Canonazo VI Review (08/23)

[Low]

This is my first time smoking one of these, as I don't often have 2 hours to spare, especially during the summer (high was a brisk 107°F today). I believe these arrived on the 19th of June, so that's 55 days down. In my entire smoking career, I can't recall ever waiting this long to sample something new. Straight cut, soft flame toasted, paired with a couple drinks and a few out of town friends.

First Third - After cutting and testing the draw, it seems snug, but I trust the process and flame it without grabbing my draw tool. I am rewarded with my preferred airflow, Hamlet trained those rollers right. Faint honey sweetness and a bit of fresh yeast, it tastes similar to a graham cracker. There's also a very distinct aged tobacco flavor, akin to a Padron 1964 Natural with a couple additional years on it. Milk chocolate and caramel dance through the retro.

Second Third - About every three puffs, the cigar switches back and forth between chocolate brownie, and chocolate cake. One puff has the richness of the brownie, another will be sweeter like a cake. There's also a bit of roasted macadamia nuts peaking through. This is going to sound odd, but randomly I get a hit of mixed berries, maybe 3 or 4 puffs in total throughout this third. On the finish there's a nice minerality. I think the best thing about a cigar that goes over 50rg is that you can get up, get a glass of water, hit the head, and walk your dog before coming back and it'll still be lit.

Final Third - Full bore chocolate and nuts, with a bit of bread. Take unsweetened Nutella and spread it on a good slice of country loaf, then take the Pepsi challenge with this bad boy. There's also the classic wood and leather notes that happen in the final 3rd of most NCs, but this showcases actual balance without blowing out my tongue. 

92/93 - Like a Monte 2 and Upmann 54 had a child that was partially raised by its uncle Padron. Perfect burn, pronounced flavors, and just enough complexity to keep me engaged for the 2 hour smoke time without becoming tiresome. Even the people I was smoking around commented on the aroma, and said it smelled like smoked chocolate. I'm hoping that as they get closer to the 18 month mark, cream or coffee will show itself, and that would take them from a 92/93 to 94+ for me. 

Sorry for the lack of pictures, but as I mentioned, there was company over and I forgot. Plus, we all know what these bad boys look like.

[GVan]

On 8/13/2023 at 6:18 AM, Low said:

Like a Monte 2 and Upmann 54 had a child that was partially raised by its uncle Padron.

Love it !!!

[SCgarman]

Spot on about aroma. Hamlet certainly nailed it. While some NC sticks smell terrible, these are fantastic. 

 

[Low]

4 hours ago, SCgarman said:

Spot on about aroma. Hamlet certainly nailed it. While some NC sticks smell terrible, these are fantastic. 

I'm not one for aroma, it always reminds me of 2nd hand smoke. But to actually have a third party who doesn't smoke comment on it was a genuine surprise