Sancho Panza Non Plus SMO FEB 18

[99call]

Sancho Panza Non Plus  SMO FEB 2018

Aroma at cold:   A very light savoury, high quality leather. like a new wallet

Cold Draw: Sweet, marzipan, Chateau Musar, ketone, pear drop, magic marker.

1^st 3rd First I’ve been absolutely blown away by the other 4 that have been smoked out f the box, they’ve been truly top draw. Right off the bat, big creamy oodles of smoke.  Slightly savoury, salty leathery.  Smoke off the foot is classic Sancho Panza ie driftwood, but it’s got extra, it’s got savoury chocolate, and Ovaltine.  Whereas I can often find Sancho Panza to be a sort of interesting enjoyable assault on the senses that requires thought, this is much more lush, sweet and immediately enjoyable.  Like someone has dipped that driftwood, into a big malty, chocolate milkshake.

2^nd 3rd This cigar is still in step, faultless. sweet and salt in perfect balance. The aromatic malty and seaside elements are providing all the umami elements perfectly.   I’m wondering if the marzipan, pear drop,  that was so present on the cold draw, might show up.   It’s something I always get in spades from old Molinos.  The Ovaltine/Milo  is  getting almost praline on the palate, delightful. Driftwood ramping up, every other draw is salty chocolate pretzel…just lovely.    Yes it’s over the place, but that’s not a problem, when everyplace is awesome 

3rd 3rd  Although the first 2 thirds are approachable, these are obviously very young, and there is a little bit or tarry nicotine spike in the last third.  Bit of tang coming into the mix, especially on the retro.  Little tinges of unpleasant lead solder smell.  Definitely got punch and power in the final third, chlorine like ammonia, and cowpat.  Whilst it’s got really leathery and strong, there is still a great amount of creaminess there, and sweeter elements trying to get through, it’s ultimately drowned out. 

Conclusion  This has been the strongest out the box, and whilst the first 2 thirds were golden, it does feel like a bit of a waste when a third of the cigar is far from ready.  I do think I will continue to smoke them, but just have to buy more SMO FEB

Score   The cigar gets a 90/91 with easy upside to get to 95 in a couple of years. great potential, and I think the Marzipan will be hidden in the strongest final third. 

[99call]

1 minute ago, 99call said:

These were the incredible PSP FOH had up last month, all of the SMO FEB 18 code. I missed out, but managed to source elsewhere.    If anyone gets the chance, this does appear to be a top draw code for Non Plus

[nKostyan]

Thank you, Stefan! Great review!