Purchased: Single (5 5/8 X 46)
Price: $12.95
Store: West Coast Cigars
Buy Again: Yes
Box Worthy: Yes
Experience Rating: 94
I have been a huge fan of the 7th Habano. In fact, besides the Padron ’64 Natural, the 7th Habano ranks up there as one of my favorite cigars. But as I mentioned in a previous post on this cigar (and sorry wrong picture in that post), I’m a sucker for CT Broadleaf. So, wanting to mix it up when I worked from the lounge, I got a 7th Reserva as the shop just got them back in stock.
This cigar is everything the 7th Natural is, but with a darker profile. While the 7th has a rich, spicy profile, the 7th Reserva has a darker profile, rich in cacao beans and coffee. To me, the 7th Reserva epitomizes the dark Nic puro. If that’s your thing, you’ll love this cigar!
I didn’t check the box date, but the wrapper is nicely toothy. Its appearance is rustic. Its rough exterior makes it look like a farm roll. But as with all Tatuaje cigars, Pete Johnson doesn’t skimp on tobacco. The cigar is firmly packed with no soft spots. This was rolled tight and compact!
Pre-light, the wrapper and foot give off rich aromas of dried prune and sour cream with that classic barnyard aroma in the background. And after a punch cut, the cold draw presents more fruit and airflow is perfect with just a little resistance; this, despite being so packed and solid! That’s some expert rolling!
At light-up, like the 7th Natural, it’s a black pepper bomb. I love that. But that quickly gives way to cacao and coffee. A background sweetness shows up in the background from the broadleaf. As the first third progresses, sweet cream and malt make their way into the mix, and smoke production goes through the roof, producing thick clouds of white smoke that cause me to wave them away. Spice has calmed down significantly.
As I get into the second third, the creaminess increases, and the mouthfeel is thick and chewy. I’m tasting a bit of cedar and oak. That background, fruity sweetness is still there. A strange, bitter flavor appears, but it’s not off-putting. I slow down. A dry, dusty quality forms on the finish. The foundation of flavors is set at this point: Cacao, coffee, cream, malt, oak, stone fruit, cedar, and oak.
As I get into the second half, the flavors start dancing. This is where the complexity kicks in. While the foundation has been set, little motes of various flavors pop in and out. Some floral notes, toffee, creme brulee, damp earth, mint, sourdough bread. I stop to contemplate what the hell is going on, shaking my head at the bounty of flavors that I’m barraged with.
The final third is more of the same, and burn has slowed WAY down. That complex dance is still going on, but the profile is much more intense, with dark, rich Italian coffee the predominant flavor, mixed with a nice spiciness that envelops the back of my tongue. I sip some of my tea to cleanse my palate. Nicotine kicks up a notch near the end, but not bad enough to knock me out. I close my eyes to savor the flavor, wishing I had a snifter of añejo rum in hand to go with this beauty.
Even though the brown label sticks are reasonable priced – even in a B&M – I smoke them as if they’re super-premium cigars. They’re not sticks I ever share at parties unless the person is an experienced smoker.
As for this stick compared to the 7th Natural, I think I still like the Natural more. Normally, I’m not into spicy cigars, but there’s something about that Natural’s profile that keeps me coming back for more!
Unco B's Stogie Diary 