RyJ EL 2009 Duke (RyJRW)

[cnov]

The review competitions are definitely make coolidor decisions a lot easier.

I first got into cigars around 2011 when I had very little disposable income and zero aged stock. This was the first ever box in bought for $179, back when the £ was probably a much more favourable rate. While I was excited to get the box, I realised my mistake when I held one in my hand, they were much larger than I was ready for. I remember making an absolute hash of lighting the couple that I tried and found them to be an absolute chore.

There was a rather large hiatus and I started again in 2020ish, trying some aged cigars was a real eye opener, an eye opener that came just after I sold most of the cigars I had. These managed to stay on account of me having no idea with regards to pricing, that same them still being available on the market some 10 years later!

Anyway, back to last night. I went with a punch cut and the draw was great, slightly snug but my wife was watching Stirctly and I had plenty of time to myself. The cigar construction was faultless, beautiful wrapper, the first cap barely visible it had been put together so well.

First third - smoke output was fair. The flavour was absolutely 100% nice, middle of the road, completely inoffensive, I really tried to pull some flavours out of the air but it was difficult. It felt incredibly mild, perhaps some cream but that would be too flavoursome so I'll go with whole milk. Don't get me wrong, I was enjoying it, I just really struggled to get more than mild but tasty tobacco.

Second third - much the same. The burn was faultless until I pushed my luck and went to get another drink, left it a touch too long and things went a touch sideways.

Final third - continued fairly similar but a couple of puffs revealed a savoury note that I couldn't put my finger on, umami goodness would be close. Despite the lack of real progression in flavour I got the Perfec draw out so it was definitely doing something right.

I'll give this a solid 4/5.

 

[williamthewolf]

Been interested in this one for a little while now. Great write up. I agree that some cigars are mild with hard to pinpoint distinct flavours but still manage to be delicious and PerfecDraw/cigar dagger worthy down to the nub. 

[cnov]

On 10/9/2022 at 10:22 PM, williamthewolf said:

Been interested in this one for a little while now. Great write up. I agree that some cigars are mild with hard to pinpoint distinct flavours but still manage to be delicious and PerfecDraw/cigar dagger worthy down tm

I'm definitely still learning but this was worlds apart from the Monte Especial No.2 the night before.

 

[dicko]

Thanks for the review. This was the first LE I tried.

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