Cabaiguan Corona Extra Review

[WarHorse-cl]

I smoked my first Cabaiguan tonight and expected a decent smoke as it is a Don Pepin / Pete Johnson collaboration...well I was surprised how good it was.

Background on flavor profile: I tend to like full bodied, spicy cigars and lean toward flavor profiles that highlight black pepper. Based on this, I was expecting to find the Cabaiguan lacking....much to the contrary.

The construction (9 out of 10): My eye was caught first by the beautiful triple cap. It looked like someone took some serious time to roll this thing right. Seams were nearly invisible and smooth. Wrapper was smooth and appeared nearly veinless. Filler, as viewed from the foot, looked even and layered. The cigar was firm and consistant to pressure throughout it's length.

The cut: My Xikar sliced evenly and effortlessly through the head and left plenty of shoulder intact to maintain the shape of the head throughout the smoke. Prelight flavors were minimal and the draw was even...probably about an 8 out of 10.

Flavors (7.5 out of 10): The flavors didn't jump at you during first light but kind of built up through the first quarter of the stick. Flavors identified during the smoke were rather earthy (similar to wet wood) with some slight grassy and maybe almond that weren't pronounced but complimented the smoke. There were slight pepper tints to the flavor but they didn't linger long on the palate.

Body (8 out of 10): This cigar was medium bodied and didn't deliver alot of kick in the pants, but had enough umph behind it to keep my interest. Body and flavors stayed relatively constant throughout....a simplistic but enjoyable smoke.

Finish: Very subtle and short. Even while smoking without a paired beverage this cigar didn't leave an extremely long, lingering taste or impact on the palate.

Ash: Held together well out to the 1 inch and change mark before I decided to ash it. The ash was tight and sturdy with a dark, mottled salt and pepper color to it.

Price: Having been gifted this stick, I didn't know the price when I lit it up. After alittle surfing it looks like the stick will run from $8.00 to $10.00 per stick. I was a little surprised at the price and even more surprised when I decided that I would buy some more of these at the next opportunity.

Burn (7 out of 10): The burn started slightly scewed, which could have been my fault at the light, but was quick to self-correct. I experience one "tunneling" instance at the 2/3 point but was easily corrected without having to relight and did not effect the overall smoke.

Overall: A very enjoyable smoke and especially entertaining as it is a cigar that I would have considered to be outside of my characteristics preferences but found that it wasn't.

Try this cigar, I think you'll find it interesting and enjoyable.

[Fatmandu]

Great review Ted, thanx

[big04deuce]

Very detailed review!!! Thanks!!!

[Scott1966-cl]

Thanks for the review.

[Ceedee]

Superb review there Ted! Thanks very much for sharing. I want to run out and buy a bunch of these thanks to your thoughtful words... there goes my budget They really are a super smoke!

CD

[rpm151]

Have seen them at the locat B&M and now I must try them with the great review. Thanks