Cigar:            Maria Mancini Magic Mountain

Size:             54 x 6"

Country:          Hon

Wrapper:          H2000, E

Binder:           Hon

Filler:           Nic

Flavor Strength:  Mild-Medium

NicotineStength:  Mild-Medium

Date Received:    2004-11-18

Suspected Age:    6 months

Vendor/Price:     JR / $2.20

Beverage(s):      Water

Smoke time:       1:15

Date:             2005-05-01

Posted to ASC:    2005-05-02

Overall:    Very pretty wrapper.  Mild aroma and flavor.  Good draw and good smoke volume.  Initially green almond nuttiness, becoming a toasted nuttiness over the smoke.  Finish is short and slightly sweet.  At the halfway point a bitterness entered the smoke and finish.  The bitterness increased and the latter part of the stick became unpleasantly bitter, so it was abandoned.  Not a bad smoke.  Not a box purchase.  Perhaps I will like the maduro version better. 

Ambience:   Late afternoon on a warmish day on the deck.  Planning a trip and planning a move, and reading.  A media-free interlude.

Construction:     Pyramid shape with a dark mottled wrapper with medium veins.  Seems light for its size.  Light box press and a little soft.  Mild, slightly sweet aroma. 

Cut & Prelight:   Cut very well, exposing some large veins.  Draw was a little tight with a mild sweet draw flavor much like the uncut wrapper aroma. 

First third:      Green almond nuttiness.  Good smoke volume.  Draw is fine.  Mild flavor with a slightly sweet, short finish.

Second third:     Slightly bitter at times.  Becoming fuller flavored.  Nuttiness turning from green to toasted.  Bitterness is occasionally heightened.  Flakey ash that holds well over an inch.  Finish has lengthened.  sweetened, and harshened.

Third third:      The bitterness is starting to dominate the finish.  At 2" it became upleasureable and was abandoned.