Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Binder: Dominican Monte Plata
Filler: Dominican, American
Vitola: Toro (6 x 52)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: United Red Anchor Admiral
RED ANCHOR ADMIRAL REVIEW – DOM
Summary: The inviting first few puffs offer vanilla cream and a fruit punch. By that, I mean it’s a subtle fruity/floral sweetness spread across the palate instead of directly on the tip of the tongue. Okay, this cigar is straight up goofing me right now; one second I taste chocolate peppermint, and the next I'm smacked silly with fish sauce, corn, and Italian parsley. (This is tobacco, right?)
Halfway through, reed from a woodwind instrument gives me flashbacks to middle school. My palate dries slightly as the checkered flag appears just ahead.
Mr. Toad, this has been one wild ride.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Professional Bull Riding
Pairing Suggestion: Mezcal
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
RED ANCHOR ADMIRAL REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought lots of hay, cedar, dry cocoa, grass, and green tea notes. As it smoked on, it became creamier and creamier.
There were no construction issues to speak of. It drew well and burned nicely.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Green tea with cocoa powder mixed in
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
RED ANCHOR ADMIRAL REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Smelled and smoked like ammonia buried in a cedar coffin; this might not go well. After about an inch of inhaling cleaning products, here comes an espresso-like bitterness paired with the flakiest of ash. My pink couch caught a fade. Sourdough to finish but not before white pepper peeks in on the retro; the kind that opens up your sinus but all I wanted to do was hold my breath.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Licking the kitchen floor after a good mop
Pairing Suggestion: Anything to mask the taste
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
RED ANCHOR ADMIRAL REVIEW – TED
Summary: Initially, I’m tasting a creamy mix of citrus, vegetal flavors, leather, mild coffee, and nuts. Unfortunately, it is slightly bitter; so let’s say walnut for the nutty flavor. It has decent smoke output and has offered no burn issues.
Further in the profile is a semi-salty mix of wood, nuts, grains, and leather. It’s also leaving my palate feeling dry. In the retro hale there’s a bit of sweetness, but very faint. The smoke output has dropped considerably.
Entering into the last third and the profile is really flat. It’s a mild citrusy mix of wood and leather and nuts. The smoke is thin and makes me want to chug water.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Measuring annual rainfall
Pairing Suggestion: Water
Perceived Strength: Mild+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
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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