Herf 33 – The Other World

March 7th, 2010 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Bruce, Tom, and John H. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

The seven of us in Richmond Beach dined on hickory & mesquite-smoked pork shoulder, three kinds of cole slaw, two types of cornbread muffins (with honey-butter), jalapeño poppers, and a rich chocolate cake for dessert. Wow! Well done to all who contributed.

Our cigar selection for this herf was the Ambos Mundos Sumatra No.2 Robusto. We previously enjoyed the white label (the No.1) at Herf 29. This red label was our Cigar of the Week back on January 18th. The current published rating for the Ambos Mundos red label robusto is 91 (Mar, 2009).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while also enjoying some winter ale, Canadian whiskey, and a couple very special treats; Sam Adams Utopias, a generous gift courtesy of club member Tom. John H. was kind enough to bring along his hard-to-find pear brandy for us to taste as well. It's Godet Poire au Cognac from La Rochelle, France. Amazing!

Also, taking part in this review were club members Patrick (in AZ) and John D. Though not able to attend the herf, they did take the time to conduct their tastings individually and submit their scores within a couple days of our gathering.

While the cigar's first impression is somewhat nondescript, a closer look reveals a pretty well-crafted roll. There were a few prominent veins as well as some surface roughness, but nothing major. It's a generally good-looking, sturdy cigar.

Most of these cigars drew wonderfully, though one was too loose and a couple were just a tad tight. The cigars performed quite well with pretty even burns and adequate smoke production. Even the ash was remarkably stable and uniform, which was great to see considering the reported use of B & C grade Tatuaje leaves in these sticks.

There was a spicy beginning that had everyone sit up and take notice, perhaps lasting for the first half inch. Soon we were given plenty of wood & leather to ponder. Our nine tasters described flavors in the middle portion like toasty in a 'bready' or toasted-grain sort of way; pleasant. There was even an acidic sweetness, something like a plum – just a hint anyway. Also, maybe a bit of anise was detected as well. The ending portion transitioned to a stronger, but savory character.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Ambos Mundos No.2 robusto is 89. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

Right off the bat it was apparent that our group of tasters preferred this Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapped Ambos Mundos over the Nicaraguan Habano wrapped sibling we sampled back in November.

Most of our tasters left the herf determined to buy more of these red label robustos. In fact, at the time of this writing, at least one of them already has reported doing so.

Thanks to John of J&J Cigars for giving us such a good deal on these sticks.

See you at the next herf, May 2nd.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Gift Review – Tatuaje Black

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserve, given to me by John at J&J Cigars back in November of ‘09.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5 5/8”
Ring Gauge: 46
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Nicaraguan (binder leaf)
Strength: Full
Price: $13

Produced by Don Pepin Garcia for Pete Johnson, it features a Nicaraguan wrapper (said to be binder leaf) with a rough texture and a rustic appeal that’s strangely enticing. The uncut foot was a first for me and it also gives the impression that you’re about to experience something quite different and at the same time very special.

I scored this cigar following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

The pointed head is so intriguing that it’s hard to cut it off, though the sense of anticipation forces one to make quick work of it. The rough wrapper and sturdy parejo shape combine to give a sense of solid construction and strength even before you’ve smelled or tasted it. One detraction, visually, was that the wrapper was a bit dry looking, perhaps a byproduct of it being from binder stock.

Unfortunately, my sample drew rather tight, but I was optimistic nonetheless. This thing starts out strong, as most every reviewer has described before me. Through the middle portion I enjoyed a sweet wood, like a black walnut. This later gave way to a tannic period during which I struggled with burn problems. The final third rallied with a savory richness that I found very appealing.

The quantity of smoke produced varied at times but was lacking more so than I would have liked. I also found the ash a little unstable, as it fell early in the first third; though that did improve later.

My rating for the Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserve Corona Gorda is 89.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 17 pts (68% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

As you can see by my scoring in the category of Smoking Characteristics, the experience was hindered significantly by the poor draw and burn. This is in stark contrast to the very pleasurable time spent recently with the Black Tubos that I acquired this past December.

Thanks again, John, for this very generous gift!

© 2010 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Another Attempt at a State Tax Increase

Excerpted from, "Tax Plan Progresses In Spite of Criticism"
Jim Camden
The Spokesman-Review
Committee votes 6-3 to debate bill on House floor

OLYMPIA – A new tax proposal would place unfair burdens on a wide range of residents, from janitors to plastic surgeons and cigar sellers to candy makers, opponents of the plan said Tuesday. It would also raise money for schools, colleges, the poor and the sick, supporters of the proposal said.

