Tatuaje Boris

TATUAJE BORIS
7 1/8 x 49

The first, and to date, only cigar to be released in the Monster series "Out of costume" line, the Boris has gained some notoriety, and popularity, and is currently a highly sought after, much loved, much hyped, now virtually impossible to find rarity, in the world of limited, special, holiday, single store release, region edition, whatever... cigars. As a horror movie fanatic (the classic stuff, not SAW, but that is a different entry for a different blog...) I love the concept behind both the Monsters and the Actor cigars. I hope that Pete does more of these monster out of costume cigars (which now could be Bela Lugosi, or Gunnar Hansen) sometime, based just on the concept. The Boris, name for Boris Karloff, the actor who probably most famously portrayed Frankenstein's monster in the 1931 Universal classic Frankenstein, features an Ecuador grown Sumatra Rosado wrapper around Nicaraguan fillers and binder. It is a slightly fat Churchill vitola, with a simple white version of the classic Tatuaje band.

This particular stick has a slightly more vein-heavy wrapper than I would have expected, that is sort of a medium chocolate brown, almost a Cameroon wrapper color actually, despite being Ecuador Sumatra. As with most everything Pepin makes, the construction is spot on, triple cap, tight, straight, even seams, even pack, not too full, not underfilled. The aroma from the foot is a sweet, floral tobacco. I have heard this cigar described as having a very specific minty flavor and aroma to it, but at the moment, I'm not getting that, at least from the cold aroma. Cold draw... ah, there it is, that gentle hint of mint. Not the dominant flavor, though, as some reviewers would have you believe. Certainly present, but delicate, not dominant. The cold draw offers, primarily, a floral, mild tobacco, with a round, oily, nutty core flavor, with just a touch of mint on the tongue. the cold draw is perfect, by the way, offering just a touch of resistance.

Lit at 2:15pm.

Interesting. Smoke production isn't great here at the beginning. The flavor profile is surprisingly delicate as well. Light, and floral tobacco, still that touch of mint, almost no pepper, which is a big surprise from a Pepin/Tatuaje/Pete Johnson cigar. Some of this subdued character may be a result of age, as these cigars were released in 2009, making them well over a year old now.

By about the half inch mark, the smoke production has picked up to what I would consider normal. I am unsure of the cause for the early lack of smoke, but it is fine now, so no worries. The flavor profile hasn't changed any yet though, still a gentle, floral tobacco, maybe a little herbal even, with that sweet minty note, and just the slightest pepper on the otherwise gentle finish. I am frankly... downright shocked at the personality of this cigar. I have long heard about how good it is, but never really about how smooth and refined it is. Body at this point is right smack dab in the middle of medium. The smoke is oily, and thick on the palate, but there isn't a ton of strength behind it. I'm already sad that this isn't a regular production cigar, and that finding more of these would both be quite a task, and cost a pretty penny.

The ash is thick, and firm, holding for a good bit over an inch so far. The pepper blast I expected at the beginning, as is characteristic of Tatuaje, has sort of gradually built up, to a smooth, rounded pepper tingle and flavor over the course of this first third, now taking a seat as the primary flavor and sensation lasting through the finish, following the still smooth, delicate, floral tobacco core, with that sweet, herbal, mint dancing around in the middle. What a combination!

Not a huge deal, but worth mentioning due to how it reflects on construction... the ash has now held on firm for the entire first third, which on a 7 1/8" cigar, is a big ash! Had to hit it with a touch up at about the halfway point to get it burning properly again (wanted to go out), but that may have been a result of my slow pace today. The progression of flavor through this cigar so far hasn't been one of dramatic change, but rather just a slow, subtle darkening, with the light floral tobacco flavor taking on a gradually more earthy, and rich flavor, still floral, but less delicate, less subtle. The burn itself has also slowed down as it has progressed, which to me is a sign of quality construction and perfectly cured tobacco. At a time when limited release cigars are a dime a dozen, with many of them seeming rushed, and not particularly special, this cigar definitely is showing the high-end quality that one would expect from a truly "special" cigar.

The construction and performance continue to be fantastic, with the ash holding on basically for 1/3 of the cigar at a time. The flavors remain phenomenal as well. Complex, subtle, smooth, and delicious. One thing I will admit, that could potentially be seen as a flaw, is the attention that the cigar now seems to demand. If not drawn on at least one per minute it seems to want to try to go out. That said, it tastes great, so it isn't like I don't want to draw more often!

