I've had these sticks hidden in the cooler for at least 6 months, and decided today was the day. I took my cigar, soda, and chair down to the park to watch the medieval re-enactors beat each other with rattan swords. Once set up, I got down to business with the ITC Split Decision connecticut shade/maduro barberpole.
The cigar gave a pre-light aroma of sweet hay and dry cocoa, and felt a little on the spongy side. The draw felt a bit on the loose side. Once lit, I got some mild flavors of nut, coca, and hay, which would flex to medium at unpredictable intervals.
The cigar burned off on one side, due to the bunching of the fillers, and I could follow a nice void down the side of the cigar. I touched up the slower burning side every inch or so.
I thought the flavors were okay, but a bit mild for my tastes, and I hope the next one is rolled better.
Showing posts with label Indian Tabac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indian Tabac. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Indian Tabac Maduro Tomahawk
Indian Tabac Maduro Tomahawk
$10/ 5 Pack, Size: 6", Ring: 52
Connecticut maduro broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and Honduran fillers
Indian Tabac did maduro as dark as other cigar makers' oscuro, and this Tomahawk was no exception. The Connecticut wrapper was a deep brown, with a smooth, matte surface and inconspicuous veins. It looked like a fine Italian leather jacket. It also smelled like a fine Italian leather jacket, with a chocolate bar in one of the pockets.
To a pinch, the body felt very solid, and the draw was mildly restrained. As smoking commenced, the cigar burned irregularly, needing a couple touch-up torch sessions before the midpoint. The draw tightened up at that point, but was relieved by some gentle massaging along the length of the cigar. Ash was light grey, and held for at least an inch, but I had to ash prior to cleaning up the burn, so I don't know how long it would have held.
A cold draw summoned sweet leather and cocoa flavors, echoing the aroma of the wrapper. The cigar started with a mild leather flavor, with a slight note of hay. I wasn't quite impressed. Yet.
After the first inch, the hay overtone disappeared, and was replaced by a woody cedar taste. By the middle of the cigar, the medium-bodied flavors of cedar and leather were dominating, and they continued to strengthen as the smoke went on. By the end, the flavor was a full-bodied, with the faintest spice in the finish.
While the Tomahawk maduro may be a slow starter, it delivers a solid flavor in exchange for a modest price.
$10/ 5 Pack, Size: 6", Ring: 52
Connecticut maduro broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and Honduran fillers
Indian Tabac did maduro as dark as other cigar makers' oscuro, and this Tomahawk was no exception. The Connecticut wrapper was a deep brown, with a smooth, matte surface and inconspicuous veins. It looked like a fine Italian leather jacket. It also smelled like a fine Italian leather jacket, with a chocolate bar in one of the pockets.
To a pinch, the body felt very solid, and the draw was mildly restrained. As smoking commenced, the cigar burned irregularly, needing a couple touch-up torch sessions before the midpoint. The draw tightened up at that point, but was relieved by some gentle massaging along the length of the cigar. Ash was light grey, and held for at least an inch, but I had to ash prior to cleaning up the burn, so I don't know how long it would have held.
A cold draw summoned sweet leather and cocoa flavors, echoing the aroma of the wrapper. The cigar started with a mild leather flavor, with a slight note of hay. I wasn't quite impressed. Yet.
After the first inch, the hay overtone disappeared, and was replaced by a woody cedar taste. By the middle of the cigar, the medium-bodied flavors of cedar and leather were dominating, and they continued to strengthen as the smoke went on. By the end, the flavor was a full-bodied, with the faintest spice in the finish.
While the Tomahawk maduro may be a slow starter, it delivers a solid flavor in exchange for a modest price.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Fire by Indian Tabac Maduro
Fire by Indian Tabac maduro robusto
$3.60 (B&M), Size: 4.5", Ring: 52
Costa Rican maduro wrapper, USA Connecticut Broadleaf binder, Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers
Fire, a cigar blended by Rocky Patel, is a nicely balanced blend of triple fermented wrapper and fillers.
The triple-fermented Costa Rican wrapper is a medium chocolate color, toothy, and with a few pronounced veins. To a squeeze, the cigar feels nice and solid.
Initial draw has some moderate resistance, feels almost tight. There must be some tobacco inside the wrapper! The draw felt a little restrained while smoking, but never being difficult. Like its namesake, my Fire burned a bit unpredictably, requiring a remedial torching mid-way through the cigar. The ash was a light, mottled gray and held for an inch or so.
