1502

Blue Sapphire

Second time smoking, this time with 9 months of rest. Slightly better than the previous. Still a pretty basic cigar with a little touch of spice along the way. The spice mellows out the farther you smoke, but the richness of the tobacco slightly increases. The draw was smooth, but the burn stayed just about perfect. Still feels like something is missing.

This had ample aging and came from a reputable local vendor. This was a terrible cigar, and because it was treated correctly in it's early days I have to conclude the issue is with the blender's recipe. More on that in a moment, but first the plus sides. The cigar was goldilocks-firm: just right. The light and burn were perfect. The draw was squarely in the center pocket: perfect. And the very best of the cigar was it's pre-light. The pre-light draw was apricot. Unmistakable and wonderful. Then it changed into chewing tobacco... the sweet, good kind. Really nice. Then I lit it... ugh, the taste. Honestly, I do not understand what the blender of this cigar was thinking. It starts off with an unavoidable char that quickly ruins your palate to last the entire experience. Not too far in the profile shifts to bread. Then burned bread. Then more bland bread... not a good bread, just bland. Then the char again. The burn was perfect, so I was not charring the cherry... it was something about the tobacco choices. I hung in there hoping for a shift in the last 3rd, which it did slightly start giving off earthy if not barnyard notes. Not great. Then the insult: it gave off the unmistakable flavor of gasoline. With that, I quit. I can't think of a cigar I have disliked more. Congrats 1502, you've made a very strong impression on this smoker.

A pretty basic cigar, honestly. Smooth notes of tobacco with a little touch of spice along the way. The spice mellows out the farther you smoke, but the richness of the tobacco slightly increases. The draw was adequate, but the burn stayed just about perfect. Worth trying, but not worth a box purchase.