The proposed tax increases are a good start, but there needs to be more of them, said a third group of witnesses as the House Finance Committee held a hearing on a $758 million tax package announced less than 24 hours earlier.

With some minor adjustments, the committee voted 6-3 to send House Bill 3191 to the floor for debate, even though some Democrats who voted for it Tuesday want changes before it passes. “This is not what will pass off the floor of the House,” Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland, said.

Committee Republicans, including Kevin Parker of Spokane, all voted no. “Our problem is spending, not revenue,” Rep. Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee, said. “We have a certain amount of revenue to work with … We need to change direction.”

Tobacco shop operators said raising the tax on cigars from 50 cents to $1 will prompt customers to go across state lines or onto Indian reservations. The committee later adopted an amendment to drop the tax increase to 65 cents, which Committee Chairman Ross Hunter, D-Medina, said had been his original intent.

Credit to The Spokesman-Review

Cigar of the Week - Format Change

Effective immediately, our weekly cigar picks for upcoming herf selection will no longer be in the form of a blog post, but will instead be located on the sidebar (to the right).

Cigar Review – Toraño 50 Year Robusto

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at J&J Cigars. Featured this time is the Toraño Exodus 1959 50 Years Robusto.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5”
Ring Gauge: 50
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca S.G.
Strength: Medium
Price: $7.50

Produced at the STG factory in Estelí, it features the new copper colored band and a dark, rich, and somewhat rough-looking Brazilian wrapper. The current Cigar Insider rating for it is 88 (Oct, 2009).

From the Toraño website:

“Who would have thought the Castro brothers would outlive the Soviet Union and eight U.S. presidencies, and be able to hijack a culture and people for five decades?” The speaker is Charlie Toraño, president of the fourth-generation Toraño family’s premium tobacco and cigar business. “We created our Exodus line of premium cigars to remind smokers of the hardship inflicted by Cuba’s Marxist communist regime, especially its exile of the world-renowned tobacco and cigar families, including ours. As expatriated Cubans, we have triumphed both as a people and as creators of a new cigar industry in the different countries where we all settled. That triumph is worth celebrating and we do so in our new cigar for 2009 ... Exodus 50 Years.”

Three of us took part in this review; club co-founders Robert & Fernand and club member Tom. As is our usual method, we followed Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

First appearance, with the new copper band, is very pleasing. The dark color and toothy texture of the Brazilian wrapper is enticing. Roll quality appeared pretty good, but unfortunately, one of our sample drew too fast while another was too tight (though it did improve for a brief period through middle portion of the stick). The success of burn seemed to coincide perfectly with the degree of draw. The fast cigar burned great and the tight cigar didn’t burn well. The quantity of smoke produced fell along those same lines as well. The ash was of a light-grey color and very stable; actually needing to be ‘broken off’ at times.

The Toraño 50 Year was milder than we expected, at the start. The flavor improved over time; started creamy and cool. We categorize it as mild-to-medium for the first half. There were nice coffee-woody notes along the way. Later it became stronger up to the end, where Robert found that a black cherry sweetness really kicked in. Tom & Fernand, on the other hand, found their samples finishing instead with a cedar-like sweetness.

Our averaged rating for the Toraño Exodus 1959 50 Years Robusto is 85.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

All in all, a very good cigar. One of our tasters felt that got better as it smoked. None of us found it hot or harsh and it had nice flavor transitions. We all agreed it’s worth going back for more.

Thanks again to John at J&J Cigars for giving us the opportunity to enjoy and review this fine cigar.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Tobacco Banned in Seattle Parks

Excerpted from, “Seattle Parks & Recreation: Protecting You From You” by Jacob Sullum, February 18, 2010

Yesterday, overruling an advisory panel's recommendation, Seattle Parks Superintendent Timothy Gallagher imposed a comprehensive tobacco ban on the city's parks. Although protecting bystanders from secondhand smoke is the most common justification for such bans, Gallagher's rationale is wider:

“The negative health effects of tobacco are well documented. As an agency that has a fundamental mission to support the health and well-being of Seattle residents, it is appropriate and beneficial to prohibit the use of tobacco products at parks and park facilities.”

