Cigar:            La.Flor.Dominicana.Double-Ligero.Chiselito.Maduro

Size:             44 x 5"

Country:          DR

Wrapper:          ECSU, M

Binder:           DR

Filler:           DR

Flavor Strength:  Full

NicotineStength:  Full

Date Received:    2005-05-01

Suspected Age:    young, OTT

Vendor/Price:     CigarBid 5-pack / $4.60 ea

Beverage(s):      Water, Maritime Pacific Islander Pale Ale

Smoke time:       1:05

Date:             2005-05-07

Posted to ASC:    2005-05-07

Overall score:    3.0/5.0

Overall:    A very potent stick.  Fragrant Indian tellicherry pepper dominates throughout.  Some coffee and leather eventually forces its way through the pepper.  Definitely able to stand up to any strong libation.  Burn and smoke volume were good.  Chisel head feels weird.  Nicotine buzz was strong.  Despite its cute size and shape way too much cigar for an empty stomach.  Too much pepper for me.  I'm going to set the other 4 aside for a long while.  I wonder what the naturals are like.

Ambience:   Warmish afternoon on the deck.  Sequentially, over the hour, three huge cruise ships slowly steamed north out of port on the high tide. 

Appearance: Intriguing chisel shape.  Rather rough appearance.  Wrapper is a mottled maduro with some tooth, ragged along some edges and a mm short at the foot.  Attractive band that was easily removed.  Definite bit 'o barnyard in the aroma.  Moderate firmness. 

Cut & Prelight:   Where to cut this thing?  Chose a cut that provided about 1/4" of thickness.  Fairly open draw with lots of lip tingle.  Sharp, Indian tellicherry peppery draw flavor.

First third:      Lit easily with lots of smoke, then PEPPER!  Palate, tongue, throat - everywhere.  Initially it was overpowering.  There's a bit of nuttiness somewhere far behind the pepper.  Very nice, somewhat restrictive draw.  At about 1" the pepperiness has subsided and there is a hint of indeterminant other flavors.  Tellicherry and coffee, maybe some leather.  Short puff out the nose made my eyes water.  Vague sweetness entering.  Dark gray ash that held beyond 1".  Burn very good. 

Second third:     Smoking on an empty stomach and I can already feel the nicotine buzz.  Took a gob of honey as an antidote.  This trashed the palate for a bit, but it was necessary.  Definitely some coffee and leather flavor.  Pepper continues to subside, now it is just very, very peppery. 

Third third:      Pepper continues to subside and nic buzz continues to increase.  Some bitterness entering the nub.  Long finish is sweet with some fruitiness - orange?  Finish is very nice.  Burn has been good throughout.  Smoked it just past the start of the chisel, then had to sit quietly for awhile to recover.