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Another venture into NC territory again (I'll get over it) and an evening with a ?10 Brickhouse Torpedo. At this price I don't expect wonders but its curiosity and an hours evening relaxation.
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Apologies for the blur...the Brickhouse presented itself fairly tidily, again as expected a fairly ok but signs of roughness cap, the foot however looked as good as anything else NC lately. The wrapper was a pleasing colour, veins were slightly prominent but there were no peeling edges or separation anywhere, a fair start. Cap cut cleanly with my poor house plastic guillotine with no ragging or peeling at the incision. A dry draw brought a light tobacco, woody, and not unpleasant taste. Not too easy a draw and that little tightness suggested that it could be fairly pleasant (oh matron!). Flamed up nicely with a firebird jet and the smoke was reassuringly light cigar/ predominant early pipe, which I expect from a NC like this now.
IMG_4383.jpg
Burn was straight and became very light grey, almost white as it progressed. It held well but you could see definite fissures appearing which suggested that it would be a 'surprise drop in the lap' if I wasn't careful. That wasn't to be and it burned away happily needing no coaching. I've begun to make a habit of purging every couple of draws on these as I go through the collection, I find that it brings out whatever aroma and taste there is hidden away in what is a cheap smoke. The aroma was fine, no pepper or harshness. Again light tobacco, but into the second we had some coal fire and again pipe. A richer woody tone came through as the second progressed until (and I kid not) there was a big couple of wafts of something rich and creamy like a Bolivar Belicoso that I had. Wishful thinking? No, I believe that my nose didn't lie but it didn't last long and we were back to a reasonable cigar experience.
Burn continued even until I spotted a strange little wisp that even Molly found strange...
IMG_4385.jpg
I had been lying the stick down and taking my time and this simply burned away. There were still pleasing aromas of what was an older tobacco smoke now, encouraged to rise by a slight wind that was circling the garden. As quickly as it began...this cigar just died on me. Stopped dead.
IMG_4386.jpg
With the last of the fuel I made attempts to relight but it was very resistant. All the ash was cleaned and a gentle flaming brought a harsh pepper, heat and definite smell of cardboard left out in the rain..uh oh...
A purge and a couple of gentle draws then delivered the surprise of that richness and Bolivar rounded quality that had peeked through earlier. That was replaced by strength and a little bitterness but...its a ?10 evening.
I have a Mighty Mighty still to smoke from this house and whilst not expecting anything amazing I think that it'll be another perfectly acceptable hour or so. The Diamond Robusto I reviewed was at the same price point and was better but so is a Joya Red and I like those so the list is producing 'cross outs' for the future.
IMG_4382.jpg
Apologies for the blur...the Brickhouse presented itself fairly tidily, again as expected a fairly ok but signs of roughness cap, the foot however looked as good as anything else NC lately. The wrapper was a pleasing colour, veins were slightly prominent but there were no peeling edges or separation anywhere, a fair start. Cap cut cleanly with my poor house plastic guillotine with no ragging or peeling at the incision. A dry draw brought a light tobacco, woody, and not unpleasant taste. Not too easy a draw and that little tightness suggested that it could be fairly pleasant (oh matron!). Flamed up nicely with a firebird jet and the smoke was reassuringly light cigar/ predominant early pipe, which I expect from a NC like this now.
IMG_4383.jpg
Burn was straight and became very light grey, almost white as it progressed. It held well but you could see definite fissures appearing which suggested that it would be a 'surprise drop in the lap' if I wasn't careful. That wasn't to be and it burned away happily needing no coaching. I've begun to make a habit of purging every couple of draws on these as I go through the collection, I find that it brings out whatever aroma and taste there is hidden away in what is a cheap smoke. The aroma was fine, no pepper or harshness. Again light tobacco, but into the second we had some coal fire and again pipe. A richer woody tone came through as the second progressed until (and I kid not) there was a big couple of wafts of something rich and creamy like a Bolivar Belicoso that I had. Wishful thinking? No, I believe that my nose didn't lie but it didn't last long and we were back to a reasonable cigar experience.
Burn continued even until I spotted a strange little wisp that even Molly found strange...
IMG_4385.jpg
I had been lying the stick down and taking my time and this simply burned away. There were still pleasing aromas of what was an older tobacco smoke now, encouraged to rise by a slight wind that was circling the garden. As quickly as it began...this cigar just died on me. Stopped dead.
IMG_4386.jpg
With the last of the fuel I made attempts to relight but it was very resistant. All the ash was cleaned and a gentle flaming brought a harsh pepper, heat and definite smell of cardboard left out in the rain..uh oh...
A purge and a couple of gentle draws then delivered the surprise of that richness and Bolivar rounded quality that had peeked through earlier. That was replaced by strength and a little bitterness but...its a ?10 evening.
I have a Mighty Mighty still to smoke from this house and whilst not expecting anything amazing I think that it'll be another perfectly acceptable hour or so. The Diamond Robusto I reviewed was at the same price point and was better but so is a Joya Red and I like those so the list is producing 'cross outs' for the future.
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