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The week after a vacation is always a bit of a bother. This week kept that belief true, and amped it up to 11. 12 hour day with 10 stuck in the same conference room talking about 2017 planning on Wednesday, a mere day after I get back from Texas did not do me any favors. But it was good to get back into the swing of things. And on Friday the weather was beautiful, so a couple cigars were enjoyed to unwind after work and celebrate the weekend being here. Pre-Draw: This is a very handsome looking cigar having been perfectly box pressed. The wrapper is oily and feels like smooth leather. Construction is perfect and the cigar feels very dense. I still can't get used to how easy a draw these have given how densely packed the cigars feel. I would dare say that this isn't a Cuban draw since it's very Padron like (minimal resistance). It's not a bad thing, it simply is what it is. I'm getting spiced coffee and pepper in the flavors. First Third: Smoke output is fantastic. It's both oily and creamy. Finish is long lasting, The main flavor I'm getting is that typical bolivar twang, earthy pepper. Coffee and milk chocolate are the other flavors I'm getting. Burn is generally pretty even but did need a minor touch up on one side about 10m into this third. Flavors really compliment that beer too. Body is right on medium and no strength anywhere in sight. Second Third: The ash holds on for about an inch at a time. If i could knock this cigar for anything it's that there was no transition here. What I got in the first third continued right up until I dropped the ash just past the halfway point. It's a stretch to complain about that though because the flavors were just spot on. The burn wasn't quite as even and did need to get touched up a couple times. Given the oil content in these wrappers I wasn't surprised that I had to do that though. Final Third: I had to grab a pullover because it felt like it dropped 10 degrees outside during the second third. I did get a transition here. The peppery earth died way down. Coffee flavors came to the forefront along with the milk chocolate. There was a trace of salted nuts as well. Everything just blended together so well. Smoke output continues to be fantastic and long lasting. The cigar kept on burning and the smoke was still cool until i couldn't hold it anymore without burning my hand or lips. Found it interesting that the cherry was that warm but the smoke was barely above the ambient temperature outside. Total burn time was 65 minutes. There weren't any changes in body or strength since the beginning. Final Thoughts: This is a cigar that just hasn't disappointed me. Every single one I've had out of this box has been excellent. Not terribly complex but when all you want is to relax and unwind, the flavors it gives hit the spot. I do need to get another box over the winter as I don't think the current box I have is going to last past the next year. I'm not sure what upside benefit these would have aging them more years. They are in stride now and damn enjoyable to have. 92/100

The day got off to a great start at the temple of pewpew (indoor gun range) with a couple handguns that have been neglected for awhile. It was cold as balls this morning so while I wanted one when I got home, having a cigar when it was 34 degrees out wasn't my cup of tea. After the F1 race wrapped up I checked my phone and it said 46, so figured why not. Though 46 is what the temp was out, it isn't 46 in the shade, and my deck was covered in the shade. It was cold. Borderline too cold to have a cigar but oh well. Pre-light: Wrapper is colorado maduro (the pictures below don't do the shade justice) and very very oily. The cigar is a bit on the spongy side so I feel like it's slightly underfilled. Wrapper is silky smooth. First third: Despite how the cigar feels spongy, the draw is perfect. Smoke output is also fantastic. The burn is razor sharp and the ash holds on for an inch at a time. Bitter chocolate, leather and pepper are the main flavors. Body is a bit above medium and there's no strength. The smoke is very oily and has a long lasting finish. 2nd Third: Body was all the way up to full bodied for half of this third. I wasn't expecting this ramp up at all. Not unpleasant but it did catch me off guard. No new flavors but the leather has become the primary flavor I'm getting. The chocolate and pepper are still there letting me know they are here but have really come down from the first third. Did have to do a couple minor touchups. Smoke output remains great. By the end of this third the body was back down to a medium Final Third: DAMN YOU TAR!!! I hate tar, luckily I didn't get much but damn was that unpleasant. I made another cut about an 1/8" down the cigar and the tar didn't appear again. Now this cigar is technically not that young anymore, but i did get some youthful character right toward the end that washed out the flavors. Total burn time was 55 minutes. Final Thoughts: This was an ok cigar that I feel was let down by being underfilled and the tar at the end. Can't fault the cigar for youthfulness but that did come as a surprise. I am stumped by this format though. After cutting the tip it's barely more than a robusto. I just don't understand belicosos at all. 88/100 This box definitely has a lot of upside, and by the time spring is here next year I fully expect the final third to be more enjoyable. I'm still warming up inside.

(Smoked Monday night, and made notes for it) Cut it, check it, too lose. No, not today, not for the review. Back to the box. Cut the next, slightly firm. This will make it. Cedar, leather, sweetness and citrus peel. What a start. Full of flavour, medium body. Spice comes in here and there. Already complex but balanced very well. Could have more smoke output, but remember it is a bit firm. Massive ash. Shift to med-full. Earth. Deep and rich tobacco. Citrus peel still in the background but not constant. Tons of spice and sweetness are dancing on my palate. Opened up and lots of smoke output now. Quite creamy texture. Getting fuller. A bit of perfume but really pleasant. Everything is present now and fully on. Citrus peel, cedar, sweetness, spices, earthyness, red pepper, dark chocolate. Strenght. Depth. Richness. Balance. Absolutely gorgeous.