Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Belicoso (6 x 54)
Strength: Medium+
Purchase Link: ATL Magic
ATL MAGIC REVIEW – DOM
Summary: This cigar starts with a musky bitterness. “Watered down gas station coffee” is all I’ve written down halfway through. Squinting for a light at the end of the tunnel, burnt chocolate chip cookie and vanilla extract might be the highlight of this smoke. For me, this wasn’t a swing and a miss; it was a fastball to the face.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Being forced to sing karaoke sober
Pairing Suggestion: V8
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
ATL MAGIC REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought notes of cocoa nibs, black pepper, something reminiscent of French Onion soup, mushroom, and milk chocolate. That may sound like an odd combination, but it was unique and enjoyable.
Construction gave me no trouble - the burn and draw were both right on.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Caramelized onions
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
ATL MAGIC REVIEW – BEN
Summary: The first pull made me want to put this cigar down all together. It tastes like dirt (a.k.a. 'earth') and that's a note that saddens me. The grit is accompanied by bitter black coffee and dark chocolate. It's savory with chewy smoke and dried fruit. I cannot continue... This cigar is definitely for someone, just not me.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Tongue scraper and minty toothpaste
Pairing Suggestion: Anything that’ll mask the taste
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
ATL MAGIC REVIEW – TED
Summary: This is starting with a mineral note over the top of sesame seeds, umami, earth, bitter cocoa, and oak. Occasionally, I am picking up a little bit of licorice in the mix as well. The retro hale is an even mixture of mineral, vegetal, and oak notes with no sign of any pepper spice at all.
Moving towards the middle section, this cigar is shaping up. Dry wood notes of hickory and oak intermingled with aged tobacco notes, umami, black tea, and licorice. Thankfully the mineral aspect waves goodbye. I’m wishing the smoke output was better, but it’s acceptable for sure.
Final section and I’m definitely tasting more hickory in the mixture. There’s an interesting sweet and salty aspect to the profile as well… just a hint of both. The base remains a good mixture of wood notes, a bit of earthiness, some very nice tobacco flavors and just a touch of pepper in the end.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: A story plot that finishes strong
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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