HdM Epicure no 1 - UEB ABR 18 (ARW)*

[HopeUgood]

I have had this box on hand for a little over a month and would like to give it more rest.  I was looking forward to sampling this cigar as it is a new experience to me and I love the size.  A couple cigars in the SLB were bent due to an overly tight ribbon, so I set those aside for later.  Cold draw on the Epi No1 was earthy and somewhat sweet, with a draw that was spot on.  The wrapper looked lovely, thin with a light sheen and velvety smooth. 

My first impressions of the cigar that took my focus were on the surprising lack of any sort of spice (not saying that with a  negative connotation, just that it was noteworthy).  One of the reasons I love CC over NC is the difference in the spices or lack there of.  This was a learning experience for me; I dont care for the black pepper in the forefront and over powering cigars at all.  I did realize that I really enjoy the wide array of spices that are presented in CCs.   The cigar was earthy, vegetal, and of herbal teas for the first third. I was expecting a cream bomb and was not getting much of the creamy notes.  
The cigar did try and tunnel once and only once, but kept a rather clean burn line at all other points.  The second third of the cigar the earth notes increased and leather was starting to make a presence.  The cigar started to have some "twang" to it and my novice palate felt satisfied recognizing this familiarity.   I may not have given the cigar the attention it deserves or required, but I felt like the flavors were a bit hazy and undefined or hard to decipher clearly.
The final third the cigar was heavy on the leather and a more pronounced cedar element.  The twang had upped itself a couple notches while a light cream was trying to lift itself up in the background.   I feel that I may have approached this cigar incorrectly from the get-go, bringing my own expectations and wants to the experience and judging the cigar based on that.  I wondered if I was missing something through out the cigar, if the box might need more time, or my palate not refined enough.  I am going to let these rest a while longer and revisit in a couple months.