Prelight flavors of maduro-sweet wood with some pepper promised a tasty smoke to come. After toasting, the flavors are immediately smooth and present, tasting of leather and roasted peppers. The flavors immediately struck me as very similar to the La Gloria Cubana maduro, but a shade milder and slightly sweeter. After the first inch, the flavor mellowed some, with a roasted nut harmonic appearing. Halfway, a sweet pepper flavor crept into the finish, remaining in the background through the rest of the smoke.
Fire is a tasty, medium-bodied smoke, and another fine job by Rocky Patel. I'll have to hunt up a couple more, and save them for my rainy day.
$3.60 (B&M), Size: 4.5", Ring: 52
Costa Rican maduro wrapper, USA Connecticut Broadleaf binder, Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers
"I have only one burnin' desire; let me stand next to your... fire" - Jimi Hendrix, Fire
Fire, a cigar blended by Rocky Patel, is a nicely balanced blend of triple fermented wrapper and fillers.
The triple-fermented Costa Rican wrapper is a medium chocolate color, toothy, and with a few pronounced veins. To a squeeze, the cigar feels nice and solid.
Initial draw has some moderate resistance, feels almost tight. There must be some tobacco inside the wrapper! The draw felt a little restrained while smoking, but never being difficult. Like its namesake, my Fire burned a bit unpredictably, requiring a remedial torching mid-way through the cigar. The ash was a light, mottled gray and held for an inch or so.
Prelight flavors of maduro-sweet wood with some pepper promised a tasty smoke to come. After toasting, the flavors are immediately smooth and present, tasting of leather and roasted peppers. The flavors immediately struck me as very similar to the La Gloria Cubana maduro, but a shade milder and slightly sweeter. After the first inch, the flavor mellowed some, with a roasted nut harmonic appearing. Halfway, a sweet pepper flavor crept into the finish, remaining in the background through the rest of the smoke.
Fire is a tasty, medium-bodied smoke, and another fine job by Rocky Patel. I'll have to hunt up a couple more, and save them for my rainy day.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend Maduro
Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend Toro Grande maduro
$12/5 pk., Size: 6", Ring:54
Brazilian maduro wrapper, Dominican binder, Dominican long filler
The Cameroon Legend maduro is dark. How dark you may ask? Dark enough to start bending light around it. And it's thick, too. My order arrived from CI today, and I just couldn't wait to toast this dark beauty. The wrapper is dark, and fairly smooth, with small veins.
The pre-light sniff announced a hearty leather aroma with a touch of cocoa. After a gentle punch through the cap, it was time to toast it. The taste was fairly consistent, starting out with a smooth, creamy leather flavor, with some roasted nut and mild spice making veiled cameos in the middle. The smoke was rich and smooth, without a hint of bitterness.
The draw was nicely balanced to take advantage of both the length and thickness of the cigar. The ash was dove-gray and a bit peely, but held for almost 2 inches. The burn was a bit ragged, with a tendency to tunnel, but I'd chalk that up to my impatience in smoking the cigar 12 hours after the postman delivered it. After a few weeks in the 'dor, it'll prolly burn razor-straight.
By the way, if you're going to smoke the Toro Grande, clear your schedule and pack a lunch: This cigar will take you an hour and a half, easy. Of course, it is an hour and a half of good cigar, so make the time.
Stogie Review smoked the Cameroon-wrapped version in June 2007.
$12/5 pk., Size: 6", Ring:54
Brazilian maduro wrapper, Dominican binder, Dominican long filler
The Cameroon Legend maduro is dark. How dark you may ask? Dark enough to start bending light around it. And it's thick, too. My order arrived from CI today, and I just couldn't wait to toast this dark beauty. The wrapper is dark, and fairly smooth, with small veins.
The pre-light sniff announced a hearty leather aroma with a touch of cocoa. After a gentle punch through the cap, it was time to toast it. The taste was fairly consistent, starting out with a smooth, creamy leather flavor, with some roasted nut and mild spice making veiled cameos in the middle. The smoke was rich and smooth, without a hint of bitterness.
The draw was nicely balanced to take advantage of both the length and thickness of the cigar. The ash was dove-gray and a bit peely, but held for almost 2 inches. The burn was a bit ragged, with a tendency to tunnel, but I'd chalk that up to my impatience in smoking the cigar 12 hours after the postman delivered it. After a few weeks in the 'dor, it'll prolly burn razor-straight.
By the way, if you're going to smoke the Toro Grande, clear your schedule and pack a lunch: This cigar will take you an hour and a half, easy. Of course, it is an hour and a half of good cigar, so make the time.
Stogie Review smoked the Cameroon-wrapped version in June 2007.
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