Cigar:            Maria Mancini De Gaulle

Size:             52 x 4.75"

Wrapper:          Cameroon, E

Binder:           Hon

Filler:           Hon

Flavor Body:      Med-Full

Stength:          Mild-Med

Origin:           Gifted by J.P. ASC

Suspected Age:    unknown

Vendor/Price:    

Beverage(s):      Water, Bridgeport IPA

Smoke time:       1:15

Date:             2004-07-03

Posted to ASC:    2004-07-04

Overall:    This was a medium to full flavor, though mild

strength cigar.  I did not get a nicotine buzz.  The Honduran

flavor profile took a little getting used to.  Draw too firm,

and burn a bit jagged.  Nice ash.  The box press made for a

distinctive, attractive stick, but it harmed the draw and burn. 

I greatly enjoyed this cigar and will be trying other MM products.

Ambience:   Due to a cold this was my first cigar in 10 days.

The day had been spent home brewing a signature brew, Tettbanger. 

11 pounds of grain, 4 ounces of hops, and 7 hours later, I've got

6 gallons of sweet wort in the carboy waiting for the yeast to

wake up.  Back's a little sore, but the chaise lounge is comfortable

and the sun is moving toward the Pacific horizon.  Old 909 flies

over heading north.  The B-17 bomber is probably in the area for

the annual EAA Arlington fly-in.  About 30 minutes later it came

back heading south, then turned west and disappeared into the

setting sun.

Construction:     Very attractive box-pressed cigar.  The head is

box-pressed with a round foot.  Nice dark wrapper with sparse tooth. 

Double cap.  Quite firm on the box-pressed end.  The band was easily

removed. 

Prelight:   Mild pleasant aroma.  Cut okay, though it is a tough

stick!  Draw was very firm.  Cut it back a little more.  Still tough. 

Draw still very firm.  Wrapper has a hint of pepper on the lips, but

not much.  Flavor is a bit musty - not unpleasant - almost a sweet

musty.

First third:      Quite flavorfull.  This must be the Honduran flavor

profile, as it was similar to the Por Larranaga I had 10 days before.

The flavor reminds me of something, but what?  It's nutty, but

definitely not sweet.  The draw is VERY firm - too firm.  Burn was

jagged but manageable with spit.  Finally, the flavor comes to me -

green filberts.  Dried nuts are sweet and mellow, but green nuts

are not.  They are nutty, but with a green edge.  The Honduran

flavor is green nut, either filbert or almond. 

Second third:     Draw has eased a little bit.  Some occasional pepper

spice on the tongue.  Still green nutty.  The ash is very white.  The

box press, dark wrapper, and the white, firm ash make for an

attractive smoke.  Ashed at 2". 

Third third:      The green nuttiness is mellowing, losing some of the

green edge.  The draw has eased considerably.  At about 1.5" left the

nuttiness lost its green edge.  Ashed again at 2" with about 1" left.

Abandoned it after a few more puffs, when the smoke heated up and my

fingers were feeling the heat.