RG88 SOM DIC 16 HLRW

[BuzzArd]

A Leper's weekend.   Figured this would be an easy one to hop in on, but then it occurred to me... I usually purge leppers from the collection on the way into the house.  I had a Punch 48 that was 50% barber pole wrapped.  Strange.   Especially on a LCDH.    A fre others with the occasional cracked foot or split head.   But they fall fast too.   Then I remembered this RG 88 box that arrived a couple years ago.  And I recall two of those sticks had split head to foot and almost burst open sometime en route.   I dug that box out and there were indeed two sticks missing.  The next worst was this fellow here, and I’m afraid that’s as bad as I’ll be able to do based on sight alone.  Still, this one wasn’t too bad at all

The first two I recall having a rather harsh flavor and very mineral forward profile.  They had no significant flavor depth either.    Really rather flat.   This one started out with a good bit of roast nuts, charred earth.  No sweetness present, but still an enjoyable flavor.   As it moved into the second half the draw was excellent and burn very good.  I had to relight at the half as I’d stepped away for 10 minutes.  Second half was definitely stronger.  It’s been a long time since a Cuban cigar has made me a little queasy, but i definitely fell it in the second half.   Slowed down to finish and made it okay.  ?

These have definitely changed in the past two years, and they’ve changed for the better.