TX Duo Review Viaje Piña Makana 2022

[Çnote]

I found a Vcut! After last time's cutting issues we're back to the v-cut. Over time, I've found that the V gives the cigar a little mercy for my palate and the straight shows more of the flaws, a classic 'buy on apples, sell of cheese' idea from the wine business. But I often enjoy a vcut cigar more and this is about enjoyment. I'm not taking mastercase stock after all on any of these Duo cigars, most of them are things I've found in the wild laying around waiting to be enjoyed. #Enjoyment2025

Anyway, this starts as an absolute banger, silky smooth cocoa and light roast coffee, lashes of baking spice and the pepperiness is pineapple dipped in tajin. Getting into the 2nd 3rd and after ashfall, the intensity ramps up, the profile has more tobacco and the mouth-watering savory feeling of a great cigar is fully underway. Cocoa becomes bitter chocolate, coffee becomes more espresso roast.

Getting near the band, the smoke is very velvet smooth, orange zest and pineapple bark join the party of cocoa and coffee. I had a couple of very minor touchups in the 1st inch, but the burn since has been slow and even. Still savory in the mouth, but a very pleasant sweetness on the lips. I'm reminded of El Prez's description of 'mongrel in a dinner jacket' as the strength amps up with about an inch and a half of nub to go. Great young Viaje for me, if still a little kicky. The strength continues to rachet up, the flavors lose all sweetness and this shows a more power driven finish than i expected. 

@Capn_Jackson I look forward to your thoughts!

[Capn_Jackson]

Forgot to take any pictures, so no visual aids for me here.

Right off the bat, this one hits in a way the more aged Piña did not. Not in a good way. Not in a bad way, either… it just hits more. From the cold draw, there is damp earth, cocoa, and heavy savory spices. Light-up gives me notes of toasted tobacco, pepper flakes, and dark chocolate…. like, 98% cacoa. Buckle up!

First third goes on to show me some excellent classic umami flavors, some dark stone fruit that I can’t place yet, through velvety smooth smoke. There is quite a bit of pepper in the nose, but it goes so nicely with the roasted meat flavors. Something like spicy orange chicken from a take-out place. Going on, unlike the 2016 stick we just reviewed, I do straight-up get some pineapple off this stick! Not strong, just a hint at the forward middle part of the tongue. The finish is buttery chocolate, with notes of espresso, and peanut shell. Mouthfeel is dry, but powdery, in a good way. Dusting of baker’s cocoa.

The burn suffers a little going into the second third, requiring a few touch-ups on the path to the midpoint. The flavor isn’t compromised, and indeed I’m getting something candy-like. I would say honey but it’s much too “much” for that…  nougat? Something like a Snickers or Three Musketeers bar, but with dark chocolate. Heading toward the last act, more notes of meat come out, BBQ flavors of charred oak wood and savory pulled pork. Fire up the grill!

Last act starts to get just a little bitter on me, but soon morphs into earthy Sumatra blend. Occasionally some chocolate-covered raisin works its way in. There is lots more spice here, too, some sriracha mixed with coriander. Going on, heavy star anise on the finish, a bit more than I’d like, and a stout, peaty scotch. I’m a bourbon guy myself, but don’t mind the scotch here.

Heading toward the nub, all fruitiness goes out the window, and we are coffee, leather, and cocoa. No harshness until the nub, and even then not too much. Darker flavors overall than my usual, and lots of awkward transitions between flavor notes. I won’t want one of these again until it’s had a couple years down, I think, but can’t wait to try one again at that point. Thanks again, @Çnote!

[Çnote]

Andre did say somewhere that the 2nd batch was blended sweeter. I do wonder if we both actually taste pineapple or if we are licking the band...