Cigar:            Cusano C10 Limited Edition 10th Anniversary Robusto

Size:             50 x 5"

Country:          DR

Wrapper:          1996 Ec

Binder:           1998 Sum/Mex

Filler:           Jamastran Visus Hon 1999, Broadleaf Visus USA 1998,

                  Piloto Seco DR 1999, San Vincente DR 1999

Flavor Strength:  Medium

NicotineStength:  Medium

Date Received:    2005-11-14

Suspected Age:    OTT

Vendor/Price:     $4.03 / CigarBid (includes shipping)

Beverage(s):      Water, Bridgeport ESB

Smoke time:       0:45

Date:             2005-11-15

Posted to ASC:    2005-11-15

Overall score:    1.0/5.0

Overall:    Smoked OTT.  Yuck.  Nothing like the corona version which I like a lot.  Pepper intially, then leather, then harshness built.  Tossed at the halfway point.  Very disappointing, and not recommended.

Ambience:   Sunny early afternoon in the sunroom.  Sonny Boy Williamson playing in the background.  Was skunked out of a flight due to a flat tire.  Got it reinflated, but no confidence it would hold pressure while in the air.  Put a wingjack under the left side (in case a tire change is needed) and will return in a few days to see if it held pressure.

Construction:     Wrapper with medium veining and a long cap.  Some wrapper damage halfway - crosswise crack as though pressed against an edge.  Firm along length.  Sweet leather aroma. 

Cut & Prelight:   Cut well.  Nice draw resistance.  Lip tingling with lots of pepper in the draw flavor. 

First third:      Initially a lot of black pepper.  Some leather, but mostly pepper.  Good smoke volume, nice burn, attractive compact white ash held to an inch.  A tiny hint of fruit - apricot?  So far not nearly as good as the corona. 

Second third:     Getting harsh.  At the halfway point I was reluctant to draw on it so abandoned it. 

Third third:      NA