Monday 2nd February 2015

[Undercover]

On the contrary, I've really enjoyed these and hope that you do 2014 as well!


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Ha, you're too kind. I figured that the main reason I don't get to write much on the forums is cos the only real downtime I get is when I'm smoking a cigar and then I'm busy writing these mini-reviews.

CA's rankings are, as we all know, utter crap, but I've enjoyed it very much - tried a lot of cigars I'd probably never get round to or think about trying and enjoyed a good few of them. Suffered a few too!

[oskihen]

I'm sure people will be pleased to hear I'm nearly done with the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 of 2013, with no plans as yet for 2014. I'm on No.3, the Davidoff Nicaragua Toro. Apparently this cigar shows "complexity, elegance and balance, with floral notes, hints of coffee and leather and a very long finish."

It was certainly a beautiful looking stick. Almost a golden brown, very uniform and it felt well put together (clearly drawing on my many years of smoking cigars!). I cut it and the draw was spot on. The unlit cigar had a very light, sweet aroma - very pleasant but nothing stood out. Same with the cold draw, hints of something spicy or herbal, but nothing too obvious.

Ok, so I'd been looking forward to a cigar much of the day and maybe my judgement was a bit clouded, but this was outstanding at the start. It was comforting, smooth and relatively mild. There was a woody flavour mixed up with a creamy cup of coffee. It was very aromatic, reminding me of a light, fragrant Cuban cigar.

In the second third, the flavour picked up the leathery overtones which CA suggest, becoming much more robust and a little peppery at times. It was a very rich cigar taste and all was fine, until suddenly it went wrong! That smooth if slightly challenging leathery, peppery taste acquired something overpoweringly chemical. Unfortunately, if it reminded me of anything, it was the smokeless fuel briquettes we use on the fire at home.

Against my better judgement, I persisted. I followed advice and purged the cigar repeatedly, but it still took a while before the taste improved. I'm kind of glad I did carry on, because the final third was like an apology. It was a smooth smoke once more, with a complex blend of leathery and woody tones, an occasional layer of caramel and hints of coffee. I nubbed it to get the smoke I had been expecting, but still finished feeling a bit disappointed.

In three words, three thirds, this cigar was outstanding / cack / nice. I thought I was in for a real treat and was let down. When I look back, the first Fernando Leon (No.15) I tried smoked in a similar way, but there was something which made me think it deserved a second shot (and second time round I loved it). This could well be another cigar like that, but I don't feel the same inspiration to try again. At the same time, as I sit here tapping away, I do now feel more of that sense of satisfied well-being I get after a good cigar, so all is not lost.

Only 2 more to go ...

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Great review again sir , did you purchase them all at the same time , if you did it would be interesting to see one how your taste have probably changed over your journey through them and also how some of the earlier ones you may of not enjoyed may of benefitted by a few months in the humidor .
It's complicated stuff this cigar smoking so many variations in time , age, surroundings , mood, weather and temperature that can effect our opinion and overall enjoyment .
Been great reading your reports only two to go [emoji106]

[cj121]

Have to agree there, a great read. You ought to pull all of your experiences/posts together in the review section. It'd be a classic

[TJCoro]

The Ultimate Review!

I'm sure people will be pleased to hear I'm nearly done with the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 of 2013, with no plans as yet for 2014. I'm on No.3, the Davidoff Nicaragua Toro. Apparently this cigar shows "complexity, elegance and balance, with floral notes, hints of coffee and leather and a very long finish."

Like you, my undercover brother, I tied this stick when it first appeared and being a Davidoff fan, was looking forward to it - Big Time!

But like you, I was disappointed with the stick. May try again someday, but no hurry.

Excellent review, muchacho!

Perro, el Perro

[parnaby]

I've got a Davidoff Nicaragua Toro in my tipper that I've been saving. Be interesting to see how it compares. I might smoke it on holiday in a couple of weeks, will be sure to let you know.


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