GTO Don Emilio Edicion Limitada 12/11/16

 

Appearance 

A very unique looking cigar with its 2 types(Connecticut shade & DR natural) of wrapper. Also the location of the secondary band. 

There are a few prominent veins and the Connecticut wrapper at the head and foot are a bit mottled. Almost no seams visible, the little bit that is visible is wrapped tightly. The cigar has a light oil sheen.

Aroma 

Big barnyard aroma with a honey and hay sweetness on the wrapper. The foot is tapered and closed.

Prelight Draw 

Barnyard, a unique sweetness and a very mild spice.

1st

The initial draws didn't bring much flavor other than a little bit of cream.  The second set of draws bring a little cedar. Once I get past the tapered closed foot the flavor profile begins to open up. The medium gray ash is tight around 2/3 of the circumference but the other 1/3 is very flaky. The cedar is joined by a mild coffee note. The spice is beginning to develop, beginning as a cinnamon/white pepper mix. A very sweet tobacco note is present near the end of the 1st/3rd. 

2nd

The draw is perfect. The burn had been just a little wavy but got off by 30*. It begins to self correct immediately. The ash gets more flaky so I begin removing frequently. The transition from Connecticut shade to DR wrapper is noticeable in the profile. The creamy flavor fades a bit and leathery cedar becomes the dominant flavor. There is a nice seasoned tobacco note joining the profile. I'm ashing about every 1/2". The sweetness is still well balanced with the cedar, leather, light coffee and cinnamon/white pepper spice. Smoke production is on the low end of high. The finish is long with the coffee and spice lingering the longest. Strength is medium+. The ash tightens up in the last 3/4" of the 2nd/3rd. 

Final/3rd

The flavor profile continues into the final/3rd. The ash has very little flake in this 3rd. The flavor remains consistent through to the nub.

Overall

The GTO Don Emilio Edicion Limitada provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced flavor profile throughout. A very tasty cigar that you should try as well as all of the other GTO blends.

A big thank you to Oscar @GTOCigars for the samples for review which I received before the IPCPR.