Kings County Habano - 2020 (S&FBRW)

[Tdm_86]

Well….. Going to put myself through this for you FOH 😄 

Where the Trini Vigia that I just smoked and reviewed is quite the fattie for what I’m used to, this thing here is monstrous. Had this in my humidor from a certain cigar of the month box that I used to subscribe to. It’s a 6x60 and I’m not sure I’m going to enjoy trying to smoke it.

Pre-light

It’s huge, got a gaudy band on it with a diamond encrusted Jesus piece (there’s a story, you can google if interested). Wrapper is a nice habano. The roll feels nice. Smells really good, leathery and sweet. V-cut it and the draw is completely void of resistance, this is going to be a chore. Cold draw is airy, some cocoa powder and sweetness.

First third

Now, I don’t like these huge ring gauges because you have to draw a big volume of air through to get smoke out of it. This is no different, I have to double puff to get good smoke into my mouth. The foot pours it off though. Flavors are pretty good, leathery with cocoa powder and oak on the back palate. Retrohale is smooth and adds a bit of dark fruits. Pleasant flavors, but what a chore to get them out. 

Second third 

The ash held on for the whole first third, so I ashed it before it dropped into my lap. Now that a good chunk is smoked down, I can get smoke with just a normal single draw. The flavors get a little darker, still leather up front with dark baker’s chocolate. The wood is now tannic oak. The sweetness subsides and I only get some sweetness through the nose. The wrapper has a little trouble to burn and I had to touch it up a few times.

Final third

More of the same flavors, still leather but it has dropped the chocolate. That tannic oak now gets charred, which reminds me of the barrel notes on aged bourbon with 12+ years on it. At about the band it all goes a bit nutty and bitter. Haven’t had to correct the burn anymore though.

Conclusion

Ugh. What an ordeal. It’s just the size, give me this flavor profile in a Corona Gorda please. If you like jawbreaker sizes, this is the one for you though. The flavor profile is well balanced and pleasant if you like these flavors. I wasn’t expecting that, very large gauges are usually bland and uninteresting in my limited experience. It took me 1hr 50mins to smoke this. I tried to score it fairly, but did have to detract some points for the not so pleasant smoking experience that is a huge ring gauge.

86/100 (if it was comfortable to smoke, the flavor profile would be an easy 90/100)

[El Presidente]

Thank you for the review!

You appear to have had some element of complexity throughout the cigar which isn't always the case with these big whoa's. You also appear to have the same problem that I have with them....boredom. Come the last third you have have had enough of the ponies well practiced prancing.  I am always looking for the big finish, the last trick up the sleeve. Generally all i receive is more of the same. It can work well in a PC/Half Corona. It doesn't work on Toro Gigante. 

[Tdm_86]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Thank you for the review!

You appear to have had some element of complexity throughout the cigar which isn't always the case with these big whoa's. You also appear to have the same problem that I have with them....boredom. Come the last third you have have had enough of the ponies well practiced prancing.  I am always looking for the big finish, the last trick up the sleeve. Generally all i receive is more of the same. It can work well in a PC/Half Corona. It doesn't work on Toro Gigante. 

That sums it up quite completely. I can’t imagine only smoking whoppers like this, I’d get quite bored (and lockjawed)