Prelight

Caldwell cigars Long Live the King is made with a beautiful dark and slightly toothy wrapper.  Barely visible seams, a mix of medium and small size veins. Wonderfully constructed cap with a tight pigtail. Very even pack and the foot gives off a cayenne pepper with almost a maple like sweetness. Great cut, slight amount of loose tobacco. Easy draw, the cayenne pepper is more detectable now with the signature tongue and lip tingle. There is a syrupy sweetness on the prelight draw that is a great note. Hope that develops once this is lit.

1/3

Absolutely easy to light, and a blast of oak on the front with a cedar undertone. The syrupy maple like sweetness is accompanied by a slightly sour note in the center of the profile and the finish is the cayenne pepper that the foot hinted at. Medium bodied and low strength, I expect both of those to rise. High complexity, this start has me excited, let’s see where it goes. As the first third gets underway the sour note dropped off the profile and it became more balanced. Thick creamy smoke, this is a very enjoyable Cigar currently. Only issue is a construction based one currently, very flaky ash but in terms of issues that’s a very small one. This is not a cigar that you can sit down for very long, I can tell that it wants to die when I have given it brief breaks. Toward the end of the first third the oak has come up almost drowning out the cedar. The center of the profile maintains the syrupy note and it is blending with the creamy smoke. And the finish is holding a pure cayenne pepper note, very well balanced.

2/3

Such a flaky ash unfortunately, an absolutely delicious profile just having to care for the ash is a detractor. Cedar has come back to match the oak on the front. Syrupy center holds and the cayenne pepper finish has picked up a slight cashew note. As I get to the end of the last third the oak is back up on the front. The syrupy center is still holding wonderfully. And the finish is back to the pure cayenne. Medium to full body and medium strength.

3/3

Flavors are maintaining, and the body and strength are constant. The burn still is trying to go out on me, but with proper care no touch-ups are needed thought the cigar. The oak came up even more at the end of the cigar drowning out the cedar and the sweetness in the center of the profile began to diminish. The finish of the cigar rose to include a mix of red and black pepper. Not the best ending but a wonderful cigar overall.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 90

A great cigar worth trying if you haven’t, this is another one that Robert Caldwell hit a home run with. Only consistent issue was the construction, really the ash and the required nurturing of the cigar to keep it lit. The profile was great, it was well balanced. Definitely grab one next time you are wandering a shop looking for something new.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Caldwell Gibraltar Extra Review

Gibraltar Extra
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Dominican Republic, Ecuador
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 54

This is a newer cigar from Robert Caldwell. The JV line doesn’t get as much attention as the mainline cigars such as the “King is Dead, Long Live the King, and the Eastern Standard.” I have been impressed by alot of the mainline cigars from this company. The other recent cigar I reviewed for the JV line was the Sevillana Reserva, and that was a step down from the original Sevillana in my opinion. This cigar is an example of the JV line step up from the “Gibraltar”, lets see what it has to offer with a Caldwell Gibraltar Extra Review.

Prelight

The cap looks sloppy, but sturdy. Lots of tooth on the wrapper, there are several large veins. The seams are visible, but the veins are more pronounced. There is a understated band, this leaves some aesthetics to be desired. The foot gives off a very earth/barnyard aroma with a white pepper background. Very clean cut, loose tobacco present. I am impressed by the cap, I would have seen it having more difficulties. Extremely easy draw, it could use more resistance. Earthiness and white pepper on the preflight draw, but the draw may be an issue.

1/3

Very easy draw, and it is really throwing me off, the primary flavor is a deep earth with a cream and white pepper finish. Tons of smoke production, and really thick. Smoke this outside because it will fill a room quickly. The super easy draw is adding an interesting airy aspect to the cigar, not sure if this was planned or not. There is a cashew coming up alongside the light white pepper on the finish. Mild to medium body with low strength. Flaky ash with a poor burn line at the moment. Not holding up to the construction profiles of other Caldwell releases. Running on the veins unfortunately, may need a touch up soon. No major changes, the finish has turned bitter with the cashew note. The white pepper is down. Extremely flaky ash.

2/3

I am really missing resistance on the draw as the second third starts out. There have been no major changes to the profile. Deep earth remains on the front, and then a bitter cashew with light white pepper on the finish.  After a touch-up the burn is doing a lot better. Extremely consistent stick, on a normal basis earth is not a very pleasant flavor in my opinion. However, due to the body being at a mild to a medium the profile is working.

