Madurolover's Great Blind Tasting

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by LegalEagle

Great review! And very interesting! Anybody think this review will drive prices of LAdC's up on CBid?

LOLOL. I doubt my noob reviews would sway anyone.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by bobarian

LOLOL. I doubt my noob reviews would sway anyone.

I think you are doing an excellent job brother.

[Cigary]

This is great,,,I love living vicariously thru another brother and esp. a blind test!

[bobarian]

Smoked #1 last night. Another nice smoke. Approx. 6 1/4 x 50/52 Topedo, mottled dark wrapper, maybe an undyed maduro. Solid construction, no soft spots. A bit of sweetness from the prelight draw, nice smooth smoke with no harshness. Smoothness seemed to indicate some humi time, but it could be a fresh stick with some aged tobacco. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Maybe a Dominican puro, but more likely a blend as it still had some kick. A nice medium smoke. About midway the draw tightened a bit, but I was too lazy to recut, so I just poked it with the Henry's tool. Opened up nicely, stayed medium with some nice flavors. I dont think I have had this stick before but it was somewhat reminiscent of a La Aurora 1495 with a darker wrapper. Maybe a Barrell Aged, but the taper was much pointier than the LA's I have had in the past. My guess its a house blend or maybe a Taboo!

[madurolover]

Bob, good call on the cigar having some age. I really like these cigars with about a year on them. The one you smoked had about 3 years on it.

Cigar #1 was a Diamond Crown Maximus #3

Glad you enjoyed it and I hope the remaining smokes turn out to be good for you.

[bobarian]

This afternoon I smoked #7 from Donnie's stash. I solid, well constructed 5 x 50 robusto with a dark maduro wrapper. Interestingly the binder and filler were also very dark in appearance. Cap looked a little rough so I decided to punch this one rather than court disaster. Prelight draw was just right with some sweetness. Toasted the foot and this one seemed to scream MADURO. I used to smoke a lot of maduro wrappers, but since venturing to the Dark Side its been while. This smoke had a bit more sweetness than the DCM I smoked earlier. Nice smoke production and a good burn. Punch was the right choice as I had no wrapper or cap problems. I kind of found this a bit one dimensional, but it did have a lot of good maduro flavors. Hints of coffee and cocoa. This is a good smoke for those that are maduro lovers. Very smooth with no bite or pepper I usually get from a Nic puro. I am guessing another Dominican. Prelight had me thinking SP Double Maduro, but this was much smoother than the last few I have smoked. Didnt have the kick of a Pardron 2000 maddie. I will guess this was an aged LGC Wavell maduro. Another fine smoke, thank you Donnie.

[madurolover]

Bob, #7 would be the cheapie of the bunch. It was a Perdomo Lot23 Maduro! I really enjoy these when I am doing stuff in the yard or fishing. Good flavor without having to worry about picking out subtle nuances.

Another excellent review!

[bobarian]

Smoked #2 this evening. Another nice robusto, approx 5 x 50. Nice dark aromatic wrapper with a bit of toothiness. Prelight draw was just right with a bit of resistance and some nice sweetness. First inch had some nice sweet maduro flavor with a touch of spice. After the first inch spiciness came through with some peppery undertones. Quite strong on the nose exhale and about halfway the maduro sweetness went away and the spice and pepper were more dominant. This one seemed to scream Nic puro and I think I heard Jose Pepin Garcia's name whispered in my ear! Final third was quite enjoyable, but the maduro was gone. Nice full flavored/strength smoke. I am pretty sure this was a JJ Maduro.

[kayaker]

This thread is fun to watch. Thanks for all the great reviews Bo.

[madurolover]

Hit that one right on the head Bob! #2 was in fact a DPG JJ Maduro Selectos.
With this winding down I have to tell you that I have really enjoyed reading your opinions on these smokes. I hope you have had as much fun smoking these and writing the reviews as I have had reading them!

[bobarian]

Unfortunately, tonite is my last review. Thank you to Donnie(maduroman) for the fine selection of smokes. All were very good smokes and I really enjoyed taking the time with each one to think about what I was smoking and tasting. I have done 5 or 6 blind tastings and learn from each one. Of course its nice to just kick back and have a smoke for the pure enjoyment and relaxation. But its also nice to experience a cigar with a more analytical perspective.

So this evening I pulled the last smoke from the bag, #3. Was kind of sad there would be no more mystery smokes. It was a short robusto or rothchild. Approx. 4 1/2-3/4 x 52. Dark wrapper, but did not have the sweet smell of the JJ Maduro I had last night. Maybe a sungrown or a dark sumatra. Nice prelight draw with no oustanding flavors. First inch seemed to have kind of a muddy, earthy taste. Very strange cigar, each puff seemed to alternate flavors. First muddy, then some nice toasty flavors. But when I would take another puff, the muddiness returned. I am not sure if this was a young cigar going through some maturation or an old cigar past its prime. It had some flavors I really liked and made me think I have smoked this one before. But the muddy, dirt-like flavor was a turnoff. I think this was a Dominican as it was quite smooth on the nose exhale. I am going ot guess it was a young Punch Gran Puro.

Thanks again Donnie for this great challenge!

[madurolover]

Bob, the last cigar was a Gran Habano #5. I have not smoked one in about a year except for a couple that were fresh from the local shop. The one I sent you was from a box that is 2 years old. I hate hearing that they may be past their prime.

Maybe I will try one this week and see if I get the same "muddied" flavor.

Thank you for participating in this tasting and for the well written reviews.

[Shaz]

Thanks Madurolover and Bobarian for the thread. This was a lot of fun to follow. Sad to see it end.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by madurolover

Bob, the last cigar was a Gran Habano #5. I have not smoked one in about a year except for a couple that were fresh from the local shop. The one I sent you was from a box that is 2 years old. I hate hearing that they may be past their prime.

Maybe I will try one this week and see if I get the same "muddied" flavor.

Thank you for participating in this tasting and for the well written reviews.

The flavor was very strange. Not "muddied" flavors in the sense that several flavors were mingled together and none came out. More like actual MUD! It was very strange how it alternated good and bad flavors.

Thanks again for the great smokes!

[teotides]

I'm bummed to see this thread end but it sure was fun while it lasted! Thanks Madurolover for sponsoring ths endeavor and thanks Bobarian for the great reviews. It was kind of like waiting patiently to see what was going to happen next in a book you're reading. Great job guys and thanks for the entertainment