asmith Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 I joined Rob and Guillaume for our first tasting of the SLR Pacifico. My first thoughts I must admit, were a little disappointing with the wrapper, light brown a pure Claro wrapper. I wanted a deeper Colorado colour but that isn’t what SLR is all about, this was indeed a perfect SLR wrapper, just like the DCs, Regios and with that my mind set changed and this cigar was a beautiful SLR through and through. A rather open foot and soft construction but not under filled, called for a small cut or it would be to open. Unlit it smelt of toasted tobacco and a touch of leather the draw was right on with that smaller cut. When first lighting the cigar that toastiness comes through and it jumps straight into stride at medium. A light bite on the tongue of spice gets your attention early, however there is little to no white pepper through the nose. Through the nose the cigar shows its youthfulness with a touch of greenness. I felt also just a dusting of coca that soon faded after a couple of draws. A little ill defined in the first third with touches of sweetness on the back palette and toasted bread sitting nicely throughout. This cigar is no shrinking violet, building from medium through the second third this is a robust cigar that needs some time to settle. The smoke is full and coats your palette to remind you of this smoke for several hours to come after you have finished. The greenness of the cigar has dropped away in the second third however the amalgamation of the flavours is not in tune just yet. Moving into the final third the cigar lifts in intensity and builds to full flavoured, with loads of nicotine reminding you about the power you are dealing with. Guillaume and Rob agree that the complexity of the cigar is lost here with pepper and heavy tobacco flavours ruling the final third. I struggled to keep it alight and its burn was uneven which is understandable for a cigar of this age. It was rather heavy in the end which didn’t leave me disappointed. This cigar needs to be reviewed again in a couple of weeks when its had a little time to settle. However the foundations for a great cigar are easily seen at this early stage. Bold, robust, powerful, full of flavours, and smoke this is a cigar to lie down for 5 years before it realises it true potential. The potential for this cigar is high, mid 90s for sure it reminds me of the SLR DCs from the early part of this decade, a real triumph for SLR and PCC. Rob and I will do a video review in a couple of weeks to give a full rating of this cigar once its had time to settle, I can say now however, this is a cigar that needs to be in your humidor, no questions asked.
Buch0 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Cheers for the review and pics mate, made for some good reading. I don't know what it is with SLR but I also find a real toastiness flavour prevails after the cigar is first lite. I have only really ever had young SLR's (under 2 years old) but just about everyone I have tried have given me a full onbringing of sweet bark from the get go that gives me faith for the remainder of the cigar. I actually look forward to this in the SLR's I spark up now.. Might be in for a box of these
Ken Gargett Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 [quote it reminds me of the SLR DCs from 10 years ago were they making SLR DC's ten years ago?
PartagasIV Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Great review despite no video commentary... I agree with what you had to say, initial blasts of dominant toasty sweetness but getting heavy and fuller toward the back end. Will be interested in how these develop.
maalouly Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 So was it enjoyable or no? By the sounds of it, will require few years to settle.
bunburyist Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 interesting - am looking forward to trying some of these, I'm a fan of the existing SLRs. Nice sized cigar too.
thechenman Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Sounds like a bigger hit than the RA Celestials...SLR has given me some pause of late. Have not been a fan of recent production DCs or As. The Regios have been smoking pretty well though. Will have to give this some thought. Thanks for the review Smithy...look forward to your upcoming video.
Lanthor Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I like the old school reviews, this was a great read.
canucks6024 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I noticed that the cigar (piramide) was cut on a slant. I have heard some people do this, would anyone care to comment? Phil
Buch0 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I noticed that the cigar (piramide) was cut on a slant. I have heard some people do this, would anyone care to comment? I myself have noticed Rob and co do this.. Maybe purely habit?
Ken Gargett Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I myself have noticed Rob does this.. Maybe purely habit? must say that i always do it but i have no idea why.
FireDigger Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I noticed that the cigar (piramide) was cut on a slant. I have heard some people do this, would anyone care to comment?Phil I started doing this on piramides recently. I think most people do it for a better draw.
Colt45 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I joined Rob and Guillaume for our first tasting of the SLR Pacifico. faded after a couple of draws. Nice work, Smithy - looking forward to another review - before you guys have had "lunch" I noticed that the cigar (piramide) was cut on a slant. I have heard some people do this, would anyone care to comment?Phil There are some who feel the angle cut guides the smoke more directly to the palate.
