cholmes8310:

hmmmm. I've smoked at least 10 of these, and never had a construction problem. That's weird. There's always bound to be a bad one though. Sorry that happened.

its not your fault.


unless you sent it to me and you knew it was a bad one.

im also noticing that my reviews are becoming way more critical than they used to be. not sure if thats good or bad.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

kuzi16:

cholmes8310:

hmmmm. I've smoked at least 10 of these, and never had a construction problem. That's weird. There's always bound to be a bad one though. Sorry that happened.

its not your fault.


unless you sent it to me and you knew it was a bad one.

im also noticing that my reviews are becoming way more critical than they used to be. not sure if thats good or bad.

Nah, I sent you the Relics. If those are crappy, you can blame me.

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There is no blender but Litto Gomez, and I wish I was his merchant.
MOW Badge w/ Silver Star - 7/4/10
Fav's and Wish List in Bio

kuzi16:

cholmes8310:

hmmmm. I've smoked at least 10 of these, and never had a construction problem. That's weird. There's always bound to be a bad one though. Sorry that happened.

its not your fault.


unless you sent it to me and you knew it was a bad one.

im also noticing that my reviews are becoming way more critical than they used to be. not sure if thats good or bad.

I've also noticed that I am way more critical than I used to be. I find myself putting average cigars down early and lighting up another rather than struggle through a half-decent stick. I think part of this is just that I have way more cigars in my collection in comparison with last year, but part of it is just that I don't want to waste time on an "ok" cigar when I know I can enjoy a much better one.

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It's BORKs not BOTLs

There is no blender but Litto Gomez, and I wish I was his merchant.

kuzi16:

5-14-10 been in humi since 12-24-09

Man O’ War Ruination Belicoso (5.7x 56)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Costa Rican
Filler: Costa Rican, Honduran, Mexican

The cigar is dark and oily to the touch. It smells fairly light, maybe woody and earthy. The lick on the cap is a touch spicy. Cut with a double guillotine. The draw is firm but in a very good way. There is an earth flavor and a very light sour note while unlit.

The light is quick and notes of spice and wood with a nutty undertone appear first. As it develops the nutty flavor becomes earth and musk. If I didn’t know better I could say it was “Kelner musk” but I know Kelner did not blend this cigar. This musk changes quickly though. It is still a bit musky but not reminiscent of Kelner.

At the first ash, it continues with the sweet wood, musk and spice. The body is not as full as expected.

The half way point the flavor is consistent. The burn is even. The body is medium. Medium-full at best.

In the last third the draw becomes a bit difficult but a roll between the fingers fixes this. The sweetness is lost a bit to the heat. The finish becomes long and a bit too drawn out.

The cigar ends in the same way.

Burn to the nub
Time: 1h 35min

Burn: 10
Draw: 9
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Balance: 9
Construction: 8
Feel: 8

Overall: 8.6

The best way to describe this cigar is “average” or “uneventful”
Its not a bad cigar, it just doesn’t “pop” to me.

I've also noticed the body isn't as full as I initiallly expected. Not a bad thing but I feel this info. needs more attention because I think a lot of people are hesitant to try the Ruination based on it's reputation as an ultra full-bodied butt kicker.

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Favorites are in my bio

bigharpoon:

I've also noticed the body isn't as full as I initiallly expected. Not a bad thing but I feel this info. needs more attention because I think a lot of people are hesitant to try the Ruination based on it's reputation as an ultra full-bodied butt kicker.

agreed.
the original MoW was a bit more full in my opinion.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

kuzi16:

bigharpoon:

I've also noticed the body isn't as full as I initiallly expected. Not a bad thing but I feel this info. needs more attention because I think a lot of people are hesitant to try the Ruination based on it's reputation as an ultra full-bodied butt kicker.

agreed.
the original MoW was a bit more full in my opinion.

I had a similar experience with the torpedo. Then I tried the robusto #1. Much better, and stronger. I don't find them as strong as I once did, but I think it's more me just getting used to full bodied smokes over time.

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jlmarta:

I stick a raisin in my belly button and pretend I'm a cookie.

Russ55:

kuzi16:

bigharpoon:

I've also noticed the body isn't as full as I initiallly expected. Not a bad thing but I feel this info. needs more attention because I think a lot of people are hesitant to try the Ruination based on it's reputation as an ultra full-bodied butt kicker.

agreed.
the original MoW was a bit more full in my opinion.

I had a similar experience with the torpedo. Then I tried the robusto #1. Much better, and stronger. I don't find them as strong as I once did, but I think it's more me just getting used to full bodied smokes over time.

but are they more complex?

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

kuzi16:

Russ55:

kuzi16:

bigharpoon:

I've also noticed the body isn't as full as I initiallly expected. Not a bad thing but I feel this info. needs more attention because I think a lot of people are hesitant to try the Ruination based on it's reputation as an ultra full-bodied butt kicker.

agreed.
the original MoW was a bit more full in my opinion.

I had a similar experience with the torpedo. Then I tried the robusto #1. Much better, and stronger. I don't find them as strong as I once did, but I think it's more me just getting used to full bodied smokes over time.

but are they more complex?

Probably, but it's been a long time since I had the torpedo. I do remember a dramatic difference in the depth and quality of the flavor in the robusto.

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jlmarta:

I stick a raisin in my belly button and pretend I'm a cookie.

5-20-10 been in humi since 5-1-10

Davidoff Millennium Series Petite Corona (4.5 x 41)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

The cigar is a darker brown. The Davidoff rep at the even where I bought this cigar said that this particular batch of Millenniums have had a darker wrapper than most. He was able to prove it by comparing to another Millennium.

The lick on the cap is slightly sour and has some spice to it. Cut with a double guillotine. The draw is perfect and has a creamy coco flavor to it.