As the flavor profile gradually gets heavier, and darker, so does the strength, which has now moved into more of the medium-full area. More pepper, and even a little coffee start to dominate, as the earthy tobacco just gets richer, and darker. Still a fantastic combination, and profile as a whole. Sweetness has gradually subsided throughout the cigar.

Ended at 4:20 for a total smoke time of 2 hours 5 minutes, which for a cigar this size is great, and admittedly was pleasant, and enjoyable the entire time. I cannot stress how enjoyable this cigar was. It has some of the characteristics that one thinks of as being typical of Tatuaje cigars (especially further into the stick), with the addition of a lot of subtlety and smoothness not normally present from the typically bold and strong brand. It is a damned shame that this was a limited release, because it is by far my favorite cigar I have had from this brand. Highly, highly recommended. If you see them, buy them... for me.

Tatuaje Petite Cazadores Reserva

Apologies for the lack of updates over the last week or so... I have a few reviews written up and ready to post, so expect them all to show up in the next few days...


TATUAJE PETITE CAZADORES RESERVA
4x40

This little corona/small cigar is one of two 4x40 vitolas that Pete Johnson and Tatuaje Cigar debuted at IPCPR this year. The other is the Verocru no.5, an extension on the Verocru Havana VI extension. Cigar lines can become a little complicated, but hopefully these are clear enough. The Petite Cazadores Reserva is a new, regular production in the Reserva line, a segment of the Brown Label line that forms the core of Tatuaje cigars, and constitute less limited releases of special cigars from Tatuaje (the Cojonu series, the RC cigars, etc.) In this case, the Petite Cazadores Reserva is designated 'Reserva' due to its use of the awe inspiring, dark as night Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper which is very highly regarded. In color it is, as I mentioned, a smooth dark chocolate. There are no really large veins visible. The seams are tight, and the triple cap is fantastic. An interesting little element of this small smoke is the closed foot, which Johnson seems to like, using it on his personal blend, the Tatuaje Black Label, and now this. The aroma is slight, and chocolate like. The closed foot prevents much of a smell, and not much feel for the cold draw either. There is a slight sweet tobacco flavor, and a hint of cocoa on the pre-light draw. Need to light it for it to open up.

Lit at 11:00pm.

The draw here at the beginning is a little firm, but smoke production isn't bad, so we'll see how that pans out. Flavor initially is a pure black coffee taste, with a slight sweetness on the draw, followed by a dry leather and pepper finish. Great start.

The ash is a beautiful dark gray color, with very heavy white tooth to it. The ring structure often present in cigar ash is displayed here flawlessly. Very attractive. About a fourth of the way in the ash is holding tight. Flavor remains sweet tobacco, black coffee a slight leather, and a smooth pepper on the finish. This is billed as being a powerful blend, but really it reminds me of a miniature version of the 7th Reserva, minus any boldness. More a smooth relaxed overall feel, rather than any biting power like so many of Pepin and Pete Johnson's blends have. As a small cigar, so far this is perfect for a relaxing escape.

Rolled the ash off at about an inch and a quarter. Burn line has been flawless to this point. Flavor remains pretty consistent. Not really anything I wouldn't expect in a small stick like this. Delicious flavor so far though. Draw has remained really tight. I see what looks like a fat stem right in the middle. Pulled it out. Unfortunately it seems to have run the entire length of the cigar. After removal the draw is flawless. Just a slight tug of resistance. Fortunately, the removal of this little plug isn't so traumatic as to affect anything other than to improve the draw. That's a relief. I have smoked 5 of these prior to this write up, and I can say with almost absolute certainty that this little hiccup is just that, a one time fluke.

Getting to about the band point, performance is still perfect. Flavor remains the same, with a bit of a growth in the pepper, both flavor and tingling feel-wise. Put a nub clip in it (everyone calls it my roach clip, haha) to keep smoking as far as possible. For such a small stick, with less than an inch left, at 40 ring gauge, it is pretty impressive that it hasn't gotten hot at all.

Ended at 12:10am. Didn't expect that! Really long time for such a small cigar (one hour and ten minutes). Perfect performance aside from the tough draw initially. Great flavors, fantastic even. Smoke production has never been short of amazing. Leather, coffee, sweet tobacco, pepper. Great profile, and everything I have come to expect from Tatuaje cigars, especially those using the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. This is definitely a cigar I will be buying more of. They come in Cabs of 50 cigars, at a good price that works out to about $4/stick, which is cheap for any Brown Label cigar. Consider this a new addition to my regular smoke rotation.

