Wrapper: Criollo
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: Robusto (5 x 50)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: Lost & Found 22 Minutes to Midnight
22 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT CRIOLLO REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Pepper, cream, and guava get to work in the flavor department and pump out some serious smoke. Reaching into the clouds, this ash is borderline Babel’ing and geometrically sound. I’d blame allergies for my lack of tasting notes, but that douchebag Punxsutawney Phil said it’s not spring yet, so it might just be a cold coming on.
Orange zest instead of peanuts is the complimentary snack on this flight as the wheels begin to lower. Applause would be superfluous because this cigar was smooth sailing the whole way through.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Skyrockets in flight
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Medium-
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
22 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT CRIOLLO REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought tasting notes of musty leather, pepper, earth, a TON of vegetal action, some coffee, salt, and a coppery metal note. While I love listening to metal, it's not my favorite thing to smoke.
The draw was way too open, and the burn got wonky with frequency.
I kept looking for something redeeming in this cigar. I didn't find it.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Metallic vegetables
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
22 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT CRIOLLO REVIEW – BEN
Summary: A nice mint or spearmint freshness on my retro to start. The woodsy note reminds me of standing in Gram’s screen door when it pours followed by hints of wet grass; is it the smell or taste?
Frayed ash and tastes of slices of toasted wonder bread. I can't deny the substantial smoke output. Light peppercorn lining the outside of my tongue followed by a sweet and savory moment; more salty than sweet. Finished up with ballgame peanuts. Not complicated but an enjoyable cigar.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: A daily stoop indulgence
Pairing Suggestion: Cappuccino with cinnamon on top
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
22 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT CRIOLLO REVIEW – TED
Summary: This cigar started out offering notes of caramel, wood, almond, coffee, mild white pepper spice and a slightly vegetal finish. The draw, burn and smoke production were all very good through the start.
Further in, there was a nice mixture of wood, nuts, mild citrus, a stronger vegetal note, cereal grain, and mild pepper spice. No huge changes and still an enjoyable profile. I made a couple small burn corrections in the middle section as well.
It finished by combining wood notes with walnut, leather, citrus and an interesting sweetness at the end. I also noticed it leaving a coating on my palate as well, making my mouth feel a little dry.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Cigars in your rotation that are predictable
Pairing Suggestion: Lager
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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