The light is quick given the ring size. The first few puffs are very cedar with some spice to it. Only through the nose is the trademark Kelner musk noticeable.

By the first ash an earth tone develops on the finish. This is about the point where every Davidoff I have ever smoked begins to amaze me. Its not so much the flavor that is amazing, but rather how it makes my mouth water. The finish is long but seems to fade out at just the right moment. It fades as you are th inking of taking another puff. Though the flavors are not amazing in and of themselves, the way they interact together works perfectly.

By the half way point the cigar is sweeter than before. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it “sweet” but it is “sweeter” than the first half. The musk through the nose has settled down a bit as well.

By the last third the spice has become a bit more pronounced and the wood starts to stand out in the finish.

I doubted that any Davidoff was as full bodied as this one is. This is a medium bodied cigar and to some may come across as med-full. It is pleasant, relaxing, but not overpowering in any way.

The cigar ends with the smoke heating up a bit and the musk making a comeback.

Burn to the burn.
Time: 1h 10min

Burn: 9
Draw: 10
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Balance: 10
Construction: 10
Feel: 9

Overall: 9.1

Ive been on a bit of a Davidoff kick as of late. Out of the recent Davidoff cigars ive smoked (puro d’oro, thousand series, Winston Churchills, Millennium Series) this is the weakest of the lot. However, it is still a good cigar, and if you are not a huge fan of Kelner’s blending style, this Davidoff is the least representative of it.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

Have you found as you are progessing in your cigar palate profile that you are narrowing into what you like and dont like and smoking one of those as apposed to keeping a variety of smokes going?

Im finding myself reaching and searching for mainly sticks that I know I like, before venturing into new territory now a days.

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MOW Badge: Honorable Service recipient 9/21/2010



Work called! They said if you dont come in on Friday, dont bother to come in on Monday! - Whoo hoo four day weekend!

Fourtotheflush:

Have you found as you are progessing in your cigar palate profile that you are narrowing into what you like and dont like and smoking one of those as apposed to keeping a variety of smokes going?

Im finding myself reaching and searching for mainly sticks that I know I like, before venturing into new territory now a days.

yes and no. i only buy what i know i like. however, i am very excited to get a cigar that i have not smoked in a PIF or whatever. this has always been the best way for me to try new stuff... some guy going "here try this. i like it. maybe you will"

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

kuzi16:

Fourtotheflush:

Have you found as you are progessing in your cigar palate profile that you are narrowing into what you like and dont like and smoking one of those as apposed to keeping a variety of smokes going?

Im finding myself reaching and searching for mainly sticks that I know I like, before venturing into new territory now a days.

yes and no. i only buy what i know i like. however, i am very excited to get a cigar that i have not smoked in a PIF or whatever. this has always been the best way for me to try new stuff... some guy going "here try this. i like it. maybe you will"

Yes, me too! I will buy a variety pack with some I know I like and some I want to try but buying 10 of something that's a roll of the dice...those days are gone. I trade and play games only a little bit and that still manages to provide a ton of diversity.

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Favorites are in my bio

yes

i recently got to a point where i had no double in my humidor. thats all fine and good but someitmes i wanna be able to smoke a cigar and NOT have it be my last one. so... im smoking down the humi. once i get to -25 or -30 ill buy some... ill probably do a box split or two here. whatever.

ive also stopped playing some games because i ran out of room. i wasnt buying cigars anymore. i just kept accumulating them. sometimes i just wanna buy a box of AVO domaines damnit!

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

6-30-10 been in humidor since 12-24-09

Rocky Patel Decade Toro (6.5 x 52)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

The cigar has a decent presentation. A few veins are visible but they are not raised in any way. The bouquet is a bit of straw. There is a soft spot about an inch in from the foot. The lick on the cap is oily and has a tiny bit of spice to it. Cut with a punch. The draw is a tiny bit loose and has a taste of coco and coffee.

The light seems a bit quick. The first few puffs are mild in flavor. The flavor is coffe and a woody. There is a bitter note on the finish. The spice that is in this stick is very Nicaraguan.

The first ash drops at the very beginning of the soft spot. Shortly after that one side burns very quickly. The other side does not. After corrective actions were taken (corrective light) another run on a different side begins. It’s a frustrating start.

After all the shenanigans, a subtle sweetness develops. It is very mild and otherwise the flavor is much of the same. The aftertaste has become a bit “ashy”

The blending style of the company is coming through. This cigar along with the vintage 90 and 92 exemplify this style. This cigar reminds me of a less complex version of the 92. The wood and spice are there. Neither flavors are pronounced but at the same time they are the only flavors I get out of it.

At the mid point the flavor is the same.

The biggest positive is the balance. There is nothing that stands out too much, or that feels out of place. The body is medium, so is the flavor. It is so balanced it feels almost neutral. It doesn’t feel bold or daring or new. It is the epitome of RP cigars. Not bad, but not great.

13/ left and there are burn issues again. The flavor is the same.

Burn to the band.

Burn: 7
Draw: 8
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Balance: 9
Construction: 7
Feel: 7

Overall: 7.7


I really wanted to like this cigar. The hype was there. I don’t know many that don’t like this cigar. Most people seem to like Rocky Patel more than I do. I never seemed to like many of RP’s blends and the blending style they employ. This to me was another unremarkable RP that is not worth the money.


to each his/her own.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

When the Decade first came out, I loved them. But I swear the last 4 or 5 I've smoked were just boring as all can be. I traded away my last few I had left and will definitely not be purchasing any more Decades. And as you stated, most of the RP blends are just not my thing. There are a few I enjoy, but so so many more that are just not good.

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It's BORKs not BOTLs

There is no blender but Litto Gomez, and I wish I was his merchant.