Cigar:            Montecruz Negra Cubana

Size:             46 x 5.62

Wrapper:          ECSU, EMS

Binder:           CTBL

Filler:           DR/Nic

Flavor Body:      Medium

Stength:          Medium

Country:          Nic

Suspected Age:    11 months

Vendor/Price:     Gift from Caffeine, ASC

Beverage(s):      Water, Black Bush, grapes

Smoke time:       1:15

Date:             2004-07-16

Posted to ASC:    2004-07-17

Ambience:   Evening on the deck overlooking a flat Puget Sound.  Winds calm, 80F and a bit muggy.  Sun is slowly falling in a cloudless blue sky toward the Olympic Mountains on the horizon.  Mariners versus Cleveland playing on the radio. Ceremonial Indian drums are booming from over a mile away across the Ballard Cut at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center at Discovery Park (Magnolia).  It is the Seafair Indian Days Pow-Wow.

Construction:     Very nice looking cigar.  The wrapper is dark with an oily sheen.  Quite firm though softer toward the foot which is slightly split.  One medium vein runs the full length of the stick.  Double cap with a nice long under cap. 

Prelight:   Wonderfull aroma - somewhat sweet.  Cut very well.  Draw is tight with a fair bit of pepper on the lips and tongue. 

First third:      Some initial pepper spice that quickly fades, then nutty and a little sweet.  Ashed itself at 1".  Ash is white and firm, not flakey at all.  Draw tight and smoke volume on the meager side. 

Second third:     A bit of cocoa developing.  Flavor is over-powered by whisky.  Still sweet and nutty, but mellowing - becoming toasted.  Ashed itself at 1.5".  The water really brings out the flavor.  As it approached the third third the flavor faded slightly. 

Third third:      Draw still tight, though smoke volume inproving.  Flavor coming back stronger.  Ashed again at 1.5".  Moderate nicotine buzz developing.  The nub is dark and shiney with oil.  Smoked it down to 1.5" abandoned to avoid more buzz. 

Overall:    Very good cigar.  Flavor was good with dominant notes of nutty, sweet, and minor notes of cocoa and leather.  Would have been a great cigar if the draw was easier and the smoke more voluminous.