Official Indonesian Cigar Review Thread

[eyesack]

Pretty straight forward guys. All who are participating in the Indonesian Cigar Pass please post your reviews here. Remember, make sure you post your reviews within a month after you receive your sticks, or else!

Cheers and Asalam,
Isaac

[eyesack]

My review of the Tambo:
Initial inspection: This cigar is about the size of a petite corona I believe, maybe somewhere between petite and regular size corona. It features a double band, one white with gold borders and tobacco leaves and the other green tobacco leaves. The white one says "Tamboloka Natural Tobaccos" underneath the bold lettering of "Tambo".

The cigar features a very nice triple-cap with a pigtail. Its wrapper is a toothy, oily, brown, that begs to be smoked. Construction is obviously hand-made and a little rustic, but I really like it. It makes me feel like I'm smoking something that someone spent time and effort on. It is firm, showing no soft spots and no plugs. Feels like it may draw somewhat tight though.

The aroma of this cigar is very pungent, not like any other tobacco I've had, and I expected a very strong cigar.

Cut and prelight: I couldn't find my cutter, so I used a razor blade. The cap cut cleanly and effortlessly. The pre-light draw was clean, with no notable taste, leading me to believe maybe this cigar would be a more mild stick than anticipated.

Light and first third: Upon lighting, the flavor was light, and the body full. Immediately within 5 puffs or so, a noticeable "twang" comes into play. VERY reminiscent of the twang I've had from cigars from an Island South of Miami. The twang hits me on the back sides and under my tongue, and makes my mouth water lol. The mouth-feel is really lush and watery, something I've not experienced before.

The flavor builds up to what actually tastes to me, very very similar to that of a Montecristo CC, but more complex. Leather, espresso, hints of vanilla, they're all there, painted on a rich tobacco canvas.

Second Third: Had to re-light because I ran to the bathroom. The flavor is still pretty much the same profile, just deeper and darker if that makes any sense. I'm getting some hints of toast and still that coffee-espresso-ish taste, but the vanilla is not as precedent as it was in the first third. At this point I'm REALLY wondering what kind of tobacco is in this cigar and when the heck it is going to come to the States.

Quick note about the ash: It's not a cliff-hanger epic ash, but I think that's a good thing. I have to puff somewhat vigorously on this stick to keep it from going out. Or maybe it's just because I'm loving the flavor THAT MUCH! =D

Getting towards a little past mid-way point, it's apparent that the tobacco in this cigar has toasted to a wonderful, rich woodsy taste. If I may, without sounding too precocious, I'd like to use "piquant" to describe the flavor of this smoke. It's starting to pick up a bit of spice in the back of my throat and through the nose.

Final Third: I am loving this spice now as I'm freezing my balls off in my car sitting in my driveway. I am sad to report that I had to take the bands off of this cigar, because that means that this journey is almost over. The flavors have really melded into one now, and it's beginning to get a little too tart for my taste so I may have to give it a quick purge.

Post-purge: Flavors have freshened up to a nice, leathery, earthy, I want to say corojo-taste. I'm impressed with the burn-line on this cigar. I forgot to mention, on the initial light, I torched a little too much of the foot which made for an uneven burn at first but it immediately corrected itself kind of like when I was testing the Stability Control on a car I test drove once.

The mouthfeel is a lot dryer now, which is pretty cool in my opinion, because it's made for a very eventful cigar. The tobacco's burning a little hot now, so I'll slow down on my puffing. There's a definite leather and spice taste here.

With about 1/2 inch left on the nub I'm purging one last time to reveal a creamy leathery spice that I really hate to leave. However, this cigar has been great to me, so I'll give it an honorable death and let it rest in my ash tray. Goodbye for now, Tambo!