Tatuaje The 7th Reserva

TATUAJE THE 7TH RESERVA
5 5/8 x 46

This is the corona gorda that everyone has been waiting for. Corona Gordas have done very well in the other Tatuaje lines (The Hermosos in the Havana VI line, the Serie P P1, the La Riqueza and El Triunfador No. 3s, etc.) I, and certainly others, have been waiting with baited breath for a Corona Gorda from the Brown Label (La Seleccion de Cazador) line. For me, the Corona Gorda is a fantastic size because it has a smaller ring gauge than a Robusto, giving you a little more wrapper flavor, and a greater length, allowing you cooler smoke, among other benefits. The Robusto will probably always be the benchmark size in any line, but for me, the Corona Gorda usually ends up being my personal favorite vitola. On top of the pleasure of getting a Corona Gorda Brown Label, we get a Reserva version, with the always flavorful Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, which is much loved on several sticks made by Pepin Garcia, and the My Father/DPG crew, including the famed and much sought after Noella Reserva, The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial, and of course the super rare Frank Monster series cigar. To say that the Broadleaf Reserva Tatuajes hold a special place in the hearts and humidors of many smokers would be an understatement. So here we go...

The wrapper on this 7th Reserva is a dark chocolate color, not completely even in tone, but slightly splotchy, and extremely oily. There is a fine toothiness to the wrapper that you can't quite feel, but can certainly see. There are a few veins, only one of which is in any way pronounced. The seams are tight, straight, and even. The pack feels fantastic, having just the right amount of give to it, even from one end to the other, and showing no soft or hard spots. The triple cap, in obvious Garcia fashion, and perfect. I have yet to see a genuine Cuban cigar with a triple cap applied as well, flawlessly even, as most Garcia made cigars. The raw aroma is of sweet tobacco, with a slight hint of wood. Not particularly spicy or powerful on the nose. The cold draw is sweet, and earthy, with a slight mocha flavor. Mostly there is just a good earthy tobacco core. Maybe a very slight spice on the tongue and lips.

Lit at 11:35pm.

My initial impression is of a rich peppery spice, followed by an earthy tobacco. There is then a slight espresso, black as night, flavor that sort of dances around the palette, mostly to the rear, and the throat. A creeping, smooth pepper creeps up from the back of the throat and gradually, very slowly moves into the palette, lending itself to a very long, spicy finish. Great, complex start. Lets see how the rest goes...

The draw through the entire first third has been fantastic, almost no resistance, but producing massive amounts of smoke. If only everything smoked this easily. Ash is sort of flowering at the very foot, but not more than the first 1/4 inch, so I can't explain the cause. The rest of the ash holding is firm, tight even, and bright white in color, displaying tons of little tooth bumps. Burn line is straight and even. Flavor in the first third remains much the same as the initial profile. Pepper up front, followed by sweet earthy tobacco, a little black coffee, and then a smooth peppery spice that lingers. Through the nose I pick up just a little chocolate, as well as more pepper.

Getting a little way into the second third, the coffee flavor still is present in the middle, but a stronger cocoa has moved in on the finish. The pepper is mellowed a bit, which is not atypical when black pepper flavors are present. It is still here, just less powerful and biting. Overall I would describe the only changes in the second third as a mellowing, and smoothing of flavor, plus the addition of a cocoa note that is very nice. The burn line, and general performance continues to be flawless. The body is medium to full at present. Not feeling much in terms of nicotine right now, but the overall experience is fairly deep hitting, earthy and round.

Just prior to the start of the final third the smoke becomes suddenly, over the course of one of two draws, much bolder. The strength has come up a bit as well. Nothing unpleasant or a poor transition. The flavor remains mostly cocoa and coffee, with an earthy overall tone to it. Deep and powerful, but now bolder and more biting on the palette, the cocoa is sweeter, and coffee more bitter, and the pepper, still smooth but a little more... tingling. Performance remains flawless. Pete has said before that he doesn't care how a cigar burns, as long as it tastes great, well I for one am glad that Pepin and his rollers care, because a burn this perfect makes for a very laid back, relaxing smoke. I haven't had to touch my lighter once since the initial toasting and lighting, which is rare, even among the most high end cigars I have had.

With about an inch and a quarter remaining, I would call the sudden change... buttery, with a slight nuttiness. Coffee and cocoa are still present, but only in a sort of flighty, brief manner, followed by a creamy flavor, with a hot pepper on the finish.

