Muestra De Saka Unicorn 1/26/19

 Appearance
The beautiful Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper has a couple of prominent veins. It feels like a matte finish. The seams are tight. It is very oily and has a bit of tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Earth, leather, cedar on the wrapper. Nothing at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, licorice, cedar, lush red fruit, cinnamon and black pepper spice. Very spicy on the lips and palate.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth and black pepper. The sweet fruit notes are in the background but developing quickly. Very surprising is the draw, it’s absolutely perfect which u would not expect with the shape of this cigar. Smoke production is at the high range. The profile is taking on a meaty/savory note. The burn at the 3/4” mark is a bit wavy. There is a syrupy blueberry/blackberry kind of note joining the profile. There are some dark chocolate notes on the finish which is long and sweet with an earthy/black peppery undertone. The burn is spot on at the beginning of the 60 ring portion of the cigar. The dark gray and stacked ash began to curl so I removed it before it could become a problem.

2nd
The black pepper spice tapers back allowing the fruity and savory notes to take center stage. Cedar notes join the very well balanced, complex and flavorful profile. A nice dried white fruit appears briefly(think apple, banana) and some toast as well. The lush red fruit notes bring good salivation to the palate. The strength and body are at med/full. The ash, though looking suspect, is holding firm just past the mid point of the cigar. Near the end of the 2nd/3rd the spice is more like nutmeg. My palate has remained moist from the initial draws, a perfectly blended cigar will cause the saliva to keep the palate moist. One of the many things I learned from The Professor @JoseBlanco809

Final/3rd
Some crushed red pepper notes join the nutmeg in the spice area of the profile. A pinch of black pepper returns. The lush red fruit notes have remained the pleasure point of the very well balanced profile. As I wind down to the nub the cigar is not hot enough to put down but there is nothing left to smoke so sadly the experience must come to an end. The flavorful experience will linger in my mind for a long time. As my friend Jeff Weigand would say it’s a “Stupid Good” cigar!

Overall
The Muestra De Saka Unicorn provides a Terrific Smoking Experience. A very complex, very well balanced and very flavorful profile with a perfect draw and burn.
At $100 per cigar and a very limited production(1000 cigars) most people won’t have the opportunity to experience the Unicorn but if you have the resources and the opportunity to buy one or more I would recommend that you do so. I purchased 2 initially but will be looking to acquire more as I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
A huge Thank You to Steve Saka @stevesaka for all of the time and effort and expense that went into this project!

Herrera Esteli Brazilian Maduro Robusto Extra 1/20/19

 Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with minimal veins. The seams are tightly wrapped but visible due to some mottling. The 3-seam cap is very well applied. The wrapper has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Earth, molasses, dried red fruit, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earth, molasses, cedar and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, molasses, raisin, cedar, dried red fruit, cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar and a very distant spice. The draw is snug. The ash is almost white and tight. The dried fruit really comes out in the finish. Smoke production is in the high range. Ash held firm till removal.

2nd
Upon inspection of the working end I find a tiny tunnel which is causing the uneven burn. The spice is becoming more into balance with the rest of the profile. Some black pepper notes are joining the cinnamon spice and quickly begin to dominate the profile, a common trait in Herrera blends. The tunnel has moved to the center of the filler bunch allowing the burn to fully self correct.

Final/3rd
Entering the final/3rd the heavy black pepper notes are still dominating the profile. Strength is at med/full. Midway in, the black pepper tapers back allowing the molasses and dried fruit notes to bring some flavor back and carries thru to the nub.

Overall
The Herrera Esteli Brazilian Maduro Robusto Extra provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A flavorful and well balanced profile for the first half of the cigar with a snug draw and erratic burn. The second half of the 2nd/3rd to the middle of the final/3rd was dominated by the heavy black pepper notes.

Fratello Navetta Inverso Corona Gorda 1/19/19

 Appearance
A medium brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins, albeit thin ones. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a nice light oil sheen as well as a bit of tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with only one soft spot near the head of the cigar.

Aroma
Cedar, leather and a faint sweetness on the wrapper. Molasses, cedar and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Licorice , dried red fruit, raisin, molasses, earth and cedar.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth and cedar with an underlying sweetness. The second set of draws brings a nice cinnamon spice wrapped in a soft leathery texture. The draw is spot on. The burn is near perfect. The ash is light gray and stacked with a little bit of flake. Strength is in the medium range. About an inch and a half in there are some black pepper notes joining the profile along with some light roast coffee. The ash held firm till removal. The burn was off at 22 1/2 degrees.

2nd
Upon inspection of the working end I notice the cone is off center and a tunnel in its place although I can see the end of the tunnel. The burn immediately begins self correcting upon reaching the end of the tunnel. The flavor profile is delicious and very well balanced. Smoke production is at the low end of high range. Some meaty notes join the flavorful profile. The warm cinnamon spice is beginning to lean toward crushed red pepper (a favorite of mine). Too much glue was used to apply the band as it removed some of the black upon removal. Smoke production moves to the high range. The draw becomes effortless.

