avantgrade purchased this cigar on 2010-07-11.
It has one week of additional aging.
As this was a small cigar, it really had no issues starting up. The first few puffs yielded plenty of dense, white smoke. The aroma is unique, likely imparted by the reddish wrapper that adorns this cigar. I am immediately picking up notes of cinnamon and clove, with an initial sweetness to each puff. The sweetness rapidly towards spicy with each exhale, creating a nice balance.
There were a few issues with the burn, once I though I had it well established, but all that required was a few touch-ups with my trusty torch.
I was expecting this cigar to last no more than maybe 20 or 25 minutes, but getting through the first 1/3 took almost 15 minutes alone! This cigar burns slow, and that seems to make sense, seeing how generously the tobacco was packed. The draw is somewhat tight, but rewarding nonetheless. The flavors are coming in a little stronger than they did in the beginning, and I am starting to sense some citrus rind in the mix.
I was amazed at how well the ash held on this small stick (again, probably due to how dense it was). The ash is white, solid, and needs a firm tap to let go.
The body settles in into a medium realm, and into the mix of flavors comes cedar. Given the previous notes of cinnamon, clove, and citrus, the cedar imparts its own special sweetness and bite, complementing well the nuances that came before it.
Towards the end, the cigar does start to burn a little warm for my taste. The flavor profile doesn't change much, aside from intensifying a bit more. Also, the draw loosens up a little, making it important to slow down on the puffs and prevent the cigar from getting too hot.
This cigar lasted me a full 40 minutes, which is way more than what I would have expected. It was a perfect smoke for a nice walk around our neighborhood, and I will definitely return to try some of the larger vitolas.