Ended at 1:10am for a total smoke time of one hour and 35 minutes. I have to say, I am a fan of Tatuaje cigars in general, but this one is just so consistent, flavorful, and balanced that it certainly counts among my favorites. I am just glad I have some more in the humidor. Very good. I think this is a perfect example of a well blended cigar. Complex, not overwhelming, strong, but not too strong, and with a distinct, delicious flavor profile. Oh, and the PERFECT performance doesn't hurt either. As you can see, I smoked this one down to the very end.

Petite Tatuaje Reserva

PETITE TATUAJE RESERVA
4.5x32

I am immediately surprised by how perfectly this stick is constructed. It is a small cigar, or even a large cigarillo in size, and has perfectly straight, tight seams, very few veins in the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, and even has a triple cap (it seems) applied on it, which is ridiculously amazing for a cigar this size. The foot has an aroma that is earthy, and slightly sweet, almost floral. The color is like dark chocolate. Fantastic. The pre-light draw is very smooth and sweet, with a very vegetable and herbal quality to it. Reminds me of the aroma from dried chopped herbs.

Lit at 10:53pm.

Very bold leather flavor, with a slight cinnamon, and a peppery finish dominate right away. Not going to break this review down into thirds, but rather, I will just break things up as flavors change. Smoke production is out of this world, producing as much or more than most larger ("full sized") cigars do or would.

Ash holds for half an inch, sometimes further. Pretty impressive. Hasn't gotten hot or anything. Draw is a little tight, but not bad. Ash looks beautiful as well. Burn line remains flawless. Leather and pepper continue to be the dominant flavors at the halfway point.

Kind of shocked how long this little cigar is lasting. Coming close to the end, there is a good deal of pepper tingling across the burn, and the mouth feel becomes increasingly creamy.

Ended at 11:31pm, for a total burn time of 38 minutes, which is absolutely shocking. I expected this to be a 20 minute smoke, tops, but this cigar burns slower than some cigars many times its size. Very good value, and great flavors.

Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label

DON PEPIN GARCIA BLUE LABEL
6x50 "Generosos"

This well known toro size cigar features a good looking dark brown wrapper, with a few rough looking veins scattered about. The seams are straight and tight, and the triple cap which Garcia has become known for using on everything he makes looks absolutely perfect. All three lines are literally razor sharp. The leaf is toothy but not really at all oily. It has a tough, dry leathery feel to it that I kind of like. It has a wonderful earthy and floral aroma off the foot, with a little spice to make my nose tickle if I sniff too deeply of it. The pack is perfect, having just the right amount of soft give to it, with no particularly soft spots, and certainly no areas that feel hard to the touch. Let's get her cut and see what she tastes like. Cold draw is perfect. Just a slight resistance. Taste is floral, earthy, and has a mild cocoa sweetness.

Lit at 2:55

Initially there is a big blast of pepper, followed by cocoa and sweet tobacco, and then a lot of pepper comes back on the finish, and lingers for a good long while. Draw is great, and produces a respectable amount of smoke.

In the first third, the ash holds well, and is a bright white color. The burn line isn't razor sharp, but it is definitely straight. The flavors aren't super complex or changing at all at this point, but they are good and bold. There is a nice bitter cocoa and coffee flavor, leaving a good deal of sweetness on the palette going into the spicy pepper finish. Ash falls for the first time about one inch in.

Just prior to the beginning of the second third, the sweetness has come up a little and the pepper has gotten slightly milder. There is a woody note that has developed on the draw that compliments the sweet cocoa nicely. Another inch into the second third and there is a hint of cinnamon dancing around, which is delicious with the cocoa. I'm starting to feel a tiny amount of strength, nothing unpleasant, but it is definitely there.

Getting into the final third everything is getting creamy, and thick feeling in the mouth. The cocoa is lessened a bit, but there is a sweet earthy tobacco, and the pepper still lingers smoothly on the finish. The cinnamon is still noticeable, but has never become more than a faint hint here and there. A roasted nutty flavor that is a little bitter dominates through the nose. Not sure if it is just a symptom of the stick getting hot, or if it is the tobacco itself.

Ended at 4:15pm, for a total smoke time of one hour twenty minutes. Perhaps my only complaint about this stick is the rate at which it burned, which was a little fast. That said, these cigars are almost bargain bin priced (I've seen them as low as $5 US each) which is absolutely outstanding for a great tasting, perfectly constructed cigar that certainly deserves to bear the name it does. The strength is a little full, but for most smokers these days, full bodied smokes are nothing new or unusual. Highly recommended, and at the right price this would be more than an outstanding daily type cigar.

