Taboo: Not what I expected

[Ndimarco]

So I was gifted a Taboo cigar on a bomb and I'm not entirely sure who it came from. I was extremely excited about it, because I have never had one before, and this forum seems to speak very highly of them. However it did not meet the expectations I had for them.

Pre-light: Very nice looking wrapper, oily some what darker, feels nice and firm, no soft spots, and smells very good. ( At this point I should mention I had let it sit for about a month or longer). Pre draw is good, clipped very well no loose tobacco, or cracked wrapper. At this point I was pumped to try it.

Initial Light: Nice draw, a little firm but produced a good amount of smoke, with a little spice on the palate.

First Third: Had some alright flavors but it seemed to have a taste that reminded me of the Rocky Patel Sun Grown I was disappointed with. An almost metallic taste, maybe ammonia, chemically taste. I thought for a second maybe its something in my humidor giving these tastes however, I have smoked plenty others out of the same humi, with no similar tastes. Burn was a bit wavy but stayed lit.

Second Third: Started to get a more pleasurable flavor to it. Picked up some good tobacco flavor, maybe some woody, earthy, and at times a slight coco touch. However, it started to have a problem staying lit. Had to relight it once or twice and the burn started to canoe just once or twice.

Final third: That metallic, ammonia flavor came back and more problems staying lit. The unpleasant tastes where not as dominant as in the first third, however were still on the forefront, and were there just enough to make me put it down right around the Band area of the cigar.

I had high hopes for this one, but they fell flat. I do have a Taboo Twist that I will let rest for a little while longer. I hate to give a negative review, especailly for one where the retailer seems to hangs around here, and updates the forum on deals they are having and so forth, but I have to be honest. I don't know if it was a bad stick or just not my style.

I'd be willing to try another if you guys think I'm crazy, and would be willing to trade to do so. Let me know and I'll review another. I post recent purchases on the whats your latest thread, so check it out and see if I've bought something you wanna try and I'll trade with ya, and give em another shot. Till then I'm not sure I'd be buying anymore on my own, but this could change with that Taboo Twist I have.

Nick

[Ndimarco]

P.S

I'd like to thank whoever bombed me with this! While I know I gave it a somewhat negative review, this is what its all about! Trying to figure out what you like and don't like. The great thing about our hobby is its all subjective. I do whole heartily appreciate this stick and conversation that may arise because of it. If anything it makes great discussion! Thanks again!

[commonsenseman]

Hmm thanks for the review, I also have one of these from a PIF, hopefully I like it better than you did!

[zeavran1]

Which taboo cigar was this? I've had the twist and I think they're pretty good. I have several other taboos in my humi that I have not gotten around to smoking yet.

[baddddmonkey]

I'm hoping it is a bad stick as well! Every Taboo cigar I have tried, I have enjoyed. Maybe it just did not suit your tastes. Do you know which cigar it was you had? I haven't had a Taboo for awhile, but I really liked the Special Forces blend, Maybe I should get one out tonight and smoke it!

[fuente~fuente]

I haven't got to try a Taboo yet... Sounds like you may have just gotten a bad one. Everyone I've heard here on Puff, like you said, has had high opinions of them.

Gonna have to get my hands on one sooner or later.

[SMOKE20]

thanks for the review. Try a few more. My first one was right out of the package and it wasnt the best, i have smoked a few more and loved every one of them

[Randy_LL]

thanks for the review brother,,

[MrMusicMan1]

Thanks for the review. I'm smoking a Special Forces right now. I have to say one of my all time favorite sticks the the Taboo Exotic Original toro. I find the Twist tastes very different in the various vitolas. I had were to be very general I would say many of the blends remind me of various Oliva cigars. Other I enjoy are the Dominican Maduro, Special Forces Boot camp, and their value line in an excellent smooth everyday smoke. I hope you find one you enjoy over time. As always, smoke what you like.

[texasbadbob]

Thanks for the review.
ost of the taboo cigars that I've tried I really liked. Try another one.

[Ndimarco]

To be honest, I'm not sure what kind it was. Other than it was a fairly brown wrapper, not quite dark enough to be maduro, it was a torpedo shape and the band is what a normal Taboo band looks like? I'll wait till I try the twist this weekend most likely before I write these off or give em another chance. I'll keep everyone updated

[Jack Straw]

I didn't really care for the twist myself, but the Special Forces Original I thought was a great smoke.

[Laserjock]

I had an HSG corona on the drive down to my parent's house this week and it was nice. Not sure what flavors, but just a nice cigar. However this morning I sat outside with an HSG robusto and it was not that good to me...kinda of bitter tasting for 3/4 of the cigar and just not that exciting.

Will be putting one of their Dom maduro robustos on the block for the drive home tomorrow...last one of those I had was pretty tasty.

[Arnie]

Seems to me Taboo has something for everyone. I got a sampler and some I really liked: the Twist, the Limited Reserves,etc. and some I didn't care for. That's the beauty of the sampler, you can pick out the blends that appeal to you. Don't give up on them. They are good quality, affordable sticks.

[ericb13]

I agree with the title of this post, however, I disagree with the content. I was bombed one by Teedles - Ltd Res Havana Toro (I think). I wasn't expecting much, but this thing is really close to a Padron 3000 Natural - which is one of my faves! Thanks TW! BTW, I purged about half way through and the the smoke has been creamy and abundant since...it's really tasty!