Bellas Artes Maduro Robusto CH 9/2/19

 Appearance
A dark and oily Brazilian Mata Fino wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The bands are typical AJ, beautiful artwork.

Aroma
Earth, dried red fruit and spice on the wrapper. Molasses, chocolate, coffee, earth and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Molasses, earth, chocolate, espresso and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth and molasses with a faint spice in the background. The draw is a tick snug. The burn has a small wave. The ash is dark gray and stacked, with a bit of flake. Just past midway in the 1st/3rd the draw opens up. A mild espresso note appears. The spice is cinnamon. Smoke production is at the low end of medium range. Strength is medium+. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd
Chocolate notes join the profile. The burn has fully self corrected. About a 1/2” into the 2nd/3rd the earthy notes become more prominent with an added pinch of black pepper. The profile is very rich. The black pepper fades. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range. The finish is long with notes of earth, molasses, espresso, chocolate and cinnamon spice. Cashew notes join the profile late in the 2nd/3rd.

Final/3rd
The profile is very creamy to start the final/3rd. The spice becomes more like a crushed red pepper spice. Strength is at med/full. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall
The Bellas Artes Maduro Robusto CH provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn.