FOH'ers early thoughts on the 'Czar' and 'Tampa' ?

[dicko]

G'day guys,

Thought I would start the thread to get some early tastings in of the two custom cigars.

Of course they are straight of the truck, very fresh and atleast based on my 3 Tampa's also 'wet' still.

I lit one up tonight (waiting all of 24 hours lol) and not getting swept away in the hype...it was exceptional!!

Might I also echo what everyone has said, the Tampa is a great tribute to our passed member Chuck. I was on the forum for my first year of smoking cigars when Chuck passed away, I didn't know him personally but found his posts very interesting and informative.

We stand on the shoulders of giants and he was that...

My tasting notes for the Tampa (sorry no pics - see Fuzz's great pics in the other thread - they look fantastic!!):

- feels great in the hand, and lighting te shaggy foot is an experience, the first 15 minutes the smoke scatters off the shaggy tobacco in a very cool way.

-Opens with glazed fruit (apricots and cherry).

-A meaty aroma at cold, and on the palate early, think butcher shop in the morning.

-Cinnamon spice through the nose.

-banana smoothie. creamy/fruity mix.

-butter!! this is what I get most out of the cigar. Didn't really get chocolate, but a definite sweetness. more fruit and huge spreads of butter for me.

-green capsicum, Smithy got this and I agree, a lovely vegetal quality

The smoke is white and very thick and chewy, leaving butter on the tongue as I blew out.

Nice and oily character too.

Good spice throughout which came and went.

Last third was more earthy, buttery and meaty. Started going out towards the end, didnt fight it.

Overall- for what it's worth I think this was well worth smoking OTT, you can tell it's just off the rollers table, a real taste of Cuba.

I would give mine a solid 92.

Please post your tastings below if you please.

Cheers,

Dicko

I forgot to add, congrats and thanks to Rob and the Czar crew. Great job!

[steve047]

Thanks for doing a OTT review. I like to pickup Customs whenever I can and really enjoy smoking at least one right away. I'm looking forward to trying these, and after reading your review one of these will meet a firey death right away

[bassman]

Best cigar I ever smoked was a Taboada right after he rolled it. I'll be smoking at least one of these very early.

[MIKA27]

Great thread Dicko.

I was going to light up a Czar last night as the late afternoon was awesome but on checking the cigars, I found them all to be a little wet also and as such, thought I'd dry box one and give it a go this weekend.

Very much looking forward to trying a custom as the Czar is so beautifully constructed, nice dark chocolate wrapper which is silky to the touch. Just looking at these customs amazes me. A really good job indeed!

[dicko]

Great thread Dicko.

I was going to light up a Czar last night as the late afternoon was awesome but on checking the cigars, I found them all to be a little wet also and as such, thought I'd dry box one and give it a go this weekend.

Very much looking forward to trying a custom as the Czar is so beautifully constructed, nice dark chocolate wrapper which is silky to the touch. Just looking at these customs amazes me. A really good job indeed!

Cheers mate!

I reckon the dry-boxing will do a world of good. I did enjoy the 'wet' experience though (that just sounds rude lol)

I agree, they look great, enjoy yours!!

[El Presidente]

Infanticide

[Fuzz]

Infanticide

Oh the horror!

Thanks for the review Dicko... now it just makes it that much harder to wait!!

[Wicky]

Oh the horror!

Thanks for the review Dicko... now it just makes it that much harder to wait!!

Fuzz,

Are you seriously thinking about waiting 2 months? Should we start a pool?

Place your bets ladies and gentlemen!

[maalouly]

When I tried them with Rob and Ken, it was magical! we scored it in the high 90's. I think you guys need to let them rest for few months and you will all be very surprised.

[Fuzz]

Honestly, I'll probably wait no more than a few weeks before I break.

The first week is always the hardest.

[rckymtn22]

It's not going to be a problem keeping my hands off them as by the time I get my sampler the weather is going to be too cold to sit outside.