Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 5 x 52 (Robusto)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: Crowned Heads Blood Medicine
BLOOD MEDICINE REVIEW – DOM
Summary: With no spice on the retro hale, this dessert cigar starts with chocolate and pralines. Whoa—I did not have raspberries on my BINGO card. Like a Victoria’s Secret model, this smoke (show) flaunts plenty of flavor but lacks strength and body.
In the blink of an eye (it takes two), I’m halfway through. Sending small sizzles with each puff like rain hitting hot coals, this cigar sounds and smokes like it’s under-filled. Floral notes perfume the final inch.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Using the ladies bathroom that was turned into a gender neutral bathroom
Pairing Suggestion: American Single Malt
Perceived Strength: Mild
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
BLOOD MEDICINE REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought notes of hay, cedar, milk chocolate, black pepper, honey, cereal grain, and toast. Consistent readers will probably note that when 'cedar' appears early in my description of a cigar, it tends to not be my favorite. But this was very enjoyable - while the cedar was obviously there and reasonably prominent, it was balanced nicely.
Construction was great throughout. There was one spot where there was a bit of damage to the wrapper (perhaps this cigar has a big band that's glued on pretty well?), but it didn't cause any issues in the smoking experience at all.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Breakfast
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
BLOOD MEDICINE REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Enjoyed the nice warm welcome from baking spice that linger. It’s toasty in the best way with whiffs of honey on the retro. It did get a little wonky in the end though and started to taste like burnt paper.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Bourbon hugs
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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