Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Grade A Dark
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Belicoso Finos (5 ½ x 52)
Production: Limited Edition
Purchase Link: Crowned Heads Le Careme Belicoso Finos
Le Careme Belicoso Finos Review - Oregon
Summary: I’m not sure if this cigar is a torpedo or Belicoso but it is firmly packed, medium brown, has a nicely applied cap and smells of sweet tobacco and slightly overcooked tapioca pudding. The foot of the cigar is very nice and offers scents of rye toast and cocoa.
With the foot of the cigar on fire, there are citrus and floral notes with just a little bit of pepper spice perched on a platform of dark wood, leather and earth. While floral in citrus profiles aren’t really my jam, the retrohale of the cigar has some nice caramel sweetness to it providing a perfect counterbalance.
The burn line is razor sharp and the ash is perfectly solid. The cigar is also burning quite slowly which tells me it’s going to provide a long smoking experience.
As I near the halfway mark, the citrus notes back off just a step allowing cedar, walnut and a mild sweetness to join in the mix.
Right up to the nub of the cigar, those flavors hold solid the rest of the way. I should also mention the ash didn’t drop off of the cigar until I only had about one inch left to burn.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like this, then you like an Ace on the river.
Pairing Suggestion: I would pair this with a light red wine, a highland scotch or a sweet bourbon.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box all day!
Le Careme Belicoso Finos Review - California
Summary: Raisins on the pre-light. Sweet 'n' spicy red pepper, cinnamon, and the beach. Speaking of beaches, the burn is a tad bit wavy from the get-go so I'll keep an eye on it. Musky baking spices are taking the forefront as I approach the half-inch mark. There's a metallic taste drying out my mouth now. Bleh.
Beginning the second third, I'm getting more of the same dry mouthfeel. When you put your keys in the ignition and the engine doesn't turn over, how many times is it acceptable to keep trying? I'm patiently waiting for this stick to turn a new leaf, but I'm losing hope. No burn problems at least.
Final third. No changes. Went out with 2 inches left and I'm okay with that.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Doing the dishes.
Pairing Suggestion: Whiskey and ginger ale.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
Le Careme Belicoso Finos Review - Wisconsin
Summary: Let's start with the finish: chocolate, and lots of it. This cigar brought a very long chocolatey finish that I enjoyed quite a bit.
Flavor-wise, the cigar was chocolate and things that paired nicely with chocolate: walnuts, some cedar, cream, a bit of a meatiness, a little salt, coffee, and piles of cocoa. Occasionally there were welcome hints of floral and citrus.
It was a smooth smoke that had my mouth watering from start to finish. Construction was right on point. The flavors weren't all that complex, but they did go nicely together.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Chocolate!
Pairing Suggestion: Peanut M&Ms
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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