Final/3rd
The coffee notes become more of a darker roast. The strength moves to med/full. The cigar causes good salivation as I have not yet needed a drink of my water to moisten the palate(a sign of a well blended cigar. Something I learned from the Professor, Jose Blanco). Delicious right to the nub!

Overall
The Fratello Navetta Inverso Corona Gorda provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and very flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn.
Very well done Omar @Fratellocigars
GoGetchasome™️!!

LFD TAA Golden ORO 50th Anniversary Torpedo 12/29/18

 Appearance
The milk chocolate colored wrapper has a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a nice box pressed torpedo shape. It has a very light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Figs, barnyard, cedar and spice on the wrapper. Figs, cedar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Molasses, cedar, raisin, citrus and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar and a large amount of white pepper with a leathery texture. The draw is spot on and the burn has a little wave to it. The white pepper tapers back allowing notes of cedar and almond to come to the surface. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked with a bit of flake. The ash held firm till removal.

2nd
Moving into the 2nd/3rd notes of espresso and what reminds me of sunflower seeds. The smoke production is at the low end of high range. Strength is a solid medium. There is an underlying raisiny sweetness as well. Just before the midpoint of the cigar the white pepper backs off some more and subtle notes of cinnamon spice replace it. The finish is long with notes of cedar, almond, sunflower seed, espresso, raisin and white pepper/cinnamon spice. The burn & draw are perfect. Smoke production moves to the high range.

Final/3rd
As I move into the final/3rd the seam begins losing its bond. Espresso, molasses, cedar and spice notes join for a flavorful profile. Strength becomes medium+. The spice tastes more like paprika midway in the final/3rd. The espresso and paprika spice become dominant with the molasses and raisin in the background. Strength finishes at med/full.

Overall
LFD TAA Golden Oro 50th Anniversary Torpedo provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced, complex and very flavorful profile with a perfect draw and burn.
A great blend by Litto and Tony the father/son blenders of LFD.

Toraño Casa Toraño Robusto 12/9/18

 Appearance
A light brown colored wrapper with very thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. The wrapper has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is fairly well packed with a couple of soft spots.

Aroma
Sweet, cedar and faint earth on the wrapper. Honey, mild earth, cedar and a faint spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Sweet dates, honey, licorice, cedar, mild earth and a hint of cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth, honey, dates and a mild cinnamon spice. Smoke production is in the high range from the first puffs. The draw is spot on. The burn has a small wave. The spice is becoming more like nutmeg spice. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked with a bit of flake. Ash held firm till removal.

2nd
The flavorful profile continues into the 2nd/3rd. Mild strength seems to be inching towards medium. The burn has almost fully self corrected. There was a 3/16” diameter tunnel on one side causing the erratic burn. The flavorful profile takes on a creamy texture but still has the spice kicker. The ash is tightening up as the cigar burns.

Final/3rd
Strength is now at medium. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, honey, mild dates and cinnamon/nutmeg spice all wrapped in a creamy texture. The burn has finally fully self corrected midway in the final/3rd. A tasty smoke right to the nub.

Overall
The Toraño Casa Toraño Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A flavorful and balanced profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn. This would be a great morning smoke.

Blanco Liga Exclusiva de Familia Gran Toro 12/2/18

Appearance
A light brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a nice oily sheen on the wrapper. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The band is both colorful and attractive.

Aroma
Strangely there is no aroma on the wrapper which is weird as it comes wrapped in cedar. Dried fruit, cedar and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Dried fruit, licorice, cedar, faint cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of tobacco and cedar. Almost immediately the burn gets erratic in a V shape. Draw is a bit snug. The burn has begun self correcting with the help of simple physics. The ash was looking suspect so I removed it and inspected the working end and discovered a double wide tunnel with a tunnel under it. Hence why the burn was so erratic. Some peanut notes join the profile. Smoke production is in the medium range. Strength is medium. There is a bit of floral note as well.

2nd
The draw opened up to start the 2nd/3rd and the burn is almost perfect as well. The ash is medium gray and stacked. The cinnamon spice is joined by a dash of black pepper and gains intensity. The profile has been well balanced with nice complexity to this point.

Final/3rd
The cinnamon/black pepper spice combo continues to increase in intensity. Strength has remained in the medium range. The spice combo tapers back into balance in the long flavorful finish. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall
The Blanco Liga Exclusiva de Familia Gran Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. The burn and draw were perfect from the beginning of the 2nd/3rd to the nub. The flavor profile had nice complexity and balance.

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Box Pressed Torpedo 12/1/18

 Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a nice oily sheen on the wrapper leaf as well as some tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Earth, dried fruit, cedar, cocoa, and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earth, chocolate, raisin at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, chocolate, raisiny, cedar and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of chocolate, earth, cedar and nutmeg spice. The draw is snug, not unusual for a Torpedo. The burn has a small wave. Black pepper notes are beginning to develop. The ash is medium gray, stacked and a bit flaky. The strength begins in the medium range. The cedar and black pepper spice notes are beginning to dominate the profile. Ash held firm till removal.

2nd
The black pepper spice and cedar taper back and the profile becomes balanced and wrapped in a leathery texture. The smoke production moves up to the high end of medium range as the draw opens up. Strength moves to medium+.