In other words, Gallagher is intent on using his power as parks superintendent not only to protect park patrons from the occasional whiff of someone else's cigarette smoke but to protect them from the ill effects of their own unhealthy habits. Hence the inclusion of smokeless tobacco, which poses no conceivable threat to passers-by (and also is much less hazardous to consumers than cigarettes). For those worried about getting hit by tobacco juice spray: Consumption of oral snuff such as Skoal Bandits or Camel Snus does not require any spitting. Such discreet, smokeless consumption of tobacco does not even trigger the "concerns that smokers set a poor example for children" mentioned by the Seattle Times. Yet under Gallagher's new policy, any park visitor caught with such contraband will be summarily ejected, the better to serve his department's "fundamental mission to support the health and well-being of Seattle residents."

Credit to Reason.com blog

Our 3rd Anniversary

Three years ago today, the club's founders met and conducted herf number one. During the last three years we've smoked and rated some amazing cigars. We've also enjoyed some incredible food & drink at our monthly herfs.

Many great friendships have been developed along the way as well. All of this is testament to the inherent joys one can find in a premium, hand-rolled work of art - that we call... a cigar.

Thanks to my fellow co-founders, our two charter members, and all the club's members for making it what it is today. We couldn't do it without you!

Here's to the last three years and many more ahead!

--FR

Herf 32 - The Vertigo Effect

February 7th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Patrick (remotely), John O., and John D. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

This herf marked our first (hopefully of many) to be held at The Vertigo Club. Clubmember, and official club tobacconist, John (also a Vertigo member) was kind enough to host is there for this splendid evening.

The dining portion of this herf differed from our usual approach. Instead of one of us hosting a home-cooked meal or dining out together at a local restaurant, we each brought hors d'œuvres to The Vertigo Club, potluck style.

Our selection for this herf was the Illusione Epernay La Ferme. This robusto was our Cigar of the Week back on December 21st. Recently named the #19 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado, the La Ferme holds a current published rating of 92 (Dec, 2009).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while also enjoying some Elysian winter ale and Aberlour Scotch whiskey.

Upon initial examination of these Epernay’s looked beautiful; few defects noted. The wrapper texture was smooth and uniform, with skillfully applied caps and only the slightest bumps or rough veins detected. Typical Illusione quality shone through in this attractive example of how cigars premium should be crafted.

Most of these cigars drew and burned pretty well. A couple drew a little tight and a couple burned a little crooked. Most of us had to perform a re-light or two along the middle portion and into the final third, but it wasn’t enough to be a nuisance.

The flavors were mild and enjoyable right off the bat. Floral notes and pleasant, woody flavors dominated with subtle complexities abundant to keep things interesting through the first third. The middle third saw things simplify a bit, which one of our tasters described as monotone. Fortunately, the final third brought back some richness and complexity that once again brought our attention back to this very captivating blend. A few of us did record brief periods of a slightly bitter, citrus sort of character that was not dominant, and fortunately gave way to eventual savory and rich.

The volume of smoke produced sufficient, for the most part. We would liked to have seen the ash a bit more stable, but in all honesty, that’s being a bit picky.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Illusione Epernay La Ferme is 90. An outstanding cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

What an easy recommendation to make. This cigar was never overpowering, making it an alluring choice for fans of mild-to-medium strength sticks. Anyone yet to experience an Epernay should add this to their ‘must-try’ list.

Thanks to John of J&J Cigars for giving us such a good deal on these sticks and for hosting us in an unparalleled environment as The Vertigo Club. It was truly a pleasure!

See you at the next herf, March 7th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Myths Exposed

The following is excerpted from “Cigar Myths” courtesy of Tobacconist University.

These are but a few of the popular myths out there. For their full list, visit the TU website.

Virgin Thighs
Myth: In Cuba, cigars are rolled on the thighs of virgins.
Truth: This is an absurd concept which sounds interesting and amusing to some, but is not grounded in reality.

Cuban Seed
Myth: Cuban Seed = Quality
Truth: Cuban Seeds, grown inside or outside of Cuba, can produce both good and bad cigars. There is no direct correlation between product quality and Cuban Seeds. There are far too many variables impacting the quality of tobacco and cigars, like soil, climate, rain, fermentation, blending, rolling, etc… This myth was started after the American embargo on Cuba when cigar makers wanted to enhance the perceived value and quality of their own brands.

Body = Strength
Myth: The body and strength of a cigar are the same and/or related.
Truth: Body, in terms of flavor (taste+aroma) profile, does not necessarily correlate with the Strength of a cigar. Strength refers to nicotine potency or the intensity of spice – two separate factors. Body is a flavor descriptor which can refer to the depth, breadth, and richness of a tobacco (flavor). So, a strong cigar can be medium bodied, while a full-bodied cigar can be mild or medium strength. As an example, imagine that chicken has a mild body, while beef has a richer body, yet both can be spicy/strong, depending on how they are seasoned.

