BR 109 Review

[BigGuns]

***DISCLAIMER - we are not being paid nor receive any other benefits beyond the privilege of smoking these samples before you fine people are able***

That said, let me begin with a retroactive "Thank you" to Hamlet's preemptive "you're welcome" last week!  Smoking this 109 solo on Monday evening and not being able to enjoy it and converse with the panel at our regular get together gave me a massive case of FOMO...

This 109 has an immaculate presentation - dark(ish) oily wrapper with no seams or significant veins, perfect bunching in the foot.  The wrapper has a nice cocoa/milk chocolate aroma, a "sweet/dry" smell and the foot has pleasant earthy/hay notes.  I asked Gen to smell it and her immediate response was, "oh wow."  Snipped it and the cold draw is perfect - firm, but not too much so, with a clean tobacco flavor.  Pairing it with one of my go-to's:  some fine Numero Uno.

1/3 - opening half inch or so was a bit light and didn't have much discernible flavor.  Lit evenly, burn was great, it produced good smoke volume and mouthfeel and had a light body to it.  After that half inch or so, it started to introduce itself.  Started to build to a light-medium and presented some hints of that sweet cocoa I picked up on the wrapper's scent.  The aroma coming off the foot matched and the wisps of smoke were pleasant to be around.  By the end of the first third, this 109 was humming - the hints of chocolate combined with a sweet/savory profile were constant.  It is a "sophisticated" smoke, that is to say I am thoroughly enjoying it but cannot fully articulate the flavors I am getting.  Solid medium by the end of this third.

2/3 - This now savory smoke is a true representation of the journey Hamlet strives for.  The sweet cocoa has subsided.  Is that a hint of peanut butter?  Perhaps, but short lived.  The 109 is decadent.  Burn has been perfect, ash holding for a solid 2+ inches before my nerves kicked in and broke it off (this became a theme).  A bit of salty bread coming in...thoroughly enjoyable.  I am consciously forcing myself to not smoke it too fast, but it is hard - I didn't put this thing down for the 2h15m I had it.  What started off akin to a Monte 2 has transformed into a Partagas.  My word...

3/3 - I kept wondering if some honey/Cohiba notes would sneak in here.  I'm not sure if it was a case of mind over matter, but I swear I had some hints...I don't smoke a ton of Cohiba, but what I was experiencing at this point reminded me of the few that I have and I likened it to how I interpret a lot of the Cohiba descriptors you all throw out from time to time.  Whatever it is, is what I want in a cigar.

At this point, my focus and my commitment to review and report faded.  I started out listening to music and reading, tripping about missing out on the guayabera AGAIN until @MoeFOH literally gave me the shirt off his back (my man!) to putting down the ipad, capping my pen and just enjoying the pleasant LA evening and this incredible specimen.  All I really wrote down for the 3/3 was "this is decadent."  What a great way to close out the holiday weekend and settle into the week.

On a scale of 1-10, I give it a HOLY $x!&!  I decided I was in for a bundle just halfway through, not knowing what I still had yet in store for me.  Rob and Hamlet, WELL DONE!!!  Thanks for the opportunity to indulge.

[El Presidente]

Cheers Mike 

We indeed have something very special going on with this line of cigars. 

[MooseAMuffin]

Love the 109 format. is there a release date for these yet?

[El Presidente]

14 minutes ago, MooseAMuffin said:

Love the 109 format. is there a release date for these yet?

Aiming for April 2024. 

[MooseAMuffin]

14 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Aiming for April 2024. 

Awesome, can't wait!