OK, this is the first of a couple reviews I am going to post. They all have one thing in common. They are the original reviews, as I wrote them, for SMOKE in 1999. Yes, before they edited them to put in as one of the panelists.
I am curious. How do these reviews stack up today? What I mean is, have the cigars themselves changed some? Better? Worse? Are these accurate?
Robusto #61
Diamond Crown #5
1) Aesthetics:
I really enjoyed the look of this cigar. It boasted an oily, smooth, golden brown wrapper with a beautifully finished head. It veritably cried out to be smoked.
Score for aesthetics: 4.7
2) Pre-light Construction:
This very solid, tight, hefty cigar smelled of hay and tobacco, (imagine a cigar smelling like that, AMAZING! - sorry for the sarcasm). I smoke more robustos than anything else, and this was a well-made example. A compliment to the company for which the roller works.
Score for Pre-light construction: 4.8
3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked:
For such a tight cigar, this drew amazingly well, definately a master roller practiced his/her art on this fine smoke. No touch up with matches were needed here as this cigar smoked cool and even. The firm, fine-grained white ash held for a good 2 inches before I coaxed it off.
Score for post-light construction: 4.9
4) Flavor and strength:
Wonderful earthy flavors dominated this cigar. It built in complexity with some innuendos of pepper and leather. It had a nice medium to full bodied flavor with some nice punch to it.
Score for flavor and strength: 4.6
5) Aftertaste/Finish:
Each puff left a slightly lingering aftertaste of solid earthy tobacco, very pleasant.
Score for aftertaste: 4.0
6) Aroma:
It was an pleasantly sweet aroma the predominated as this cigar burned on.
Score for aroma: 4.1
7) General Comments:
There were two samples sent to me, both were wonderful. I wish I had a few more. It went well with a nice Sam Adams Winter Lager. This is definately a cigar I will buy.
Overall score for the cigar: 4.5
8) Recommendation; Would you recommend the cigar? Pick one of the following and explain:
Highly Recommended
This is a cigar I would recommend for anybody who like a nicely rolled robusto. It is just a solid cigar for cigar lovers. This is not for the wimpy smoker who enjoys light cigars.
I am curious. How do these reviews stack up today? What I mean is, have the cigars themselves changed some? Better? Worse? Are these accurate?
Robusto #61
Diamond Crown #5
1) Aesthetics:
I really enjoyed the look of this cigar. It boasted an oily, smooth, golden brown wrapper with a beautifully finished head. It veritably cried out to be smoked.
Score for aesthetics: 4.7
2) Pre-light Construction:
This very solid, tight, hefty cigar smelled of hay and tobacco, (imagine a cigar smelling like that, AMAZING! - sorry for the sarcasm). I smoke more robustos than anything else, and this was a well-made example. A compliment to the company for which the roller works.
Score for Pre-light construction: 4.8
3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked:
For such a tight cigar, this drew amazingly well, definately a master roller practiced his/her art on this fine smoke. No touch up with matches were needed here as this cigar smoked cool and even. The firm, fine-grained white ash held for a good 2 inches before I coaxed it off.
Score for post-light construction: 4.9
4) Flavor and strength:
Wonderful earthy flavors dominated this cigar. It built in complexity with some innuendos of pepper and leather. It had a nice medium to full bodied flavor with some nice punch to it.
Score for flavor and strength: 4.6
5) Aftertaste/Finish:
Each puff left a slightly lingering aftertaste of solid earthy tobacco, very pleasant.
Score for aftertaste: 4.0
6) Aroma:
It was an pleasantly sweet aroma the predominated as this cigar burned on.
Score for aroma: 4.1
7) General Comments:
There were two samples sent to me, both were wonderful. I wish I had a few more. It went well with a nice Sam Adams Winter Lager. This is definately a cigar I will buy.
Overall score for the cigar: 4.5
8) Recommendation; Would you recommend the cigar? Pick one of the following and explain:
Highly Recommended
This is a cigar I would recommend for anybody who like a nicely rolled robusto. It is just a solid cigar for cigar lovers. This is not for the wimpy smoker who enjoys light cigars.