Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5″ x 52 ring gauge
Price $10.60
Review Sample from SmallBatchCigar.com
Background
A couple weeks ago I saw couple of these cigars lying around the shop and asked about them. I was told they were samples left by the rep and I was encouraged to give one a try. I did and was given this second one to review. I didn’t place the name until I started to look around for info for this review, but I have smoked the original Imperia blend back in Chattanooga a couple years ago. This cigar is supposed to be more complex and spicy than that original release. They come in 5 sizes from what looks like corona gorda to toro gordo and range in price from $9-15. It is comprised of a filler of Dominican tobacco and Pennsylvania Broadleaf, a Dominican binder and Ecuadorian wrapper.
Prelight
The band is very ornate and good looking, and clearly has the brand and blend name on it. It almost looks like a family crest, but I don’t know if it is. The wrapper is a dark brown in color with a nice oily sheen to it and a good amount of tooth. When I gave it a squeeze there was a slight amount of give without any soft spots. Putting my nose to the wrapper I noted the aroma of hay and barnyard, with leather and barnyard coming from the foot. After clipping and taking a cold draw I got a good draw with notes if leather and curry.
Flavor
It starts off with a good amount of spice on the tongue and retrohale. After a few puffs the flavors of leather, graham, wood, cinnamon with a sweet finish came through. The cigar starts off in the medium strength. When I got to the second third the spice was still present and I got the flavors of leather, coffee, graham, and cinnamon with a sweet finish. The cigar moved into the upper end of medium during this third. As I got to the final third there was definitely more sweetness and less spice from the cigar. The flavors were pretty similar to the second third. The cigar moved into the bottom end of medium-full strength.
Construction
I had no problems with the burn or draw throughout the cigar.
Value
I’d like to see it about a dollar or so less, but this isn’t unreasonable.
Conclusions
I enjoyed this cigar, and if I remember correctly more than the original Imperia release. To be honest my enjoying that first sample and another guy at the shop’s favorable impression that gave Andrew the idea to see how they did in the shop. If you’d like to try this or one of the other releases from MLB Cigars head over to SmallBatchCigar.com to check them out.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