Buch0 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 There are some who feel the angle cut guides the smoke more directly to the palate. Very interested to put this to the test now
shrink Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Smithy, this is the finest review you have written so far. And the most compelling, as well. After reading it, it is very hard to resist the urge to purchase a box for aging. Thanks!
CIGARHead Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Smithy, this is the finest review you have written so far. And the most compelling, as well. After reading it, it is very hard to resist the urge to purchase a box for aging. Thanks! I have a funny feeling that Rob was wine drunk, logged in as Smithy, and posted this review. No way Smithy wrote this PS. No matter if Smithy or Rob wrote this, great review! Me want some.
bassman Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 [quote it reminds me of the SLR DCs from 10 years agowere they making SLR DC's ten years ago? Unless there was a special release, the first SLR DCs I've seen were OCT 01- and they are by far the best I've had.
thechenman Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 There are some who feel the angle cut guides the smoke more directly to the palate. I've heard the same thing Colt. Have never tried it myself though. I can't imagine it would make that much of a difference if there was enough smoke to coat your mouth, but who knows...
Van55 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 The smoke is full and coats your palette to remind you of this smoke for several hours to come after you have finished. From dictionary.com: pal⋅ette /ˈpælɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pal-it] Show IPA –noun 1. a thin and usually oval or oblong board or tablet with a thumb hole at one end, used by painters for holding and mixing colors. 2. any other flat surface used by a painter for this purpose. 3. the set of colors on such a board or surface. 4. the range of colors used by a particular artist. 5. the variety of techniques or range of any art: a lush but uneven musical palette. 6. the complete range of colors made available by a computer graphics card, from which a user or program may choose those to be displayed. 7. (in ancient Egyptian art) a somewhat flattish slate object of various shapes, carved with commemorative scenes or motifs or, esp. in the smaller pieces, containing a recessed area probably for holding eye makeup and often used as a votive offering. 8. Also, pallette. Armor. a small plate defending the front of the armpit when the arm is lifted; gusset. pal⋅ate /ˈpælɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pal-it] Show IPA –noun 1. Anatomy. the roof of the mouth, consisting of an anterior bony portion (hard palate) and a posterior muscular portion (soft palate) that separate the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. 2. the sense of taste: a dinner to delight the palate. 3. intellectual or aesthetic taste; mental appreciation. I don't mean to cavil, but there's a difference.
Van55 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I noticed that the cigar (piramide) was cut on a slant. I have heard some people do this, would anyone care to comment?Phil Cutting figurados on the slant like that maximizes the surface area of the cut head (improving draw) and minimizes the likelihood that the wrapper will unravel.
Van55 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Unless there was a special release, the first SLR DCs I've seen were OCT 01- and they are by far the best I've had. According to MRN, Saint Luis Rey "Prominentes" may have been first introduced in 1988 -- perhaps as a commissioned special production. Saint Luis Rey "Double Coronas" were first introduced as early as OCT 01 and first hit the Hong Kong markedt with box codes of MAR 02.
Colt45 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I've heard the same thing Colt. Have never tried it myself though. I can't imagine it would make that much of a difference if there was enough smoke to coat your mouth, but who knows... I'm not a believer or disbeliever. My thought is that the smoke goes straight through regardless, but comes out a tad sooner on the shorter end of the angle. I think to really make a difference the cut would need to be almost vertical - like the mouthpiece of a flute. Just my thoughts.
bunburyist Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Cutting figurados on the slant like that maximizes the surface area of the cut head (improving draw) and minimizes the likelihood that the wrapper will unravel. that's what I figure. I take a guess at how the cigar will draw by feeling it, then cut appropriately. If it feels a bit tight, I cut a big slant (more surface area as Van says) for a better draw, or plain straight if it feels towards the looser side. would have to admit there is only minimal difference though.
El Presidente Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 I have always cut Beli's and Piramides on a slant starting with a smaller cut leaving room for a larger one should I need to open up the draw. Personally it is sheer habit these days but the theory is it directs the smoke onto the taste buds of the tongue.
Bartolomeo Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 SLR Pacifico RE OSB JUL 09 Green-Tan wrapper, soft construction, Matte-Velvet surface with some veins Pre draw was young tasting tobacco Ash was Grey, and flaky, burn was regular, light amounts of smoke Flavors: Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum, cocoa, Jamaican Sweet Bread Iniital puff was dried fruit and light tasting Cigar was Light-Medium with tons of flavor through out entire smoke, definitely encouraged for future potential Sweetness was present the entire time Cigar was kind of sloppy if you will but may shape up nicely over time 9/10 now and box potential definitely Bart
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