Refrigerate Cigars
Myth: Keeping cigars in your household refrigerator will keep them “fresh” (or optimally conditioned).
Truth: Refrigerators are far too dry to keep cigars optimally conditioned and the more humid “crisper” drawer is also inadequate.

Packaging = Quality
Myth: It is natural to perceive and equate beauty with quality; this is a natural human trait.
Truth: Many cigars with the simple packaging are extraordinary and many cigars have extraordinary packaging which is not commensurate with the product.

Absolutes Depend
Myth: “This is the Best Cigar”, “This brand must age _____ months/years” and any other Absolute Statements are typically wrong in the world of luxury tobacco.
Truth: Everything in the world of luxury tobacco DEPENDS on one variable or another. Every batch, type, and crop of tobacco leaf is different. There are no Absolute time periods for growing, fermentation, or aging. There are no Absolute ways to quantify or qualify taste. There are absolutely no Absolutes in luxury tobacco: Everything Depends…

Maduros Are Stronger
Myth: Dark Maduro wrappers give consumers the impression that Maduro cigars are stronger.
Truth: While Maduros undergo a longer Fermentation, they do not increase in strength, rather they become richer and a little sweeter, as the sugars develop.

Perfect Consistency
Myth: Perfect Consistency Exists.
Truth: It is impossible to create a perfectly consistent cigar and blend from one batch to another, much less from one crop/year to another. In addition, it is impossible to construct every cigar perfectly. The nature of handmade cigars requires some deviation. It is OK for a cigar to burn a little crooked and for cigars to taste a little different from batch to batch. In fact, the human senses cannot taste or smell perfectly, so we would not even recognize Perfect Consistency if it were possible.
Perfect Consistency is more likely to be found in the wine and/or spirits industry where the final product is a liquid. Liquids are much easier to measure, rate, and blend, so the final product is more likely to be consistent.

Lost & Found [Cuban] Tobaccos
Myth: The classic marketing story about a long lost batch of perfectly conditioned tobacco being discovered and used to create a ‘once in a lifetime’ cigar.
Truth: The ‘Truth’ is hard to find in this case. Discovering the how, what, when, and where of a ‘re-discovered’ tobacco is difficult, if not impossible to prove.

Cuban Cigars Are “The Best”
This is the mother of all cigar myths, probably because it was true decades ago and can occasionally seem true today. Cuba is the birthplace of great tobaccos, seeds, and cigars, but time has moved us forward. Great Tobacconists and Consumers everywhere know that our ‘Cigar Renaissance’ exists mostly because of the efforts and products created by those outside of Cuba. Today, claiming that ‘I only smoke Cubans’ or ‘Cuban cigars are the best’ is the last bastion of ignorance, uneducated pompousness, or extreme prejudice; and of course, taste is subjective

Credit to Tobacconist University.

General Cigar at the Super Bowl

From the General Cigar press release:

To kick off the festivities in its hometown of Miami, La Gloria Cubana will represent the premium cigar category at EA Sports’ star studded Madden Bowl XVI Championship which will be held at the Clevelander on Thursday, Feb. 4. Sport Illustrated dubbed last year’s Big Game party as “the best party of the week” and this year’s event is shaping up to be even hotter, thanks in part to the addition of the La Gloria Cubana Lounge. While hip hop artist Game and the NFL’s brightest stars including (Chad Ochocinco (Bengels), Chris Johnson (Titans), Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys) battle it out for supremacy in Madden NFL 10 on Xbox 360, the elegant La Gloria Cubana lounge will offer a bird’s eye view of the competition. Within the luxury lounge, guests can enjoy a selection of cigars straight from the hands of renowned El Credito Cigar Factory rollers and the La Gloria Cubana brand team.

La Gloria Cubana will also be the official cigar brand at Steelers Alum and NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris’ Super Bowl LIV events. For the seventh year in a row, General Cigar will join Franco as he kicks off Big Game weekend with his annual Immaculate Reception & Dinner fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 4 and The Franco Harris/Lydell Mitchell Grid Iron Golf Tournament on Friday, Feb. 5. Nearly three dozen current and former players will be on hand to join Franco in helping raise money for “Soldier’s Angel’s,” a non-profit organization that supports deployed soldiers and their families. The list of confirmed attendees for Franco’s events includes current and retired players such as Parnell Dickerson (Buccaneers); Dave Duerson (Bears); Brian Kelley (Giants); Lydell Mitchell (Baltimore Colts); Matt Robinson (Jets); Jon Runyan (Eagles); Erik McMillan (New York Giants); Marv Fleming (Miami Dolphins); Andy Russell and Mel Blount (Steelers) and Bryon Williams (Packers). La Gloria Cubana and Punch cigars will be sampled at both the Immaculate Reception & Dinner and on the golf course.

