Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Toro (6 x 52)
Purchase Link: Archetype Dawn of Destiny (Chapter 3)
ARCHETYPE DAWN OF DESTINY REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: This stick features a motley wrapper and a grape sweetness on the cold draw. Starting out with red pepper and brown sugar that makes my molars tingle. Apple. The intensity of the pepper notes has shifted from the palate to the retro hale exclusively. While the wrapper may not be anything to write home about, this ash is TIGHT. I gave it a few "in the batter's box home-plate-taps" and it didn't budge. Nuttiness joins the apple and pepper (does spice + nut + apple = Snapple?).
Maple kicks off the second third while the pepper eases off of the gas pedal.
Final third brings chocolate to the table (don't tell mom). Solid smoke.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Mood lighting.
Pairing Suggestion: Scotch.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.
ARCHETYPE DAWN OF DESTINY REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar had the misfortune of being smoked in very, very cold weather. While that's not ideal, it can be a tool to tell me how much I enjoy a cigar: do I want to go inside, or do I want to keep smoking this? This particular sample was a 'go inside' cigar.
The appearance of the cigar was odd off the bat. If you watch The Great British Baking Show, you'll know what I mean when I say it looked "informal". If you don't watch it, you're missing out.
The flavors were mostly nuts, earth, hickory, and a sourness. Brown sugar and generic tobacco notes were also in there. The draw was on the loose side, and the burn had no issues. The sourness just didn't work for me, and there weren't enough other flavors in there to keep my mind away from sour.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you're all about sour beers, this smoke might be right up your alley.
Pairing Suggestion: Sweet tea.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
ARCHETYPE DAWN OF DESTINY REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: The cold draw on this cigar is like chewing on a piece of stubble from a straw field. The wrapper is nice but the cigar surface in general is bumpy...it also has a bit of oily sheen to it.
Slightly burnt cinnamon toast, oak, mild orange essence and a retro hale that is creamy and heavy with black tea and honey notes. Pretty dang nice. The burn is a tad wonky, but I’ll forgive and forget since the ash is looking like stacked dimes.
Halfway through and the smoke is still pouring from this stick. The ash just dropped off! Smooth notes of dark toast, coffee and a mild citrus finish make up a fine combo. The retro hale is still the star with very creamy wood notes, leather and that same citrusy finish found in the main flavors.
Final portion is nearly a carbon copy of the middle. That’s not a bad thing but was hoping for some changing flavor notes like I experienced between the start and middle. Performance of this cigar is spot on though with draw, burn and smoke output.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Finding hidden gems during humidor rotations.
Pairing Suggestion: A mild-bodied Porter.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
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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