Size: 6″ x 48 was measured (supposed to be 6″ x 50, E)
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance:
This is a good looking stick, but there is definitely a major vein and you can see where the wrapper was rolled – some definite detractors. If it wasn’t for that, the dark wrapper is tasty looking and the ring is elegant and not overdone – what you’d expect from a fine cigar.

Construction:
The stick appears well rolled and evenly dense throughout. As mentioned above, you can however tell where the wrapper was rolled and it does come in a little under the stated ring gauge. The ring removes with ease and there is no cracking or splitting anywhere.

Aroma:
The aroma is amazing – not typical of a maduro or a full cigar, but full of sweetness and spice – a definite pleasure to anyone around. It is not weak, but makes you think this stick is mellower than it really is (in a good way). Half way around the aroma is almost nutty and less sweet, with quite the spice.

Burn/Ash:
The burn is definitely not perfect or razor sharp, but it manages to hold it’s own and correct itself. It was wavier at first, but after an inch or so in, it’s pretty sharp and straight. The first ash falls at 1 1/2″ (right on my chest) and it leaves a decent cone cherry. The second ash falls at about the same, but leaves a slightly flatter cherry and it finishes by ashing around 1 1/2″ each time with a mostly sharp burn.

Draw/Smoke:
The draw started out tight, but after the first 1/2″ it progressed into medium-tight, which is a little better. And after a full inch, we are much closer to medium, which is ideal. The smoke started out really light when the draw was tight, but it has increased as the draw has approached medium. It’s not quite as full or creamy as the best smokes, but it’s decent. Half way in and the draw is a little tighter than medium, but the smoke continues to increase and become creamier.

Flavor:
The flavors on this cigar are surprisingly good and already complex right after lighting. I taste nuttiness, cocoa, some coffee, some earth and a definite sweet & nutty aftertaste which is pretty divine. Approaching the first inch and the flavors have already changed. There is some pepper at the back of the throat, still a sweetness on the aftertaste, and more leather on the draw. A little further in and the pepper abates some, but not entirely and there is a woody sweet nutty taste. It’s a solid medium-full stick. Approaching the half-way point and there is both less sweetness and pepper, but more leather and earth. An interesting development. Approaching the final third and I’m picking up an interesting earthy and smoky nuttiness with a hint of sweetness.

Overall/Value:
At retail price, this stick is quite affordable given the complex and changing flavors. Given that Perdomo’s can be had for under retail, this is an even better and solid pickup. On bid, this stick can be had for $2 – 3 each and there isn’t much to complain about at that price. The flavors are among the best of non-full sticks and therefore it scores high here, especially if you can overlook the vein and seeing where the wrapper was rolled. The draw is a bit tight, but the smoke ends up being surprisingly good.

Retail Price: $4.50

Appearance: (3.75/5)
Construction: (4/5)
Aroma: (9.75/10)
Burn/Ash: (7.75/10)
Draw/Smoke: (17/20)
Flavor: (33/35)
Overall/Value: (14/15)
Final Score: (89.25/100)

Size: 5″ x 49.25 was measured (supposed to be 5″ x 50, Clasico (Robusto))
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers

Appearance:
This is a fairly good looking stick. A nice solid brown wrapper, good in color for a Corojo, but it has a few medium veins and shows a crack or two. This stick was shipped to me from a fellow BOTL, so I don’t exactly know how much it’s been around, so I won’t hold that against it too much. The ring is large, but I like it. It’s tropical looking and makes me want to smoke this stick. Everytime I see it in the humi, it’s enticing.

Construction:
Construction is pretty solid. As mentioned above, it has a few small cracks in the wrapper, but I don’t know whether that is attributable to its journey to me from another BOTL or due to the stick itself. Density is consistent and the ring removes with ease. It comes in almost spot on for ring gauge too.

Aroma:
The aroma is pretty strong and it’s hard to describe. It doesn’t have much sweetness to it and it doesn’t smell spicy either. Honestly, if one weren’t a cigar smoker, this one wouldn’t smell very good. Unfortunately this stick loses points here.

Burn/Ash:
Burn is close to razor sharp and it keeps burning even when unattended a few minutes at a time. The first ash comes at a little over 1″ and leaves a nice cone cherry behind. Burn is not perfect, but close to it, with no real issues.

Draw/Smoke:
Draw is a light to medium. A little lighter than I’d like, say an 8.5 out of 10, but the smoke is amazing. The smoke is full, rich and plentiful and quite creamy. A 9.5 out of 10. The draw stayed consistent throughout the stick and the smoke remained full and plentiful.

Flavor:
This cigar starts out as a total pepper bomb. It’s in your mouth and at the back of your throat. That’s all I can taste the first few draws. But then after a few more draws, after the initial pepper, I’m picking up other flavors. For now it’s a hint of earthiness followed by a toasty aftertaste (with some pepper still in the back of the throat). Almost an inch in and the stick has mellowed out some. It’s toastier, has a hint of nuttiness, some more earth, and maybe some bitter coffee to it. There is still some pepper, but it’s not as pronounced. A little further in and there is more coffee flavors up front, followed by earth. Just past 1/3 of the way through I’m picking up coffee and a hint of bitter cocoa with some spice followed by a hint of earth, pepper and toastiness in the aftertaste. This is this stick’s sweet spot. And this stick managed to stay in the sweet spot until the last 1/3 of the stick. Into the last third there is more spice and some more pepper is creeping back in. The coffee and cocoa are gone as is mostly the toastiness.

Overall/Value:
Retail price is a bit steep, but that’s the case for many sticks, however this one is harder to find for a good price, unless it’s part of a sampler. I just don’t see many sales on a 5′er or 10 pack of these. But that’s probably a good thing, since this stick is pretty strong in its flavors and it wouldn’t be a regular smoke for me, but it does make for a nice alternative for when one is in the mood for something like this. It’s complex in flavors (and has good flavors) and keeps a cigar aficionado quite entertained. But, this isn’t something you’d want to pass on to a buddy who’s just getting started with cigars b/c they wouldn’t think much of it (most likely would be overwhelmed by the pepper). If picked up in the $3 – 4 range, it can truly be a good deal.

Retail Price: $7.60

Appearance: (4.25/5)
Construction: (4.25/5)
Aroma: (5/10)
Burn/Ash: (9/10)
Draw/Smoke: (18/20)
Flavor: (34/35)
Overall/Value: (12.25/15)
Final Score: (86.25/100)