Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Indonesian Sumatran
Filler: Dominican Pelo de Oro, Corojo, Havana ’92, Piloto Cubano
Vitola: Lonsdale (6.5 x 43)
Strength: Medium-Full
Purchase Link: Freud AlterEgo
FREUD ALTEREGO REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Tons of oak and a scintilla of spice pour out of the initial puff. An inch in, roses fill out the soft, floral profile with no spice thorns. Tapping off an ash-stack of dimes, toast with a touch of cinnamon yanks the cigar out of the flower garden. I taste a blur of bubblegum which makes me think that there’s Brazilian Arapiraca in this blend.
Chocolate takes over in the second half. While I am almost forced to put down the nub due to a vegetal note, maraschino cherry makes me hold on for a few more puffs.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Spring wreaths
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
FREUD ALTEREGO REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar hit me with notes of earth, cashew, cream, black pepper, hickory, and black coffee. As time went on, the cream left and bitterness crept in. There were no other changes throughout.
Construction-wise, it needed a few touch-ups after the burn got particularly off. But it drew well and the touch-ups kept things going just fine.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Lattes
Pairing Suggestion: Milk
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
FREUD ALTEREGO REVIEW – BEN
Summary: I don't often come across a grainy and toothy cigar complimented by a firm draw. Biting down seems imminent. Leather with dark chocolate, the bitterness lends itself to a sweet and savory combo for much of the first half. Second half starts off with salty, woody, and white pepper notes on the retro. All was well until that last third when it got a little dirty on me.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Chewing tobacco
Pairing Suggestion: Pinot
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
FREUD ALTEREGO REVIEW – TED
Summary: Cherry, chocolate, and hay on the cold draw. Hopefully a sign of good things to come. Like slot machines at 10pm on a Friday, this draw is a bit tight. Maybe it’s my imagination but this cigar looks like the ring gauge is smaller at the cap than at the foot.
Starting out with mild wood notes mixed with a sharp raisin flavor. Add in a toasted piece of zucchini bread, a sprinkle of white pepper, and a warm mix of baking spice. Burning faster than I expected and there’s a solid, almost white, ash hanging off the end. The wrapper has a rough, toothy feel to it. I feel like the smoke output could be better and the flavors fuller with a more open draw.
Middle portion still burning perfectly and offering flavors of wood, coffee, some floral notes, fresh bread, and mixed nuts. There’s a slight mineral note to the whole thing and I’m just guessing it has something to do with the still tight draw.
Into the closing moments of this one. It’s a floral, mineral laden mixture of wood and slightly bitter coffee with a heavy bread note and some pepper. I was holding out hope for the draw to loosen up but no luck. The flavors in the first half were solid, but I think they’re suffering now. This is one cigar sample. I wouldn’t count this one out completely.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Changing your vehicle’s oil, but having all weekend to do it.
Pairing Suggestion: Guinness
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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