Saint Luis Rey Natural Broadleaf Rothchilde 4/22/18

 Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and visible due to the mottling. It has a very light oil sheen that you can feel more than you can see, a common trait of Conn. Broadleaf Maduro wrapper leaf. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The bands are very attractive with nice color contrast.

Aroma
Earth, dark chocolate, cedar, dried red fruit and spice on the wrapper. Dried red fruit, spice, earth and cedar at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, dried red fruit(plum,pomegranate), cedar and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar and earth with a pinch of cinnamon and black pepper spice. The draw is a bit snug. Burn is spot on. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. The smoke production is at the medium range. Ash held firm til removal.

2nd
Draw opens up nicely. The spice is a bit dominant. The bands removed very easily with no damage. The spice mellows a bit and notes of dried red fruit join the profile. Crushed red pepper notes join the spice part of the profile. Ash holds firm till removal at each 3rd.

Final/3rd
The well balanced profile continues into the final/3rd. Coffee notes join the profile. Roasted almonds notes join the profile. Strength has been consistent at medium+. One of the only complaints is that the finish is relatively short.

Overall
The Saint Luis Rey Natural Broadleaf Rothchilde provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A perfect burn and effortless draw(2nd & final/3rds) with great balance and nice complexity. At around $4 per Gar it’s a nice affordable smoke for all.