La Riqueza #3

LA RIQUEZA
5.6x46 "#3"

Another line offered from Pete Johnson and Tatuaje, produced under the watchful eye of Don Pepin Garcia, La Riqueza is also another mark saved from the wrath of history, an ancient Cuban brand, resurrected by Johnson and his apparent love of all things old, cuban, and made of tobacco.

This corona gorda sized stick features a matte dark chocolate wrapper, with very few veins, and a tough leathery feel to it. The coloration is not exactly flawless or even, but the construction looks great. Solid triple cap, smooth, tight seams, and... actually it does feel a little light, like it may be slightly underfilled. The aroma is both chocolatey and spicy... almost like cumin. Pre-light draw is initially sweet, but also has hints of spice, and leaves a little zing on the tongue.

Lit at 10:34pm.

Right away the flavors are earthy, with a little cocoa and espresso, followed by a big peppery finish that really slaps you across the mouth.

Smoke production in the first third is sort of unimpressive. I think this is in largepart due to the looseness of the draw. The flavors are very thick, earthy and chewy. There is even a musty old leather flavor through the nose that is very nice. Not something I taste very often, but when I do, it is a good sign. The pepper on the finish of most cigars would have slowed down by now, but this suck is still like chewing hot wings even at an inch or more in. Ash looks choppy and flakey but has held on so far.

Getting into the second third I'm noticing that despite not exactly being a small ring, this cigar needs to be babied and smoked in much the same way as many smaller cigars, requiring more frequent, but less drastic draws to stay lit properly. With the right balance though, it is still proving to be very rewarding. The burn line is wavy, but not bad. The flavors in the second third are fairly dry on the palette, no oil or creaminess. Woody, earthy, and spicy are all still the adjectives on the board for this guy right now. Draw has firmed up a little, and smoke production has taken a directly related stance.

Around the start of the final third things are getting a little bitter on the palette. Still mostly earthy and spicy, but there is a bitterness on the draw that isn't the best flavor... The ash has also been kind of a pain in the rear, making a bit of a mess when it doesn't quite make it to the ash tray. The flakiness of it also results in random bit and pieces dropping off at nonsensical intervals. I have had to touch the burn line up a few times to prevent tunneling or canoeing also. With about an inch and a half left a huge wave of pepper comes onto the finish, unlike the medium, smooth pepper previously present. ZING.

Ended at 12:13am, for a total burn time of almost one hour forty minutes. Good time for a corona gorda. Unfortunately I just cannot justify this cigar based on cost next to other blends in the Tatuaje lineup. If this were a $5 or $6 smoke, it would be perfect, but at $9 it just does not perform the way it should in my opinion. Decent flavors, but nothing too complex. This cigar also has some strength to it. Nothing unwieldy, but it is noticeable. Over all, good, not great.

El Triunfador #4

EL TRIUNFADOR
by Tatuaje
5x48 "#4"

As I understand it, El Triunfador was at one time a Cuban cigar brand... long ago. Pete Johnson has purchased the right to produce under that name, and has blended, with Don Pepin Garcia, a Nicaraguan puro (like most of the Tatuaje lines) to release with the name and artwork from the original Cuban El Triunfadors. Originally this line was smaller, I believe maybe only available as a lancero vitola. Now there is a full range, of 6 sizes, including a lancero, along with 5 other, smaller vitolas. The largest is 6.5x42, which is not all that large compared to the massive rings that are so popular today.

The El Triunfador #4 is a slightly box pressed robusto with a medium brown Rosado Habano wrapper that shows very few veins. The stick is held together with an expertly constructed triple cap, appropriate for a Cuban tribute like this seems to be. The pack is a little loose, though I suspect some of that has to do with the box pressing process. Compared to a lot of the Tatuaje lines, the El Triunfadors are fairly low priced, hanging in the $6 to $8 range, which if it proves to be great flavorwise, will likely lead this to be a regular daily smoke for many. The body does not give off much aroma, aside from a slight tobacco. The foot however has a bold spiciness that in my experience is a sign of powerful, high quality Nicaraguan leaves. Cold draw gives a slightly cinnamon and chili pepper flavor, as well as good earthy tobacco. The draw is fairly loose. Seems to have just the right amount of resistance.

Lit at 8:45pm.

