Purchased: Single Toro (6 X 52)
Price: $14.00
Store: West Coast Cigars
Buy Again? For sure!
Box-worthy? Eventually. Going to buy a fiver of these first and lay ’em down. These need lots of rest.
I only go to West Coast Cigars if I’m in the area, and lately, I’ve been in the area quite a bit! The other night I dropped my youngest son and his buddy off at the Shark Tank to watch the game, and since I was in the area, I thought I’d stop in and get a couple of new cigars to try out. I purchased three the other night: One that was forgettable, and I only finished half before I let it go out; an AJ New World that I just raved about; and the stick I’m smoking right now, the Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142.
What a gorgeous stick! The Connecticut wrapper is smooth and oily and nicely mottled, pimpled with oil nodules just waiting to release their goodness! When Mike at the shop directed my attention to it, I just smiled and said, “Would you look at that skin! Yowza!” I knew I had to try it.
So, after finishing my Christmas cleaning chores and running some errands, I returned home and could finally settle down to smoke this stick.
At light-up, I got a nice hit of toasted nuts along with some cinnamon. The smoke was smooth and aroma coming off the tip was inviting. As I get into the first third, a little spice gets introduced and there’s a distinct espresso flavor coming through. BUT, I also got just little bit of a metallic flavor. Hmm… not good. It tells me that this cigar could use some lay-down time before it should be smoked. But it’s lit and the metallic flavor is completely overshadowed by the others that I’m not going to give it any negative marks. It still tastes great. Smoke is plentiful and a solid medium.
BTW, the draw is perfect! It has just a little resistance which is what I love in cigars, so high marks in that department!
Into the second third, wow! Hazelnuts! I think this hybrid tobacco is doing that. There’s a hint of rich milk chocolate as the smoke has become very creamy. The finish has gotten a tad spicier, but not at all hot. The burn line has been a little slanted throughout the smoke and I’ve had to make a couple of corrections already.
Halfway in and the cigar suddenly came to life! The burn line is now razor straight and I got a taste that was like one of those banana taffy chews. I had to take a couple of puffs to confirm it. Yup, it’s there. The strength has ratcheted up a bit and is on the full side of medium-full. Smoke production is still plentiful, and the finish has gotten even smoother as the spice has amazingly calmed down. I’m really starting to like this cigar – a lot!
Starting the final third, the burn line slanted a bit at the end of the second but has corrected itself. There’s a nice earthiness that has entered the fray now and the finish is much like the finish after rinsing my mouth with espresso. Dark coffee and slightly sour. Love it! Throughout the smoke, the heft of this cigar combined with the smooth, oily skin has made it slip in my fingers a bit.
Strength is a solid medium-full and hasn’t changed since the halfway point. This is a cool effect because flavors have been increasing gradually, but strength has stayed at a comfortable level. Well into the last third, and here comes the coffee and cocoa with a little red pepper spice on the finish. The smoke is cool. Wow! This is a great stick!
The burn has slowed significantly in the final third. Nicotine comes on a little stronger but not enough to give me a buzz. It’s comfortable. And the finish has changed. I can only describe it as the finish after drinking some Crio Bru which is pure, ground cocoa that you prepare like coffee. It’s a dark cacao with an astringent finish. That’s what I’m getting right now. And finally, I’m getting a bit of sweetness from the CT broadleaf. I’ve been waiting for that!
This really has been a remarkable cigar to smoke. I do need to get a few more and let them lay down for at least a month. The cigar was great overall, but I just know it’ll be even better with some humidor time.
Unco B's Stogie Diary 