Cigar:            El Rico Habano Habano Club

Size:             48 x 4.88"

Country:          DR

Wrapper:          ECSU,N

Binder:           Nic, Ligero

Filler:           Nic, Ligero

Flavor Strength:  Full

NicotineStength:  Full

Date Received:    2005-04-19

Suspected Age:   

Vendor/Price:     $2.60

Beverage(s):      Water, Dead Guy Ale

Smoke time:       1:30

Date:             2005-04-19, OTT

Posted to ASC:    2005-04-19

Overall:    Great cigar.  Definitely full flavor and full strength.  This was smoked OTT.  With some age all the characteristics of the latter half and nub should move forward.  Starts spicey with pepper everywhere, then mellows to leather, then adds cocoa, vanilla, and more.  For some reason I REALLY wanted to love this cigar, yet found the first part disappointing.  The latter came back with loads of complex redemption.  A hour later and after food and drink the finish is strong and sweet.  Yumm.  Definitely a box purchase. 

Ambience:   Largely a new crew at Daniel's Lounge.  Sweet Sara still dominates the room, and one of the new additions, Shelby, is definitely a keeper and an 'A' team potentiate.  Regular venue, and regular smoking partner who had a La Aurora 100 Anos Centenario Corona #4. 

Construction:     Milk chocolate colored wrapper with medium veins and some weak mottling, light sheen, and double cap.  Firm, yet yielding with no soft/hard spots.  Aroma, sweet hay with sweet manure in the background. 

Cut & Prelight:   Cut well.  Open draw.  Lip tingling, sweet dry hay draw flavor.

First third:      Spicey, immediate pepper on the back of the throat.  Soon pepper everywhere.  Lots of smoke from a not-too-open draw.  Getting woody (the stick, not me, though the wait staff warrants one).  Some leather creeps into the finish.  Very white, very flakey, firm ash.

Second third:     Leathery now, with a hint of cocoa with a slightly sweet finish.  Bit of a nicotine buzz already in evidence.  Cocoa increasing in the finish with the nicotine buzz.

Third third:      A full flavored, full strength stick.  Sweetish finish with leather and cocoa and some coffee.  Still some pepper in the finish.  The nub is minty with vanilla and cocoa.  Substantial nicotine buzz.