RyJ Duke EL 2009

[Blackham]

First formal review here I hope you guys will enjoy it. Sorry for not taking pictures I forgot to bring one out.

Today's temperature grew up to 35c so I decided to open my humi to check how my sticks are feeling. While fondling with the sticks I accidentally made a small scratch on the cap of the Duke so this is the perfect excuse to smoke it.

the box date is LRE NOV 09, purchased in June so it has a month of rest on it.

First puff, I could feel a mix of egg yolk, butter, and milk. Reminds me of the egg yolk soda I had in a small cafe in Asia. This note was gone after the third puff.

Next few puffs, the spiciness began to kick in, milky flavor continues to be dominant and it made me think of a very creamy dish of Thai green curry w/ alot of coconut sauce.

The next 2-3 inches or so, evaporate milk and dark coffee took over, really feels like the first cup of coffee I had served in a Cuban casa particulare. I remembered I liked their hot milk so much 75% of the cup was filled with milk.

Final quarter of the stick, the complexity started to come back, one second I felt a lot of floral scent (my buddy got citrus but I could not taste it), lots of wood/vanilla. In the last few puffs I think I could taste beef broth but that's probably because of the influence from the tasting note I read before.

I didn't dry box this cigar and I regretted for not doing so as it did burn unevenly after the first half. I didn't want to put out the cigar because I know that I'd want to rest it for at least a year or so.

Had a nice 2-hour burn, personally I'd like to smoke this cigar in a quiet and relax environment, since alot of things are happening and changing, and it reminds me on many of the delicious food I had during my travels.

I'm still new at cigar smoking if you know other cigars with similar flavors I'd like to hear your recommendations

Cheers

[typeapositive]

Thanks for the review!

[partagasd4]

Thanks Blackham

[drake2k]

Thanks for the review. This is one of my favorite cigars in recent years. I'm usually not a big EL fan, but this one is really outstanding. I tried 2 out of my first box, and immediately ordered 4 more boxes. They are resting in the humi. I figure I'll try to discipline myself to only smoke 1 about every 6 months until they hit their prime. Of course, I'm not all that disciplined, so they may be gone in a hurry.

I'd be interested in everyone's prediction of how long it will take them to be at their best.

[matt14]

Smoked one yesterday, solid smoke although a little underfilled and a little muddled I thought. I reckon on not touching anymore for a good few years and they should be stellar

[Puros Y Vino]

Thanks for the review! I just picked up a box of these. Letting them rest for now. Very hard to resist smoking one out of the box. So far this cigar has reviewed very well.

[josie67]

One of my favorite cigars of the last year....love them so much I have 5 boxes now.