VR Unicos ‘01

[PigFish]

Sometimes it is a real pleasure to review a cigar; this was one of those times. It was a beautiful day here today, about 70, sunny with a light breeze from the north; perfect outdoor cigar weather.

I had originally decided to smoke a VR Classico but I’ll be damned if I can find the box. As I recall the last one that I smoked from the box was not that good, as a matter of fact the whole box has been somewhat disappointing and as a result I buried the box somewhere. I guess they will be there when I want them again!

Being out of the Famosos and with the DA too big for my morning smoke I decided on the Unicos. This sample appeared to be a little beat up. The wrapper was damaged in a couple of places and the head also had a wrapper crack. I took a deep cut at it as to remove the damaged wrapper portion and the strategy worked well to reduce the potential for unraveling.

As many of you know I pretty much swore off of figurados for a number of years with the prevalence of poor construction being endemic of the breed. I bought these on a bit of a lark as the result of a friend raving about the box code. I have had good luck with this box of cigars and this cigar was no exception. Having tossed the few remainders in my lose figurado drawer with HdM Piramides and several others it is apparent that this may be the last of them.

The prelight draw was easy… a little too easy for my taste. I found this a tad worrisome and it would pan out to be a defect in this cigar. There were no real prevailing tastes in the prelight draw so I proceeded to torch her up. Maybe it is just me, or just the cigar but I can hardly get a large ring cigar to burn correctly. I am so used to narrow gauge cigars that perhaps I don’t draw on them with the vigor necessary to really get them to combust properly. One would think that with my big mouth, boisterous and opinionated nature I would possess adequate constitution to get the job done. Perhaps I am a ‘weak suck’ after all!!!

The initial flavors were very compelling. This cigar began to pursue my waiting papillæ right from the start. I was almost immediately assaulted with cayenne and earthy tobacco. It was a bit of a shocker! Since I was out of coffee and only had enough for Lady Piggy’s cup my receptors were no where near ready for this fierce attack. Hell… it was date rape!

Once the cigar settled in a bit and my ‘date’ was past her initial aggression, my palate became coated with a thick tannic film of essential oils. This particular box has possessed the most unctuous cigars that I have ever smoked. One such sample, smoked several years ago, almost caused me go gag; they are that oily! This bruising hussy, lacking all class was also a mouthful. The smoke was highly abundant, cool but stingy; nasal exhaust was out of the question. I explored her life essence for familiar character but could not nail down the nuance… there were none. The blend of flavors was good, very strong but not distinguishable beyond that earthy well blended tobacco. This cigar was not at all complex in individual, definable tastes; this cigars constitution was one of a junk yard dog.

Like many larger ring cigars this one began to tunnel. It was immediately apparent in the flavor profile. The taste change was actually a pleasing “lightening” of tastes but I would not cheat the hangman; with numerous relights to burn back the un-burnt exoskeleton I taunted my partner back to the battle.

There is not much left of her now, so with that I am going to set down my laptop, expose my cranium to the healing power of the sun and enjoy the last of her life. Happy smoking, and thanks for reading. –Piggy

Pictures to follow when I am back inside.

Trashy liked it too!

[Colt45]

Nice work Piggy!

I've flip-flopped with these as my favorite pirámide over the past few years, but usually find them a welcome treat.

P.S. When you say papillæ, I hope you mean taste buds and not nipples.....

[PointSource]

nice review!!!!!!!!!

[sounddust]

Looks like these beauties needs another 3-5 years of sleep, lest you get assaulted by a pointy piece of vegetation over 6 inches long again. Perhaps you woke her up too early, incredibly this cigar probably needs more sleep than my dead Maltese.

[PigFish]

Looks like these beauties needs another 3-5 years of sleep, lest you get assaulted by a pointy piece of vegetation over 6 inches long again. Perhaps you woke her up too early, incredibly this cigar probably needs more sleep than my dead Maltese.

Whatever you say... don't say, "dead Maltese!"

[sounddust]

Whatever you say... don't say, "dead Maltese!"

OH! Can't believe I missed that pic! I obviously meant delicious Maltesers.

[MNSmoker]

Fantastic review! Thanks for sharing with us.

[Jimmy2]

Great review Piggy .And just for the record AGE will not help that cigar out it is what it is and will be no more..

[BonVivant]

Great review Piggy .And just for the record AGE will not help that cigar out it is what it is and will be no more..

Thank you for an excellent review.

To Jimmy2: That is a very insightful statement - I love it!

[Jimmy2]

Thank You...

[jquest63]

Excellent review, Nice Pics. Too bad about the smoke. I've read that its a difficult shape to roll. Make you wonder whether the best roller was assigned that day. Don't have much personal experience with the Unicos. I favor the VR famosas and don alejandros. Hope they improve with further aging.

[Bartolomeo]

Vegas Robaina Unicos 2005

Piggy's review was a 2001 but mine is a 2005 for reference

Wrapper is tan with oil spots

Construction was excellent, draw was good, regular burn rate, lots of smoke

57 mins to smoke due to 52* outside tonight

Ash was dark Grey and tight barrel

Med-Full smoke

Flavors were coffee, toffee bar, dry sweetness, honey & spice, cocoa

Initial puff of spice and no sweetness

1/3 was rich and smooth, sweetness finally showed itself

Monte #2= Milk chocolate where the VR= Bailey’s Irish Cream IMHO

This was a 2005, curious to see how 2008-2009 would be?

No loss of flavor at all during the complete experience

Definitely buy a box and enjoyed this a tad over the Cuaba EL Piramides review I did http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/inde...showtopic=95762

9.15/10

Bart