RealFreakinCigarReviews

Initial Thoughts

I've lived in this valley for nearly 16 years, and during that time have witnessed one disappointing Arizona season after another.  For the first few years, I didn't even actually realize that Arizona had a pro-football team, and then when I started paying attention to them, could not believe just how royally they sucked.  Then a strange thing happened... a taxpayer funded stadium, new head coach, new(er) management and lo-and-behold, the perennial basement dwellers managed to win a playoff game... then another... and wtf... won a third playoff game, and are now in the big game... THE BIG GAME and Arizona Cardinals....

So.. I'm not a fan of the Cardinals... I don't have any particular team that I "bleed for," but I will acknowledge that I've followed this team and their dismal standings for years.  I will say,that true Cardinal fans are few and far between... the ones who actually braved the 100+ degree temperatures on metal bleachers to see their team lose yet another heartbreaker.  Win lose or draw (yes, Donovan, tie IS an option in the NFL), the fact that the lowly Arizona Cardinals even made an appearance in the big game is reason enough to celebrate.  Originally, I was going to wait until after the game, but I've decided to go ahead and enjoy it now, rather than wait.

Before I get into the review, I'll say a couple of words about purchasing a cigar at a non-tobacconist: My first recommendation, is to make sure you actually know what the hell you're buying, because the person who is actually opening the humidor may not have a clue.  In my case, I purchased this cigar at AJs fine foods.  I happened to be there, saw that they had some Partagas 160s, and said "Hey... I've never had one of those."  When the person opened the humidor, I realized almost immediately that their humidor was overhumidified. Don't ask me how... I don't know if it was the "dank" smell or what exactly it was, but I did mention it.  The attendant put my cigar in a bag, I paid for it and had a slice of pizza with my wife and daughter.  I got home and was going to put the cigar in my humidor and noted two things: 1.) The foot was moldy, and 2.)The stick had split down the middle from the head forward for a couple of inches.  I took it back and got a different stick, after pointing out to them that several of the cigars in the box were in fact moldy, and that the humidor should actually be maintained at something other than 75% humidity. 

If in fact I have issues with the cigar, I'll know that its NOT because of the cigar, but instead due to the lack of proper storage by the place I bought it from.  The stick I'm reviewing looks great, no soft spots, and smells slightly earthy.

The Smoke

The good news starts with being able to use my punch cutter on the head, without any damage, I toast the foot and take my first puff.  I'm rewarded with a mellow toasty taste with slight sweetness.  The burn and draw is basically perfect.  I'm listening to the babbling pre-game analysis on the radio... once again, pretty much everyone has predicted the Cardinals to lose.

At the 1/3rd point, the flavor is intensifying a little, but still medium in flavor.  The burn and draw is basically perfect.The cigar is getting a little spicier as I puff away on the cigar.

At 2/3rds of the way down, the flavor gets a little spicier, still not into the "full bodied/full flavored" range, but definitely medium bodied.  I'm a little disappointed that the spiciness seems to be overpowering the other nuances that I've experienced.  The burn and draw continue to be excellent.

And I'm done.  All in all, the cigar was good, but for the hype on many of the websites would lead you to believe this stick was nothing less than an orgasmic experience.  Sorry to say, not so much.  Yes, its a good cigar, but honestly, I just wasn't that impressed.

The Rating