maverickdrinker Posted September 22, 2012 Posted September 22, 2012 This was gifted to me from a great BOTL in New Jersey. He wanted to see how the 2007 edition of this regional compared to the original 2005 release. The size of the vitola is the same as the original release. It is a Franciscos vitola and is a 44 ring gauge and 5.6 inches in length. There were 1,221 25 count Slide Lid Boxes released in 2007 to bring the overall number to 2,421 boxes released in both the 2005 and 2007 editions. Let's get to the review... The cigar itself is very well made. No soft spots throughout the cigar at all. The foot is chock full of cuban tobacco goodness. The wrapper is a rich, deep chocolate colorado brown. A little rustic looking even though the wrapper is smooth to the touch. The aroma from the wrapper are honey, cocoa, and a touch of stewed fruit. Smelling delicious. The triple cap is well made. Again, a little rustic but looks ready for my punch. The triple cap takes easily to my punch. The cold draw is spot on. A hint of resistance but pretty free flowing. There is a whole lot of sweetness going on in the cold draw. Reminds me of pineapple candy with a touch of leather. Time to take this to the flame....
maverickdrinker Posted September 22, 2012 Author Posted September 22, 2012 First Third BOOM!!! A tsunami of strength hits you from the get go. Cedar, leather and oolong tea come out of the gates running. This is a powerful cigar!!! Full on, balls to the wall power!!! Talk about starting off with a bang!!! The after finish is like drinking young wine. That tannic, mouth puckering feeling that you get as your palate gets overwhelmed with flavour. I will have to slowly sip this one... The draw is excellent. I almost wish there was a little more resistance as the flavour blitzkrieg cause me off guard and I am struggling to recover. LOL The ash is a 'Dirty' white. Well, shockingly white. I think I gained a few white hairs after these initial puffs. No sign of any sweetness or stewed fruit that I got in the cold draw. I think the firing squad of cedar, leather and oolong tea scared them away. Lots of smoke emanating from the foot and the head of the cigar. I am really noticing a difference in draw since lowering my RH in my smoking humidor to 59 RH. This may require getting a glass of water or a medic as I smoke this..... LOL!!! Second Third The strength is still turned up to the full category. Like being 2nd row, by the speaker stack, at a rock concert. Pure unadulterated power!!!! The flavours are good. There is no harshness in the cigar itself however, the flavours are just kicking ass and taking names. The triple flavour attack of cedar, leather and oolong tea continue to dominate. Smoking this cigar very slowly so I can recover between puffs. This is a 'take no prisoners' level of flavour and strength. A hint of reprieve starts to come through. IS that dried fruit I taste? Could it be? Is it fighting its way in to bring a level balance? IT IS!!!! Ever so slowly, candied pineapple plays peek a boo every few puffs. There is hope yet.... The after finish is starting to reflect a clean tobacco taste amongst the power trio of cedar, oolong tea and leather. A ever so faint hint of sweetness makes it way in however, it a more of a sneak peek vs. a lasting flavour on the palate. The ash is holding on strong. I have to tap it to release for fear of it falling all over me. LOL The tide is turning, ever so slowly, but turning....
maverickdrinker Posted September 22, 2012 Author Posted September 22, 2012 Final Third SERENITY NOW!!!!!! Welcome home dark sugar and dried fruit. You could not have come at a better time. Please tame the onslaught from the cedar, leather, and oolong tea trio!!!! The strength has reduced slightly but I would still call this full bodied. The addition of the dark sugar and dried fruit flavours have really added another level of complexity to this cigar. I only wish that they came out earlier vs. in the final third. Whoever stuck on these bands used too much glue. They won't budge. DAMN IT!!!!! This cigar is hitting its sweet spot and I might have to burn through the bands to continue to enjoy them.... This cigar really is showing itself well now. All the flavours are singing in harmony. The integration of dark sugar and dried fruit were the missing links. This cigar is now a joy to smoke. Final Impressions This still needs more time in the back of a humidor. If the final third is an indication of things to come, this will be a classic cigar. The first two thirds really showed how powerful a cigar can be, regardless of age. The final third showed me how wonderfully complex a cigar can be. I hope to try this one again in a few years. Thanks for the opportunity Erich...
bassman Posted September 22, 2012 Posted September 22, 2012 Wonderful review. Sounds like my kind of cigar. I like them strong. The 05s took several years to come around but never were as strong as your 07 sounds. I have some 05s left, but your review makes me think I need to finally open my box of 07s.
Hoshneer Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 Wow, good review man. Thanks. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
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