3/3

Extremely consistent, great smoke production. The cream is adding a wonderful aspect to the cigar. No changes so no transitions. Complexity not extremely high, but the mix of the body and the notes that are present are creating a decent profile. Still mild to medium, low strength. The burn line got a lot better after the touch up.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 82

A great yardgar, is really what this comes down to. Easy smoking, no real transitions. A great budget smoke, but not really something that will wow. It’s enjoyable if you’re not looking for something to grab your attention. This does well in its own category of budget smokes, the score is deceiving because of the lack of transitions and complexity.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute Review

ESG 22 Year Salute
Made by: Ashton
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 by 52

The last Ashton cigar review was the VSG for the event we had a while back. This is another top of the line offering from Ashton, the ESG Torpedo. The smoke time wont be what it was on the huge VSG I reviewed but I am sure this will have a lot of interesting characteristics. Needless to say I have my expectations up, lets see if the cigar can hold up to them with a Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute Review.

Prelight

To start out, there is not much tooth, visible seams. Pretty lumpy pack for a cigar of its level. The foot is giving off a slightly floral note, with a fruity sour note accompanying it. There is a cedar undertone that is pleasant. Clean cut and just a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw is slightly off kilter, coming off one side heavier. Still presenting the slightly sour fruit note with cedar on the prelight draw. Good draw resistance despite the lopsided aspect, I expect that not to be an issue. Lets get this started.

1/3

The primary notes are grass and hay on the front with a tangy fruit undertone. A cedar base, is creating a great balancing factor. Medium bodied and medium strength, but it feels like the strength could creep up later in the cigar. As the first third burns down there is almost an orange flavor coming off the cigar, cedar undertone maintains. And there’s light oak in there, as well as a light white pepper coming up on the finish. The fruity note remains and is reminiscent of a sour orange. The grass and hay notes are falling off of the front as the cedar develops.

2/3

The orange flavor has begin to drop off, and in its place a toasted marshmallow has come up. The cedar has come up and it’s affecting the profile. Interesting profile good transitions and complexity. As the second third burns down there is heavy cream from the wrapper, great thick smoke production. This is affecting the cedar profile causing the toasted marshmallow note. Slightly bitter note with a macadamia nut and cashew on the finish. Very balanced finish. Great profile wonderful cigar probably about a 94 at this point the only issue being the starting aesthetics. The nutty bitterness has developed into a stronger note at the end of the second third.

3/3

Body came up to a medium-full, medium strength still, bitter macadamia has come up even more. Strength is definitely detectable but not overwhelming. Oak came up at the nub. The woodsy notes of cedar and oak have begun to control the profile toward the end of the cigar. The nuts dropped, and the flavors began to wash over and blend.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 94

The cigar held a wonderful profile, great transitions throughout. The complexity was magnificent, a solid and well-constructed cigar. Absolutely a need to try if you have not, and it is justifiable to buy a box of these for smoking and/or aging. I really don’t have much to say bad about this, other than the beginning aesthetics and the first impressions of the cigar where little bit off. Flavors were solid but left room for improvement, a thumbs up for Ashton.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Viaje Hangover – Anthony’s Cigar Emporium Exclusive – JUST ARRIVED

Viaje has chosen Anthony’s Cigar Emporium of Tucson, Arizona for a 2016 Store Exclusive called the Viaje Hangover in honor of Anthony’s 22nd anniversary. The vitola is a hefty 6” x 54 Gran Toro with a covered foot from a liga named “The Hangover.” The Viaje Hangover is a Nicaraguan puro made at the Raíces Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras. The Hangover blend is a mixture of Criollo and Corojo leaves from AGANORSA farms under a dark and oily Corojo ’99 wrapper from the Valle de Jalapa. Production was strictly limited to 150 boxes of 22 each (3,300 total cigars). The Viaje Hangover, like many Viaje limited releases from Raíces Cubanas using AGANORSA tobacco, is very full bodied with signature spice and rich earth flavors and roasted nut aromas.

The white Viaje label and the box seal has “Made Exclusively for Anthony’s Cigar Emporium” in bright orange.

Click pictures to browse the Viaje Hangover at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium online store.

All boxes of the Viaje Hangover come with free shipping at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.  Click here to browse boxes and 5-Packs.