Final thoughts: If this is what Ferry Degiri's cigars have to offer, COUNT ME IN! What a great little smoke this was, easily up there in the top 10 smokes I've had in my relatively short cigar smoking career. Maybe even top 5. The burn line, the flavor, the eventfulness, the look of this cigar; all of this adds up to be one of my new favorite cigars, the Tambo. It is easily a cigar I would buy a box of.

I rate this smoke: Must have in your humidor!

Cheers from Jersey,
Isaac

Pics in a few minutes.

[eyesack]

As promised, here are some pics from my first Indonesian cigar experience!





lol mouth full of smoke. Yes I know I look tired as hell, it's because I just got home from snowboarding all day lol.
oops, seems I still have some booger-sicles from earlier... LOL!

mmmmmm Good to the last drop!

[smokin nightly]

Isaac!!!!!!! Bro that was an excellent review!

I cant wait to get my stogies so I can give my opinion...Way to go guys!

[eyesack]

Haha thanks Mark! I just wanted to be as thorough as possible since the purpose of this is for research/development as well as fun lol. Guys, don't feel obligated to strain yourself and write a 10 page essay either lol, just do what comes naturally. I'm naturally a very wordy writer and a pain in the ass when it comes to detail lol. =D

[bigdaddysmoker]

awesome review! really makes me anxious for my turn, but they will have to rest while i get over whatever crap i have. sore throat is no good for smoking tasty cigars.....

[ferrydegiri]

The first thing i saw on Isaac opinion was not at Isaac review but ISAAC FACE!! Looks flying to somewhere lol hahahaha. Thanks anyway Isaac for the review. You know what..i printed out the photo of your face then every body in office was laugh shaking their stomic LOL LOL

Cheers,
Ferry

[eyesack]

hahahaha yeeaaaah man, that is a pretty bad picture of me! @_@ weeeeeeeeeee! ahahaha

[ShortyStogie]

Great review, Isaac...

Ferry was actually nice enough to sponsor a similar smoke-out of his products with my friends in Karachi as well. I'm hoping to get these in a few days. I can't wait to try them. I'm just going to forward your review to my group here.

No worries, will leave your pic out!

-SS

[ferrydegiri]

Thanks for you too Shorty for your great cooperation, hope can do something with kind and honest people like you in future!

[shunoshi]

Wow, fantastic review, Isaac. You have my mouth watering; I'm just happy that I'll have my own showing up on my doorstep soon. Your review has me more excited than I already was. Looking forward to some fantastic smokes.

[ferrydegiri]

....then don't forget to make review after try the cigar Shunoshi

[shunoshi]

....then don't forget to make review after try the cigar Shunoshi

Trust me, the least I owe for free high quality cigars to be sent half way across the world is a review. I'll try to measure up to Isaac, but it will be tough.

[shuckins]

it's 12 degree's out,wind chill of 3 and ferry wants a review!

i ended up with only two cigars,the Tambo isaac reviewed and this one.

the Luna Perfecta:

medium-firm feel,tobacco smell


interesting band,i like the bird


easy light,big tobacco taste right from the start


has spice flavors that remind me of the wasabi/ginger/soy i have with my sushi.
a dark funny looking ash


it's cold,gotta cowboy up. looks like an exploding cigar,but it's just a flaky ash


mostly tobacco flavor with medium spice and a little woodsy flavor


a mild/medium strength that would be great with coffee in the morning


not the best burn,but that is probably because of the cold. the ash looks funny but it is hanging on.
getting a little more peppery in the final third,kinda kicking it up a notch


it finished a lot stronger than it started. never lost the tobacco flavor. light wood with medium pepper kicked in at the end.
i was really enjoying where it was headed,but i ran out of cigar



thanks ferry for the opportunity to smoke the Luna Perfecta,but if you were here i'd hit you with a snowball!!
i am looking forward to the Tambo...

[8ball917]

Nice reviews, guys. I'm really looking forward to trying these. I just received mine today (and thanks for the Shuckins special, Ron). I'm gonna let them hang out in the humi for a couple of weeks, but I'll make sure to report back.