Southern Draw Firethorn Toro 10/6/18

 Appearance
A light brown colored wrapper with a couple of thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. Their is a light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Earth, cedar and very faint spice on the wrapper. Earth, cedar and spice at the semi closed foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, spice, molasses, dried fruit.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of nuts, cinnamon spice and a leathery texture. The nutty notes are very almond like. The draw is a bit snug and the burn is nearly perfect. The ash is medium gray and stacked. Strength is medium. The spice has tapered back a bit. The ash was looking a little suspect and dropped as I was reaching for the ashtray late in the 1st/3rd.

2nd
The spice becomes more like Spanish paprika. The dried fruit notes join the profile but in a mild way. Strength is at medium+. Smoke production is at the medium range. The draw opens up nicely about a 1/2” into the 2nd/3rd. There are dark roast coffee notes joining the profile midway in the cigar. The finish is long with notes of cedar, almonds, dried fruit, dark roast coffee and paprika spice. The burn is still wavy.

Final/3rd
The spice picks up in intensity and becomes more like a crushed red pepper spice wrapped in a leathery texture. Strength moves to med/full. Profile remains flavorful right to the nub.

Overall
The Southern Draw Firethorn Toro provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and balanced profile with a great draw in the 2nd 2/3rds and a mildly erratic burn.
Definitely a cigar you should try.