The cigar itself presented with an almost greenish brown wrapper with no visible veins and a good amount of oil. This particular cigar was slightly under filled and had a couple of soft spots around the banded area.

The aroma at cold was herbaceous with tea elements and some youthful tobacco tastes.

The opening was quite nondescript. Light, grassy, hay like notes, with gentle spice on the back palate accompanying notes of sour dough bread. To be honest it was a less than impressive start, but still quite pleasant.

As it got running I noted some stone fruit characteristics along with cardamom and bay leaf. Late in the first third I detected some woody components which helped flesh out the body and assist in the delivery of balance.

By the second third, the cigar started to wake up. I noticed many varied flavours including lemongrass, milky coffee, almond, sour dough, and even some vintage cheddar on the finish; all of which still handsomely underpinned by a herbaceous, woodsy base. There was not an earthy character to be found. 

The finale saw an increase in spice, body, and complexity. There were some darker, heavier coffee tones emerging, along with damp forest and fruit cake. There were obvious signs of youth that appeared from time to time, but still enough depth of flavours to suggest good potential with a promising future flavour profile.

The draw was a bit loose producing a ton of smoke and a faster than desired burn rate. The body was above mild but never quite reaching medium. The finish was long and decadent. The ash a mottled dark grey and the burn itself was even.

Overall this cigar improved throughout the duration of the smoke but is yet to really find it's feet. The opening was far too dormant but did manage to open up suggesting it will get much better. It showed solid Por Larrañaga DNA along with good flavour transitions at times - although admittedly I expected more from this format. Time will tell on this one.


Fingerburner Rating:  87