TX Duo Review - Viaje Summerfest 2022?

[Çnote]

@Capn_Jackson

We've put this one off several times, but it's hot and definitely summer so let's do it!

Hopefully we smoke the same cigar here. I really have no idea as the 2020 and 2022 aren't well differentiated on band or box and Summerfest might be one of the least loved Viaje releases over time, so these sometimes sit for a minute and I don't remember buying two at once for Duo specifically.

The brush foot starts hot and sour, but once the wrapper comes into play it has a very pleasant hazelnut nuance. Unfortunately this quickly fades and becomes a pithy lemon zest & bland custard profile with a rough texture that lasts until the band. I actually smoked this with Jackson while he smoked the Tatuaje TAA 2011 and this certainly wasn't that, perhaps I was distracted and jealous. It then picks up the lip tingling peppercorn sensation that I usually like, but very dry and savory. Some forest floor to keep it interesting, but the majority of the stick is 'just a cigar' to me.

Overall, I'm not particularly impressed. It's very, very clashy and discordant. What transitions there are are sharp turns down alleys I don't like. That all said, construction is great and tobacco quality seems fine, I think this is more a blend that I'm not a fan of.

I followed this up with a younger Patron 1964 that carries a lot of the same texture and profile, but more baking spice than bitter citrus, so maybe this Viaje just isn't my style of cigar.

I even went for broke here and had one of this year's Summerfest, the habano (they made 3 this year to keep things 'interesting'). Much more interesting and on my profile for sure, leather, baking spice, cream, but still doesn't pop hard enough for me to get more at MSRP and I'm not feeling the gearshift hesitation that leads me to believe this is something that would benefit from long term aging. 

Summerfest - 82

Padron 64 - 86

Summerfest CE - 89

On to something better

After yesterday's conversation we're shooting for two at week, and maybe with a special guest or two 

If you're in DFW visting or on the regular, hit us up! We're not as feral as we come off.

[Capn_Jackson]

Here we go….

Cold draw carries toasted sourdough, coffee, bitter nutty notes. The light-up puff does nothing to change this, though a hearty bit of pepper does its best to cover it all up and take the spotlight to itself. 

Once I get past the shaggy stuff at the feet, the pepper dies from the retro; but still lingers for awhile on the roof of the mouth. There’s a metallic twinge for a little while, hard to perceive anything else for several puffs. Eventually, things calm down and I get almost some CC-ish bright coffee finish. Barnyard and raisin on the tongue. Eventually some wisps of caramel float by, then settle into a heavier treacle flavor bed, with earthy espresso over the top.

Second third is very leathery, with some cookie-crumbly sweetness in the mix, and some dark fruits hiding down the hallways. Around the corners. Never in front, but always just where I can sense them lurking. Around the midpoint, leather subsides and these dark stone fruit notes come to the fore briefly. Some decadent plum brandy, poured over rye toast buttered with brown butter. Heavy, syrupy mouthfeel. I’m swimming in it. I don’t tend to gravitate toward smokes with this kind of presentation, but luckily the strength itself isn’t as big as the body. 

Last third arrives with some baking spices, and slightly bitter dark roast. Baker’s cocoa, like 96% cacao. Things are almost too bitter, just on the line. I also sense some almond, make it roasted almond, and also make it pecan instead of almond. My palate is almost at a loss to find anything else. This has been a huge smoke for me, size and time-wise. Interesting stuff, though. Meaty and oaky. Some oatmeal stout, very little fruit here at the end. Barely any. I wish the fruity flavors had continued to develop, but the roasted pecan is enjoyable. 

Strength has been on the rise since shortly past the middle, and now it’s hitting like John Bonham beating a snare drum. End of this stick is dark, dark molasses, mixed nuts, espresso and, strangely, salt. Don’t know where that came from. Although it’s 99 on the porch. Maybe that was sweat. Fitting for the name “Summerfest.” Nope, a definite minerality here at the end. It’s a little distracting, but that’s where we finish up.

I enjoyed most of this stick. The last third had me a little bored, and I really think the middle of the stick was the best part, for me. That plum brandy note and breadiness was delectable, although a bit heavy. My palate might’ve been desensitized and too muddled to enjoy the last bit very much. About two hours and fifteen for this one, which would’ve been more enjoyable if it had paced itself. It was too eager to show itself near the middle, and had not much place to go after that. Regardless, this cigar is definitely “for” some people. Not me, necessarily.

[Capn_Jackson]

@Çnote, going back now and reading your notes, I think the best terms that describe this one are “clashy and discordant.” Same.

[Çnote]

I'm not convinced we smoked the same cigar. Maybe some batchiness here, but since neither of us liked it really, we move forward.