Cigar Preview: Emilio Cigars Carpe Noctem

Vitola: Toro
Size: 6″ x 54 ring gauge
Price Unknown
Obtained From @Cigar_Arsonist as a review sample

Background

When @Cigar_Arsonist got back from his trip to Nicaragua he contacted me because he wanted to send me a couple of these cigars to review.  He brought back a few of these cigars for his enjoyment and to send to a couple people, and I was lucky to be on that list.  I had heard about this cigar a couple years ago and it really peaked my interest as it has been billed as a very strong and dark cigar, which as many of you know is right up my alley.  From what I can find the binder and filler are from Nicaragua with the wrapper being a Pennsylvania Broadleaf maduro.  It will be released in two other sizes, robusto and super toro, and come in 21 count boxes.  I don’t have info on when, but maybe after the show.  I was able to smoke one of these before this review.

Prelight

The wrapper of this sample was slightly rough looking and it was a medium-dark brown in color with some scattered light spots.  There were also some medium veins.  There wasn’t much oil to the wrapper but that was probably due to it being without cellophane.  There was some tooth to it as well.  When I gave it a squeeze there was a slight amount of give but no soft spots.  When I put my nose to the wrapper I noted the aroma of curry and barnyard with barnyard coming from the foot.  After clipping and taking cold draw on it I got notes of cocoa powder and wood with a good draw.

Flavor

The cigar starts of with a lot of spice on the tongue and retrohale.  After a few puffs on it I noted flavors of wood, leather, cocoa, cinnamon with a hint of sweetness on the finish.  Towards the end of the first third the spice died down a bit.  I would say that the cigar started off in the upper end of medium.  The flavors didn’t really change as I got into the second third with the exception of the flavor of maple starting to come through on the finish.  The spice did tone itself down a bit more.  Still in the medium range during this third.  As I moved into the final third I got notes of dry cocoa, coffee, and wood with a sweet finish.  These flavors didn’t seem as intense as the first two thirds.  The strength built a bit and crept into the medium-full range.

Construction

I had no issues with either of the samples that I tried.  The draw was perfect and the draw while a bit wavy didn’t cause any problems or need any correction.

Value

Since I can’t find what the MSRP of this is I can’t comment on this.

Conclusions

Overall it was a good cigar.  There just seemed to be something missing in the final third.  The first sample I tried was more spicy but without the richer flavors I noted in the second one.  I was also a bit disappointed as I expected this cigar to knock me on my keister, but I didn’t even get a nicotine hit from it.  I would give it another try though.