Cigar:            El Rico Habano Torpedo (No. 2 Pyramid) Maduro

Size:       54 x 6.0"

Country:    DR

Wrapper:    CTBL, Maduro

Binder:           Nic

Filler:           Nic

Flavor Strength:Full

NicotineStength:Full

Date Received:    2006-03-25

Suspected Age:    yearish

Vendor/Price:     Gift of The Makule Guy, ASC (JR's / $3.72 ea ($93/25))

Hype:      

Beverage(s):      Water, Pyramid Snow Cap Ale

Smoke time:       1:30

Date:       2006-12-23

Posted to ASC:    2006-12-23

Overall score:    3.8 / 5.0

Overall:    A spicey, full-flavored stick.  Pepper and spice throughout.  Well constructed and attractive.  Some sweetness in the aromatic aftertaste and finish.  A bit too spicey for me.  Not a box purchase, but a good cigar nevertheless.

Ambience:   After a half-hour with Giada Delaurentis, then a lunch of pepper encrusted salmon and sweet-meat squash, I retired in the early afternoon to the rainroom.  Waiting for the next rain squall, listening to Blowin' Smoke #26, and finishing up the WSJ.  After yesterday's Punch No.2 (The Makule Guy) I thought it would be interesting to try this No.2 he sent in the same bomb. 

Appearance: Slight box press.  More of a pyramid than a torpedo, as it is not a parejo, but is very slightly fluted to the foot.  Mottled, oily, wrapper with some tooth.  Quite firm along length.

Cut & Prelight:   Mild, sweet, nose.  Cut well yielding a not too open draw with a slightly musty flavor and a lot of pepper on the mucosa.  Difficult light due to its girth.

First third:      Initial intense blast of chili pepper.  And this, after a lunch of peppered salmon.  Within a 1/2" the pepper has waned somewhat and an underlying funky spice is unveiled - not unpleasant.  Cardamon?  A bit tannic in the aftertaste.  Some sweetness creeps into the long after.  Good smoke volume.  Burn is setling down.  Gray, mottled, firm, somewhat flakey ash dropped at 1+".

Second third:     Maybe not cardamon, but a light clove spice.  Sweetness in the long after is moving forward.  Definitely a ful-flavored smoke. 

Third third:      More clove-like spiciness.  Still a peppery undertone.  Nicotine buzz apparant.  Abandoned at 1" due to palate fatigue.