Curivari Buenaventura BV 560 Review

Buenaventura BV 560
Made by: Curivari
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 56

This is one of the top rated Curivari releases, it is a Nicaraguan puro and in that I expect it to contain a pretty consistent cocoa/pepper profile. But let’s see, after getting somewhat of a following there must be something driving the interest. Let’s see what this cigar has to offer with a Curivari Buenaventura BV 560 Review.

Prelight

This is a good looking cigar, the wrapper looks perfect, only a couple medium sized veins. A very light amount of tooth, very visible seams. Extremely even pack and just a slight box press. Well defined and created triple cap. I am beginning to understand the appeal of his cigar before even attempting to gather a flavor profile. It seems very well made, the foot is giving off a traditional dry cocoa you would expect with the tobaccos included in the blend but there is also a light fruit note there as an undertone. Great cut, no issues, but the cap was well made so I didn’t expect any. Good draw and it reveals the cocoa note up front with some woodsy notes and a slight black pepper.

1/3

This cigar lit easily, great smoke production medium body off the bat and low strength. Primary flavors are a dry cocoa followed by a mix of cedar and oak with a light black and white pepper finish. As the cigar progresses the flavors are developing. The light fruit note is following the cocoa on the front, similar to grenadine flavor due to the mix of the thick smoke. It’s pretty subtle however, I hope it develops further. The center of the profile is losing the cedar tinge and oak is coming up. And the finish still contains black pepper over white pepper. The body has come up to a medium to full and the strength is up to a low to medium at the end of the first third.

2/3

The cocoa note remains the front with a hint of leather, the fruity note has died. The oak is following the primary cocoa and there is a light cashew/peanut coming up on the finish. Pepper is still detectable via a retrohale of the cigar and that note remains black pepper forward and white pepper under. No changes to the body or strength since the last update. The burn isn’t perfect but there have been no touch-ups needed. The appearance of the nutty flavors was a nice transition from the first third, while this cigar has shown some uniqueness it still could have better complexity in my opinion, the flavors are developing but not into anything impressive. It has been a solid cigar with good construction and a pretty traditional profile at this point.

3/3

The nuttiness is beginning to die on the finish. I would put the body at a medium full and the strength at a medium now. Cocoa/leather is on the front with an oaky center and the black pepper is coming back over the mixed nut finish. The flavors are beginning to diminish unfortunately, but for a stick in the price range where this does fit, it has done wonderfully. Toward the very end it began to get hot and the main nots left were a cocoa/leather front with a black pepper finish.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 86

It was a good cigar, the flavors didn’t really impress me however. It lost points in that category as well as complexity. Now I am not saying that the cigar didn’t have a lot of flavors, because it absolutely did. They were not presented in a well-defined and transitional based way. That said, this cigar sitting at the price range where it does. It is a no brainier to buy if you are on a budget. It embodies a solid example of a Nicaraguan Puro, and smokes very well. Something to keep in mind, this would make a good “friend cigar” for people that give out cigars to friends often this could be a good option and they would still enjoy the cigar. But, sometimes you want to blow an acquaintance away with a great cigar in which case this would not fit that situation.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Review

Nicaragua Robusto
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 by 50 (Robusto)

So now I will do a Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Review and see how it does against the Escurio. They are probably very different, I am expecting this to be a fuller bodies offering from Davidoff. In either case let’s get started and see how it ends up.

Prelight

The construction looks great! Well let’s see what happens because the Escurio looked wonderful in that regard as well. The cap looks fluid on this cigar nothing sticking out. Visible seams and a very tiny amount of tooth. There are some very large veins on this wrapper which might suggest a rather uneven burn is in store. The foot is reminding me of the Tatuaje Havana IV line just cleaner. A cocoa note that reminds me of the cocoa dust they put on some candies is on the front. Then the finish is a mix of black pepper and cinnamon. The prelight draw hints at a similar profile with cocoa, cinnamon and then a finish of black and red pepper. Red pepper leaving a lip tingling feel. The cut was great, the cap had no issues. Very little loose tobacco to run away, promising start.

1/3

The primary flavors are consistent with the prelight foreshadowing. Cocoa on the front, pretty dry. And the finish is a very balanced black/red pepper alongside the cinnamon. Medium bodied with low to medium strength. Good smoke production but the smoke itself is on the thinner side. Smooth as you would expect from the brand. Toward the end of the first third a cedar came up out of nowhere in the center of the profile and is mixing with the cinnamon giving a graham cracker not in the middle of the profile. Interesting flavor mix at the moment.