Also in Miami, General Cigar will be the exclusive cigar partner for the Rolls Royce Owners’ Celebration which will be held on Friday, Feb. 5 at a private estate in Miami. Nearly 300 Rolls Royce owners, celebrities and current and retired NFL players will be on hand to view the soon-to-be-released 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost and enjoy a selection of La Gloria Cubana cigars in the branded lounge that will be erected on the waterfront property.

On game day (Sunday. Feb. 7), General Cigar will support Justin Tuck and Ryan Grant at Hudson Terrace in New York City for their Big Game party to benefit Justin’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy charity and to raise funds for the American Red Cross’ relief efforts in Haiti. The event will feature a heated outdoor smoking terrace, complete with cigars from La Gloria Cubana, as well as Macanudo and Cohiba.

Image credit to NFL Enterprises LLC.

Oppose State House Bill 2493

Up for consideration in our state's Finance Committee and also the Health Care & Wellness Committee is House Bill 2493 - Concerning the Taxation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products.

This tax bill in Washington State is a regressive measure that will actually result in less revenue for the state, harm the small business tobacconist community resulting in lost jobs, and simply drive consumers to alternative sources to purchase a great cigar.

H.B. 2493 would increase the current tax on cigars to a new rate of 95% and increase the current tax cap of $.50 per cigar to $3.025 – an increase of 505%.

Here's the current, proposed text of the bill (click to enlarge):

And here's what all of that translates into.

What we currently have:

Tobacco products generally: 75 percent of the taxable sale price.
Cigars: Capped at 50 cents per cigar.

What we will have if it passes:

Tobacco products generally: 95 percent of the taxable sales price.

Large cigars:
Per cigar, the greater of 95 percent of the taxable sales price or 5 times the per cigarette tax ($0.756), but capped at 20 times the per cigarette tax ($3.025).

Small cigars: Per cigar, same as the per cigarette tax ($0.15125).

Here's the previous schedule:

-- 2010 REGULAR SESSION --

Dec 28 - Prefiled for introduction.

Jan 11 - First reading, referred to Finance.

Jan 14 - Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.

Unfortunately, the January 14th meeting, as it appears on our state's website, was cancelled.

--28jan10-- Correction, a hearing did take place on the 14th. Here's a link to a podcast of the procedings.

It appears there may be a hearing on the morning of the 28th and maybe another on the afternoon of the 29th. No further information is provided at this time, but we'll keep you apprised if we learn anything.

In the mean time, inform your legislator of your opinions on the matter. Here's the link to obtain the contact info of the representative for your particular district.

Gift Review – CAO Criollo Conquistador

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the CAO Criollo “Conquistador”, given to me by club Charter member Pat back in December of ‘08.

Vitola: Figurado
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 6 1/8"
Ring Gauge: 52
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
MSRP: $8.85

Produced by CAO International of Nashville, this Nicaraguan puro features a dark, rich looking Cuban-seed wrapper and a skillfully tapered torpedo shape. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88 (June, 2004).

As is typical with our reviews, I followed CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression). In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that I actually conducted this tasting back in October of ‘09. The holiday season has been busy so I’m just getting around to this posting.

With a severe conical-shaped head, it appeared very well-shaped. The wrapper was toothy like a coarse sandpaper. Unfortunately, there were some unsightly ridges beneath the wrapper. The draw was a little firm for my liking, but manageable. The ability of this cigar to burn is where things soon went downhill. Also the smoke produced was a bit thin, undoubtedly due to the firm draw.

The flavor started out woody and sweet like hickory chips then it changed to a slightly more pungent cedar with a bit of silage (fermented grain). The second half showed stages of bitterness.

Getting back to the burn, it was nothing short of atrocious. The constant relighting and coaxing was an incredible drag.

My rating for the CAO Criollo Conquistador is 78.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 17 pts (68% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 27 pts (77% of the points possible)

All in all, a very demanding effort just to keep the cigar going; which really hurt the experience. Too bad because there was definitely some complexity to the flavors which probably warrant a second try.

Thanks Pat, for the Christmas gift!

© 2010 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.