Master Mason Rothschild Maduro by Casa Fernandez 10/14/17

 Appearance
A chocolatey looking wrapper with a couple prominent veins. No visible seams. Filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots. Beautiful band.

Aroma
Earth, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Closed foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, molasses, cedar, leather and cinnamon spice.

1st
Initial draws bring earthy notes with some cinnamon spice alongside. Smoke production is already at high. The draw is perfect. The burn is slightly wavy. There is a dash of black pepper joining the profile. The ash is light gray and mostly tight with a little flake. 3/4” in the black pepper overpowers the profile. Late in the 1st/3rd the black pepper tapers back a bit. Burn has been self correcting.

2nd
Burn has fully self corrected. Molasses notes begin to balance the profile late in the 2nd/3rd.

Final/3rd
Molasses fades and heavy black pepper returns as the dominant flavor and remains consistent to the nub.

Overall
The Master Mason was enjoyable until the heavy black pepper began to dominate the profile midway in the 1st/3rd. I had high hopes but they were dashed midway in the 1st/3rd. If you are a black pepper fan u might enjoy it.