Cañonazo VI 2023 Review (NRWMO)

[Capn_Jackson]

After terrible storms in Ft Worth, we lost power for more than a day. Luckily my in-laws did not, so we relocated over there. ANYWAY, to celebrate our power coming back, I’m lighting up my first Cañonazo. The Cannon Shot, arrrgggg!!!

Several veins on this wrapper, but otherwise smooth with very little tooth. Nice medium-brown color. Aroma has some cedar and quite a bit of hay. Cold draw brings me coffee and maybe some raisin. After a straight cut, this thing has a perfect draw. From the size of it, and my pace, I’m sure this will be about a two-hour event.

On opening light, I get excellent sweet tobacco with a little “twang,” cedar, and honey graham notes right off the bat. Excellent opening flavor!

First third:

Once it opens up, I taste buttered toast, a little almond and cashew. In the nose, retro gives me maybe a little dark honey and dried berry, with some citrus hanging around the edges. On the finish I get some toasted nuts and sweet oak smoke. A short finish, at least for the beginning of the cigar, but very good. The strength seems right around medium to me. Mouthfeel is somewhat creamy, but a little dry and crisp occasionally. This has a lot of HdM Epicure vibes, at least to me. Lots of smoke output, and just a great draw. Really incredible opening! 

As the first third evolves, more cocoa and cream start to hit my tongue, but then other puffs taste more like spiced rum and nutmeg. A fairly solid chunk of ash hits the tray just before reaching the second third.

Second third:

Most of the notes from before stick around for the second act, but even more sweet nutmeg shows up. Mixed with some subtle dark fruit, I’m kinda getting a baked holiday desert or even nutty fruitcake vibes.  Not so much oak anymore, but some even darker cocoa and coffee take its place on the palate. Also, I can’t stop thinking of marzipan. Great stuff here. The finish has evolved into sort of a creamy toasted brûlée, with some toffee as well. The texture has become creamy as can be, with an excellent mouthfeel. Coupled with my usual pairing of sparkling water, this is doing a marvelous tango on my palate.

The strength remains about medium, if even that. Burn line and smoke output all on point. Halfway through this cigar, and I gotta give major kudos to everyone involved. So far this ranks up there with some marvelous JL2’s and RASS that I’ve had recently.

Going towards the last third, the only change I can really note is the honey takes on more of a molasses flavor. Less sweet than before, more syrupy.

Final third:

A little more wood and dried fruit, and buttered toast again like the opening flavors. Cocoa and molasses still strong, and absolutely delicious. The burn line on this stick has remained constant as well. A little wavy, but no touchups required. 

Toward the end, a tiny amount of chili oil comes in on the nose, topping off the other flavors for a great mixture of coffee, wood, and spice. Strength gets a bit higher near the close, maybe close to med-full.

Just as predicted, this big cannon shot was just over two hours of enjoyment. Bravo and congratulations to everyone involved, for a fantastic treat of a smoke.

My score: 93

[El Presidente]

Superb review Cap!

I am smoking one now while reading the paper on vacation.

Can't argue with your review! 

[El Presidente]