This cigar uses Oliva’s original “Cuban” blend, since changing over to a bolder blend a couple of years ago. Its wrapper is a nice reddish-brown hue with no perceivable veins. It is slightly oily, leathery to the touch, and somewhat “Bumpy” in texture. There is also some evidence of light mottling on the wrapper. This stogie possessed a pleasing wet hay aroma, but is not as prevalent as I remember previously. A pre-light pull showed a firm, but yielding draw.

I clipped end off of the ample, double cap, and toasted the foot with my TSA approved Zippo lighter, being careful not to allow the flame to touch the delicate tobacco. As I took some short pulls, this stogie erupted into life, giving dense clouds of smoke.

Flavors of earth and dry, “tangy” cedar dominated the experience. By the halfway point, the notes of cedar gave way to notes of rich coffee, then slowly returned back to cedar. It displayed a long and woodsy finish that was medium in body.

This cigar possessed excellent burn characteristics. The ash was a nice salt and pepper color, breaking off clean with the foot every-time. The burn did show some evidence of a loose wrapper at the halfway point, but it did self correct. The imperfection did not affect the evenness of the wrapper in regards to burn, or the experience.

This has been a good cigar for when I don’t want something too heavy, but do want to have some flavor. We’ll rate this again in three months.

~Blake