Final/3rd
Black pepper dominating the profile to start the final/3rd. Strength moves to the low end of med/full. Flavor profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall
The My Father Le Bijou 1922 Box Pressed Torpedo provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A good draw starting in the 2nd/3rd and a mildly erratic burn with a nice flavor profile.

Pappy Van Winkle Tradition Coronita 11/25/18

 Appearance
A medium brown colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and visible. There is a nice oily sheen on the wrapper. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Lush fruit, molasses, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. The same at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Fruit, molasses, licorice and a hint of spice.

1st
Initial draws bring notes of cedar and a distant spice. An interesting rye bread note joins the profile as the spice continues to develop. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. The draw is perfect. The burn has a small wave. Ash held firm till removal.

2nd
Just into the 2nd/3rd roasted pecan notes join the profile. Coffee notes bring a slight bitterness to the profile(not a bad thing). Nice complexity for a small cigar. The profile is well balanced. Strength is medium+. Smoke production is at the medium range.

Final/3rd
The finish is long with notes of cedar, rye bread, roasted pecans, coffee and nutmeg spice all wrapped in a leathery texture. The strength moves to med/full. Tasty right to the nub.

Overall
The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition Coronita provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and well balanced profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn.
A bit on the pricey side and we all know why, but as I always say, GottaTryEmAll™️!!

Fuente Forbidden X 13 Nacimiento Corona 11/24/18

Appearance
A rough dark brown and mottled wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. The wrapper feels more oily than it looks. The filler bunch is well packed with a couple of soft spots.

Aroma
Earthy, leather and cedar on the wrapper. Earthy at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, fruit, raisin, cedar and cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of thick rich earthy soil. I notice right away that the smoke production is in the high range. The fruit and raisiny notes come out in the next series of draws. The ash is dark gray, stacked and a bit flaky. The cinnamon spice joins the profile about midway in the 1st/3rd. The draw is perfect but the burn is not. Ash holds firm till removal.

2nd
Upon inspection of the working end I find a 3/16” diameter tunnel just under the binder which was causing the erratic burn. Right after mentioning the burn issue it began a very quick self correction. The flavorful profile is very well balanced. A dash of black pepper joins the profile. The strength is still medium. There is a bitter coffee note joining the profile. The finish is long with notes of earth, raisin, dark chocolate, fruit, coffee, cedar and a cinnamon/black pepper spice combo. By the end of the 2nd/3rd the strength moves to medium+.

Final/3rd
The earthy notes dominate the beginning of the final/3rd along with the bitterness of the coffee notes. The burn gets erratic again right before the nub. Strength finishes at medium+.

Overall
The Fuente Forbidden X 13 Nacimiento Corona provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced(till the final/3rd), complex and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and an erratic burn. Although they are very limited and difficult to find for most the Forbidden X is a smoke to seek out and try.

La Antiguedad box pressed Robusto 11/18/18

 Appearance
A milk chocolate colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped but visible due to some mottling. Most of the wrapper has a nice oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The band is a work of art.

Aroma
Earth, bakers chocolate and cinnamon spice on the wrapper. Earthy and coffee bean at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, lush red fruit, licorice, dark chocolate, cinnamon and black pepper spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar, mild cinnamon and a pinch of black pepper spice. Dark roast coffee notes join the profile. Strength is already medium+. The draw is perfect. The burn is wavy. The ash is light gray and fairly tight. The burn line fully self corrects by the end of the final/3rd. The ash held firm and straight till removal.

2nd
Lush red fruit notes join the profile. The profile is very well balanced. The finish is long with notes of earth, dark roast coffee, cedar, lush red fruit, cinnamon and a pinch of black pepper spice. Smoke production is at the low end of medium range.

Final/3rd
The draw becomes effortless and the burn is still spot on. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall
The La Antiguiedad Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and wavy burn in the 1st/3rd and spot on the rest of the way.

Partagas Legend Leyenda Toro 11/17/18

 Appearance
The milk chocolate colored Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper has a couple of prominent veins but also a bit of silky looking texture. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a nice oily sheen on the wrapper. The filler bunch is not overly firm but no troublesome soft spots either.

Aroma
Barnyard, cedar, sweetness and spice on the wrapper. Sugary fruit and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Graham cracker, dried white fruit and warm cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar, and cinnamon spice wrapped in a leathery texture. The draw is a tick on the snug side. The burn is nearly perfect. The salt&pepper gray ash is stacked and flaky. The ash was beginning to look a bit suspect so I removed it a little early. The cigar develops a wide u shape on the front side due to a tunnel under the binder.

2nd
Smoke production is in the low range. Burn is self correcting with the help of simple physics. Draw is still snug. Cocoa powder notes join the profile. Late in the 2nd/3rd the spice kicks up a couple notches and reminds me of nutmeg. Spice continues to change and is now a crushed red pepper spice. Nice complexity in the 2nd/3rd. Draw has finally opened up.

Final/3rd
A pinch of black pepper joins the spice part of the profile keeping the crushed red pepper in balance. The strength is medium+. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall
The Partagas Legend Leyenda Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a snug draw in the first 2/3’s and a mildly erratic burn.