Cigar International Legends - Yellow Label (my first review)

[krevo81]

First and foremost I'd like to thank awsmith4 again for turning me on to this cigar.


Initial inspection - Pre light draw:

I gave this guy a few days rest at 65 / 65 before I decided to smoke it. Very minimal veins, almost not noticeable. The pre light draw had that little Pepin taste that kinda gets you in the back of the throat. Made my mouth water a tad It was very easy to pull from. I smoked this with a Cruzan single barrel and Coke


First Third:

This cigar was a little intermediate for the first 1/3. It did continue to smoke beautifully though, and offered tons of rich creamy smoke. Tasted a milder version of the Pepin spice, very woody still. A lightly tapped a 1" ash off shortly before moving along to the second third of the smoke. Burn was just moderately uneven and required one touch up with the torch.

Second Third:

The cigar got a tad bit more full in flavor, yet still maintained a rather flat and medium body with a good clean finish. I can't say I noticed a change in the flavor. It did start to get a bit creamier. Very leathery/woody still but with a bit more spice.
If I had to be realistic (and I could very well be wrong) but this cigar reminded me alot of a milder Cabaiguan. The wrappers are different but very Nicaragaun still. Even more than half way through the finish on the tongue is quite a bit milder than the Cab. Far less spice. (Which I can't say I don't like )



Finale:


As I approach the final third, I notice it begins to burn a bit unevenly again. It still draws very pure though, and although the smoke is less dense, it's alot of smoke which is cool with me! Flavors are still the same, but I enjoy consistency in cigars. My tongues not tingling yet like it would normally be when behind a Pepin smoke but the sweet aftertaste is nice. I can't help but mention the aroma is really mild and nice also.

The finish has gotten quite a bit stronger. The ash has been holding on very well throughout the smoke. Only knocked off a few 1" blocks so far.nIt's gotten a lot more cedary. Even when I pull off of it a few times, I'm still not getting that Pepin tingle I'm fond of. The aftertaste is still very nice though. I smoked her down to about 1". It did start to get much stronger towards the end, as to be expected.


Overall:


I can safely say that I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. The construction was perfect, as was the draw throughout. I did have it moments with uneven burn but only because I was smoking it kinda fast. I still have a very newbish palate but I can say this cigar was woody and cedary. The spice was very mild though and I wouldn't call this a medium - full bodied cigar. Although I primarily smoke full bodied Nic puros (Antano / Celabracion) I can say that this guy was extremely nice and one dimensional in a good way. Sometimes the Antano is just too much for me.

I want to again thank awsmith4, who went out of his way to show me this cigar. It a very good deal for a Pepin smoke. I foresee a box of these in my future. Give this guy some RG points please. I've only been smoking cigars since late January but I love to smoke and smoke often. Guys like him are the reason this board is so awesome in helping out newbs!!

[awsmith4]

Glad to here you enjoyed it.

Nice review

[dwhitacre]

[SIZE="5"]Nice review!!![/SIZE]

I think you were spot on with your descriptions.

I love the construction on these!

However, I don't find them one dimensional at all. The beginning is mild and changes in complexity throughout the smoke and finishes medium to strong. By the time I get to the 2/3rds mark I'm tasting all kinds of goodness.

[chippewastud79]

Very nice for a first review

Next time lets get some pics

[chenvt]

Hrmmm I've never really delved into the CI Legends.. But I am looking for cheapie "walk to the grocery store" cigars.. After reading your review, I might have to pick up a 5-er when I order from CI

[MarkinCA]

[SIZE=3]Bump! An excellent first review krevo...[/SIZE]

[krevo81]

Thanks, gorillas!!

This cigar for me would be a great breakfast / coffee and a shot of OJ type of cigar while reading the morning paper.

I can definitely see myself smoking one of these boys on the golf course or at the driving range.

[BamaDoc77]

nice review

[Blues Tiger]

Great review. I've got one of these that dwhitacre sent me in a PIF that I can't wait to try. Now I'm really looking forward to it based on your experience. Thanks for the review!



Blues Tiger

[dwhitacre]

Originally Posted by krevo81

Thanks, gorillas!!

This cigar for me would be a great breakfast / coffee and a shot of OJ type of cigar while reading the morning paper.

.

[SIZE=5]Really great in the morning!!![/SIZE]