Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Vitola: Cub (4 x 44)
Strength: Medium+
Purchase Link: Warped El Oso
EL OSO REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: Perfect size -- great draw -- at least four different shades of tobacco leaves seen from the foot -- my body is ready. Lemon is not a flavor I was expecting to taste first, but it squeezes in just ahead of oak and pepper. There's a whack waxy note that takes me to the pervading candle scent inside of a World Market. Speaking of candles, the lighter comes out for a touch-up. As the ash frays and flakes, I find myself repeatedly reaching for some high-quality H2O.
Oak dominates at the halfway point. Strange, but I believe the smoke smells better than it tastes. Vegetal notes at the finish.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Furniture stores.
Pairing Suggestion: Vanilla shake with fries.
Perceived Strength: Mild-Medium.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
EL OSO REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar is the perfect size for a Wisconsin winter smoke, so it's got that going for it right off the bat. I tasted notes of cocoa, earth, almond, black tea, cinnamon, mushroom, and umami.
On the construction side, the burn and draw were both right on point. There was a ton of smoke output. This cigar was a winner, and I'll need to get more to see me through the rest of the winter.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Occasionally rocking a quickie.
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee with just a bit of cream.
Perceived Strength: Medium.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box.
EL OSO REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: Rich tobacco and hickory off the wrapper. Cold draw is wide open, but the cigar feels firm. Cold draw tasting notes include mild tobacco, dark grape and a slight vegetal note.
This is going to be a quick little smoke so let’s get started. Starting with a salty mix of oak, grilled meat, red pepper flakes, leather, and earth. There are some really nice dark and spicy flavors but for me there’s a little bit too much of that mineral accent to the whole thing.
Towards the middle the mineral accent is starting to back off and I’m tasting continued dark notes of wood, earth, and fruit along with a nice mix of dark bread flavors and some dark grape. Even in the retro hale smoke experience I am picking up a lot of that mineral flavor in the whole mix. There’s also a nice little pepper hit giving you just the right amount of heat in the sinus.
End portion is a more mellow mix of wood, earth, leather, and dark bread with all of the pepper notes completely disappearing. In the retro hale there is some very bold tobacco notes along with burnt toast and just a hint of those dark fruit flavors in the finish. For me the flavors are decent, but that overall mineral flavor was a bummer.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Charred pork chops.
Pairing Suggestion: Amber Ale.
Perceived Strength: Medium+
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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