Czar Custom - Tampa

[Fuzz]

I joined FOH back in late 2006, and apart from one short review on a mystery cigar that Rob sent out, I have taken pride in not having written one single review in 887 posts! After smoking a custom Tampa last night with my mate Jason, I feel compelled to write one now (damn you Rob for making me break my streak! ).

Construction: Firm with a little springiness. Very well made, except for the messy end... Rob, you really need to improve your QC!

Wrapper: Oily dusty sheen. A little mottled.

Pre-Light Aroma: Heavenly. Barnyard aroma when I first received them has mellowed.

Pre-Light Draw: Easy draw, but not loose. Spicy taste on the lips with a hint of cocoa.

1st third: Set flame to the shaggy foot and loved the flare up! Pre-light spiciness comes to the fore, giving my taste buds a good swift kick. Great volume of smoke, that shaggy foot give a great even burn across the bunched leaves. Light to mild, with spice dominating most of the flavour. Little hints of leather and cocoa poke around the corner before being scared away by the spiciness.

2nd third: Spiciness has given way to a smooth cocoa flavour. Smoke has a nice velvety mouth feel. Not overly complex, moving towards the fuller side of mild. Notes of milk coffee pop up every few puffs. Burn is pretty even, goes awry at times but corrects itself. So far it is well balanced.

Last third: A little spiciness has returned. Smoothness has started to turn a bit towards the harsher side. Picking up some tar and my head is spinning slightly (though that could have been from the double shot of gin in my G&T... definitely the wrong drink for this cigar). Burn needs touching up, having little trouble keeping it to stay lit. With 2 more inches left, it has now turned tarry and harsh. I'm probably smoking it a little too fast and hot, trying to keep it lit. Would love to nub this, but gonna have to stop.

Conclusion: This is a great cigar. None of the ammonia taste I've gotten from other young cigars I've had. I'd swear that the tobacco has a little age on it. Would definitely get a bundle to put away for a few years. Easily a 90, can see it as a 94-95 in years to come. Paired this with a Hendriks gin and tonic, totally the wrong drink. In hindsight, a tokay would have gone well in my mind.

Rob, you've done a great job with the Tampa. Can't wait to light up the Czar in the coming weeks.

[dicko]

great review Fuzz!

I reckon Rob wanted to save some dollars on labour so got them to miss the final cut and is marketing it as a "shaggy foot", savvy as always el prez lol

[CigarmanTim]

I'm on the list for some tampas but I'm getting the feeling everybody else is too and ahead of me....going to be awhile..... glad you liked it and great review

[ZAZ]

I'm on the list for some tampas but I'm getting the feeling everybody else is too and ahead of me....going to be awhile..... glad you liked it and great review

Agreed, great review.

By the way, how does one get on this list anyway?

[Omskakas]

By the way, how does one get on this list anyway?

You have to know the secret word and whisper it in my ear while you suck my earlo...

Nah, just e-mail Lisa.

Nice review. Can't wait for spring to try one of mine.

[#2 man]

Great review Fuzz !