Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
Vitola: 6 x 54
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: CLE 25th Anniversary
CLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW – DOM
Summary: This cigar is giving me some nice nativity scene barnyard on the nose. Although calling my shot rarely proves fruitful, espresso and pepper have me guessing that this cigar was born out of AJ’s factory. White freckles cover the ash due to the tooth of the wrapper leaf. Moving past the pepper, roses and tootsie roll give this dark cigar some depth of flavor.
Halfway down, coconut meshes flawlessly with dark chocolate notes. While contemplating where I stand with this cigar rating-wise, molasses shows that this baby’s got back and ups my level of enjoyment. Hot cinnamon matches the heat at the nub. And yes, this is worth burning your fingertips.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: See’s Candy
Pairing Suggestion: Hot cocoa
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
CLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This box-pressed cigar brought notes of pepper, earth, grass, spice, cinnamon, some chocolate, and bitterness.
It burned poorly and did not want to stay lit. I've rarely had major burn problems with our blind review cigars, so when they occur they're very noticeable. The poor burn almost certainly impacted the flavors and made this a cigar experience that I'm not looking to repeat.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Using your lighter
Pairing Suggestion: Brandy old fashioned
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
CLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW – BEN
Summary: That opened up quite dirty! Red pepper heat and wet wood to follow but the peppercorn sat on the back of my palate for most of the first. Dried fruit and leather ushered in the second third. Honestly, this cigar is good but I can't tell you why. It's easy, uncomplicated, reminds me of a nice house blend by your local B&M.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Dependability
Pairing Suggestion: Beer
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
CLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW – TED
Summary: This sort of box-pressed beauty had a dark, barnyard scented wrapper. The cold draw was very open.
Opening notes included bold coffee and wood. I also tasted a slightly sweet chocolate note reminding me of tootsie rolls. Additionally, a bright note of apple was popping around the mix. Pretty interesting. In the sinuses I felt a little heat as well. The profile was relatively simple, but enjoyable.
Throughout the rest of the cigar I tasted continued coffee and chocolate notes mixed with umami flavors, light fruit notes, mild pepper, earth, and an occasional flash of hickory smoke. This stick churned out rich, heavy smoke. The construction was perfect.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Surveying estate sales for a hidden treasure
Pairing Suggestion: Maple Bourbon Coffee
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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