SLR DC - 2004 (BGRW)

[BenW]

Picked up a single late last year and it had been resting for roughly 4 months (21C/70F - 62RH).

Heard a lot of praise heaped upon this cigar, so I was very much looking forward to this.

I use a punch cut and test the draw - f@!k, the damn thing is near plugged. Decide to use a straight cut, but the cigar doesn't open up any. Onto the trusty the perfecdraw, and after one too many more stabs than I'm really comfortable with we get what seems to be a tight but acceptable draw.

Opening

Nope, nothing, nada - despite having stabbed it with an inch of its life I'm not getting any smoke.

A small part of me wants to throw the cigar into the bush out of sheer frustration, but sense wins over and I cut an inch or so off the end and light it back up...

Finally! We have a review, and the cigar is now what I'm calling a SLR Magnum 49.

Opening (take 2) - Cream, floral, and peach notes

1st third - Not too many changes from the opening but the floral has died down and honey makes an appearance every now and then.

 

2nd third - Smoke output has ramped up and I'm getting occassional blasts of fruit salad sweets/juicy fruit. Some faint fusty oakiness drifting in and out. Really enjoying this smoke now.

Final third - Sweet pastry pops up and the fruit notes die down before the smoke starts to get a little hot and I decide to call it day.

Conclusion

It's a shame I didn't get the full double corona experience, but it came good in the end and I'm grateful I got to try it.

Without the construction issues I'd probably be around 94/95, but I've got to deduct a couple points, so 92pts it is.