Initial flavors are bold and stress heavily roasted coffee beans, creamy tobacco, and a good pepper blast across the tongue. The finish is spicy and lasts a good time, leaving the palette tingling from the pepper and spice.

Through the whole of the first third the flavors are similar to those present from the get-go, though the pepper blast gradually falls back a bit. Cinnamon, and earthy tobacco, with a slight leather that appears make up the entire profile, with a finish that consists mostly of pepper and a little cedar woodiness.

Getting just into the second third flavors haven't changed really, but I have started to notice that on the draw there is a sort of sweetness to everything that is pretty nice. This cigar is billed as a mild-medium, where most Tatuaje offerings are much fuller, and it certainly is living up to that... sort of. While the strength seems to be non-existent, the flavors are definitely plenty bold and hard hitting. Pepper, leather, earth, and spice are not flavors I personally think of often when considering "mild" cigars. The burn line isn't straight, but it isn't presenting any problems either. It is sort of wavy, off and on. Of note is the speed with which this stick burns. I am at the halfway point about 35 minutes in, which for a $7 cigar is a little quick.

At the start of the final third things are getting a little warm already. The pepper heat and flavor are also coming back in full force, scalding my tongue with each draw. At exactly one hour, the nub that remains is getting too hot to hold, so I stuck a clip in it to keep smoking.

Ended at 9:55 for a total smoke time of one hour ten minutes, which is longer than it looked like it would be, as this stick seemed to burn very fast. Overall, the flavors were very good, rich and creamy, without ever becoming too strong, and without any real nicotine effects, which I guess is where this stick gets the label of being a milder stick. I enjoyed it, and would definitely buy more to have around for shorter smokes that still deliver complexity and boldness.

My Father No.1

My Father no. 1
5.2x52 parejo



The My Father line has quickly earned a reputation as a great cigar from the Garcia family of cigar makers (Jose "Don Pepin" Garcia et al) but the My Father also has a sentimental story to it that adds to the experience. It also helps that the no.1 size was chosen as Cigar Aficionado's number 3 cigar of the year for 2009.

This robusto-ish stick features a dark caramel colored wrapper, with a visible network of small veins running over it (none of them pronounced or raised). It looks to have impeccable construction, featuring tight seams, and a crafty little triple cap giving nods to Pepin's Cuban past. The aroma from the wrapper is light giving a slightly grassy smell off. The foot on the other hand features a robust spicy aromatic tobacco, not sweet, more like chilis and maybe cinnamon. The cold draw is loose and packs a spicy wollop, with maybe a tiny bit of ammonia on the tongue that hopefully will not rear its ugly head later.



Lit at 11:29pm.

Despite the loose draw, smoke production is out of this world. Great billowing clouds of white smoke come off the foot, and the draw. flavors right off the bat are a heavy blast of spice and pepper, with a cedar finish. Not a light, sweet cedar, but a rich, overwhelming cedar.

About an inch in I'm really sort of remembering my past experiences with this cigar which is a good thing. Consistently performing this well is a good thing! The flavors are pretty powerful. Not a lot of flavors, just very powerful in their presentation. There is a pepper and spice blast on the draw, followed by a slighty creamy coffee bean flavor, and a continuing creamy cedar finish that lasts for a good length of time. The ash is holding on for an unusually long time. I got paranoid, and rolled it off just before the second third started, to avoid ashing my laptop.

Second third brings more of the same cedar, coffee, and spice, but the peppery heat is definitely lessened. The spicy flavors of pepper and cinnamon are still perfectly discernable, and very bold in the middle, but without the burn. Finish is very cedar filled. Of note is the burn. It isn't a razor sharp line, but it evens itself out with each draw. It also WANTS to burn. I have set this cigar down for well over a minute without drawing, and it still draws and burns perfectly when I remember it, and get it smouldering again.

The final third starts with a ramping up of cinnamon flavor, plus some other dessert like spices (maybe nutmeg?) that bring a little earthy sweetness. There is a heat coming back through the nose, and a sort of lingering "zing" on the back of the tongue. Smoke production continues to be massive. The band is very ornate, with lots of fine gold trim, and attractive colors. Unfortunately there is a sizeable blob of glue that takes some wrapper with it upon removal.

Smoked this one down to the last inch before it finally got a little hot. Oh, and as for strength... this one never gets above medium-full at most really, which personally I like. Ended at 12:55am for a total smoke time of one hour 26 minutes. Very satisfying time, and some great flavors! The Garcias definitely have a winner here.