Polly’s Cocktail Bar Coronita (FRWMay24)

[ayedfy]

 

Warning in advance that this review will be a waste of time if you wish to glean anything from it more than passing a few minutes looking at words on a screen. The theme this weekend is “freestyle” but I’m really pushing that.

 

I’m in Melbourne for a conference and felt like going out for a smoke, didn’t bring anything. There’s a reputable bar in Melbourne with a range of Cubans but that was closed when I headed out on a Sunday night. Walked past a cocktail bar in Fitzroy advertising cigars, so I enquired within.

 

This is a coronita. Nicaraguan, no idea on details beyond that. I asked it it was a house blend deal and the bartender said yeah basically. Paid about AU$35 which in “cigar from a bar in Australia” terms is cheap (an HUHC will run you double that at the aforementioned bar with Cubans). Probably short filler. They had a few thicker ring gauge sticks with actual bands on them (probably long-filler?) but that was going for twice the price and I didn’t want to pay that on an unknown quantity. Let’s get stuck in.

 

 

Opening third: draw is quite loose, burning even with huge smoke output. Aroma is awful, but on the palate it’s pretty light and simple, inoffensive. Typical Nicaraguan pepper but also a deep savoury spice/herbs - rosemary in a beef roast.

 

Middle third: Wasn’t expecting development but there actually is some! Body steps up to medium, savoury spice moves forward and less peppery. At around the halfway mark a fairly basic vanilla cream emerges, plus a hint of white dessert wine. Slightest suggestion of sourdough.

 

Final third: Vanilla and sweet wine fade out, primarily worn leather now as the sweetness all but disappears, however there’s the occasional injection of tropical fruits.

 

For what it is, can’t say I was disappointed. I have smoked plenty of long filler “good” cigars that offered less than this. Wish the guy at the bar could tell me more about it but whatever, some things in life are better left unknown.

 

65/100