2/3

So dry cocoa leading into the graham cracker note and finish on a light black/red pepper. Great profile, it lost a bit of the smoothness that the start of the first third had. Medium body and its approaching medium strength. The burn is much better than expected, none of the major wrapper veins are causing issues. Not many changes going on, the one main profile has held all the way till the end of the second third. The only transition was the appearance of cedar in the profile. No changes to body or strength.

3/3

Body has come up a bit to a medium/full and the strength is still at medium. The graham cracker is gone. Dry cocoa on the front and then the mixed red/black pepper on the finish. Still a good burn line, this cigar hasn’t had many issues construction wise. The transitions and complexity have been good, but I had my expectations slightly higher than this cigar performed. At the nub the complexity has continued to diminish. But that rounds off the cigar as a whole pretty well.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 88

Stronger offering then the Escurio. In my opinion the Escurio was better balanced. This did have a better burn time. And the flavors were great, it is funny but I feel like this was an attempt to stretch into similar territory as Tatuaje in the heavy cocoa profiles. But they did a really good job finding a blend that brought interesting flavors into play. So construction wise this cigar gets the upper hand on the Escurio. Flavor wise however, I would have to give it to the Escurio.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Davidoff Escurio Robusto Review

Escurio Robusto
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Ecuador, Brazil, Dominican Republic
Vitola: 4.5 by 54

This is a newer release from Davidoff, featuring a black and silver band. There is also a second band that reads Escurio identifying the line. The next review that I will be conducting will be on this cigars cousin the Davidoff Nicaragua. It will be interesting discovering the key differences between the blends. With that, let’s see what this has to offer with a Davidoff Escurio Robusto Review.

Prelight

The construction, as you would expect from this brand, seems wonderful. Expertly done cap. In truth it seems like the cap was heavily focused on and it seems extremely sturdy. Visible seams and a few medium sized veins. The foot is releasing a blast of woodsy notes and a slight background of nuts. The cut was not clean, unfortunately it fell off when cutting. If I had to guess I would say that the cap was an error on the rollers part and he tried to fix it by covering it over. That’s not usually the case with the cigars however it does happen. Slight unraveling issues, not enough rollers glue user perhaps. The construction score has officially been hurt in my book. The prelight draw leaves white pepper hints on the lips. And the flavor notes are cedar and there seems to be a citrus in the mix (but it never showed up thought smoking the cigar), only one way to find out. Time to get this lit up.

1/3

Once lit the draw was absolutely perfect, the primary flavors are a bitter macadamia nut and a white/black pepper mixed finish. There is a cedar note behind the mixed nut front. Mixed nut referring to the bitter macadamia nut note and a cashew note that is mixed in with it. Great smoke output, very smooth smoke not very creamy but it is still very thick. As the first third progresses the pepper finish cleaned up. It dropped the black pepper and is a fresh white pepper flavor now. Mild to medium body and low strength. Beautiful white ash. It has now reached the status of a great profile in my mind, not one that I have seen before. The mixed nut note is shifting frequently with which note has power (macadamia nut note and a cashew note). The burn is running on some of the veins, but self-correcting. The cedar has come up on the finish alongside the pepper and leave a great aftertaste.

2/3

At the start of the second third the main profile notes are the macadamia nut note and the cedar finish high has risen over the clean white pepper. Great transition for the finish there. Body has risen to a medium and the strength has come up to a low medium. Consistent smoke output and the burn has evened out. Despite the cap falling off there have been no issues with that. I should have seen it coming, the ash fell at the halfway mark. Keep an eye on that. Toward the end of the second third the white pepper rose back over the cedar on the finish. The macadamia nut note and a cashew note are holding the front still.

3/3

As the last third of the cigar gets going smoke production has increased. The body is still at a medium and strength still at a low to medium. The finish has balanced out with the cedar and clean white pepper equal in power. No changes to the front of the profile still. And the burn is going great. At the nub the profile was consistent, only thing to note was that there was unraveling of the wrapper occurring in the very end due to the absence of the cap.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Despite the construction scare at the start of this cigar, it was delicious. Great transitions, solid complexity. No major issues with the burn, and above all the mix of the macadamia nut note and a cashew note on the front made the cigar. This is a cigar you could smoke over and over again.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com