Man O’ War Puro Authentico a Year Later

In my original post of this cigar, I mentioned that it needed some serious humidor time. It started out uninspiring, then got interesting in the second half, then finally hit its stride in the final third. After I wrote that post, I finished the 5er and got a 20-ct bundle. I let them sit for a month before smoking one and hit paydirt. The cigar had finally bloomed! Rich coffee and cacao, graham cracker, loads of black pepper, and baking spices, all accompanied by a creamy, velvety smoothness.

The cigar isn’t going to win awards for complexity. But it has a full body, produces oodles of smoke, and is so balanced that it’s just pleasing to smoke. Word has it that this started out as AJ’s knock-around cigar. For me, it epitomizes my idea of a “yardgar.” Even with my “cheap” sticks, I want flavor. I don’t want my daily or knockaround sticks to be cheapo POSs. I want them to have character.

Anyway, it has been almost a year since I wrote that original post, so I thought I’d write about it again, since I’m down to my last few of that 20-ct bundle (truth be told, I actually have purchased – and smoked – a couple more 20-ct bundles – I actually forgot about the original lot). So what is it like? It’s still enjoyable, but I believe this stick was never meant to be aged more than 3 or 4 months.

Though it still produces tons of smoke, the coffee and cacao have given way to leather and mineral notes. They’re not off-putting, just different. The wrapper has also gotten lighter and more mottled. With some cigars, that’s a good thing, but with this one, it makes the cigar lose its oomph. But what hasn’t diminished at all is the strength of the cigar. The nicotine seems to have gotten a bit stronger and as I write that this, I’m glad I’m sitting down because I’m a little woozy from the nic hit!

Luckily, the basic flavor profile is still there. While the coffee and cacao been have lessened, the black pepper – which seems an AJ trait – is still prevalent. So, I will finish out my other sticks then buy some more as this is in my regular rotation.