Luko: alienmisprint:Just got done with the Maduro. I have to say I am very suprised at how well it smoked considering it only sat in my humidor for a day and a half. Here's my attempt at a review: The cigar looks perfect, very dark with a sheen to it and perfect construction. It has a nice heft to it and feels very solid. Upon lighting, it is instantly sweet and smooth, with a nice finish. The draw is perfect for me, just enough resistance so it isn't like sucking through a straw but in no way inhibits the smoke. I picked up some brown sugar and even a little caramel on it throughout the cigar, but especially so in the first half. There is also a distinct flavor of roasted nuts on the finish, a very pleasant taste. The burn was a little uneven to begin with, but by about a third of the way in, it had corrected itself and never required any touch-ups or re-lights. It produces volumes of thick smoke, and has a nice, chewy texture. The ash is very firm and held for a little over an inch. Just over halfway in, the flavors seem to level out a bit and although are still very sweet, the caramel and brown sugar isn't as prominent now. It still has an excellent flavor, but its a little harder to discern the little nuances. I smoked it down to the nub, and throughout it was very smooth and at no point harsh. It may get better with some age, but honestly I enjoyed it quite a bit as is. I would definately purchase a box of these, no doubt about it. Great review of the maduro alien and if I had any kind of talent for a review, that's about what my assessment of it would have been. I'm about a half-inch into the ecusuma and I dare say I think by the end I'll be liking it even better than the maduro. Of course this has a week on it, and the maduro I smoked had a few hours.
alienmisprint:Just got done with the Maduro. I have to say I am very suprised at how well it smoked considering it only sat in my humidor for a day and a half. Here's my attempt at a review: The cigar looks perfect, very dark with a sheen to it and perfect construction. It has a nice heft to it and feels very solid. Upon lighting, it is instantly sweet and smooth, with a nice finish. The draw is perfect for me, just enough resistance so it isn't like sucking through a straw but in no way inhibits the smoke. I picked up some brown sugar and even a little caramel on it throughout the cigar, but especially so in the first half. There is also a distinct flavor of roasted nuts on the finish, a very pleasant taste. The burn was a little uneven to begin with, but by about a third of the way in, it had corrected itself and never required any touch-ups or re-lights. It produces volumes of thick smoke, and has a nice, chewy texture. The ash is very firm and held for a little over an inch. Just over halfway in, the flavors seem to level out a bit and although are still very sweet, the caramel and brown sugar isn't as prominent now. It still has an excellent flavor, but its a little harder to discern the little nuances. I smoked it down to the nub, and throughout it was very smooth and at no point harsh. It may get better with some age, but honestly I enjoyed it quite a bit as is. I would definately purchase a box of these, no doubt about it.
gmill880:Just finished the Sumatra ...Very very tasty cigar ..hints of toast and nuts ...the pepper did not seem as pronounced to me anyway. Lots of smoke and built beautifully. Nubbed it for sure but I think I prefer the Maduro a little more but love both smokes. Can't wait to see what 3-6 months do to these. On a side note my second bundle arrived today ...YESSSS !!!
j0z3r:Alex, I think if we could cut the sweet down a bit and kick the strength up just a notch, possibly increase the pepper a bit, then we'd be golden. Aside from that, I really enjoy the blend as it is.
alienmisprint:Guess I have to be the oddball here, but I really dig the maduro as is. I like the body on them both, as they are medium so you can smoke one pretty much whenever, no worries about having to eat first. And you can give them to less experienced smokers without having to watch them turn green. I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I am going to be bragging on these, lol. As far as the sumatra, I just think it needs a little more age, but other than that I am good with it as is too.
Rob1110:I still haven't tried the maduro yet, but I loved the sumatra - though as I said, I think it'll be much better with some age. I actually liked the sweetness of the flavor profile and found that's part of what made it so distinctly different than any other cigar out there. While I wouldn't be opposed to a touch of pepper, I kind of feel like you almost get that in the sumatra wrapper but a little more wouldn't hurt, I also feel the uniqueness of this blend comes from the sweet notes not typically seen in other blends. All in all, I have to say we did a bang-up job for a bunch of first-timers. If we do make changes, I wouldn't want to change too much that it loses it's identity. In terms of strength, I think we got just what we asked for: a medium-bodied cigar that would appeal to full-bodied, full-flavored, avid cigar smokers, as well as the newbie.