PLPC - RAT FEB 2020 (SNOWRW)*

[Shrimpchips]

Have had this cab resting for a while, and was intending on sampling it in the spring at the 1 year+ mark, but this weeks review theme and @Kaptain Karl’s mention of his cab of RAT ENE 20 PLPC smoking well got me to break open this cab a little early.

 

The whole cab I have has fairly light wrappers, but all look excellent.  I chose one that had a good number of sun spots, but otherwise construction was flawless.  Stored at 65/65, the cigar feels solid and has no soft spots or obvious over or under filling at the foot.  I didn’t get a draw test in, as I wanted to try Jacques Puisais lighting method of cutting the head after lighting.  Pre-light aroma was grass or a slight barnyard aroma.  

1st third: After lighting, I clipped the cap and with trepidation, took the first draw. Draw was excellent and smoke output was too. The first third brought sweet toasted tobacco flavor, with a medium body.  For a few puffs I got a subtle kettle-corn sweetness, getting me really me really excited to see where this would develop into.

2nd third:  No construction problems, ash hangs on 1”+ so I give it a gentle tap. Smoke has settled into a delicious sweet medium tobacco flavor, maybe a hint of vanilla, but overall no distinct flavors to be had.  Sadly the hint of caramel/kettle-corn I got early disappeared as quickly as it appeared and has not returned. 
 

Final third:  Construction and burn remain spot on. In attempting to remove the band, I tear the wrapper a little, causing a little unraveling, but didn’t affect the smoking experience.  No evolution in flavor, but it’s still pretty good.  A slight pickup of leather on the retrohale in this last third.  No complaints really, a solid smoke, with hints of its Vitolas claim to fame that gets me excited to see the 49 other sticks develop.  I can definitely see grabbing another cab to start aging if the cameo of caramel I got will eventually blossom into the centerpiece of this cigar.   As for this cab, while I could definitely smoke now, I think I’ll come back in 4 - 6 months to see how it’s coming along. Plenty of other boxes to enjoy from in the meantime.