Trinidad Vigia Tubos TLU FEB 22 (ashWRC)

[Mr. Esposito]

Cigar Review: Trinidad Vigia Tubos. TLU Feb22 (to follow)

Opening thoughts on my ideal ashtray....

 An ashtray must provide the perception of stability and security when parting ways with your treasures albeit for just a short moment. Like a tried and true babysitter for your children or your trusted valet at the club, nobody wants to carry a burden of worry while you are enjoying the finer things in life.

My preferences...

Mandatory Primary Feature: Center post to maintain horizontal alignment.

Practicality: Function before form. 

Style: tabletop

Shape: round or triangular 

Number of user ports: 3 maximum. 

Depth: shallow. 

Construction: Heavy, balanced, stable and weighted. Dense and durable glass, stainless or thick ceramic with non-slip features on the bottom.

Rim rest girth, depth and width: Conducive to the gauge but more importantly wide enough to maintain full and stable support when it's too short to use the center post. 

Engineering: if multiple users at the same time, It should be designed to isolate each stick independently so there is no chance of a cross mingle. Only the fallen ash should be able to mix once fallen into the shallow concave or flat bottom. 

My submission for your consideration encompasses all that is important to me. Rectangular, heavy glass, solid brass center post. Pure functionality, safety and practicality. 

I have the rare, fancy and collectible rigs too that I display when hosting however this trusty work horse always sits faithfully by my side. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

 

Cigar Review: Trinidad Vigia Tubos. TLU Feb22 ...62%/68F for last 2 weeks. 

-Purchased: LCDH, Hotel Kempinski Siam. Bangkok. 12/23

Just about 2 years old, I decided to tap into these tonight.

Paper box of 5 sleeves x 3 Tubos each. High gloss/ quality aluminium tubes with interior cedar sleeve.

Pairing: Yuu Baal Maguey Espadin Joven Mezcal. 

Smell at opening : musty, hay, sweet earth. 

Appearance: a lighter shade wrapper than anticipated. Beautiful pigtail cap and near flawless wrapper with no significant veins. Very light oil. Slight appearance of oil crystals on the foot. Firm and solid everywhere. 

Cold draw: wide open with hints of spice and the sourdough bread.

Opening: Pepper, hot spice. Poor smoke production.

3 minutes in: retrohale starting to produce hints of strong fertile earth and cream. Spice and pepper dwindle. Still insufficient smoke production. 

10 minutes: first ash drops. Smoke production into the draw increases slightly. Construction is solid. 

20 minute half way point: cream notes change to almond tones while earthy flavors increase on the retro.. Smoke production reaches an acceptable level on the draw. Construction remains solid and ash holding strong.

30 minute mark/ last 3rd: wrapper experiences a small burst. A bit of spice returns to slightly sizzle my palate. Fertile earth tones remain the overwhelming presence. Ash remains intact. With the exception of the burst which has held unchanged, construction remains in tact.

Wrapping up: sponging but still solid. Hard to keep lit. 

Summary: poor smoke draw for the first half was the major disappointment. The earthy flavors are what I enjoy in a CC so this choice was firing on all cylinders for me. The coming and going of the spice, nuts and bread could have remained a bit longer. No bitterness at all. Consistent but lacks complexity. 

Overall :6 out of 10. 

Value for the money: 3 out of 10