TX Duo review - Viaje Exclusivo Robusto 2014

[Çnote]

Occasionally someone asks, why Viaje? In 2016 or so, I started to really get into cigars. Someone handed me a Viaje. In retrospect, it was probably this cigar. It may have been a Daisy Cutter as i think more about it, but it was probably this. Maybe.

A sniff and cold draw are stellar. I usually don't pay much attention. I have a hard time consistently retrohaling, this is so smooth I'm doing it naturally. Smooth velvet, touch of clove, heavy crème, all in the 1st half inch.

If there was any thought this was too old, a sweet paprika kicks up a mouth watering savoriness. This is delicious but burning fast. A little age, a little not tasting hot. The retro is all feelings, no edges. Still all creme and spice, but weighty. Its all textures more than flavors. I get side tracked thinking of Romanee St Vivant. I didn't notice I'm way past half before ashfall.

Entering, the 3rd third, I sense a change, clouds on the horizon. Is it a storm, or a gentle rain? No, just transition into an amazing finish. More soughdough than crème. I am reminded of the few great D4s I've had. I never had luck with those.

Getting to the finger burning zone, it begins to show more coffee and Mexican chocolate, with cinnamon and pepper more than cocoa.

This is a great cigar for me, let's see what @Capn_Jackson thinks.

[Capn_Jackson]

Playing catch-up here, as I know @Çnote posted his last week. Great-looking stick and very dark brown cellophane! Wrapper leaf is a nice dark brown, rich-looking. Smooth leaf, no teeth to speak of.

After a straight cut, the draw is open with just a touch of resistance, seems good to go. Cold draw has coffee with milk chocolate cream, and a hint of nuts. The light-up explodes with what our friends across the water call chocolate biscuit, and quite a bit of roasted cashew. Very typical Viaje, to me. Excellent opening!

Mouthfeel is somewhat dry at first, turning to creamy texture after several minutes. Great smoke output, and the long finish leaves something more savory in the mouth between puffs. Mild pepper and maybe grass notes. Going on into the first third, chocolate notes fade and the overall flavor is a little less sweet. Also the nutty vibe is less cashew, and heavy hazelnuts. All hazelnut and cream. Nice flip of the switch early on, and if the chocolate comes back it’ll taste for all the world like Nutella.

Getting great stuff off this stick. Very balanced and well-evened. No elbows. Sure enough, milk chocolate makes its way back for a Nutella vibe in the second third, along with some bright nutmeg in the finish. I don’t detect much variance for awhile after that, but very rich and tasty, all the same.

This ultra-smooth smoke ends with rich medium-roast coffee, baking spices, and a fair bit of sourdough bread. Age has done it well, very well. Gotta thank Cody VERY much for handing me this stick to review. Gets a 92 from me!

[Çnote]

22 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

Gotta thank Cody VERY much for handing me this stick to review

My pleasure 

22 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

Very typical Viaje, to me.

We've been rifle on Viaje, shotgun next.