Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Peruvian
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Vitola: Estelares (5 ½ x 54)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: Alfonso Gran Selección
ALFONSO GRAN SELECCION REVIEW – DOM
Summary: The wrapper on this cigar is a nice uniform matte brown. Oak and coffee start things off with a noticeable lack of pepper spice. I am A-OK with a lack of pepper, but the lack of sweetness now becomes a bummer. To make matters worse, an acrid raw nut note is sinking this boat Titanic style.
Halfway down, the raw nuts have molted, leaving me with peanut shell dryness. Ginger spice finally brings something nice to the mix. With Christmas in the air, I was hoping for a transition to gingerbread; my palate plate gets served a weird celery flavor instead. Never let go, Jack! Baking spices with a comeback! Raisin bread makes the final inch the best inch. (Begone, Grinch!)
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Lords a leapin’ to no music
Pairing Suggestion: Caramel Frappuccino
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
ALFONSO GRAN SELECCION REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brings notes of walnut, pecan, earth, leather, dark chocolate, cherry, and coffee. It's a nice profile, with the nuttiness really holding things together.
No issues with construction to speak of. A well-made cigar.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Sacks of nuts. And also a general 'darker' flavor profile. It has a lot of those darker notes
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
ALFONSO GRAN SELECCION REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Initial tight draw which led to long pulls and a grip complimented by light teeth marks; beautiful brick red wrapper though!
Retro is smooth and sweet like brioche bread, some baking spices, and a little white pepper on the end. Sadly, it ran a little hot in the second third.
Flavor was consistent but it didn’t vary. Want something you don’t have to worry about while chatting everyone up? This is probably it.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Eating just to eat
Pairing Suggestion: Barq’s Root Beer
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
ALFONSO GRAN SELECCION REVIEW – TED
Summary: This cigar has a dark, smooth, oily wrapper. Looks expensive. Looks chocolatey.
Without disappointing, some baking chocolate in the beginning. Nice. Mix in some raisin, heavy notes of oak, a bit of mint and a little wasabi style heat in the sinuses and we’re in business. This cigar has standout potential. I feel like I should be wearing a suit and Ace Marks cap-toes. A little further along and I’m experiencing some unreal savory sweetness with this cigar. As I near the end of the first third, the ash is looking like a stack of dimes. Beautiful.
What’s next? More of the savory and mildly sweet mixture. Grilled meat, leather, dark earth, raisin, oak and slightly sweetened black tea. This stick is constructed perfectly and is producing heavy smoke. I’m also picking up a floral note complimenting the profile nicely.
Pushing through this last section and listen, it’s as good as the first two-thirds and the profile hasn’t really changed. When someone puts a good steak in front of you, that last bite is as good as the first. This cigar is just like that good steak.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: The smell of leather-bound books and rich mahogany
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon, neat
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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