TX Duo Review - Viaje 5th 2012

[Çnote]

@Capn_Jackson

This one was tough. Tangy on the cold draw, which led to some serious Worcestershire that was alleviated with a very tarry recut, twice. When it wasn't washed in unami, this showed some cream, belt leather and baking spice. Occasional flashes of mushrooms and black pepper.

Construction incredible and extremely mellow, but overall flavor not my speed. I had high hopes for this based on a 2017 reroll of the same blend, alas. Maybe some humidity issues, this seemed very wet even after a hard dry box.

[Capn_Jackson]

And now for my side of the story…

Wrapper on this beautifully box-pressed stick is a reddish shade of brown, and the aroma off the leaf is a nice mellow whiff of fine aged tobacco. Cold draw has some excellent caramel notes, and crushed cashew. I spend some time enjoying cold puffs, because it’s a rich one. Some coffee and crème too, for sure. On light-up, I’m greeted with great aged Viaje. Caramel crumb cake, raisin, cocoa, just excellent stuff here at the front. I don’t think I’ve had a cigar start off this good in about it a month, since my last Fat Fundy. Tangy, almost.

Going on, the opening act has lots of buttered popcorn, hazelnut, and just a hint of cocoa. The finish has a splendid dose of fig jam. Tiny bit of heat in the retro, very faint and not problematic. Something like ancho chili powder. Lots of toasted pumpernickel throughout this first third. Eventually some marzipan makes its way into the mix.

Second third turns to more of a cappuccino cream, caramelized edges of meringue, and just fine aged tobacco. More pumpernickel, still, and extremely savory baking spices. Some yummy soft leather flows in here and there, but always fades to raisin and marzipan for the finish.

Last third is very chewy, great notes of leather, anise, coffee, and caramel crème. I detect some dark maple here and there, with some pumpernickel still lingering. Just a slight bitterness near the nub, but no detriment. This was a fantastic aged beauty, thanks @Çnote!

96

[Çnote]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[Capn_Jackson]

2 hours ago, Çnote said:

Glad you enjoyed this one!

I found it was right up my alley.