Augusto Reyes Nativo =D

[eyesack]

Hey guys, I got a 5er of these real cheap about a week ago. Figured I'd give it a try as I was wanting something not-so complex tonight after staying up for 2 days straight working on an exam. Here goes!

Cigar: Augusto Reyes Nativo I believe from what I've read this is a Dominican Puro. Possibly my first puro.
Shape: Presidente? I think its in between a stout Toro and churchill
Prelight inspection/clip/draw: This is a beautiful cigar. It has a smooth, milk-chocolate colored wrapper with a few veins, and a great looking band. Also has a band at the foot.
Cigar cut perfectly! I think I'm finally getting the hang of this! Draw was perfect. Easy with a tiny bit of resistance. No lumps or soft spots. Seems to be rolled very tightly!

Light and first third:
Toasted it up with my MAP torch. I swear this is my favorite lighter EVER! The first inch and a half was pretty bland, to tell you the truth. I was kind of getting discouraged. It had a very unique, hoppy-yeasty taste to it. Kind of like, no, very much like those dinner rolls that you buy and bake yourself, before you bake them.

The mouthfeel was also unique. It had a twangyness that I've never had before, like bitterness without the bitter. I distinctly remember it giving me a sensation similar to a heavily carbonated beverage like seltzer-water.

Getting towards the 2-inch mark, it quickly developed into a much fuller, freshly baked-bread flavor. Very interesting! This kept me amused for about 45 minutes, as it was a very steady and predictable crescendo into the halfway mark.

Halfway point: I'm feeling very "full" in my belly! Not sure if I can go on, as it's getting pretty strong now. I set it down, went back inside to grab my camera since the ash was still hanging on. After another inch or so I've had enough. This cigar was much stronger than I had anticipated.

Final Third: Very strong deep, tobacco taste here. No more bread taste. Was pretty nutty and a little hot-tasting. I started puffing much slower, and then realized that this was the end for me.

With about 2.5 inches left of the stick, I was beaten. I guess it must be that my tolerance has gone down as I've only been able to have a smoke twice or 3 times a week now, but I'm really feeling buzzed. Had to step outside for a breath of fresh air.

Conclusion: This is a stick that I think I'd be able to enjoy in a smaller vitola, although I'm not sure if it would have the burn-length to build up quite as well or if it would get as intense. I had to grab a glass or orange juice to try and combat the nicotine buzz from this guy.

I was also impressed with the huge volumes of thick, white smoke this cigar produced. I had my garage door cracked and it still looked like a scene from my "high" school party-days! LOL!

I rate this stick as: Very surprising! Definitely a slow, slow burner after the first 3 inches or so. I will revisit this smoke at a later point. If you can find these at a good price (I was astounded when I found out the MSRP) grab some and give em a whirl!

Other thoughts: This is one of the only smokes I've had yet that I could actually see going well paired with a meal. Maybe something like a herb-marinated/rubbed chicken or a hearty NY strip, and although I don't drink alcohol, I could see this going well with either a light-medium beer or red wine. I smell faintly of peanut butter.

Here's the huge ash this guy held:


That's all for now, I think I'm going to go pass out. And no, that's not what you think it is in the ash tray. Those are hand-rolled cigarettes and the nub of a RyJ cigarillo.

Cheers!
Isaac