Vitola: Toro
Size: 5.75” x 52 ring gauge
Price ~$7.50
Review Sample
Background
Like Dave mentioned I was approached by GC with S&S Cigars about reviewing their first cigar the Foreplay. Dave did a great review of it here. I received one torpedo, one double toro, and the toro I smoked for this review.
Prelight
I agree with Dave assessment about the band. The name of the cigar is a bit difficult to read and the colors don’t look correctly lined up. It would just need a few tweaks to make it much better. The wrapper was a nice oily reddish brown in color. When I gave it a squeeze there was a slight amount of give and no soft spots. Putting my nose to the wrapper I got light notes of leather with a fairly heavy scent of barnyard coming from the foot. After clipping it and taking a cold draw on it I got a light sweet leather with a good draw.
Flavor
While not the most complex cigar I very much enjoyed smoking this one. I think that the extra age (a couple months) really made the difference. I didn’t enjoy the other two cigars I smoked near as much as this one. While not the most complex cigar I got lots of leather, wood, coffee, cream and hints on cinnamon with some sweetness on the finish. The spice on the cigar started off wasabi like but mellowed out a bit as I got through the cigar.
Construction
The construction on this cigar was perfect all the way through. The draw was exactly like I like it and the burn line was straight throughout.
Value
To see a small batch come in at a great price on the first release in order to entice users to try it is the way to do it. I’ve seen other companies try to get super premium money for their first stuff and I don’t think it works out very well.
Conclusions
The Foreplay is a very good first cigar. It does seem like it is lacking a bit of the pop of some of the other cigars I enjoy. I’m wondering if a little more age or a slight tweak to the blend could make it better. I am looking forward to any new cigars they come out with.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 1.5/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8.5/10
Nice Quick Review Keith I’m not sure how I feel about the band looks to flashy for my taste but then again you don’t smoke the band. S&S hm.. this would be a first for me.