Wrapper: Habano 2000 from Ecuador
Binder: Negro San Andres from Mexico
Filler: Estelí Ligero, Condega Seco, Piloto Visus, Hybrid Olor/Piloto Visus, and Piloto Seco tobaccos
Vitola: 6 x 56
Purchase Link: Davidoff Year of the Pig
YEAR OF THE PIG REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: Starting off with cream of wheat and spice on the finish. There's also a faint fruit sweetness that's somewhere between an apple and an apricot. I'm getting a little dry-mouthed so hopefully the flavor output increases shortly. Burn and ash are spot on.
I'm not getting much from the second third. Maybe a hint of spearmint every tenth puff but that's it.
Nothing to write home about in the final third. This cigar would be great for a photo shoot if the model wasn't into cigars; it's mild and the ash holds on nicely.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Stale chips.
Pairing Suggestion: Absinthe.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
YEAR OF THE PIG REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: It's usually a pleasure when a cigar brings something unique to the table and isn't just a tweak on something that's already been done. This cigar brings a flavor profile to the table that you won't find elsewhere.
The core of the first half was bread and oak. The core of the second half was oak and leather. Around those flavors danced vanilla, baking spices, pepper, oatmeal, peanut, salt, maple syrup-like sweetness, and a woodiness that can best be described as reminding me of the hickory chips you'd use to smoke meat.
Construction-wise, the burn needed a few touch-ups. Draw was perfect.
If you like an oaky, leathery profile, this cigar is a must-try. If that's not your thing, you'd be better off reaching for something else.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like a trip to the horse farm.
Pairing Suggestion: Cola.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.
YEAR OF THE PIG REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: My cigar for this week’s review appears to be a Gordo sized stick.... maybe a tad smaller in the ring gauge. There is lots of dry hay, honey, and dry leaves coming from the wrapper and foot. The cigar is wearing all its flair, showing off a pigtail cap. The draw on the cigar is really loose. It tastes really just like dry leaves.
The initial profile consists of a touch of honey and graham, a lot of nutty flavor, generic wood notes and a light lemon zest finish. In the retro-hale, things are interesting early on as citrus heavy wood notes mix with a decent peppery finish. One inch in and the script is flipped. The profile is gaining some sweet nuances including stronger honey and caramel. It’s really nice and offsets the continued presence of the citrusy body of the profile. Construction seems to be a strong point too...great smoke production and solid ash!
One-third mark and the ash is solid and the profile is super enjoyable and smooth. I’m noticing a lingering cool sensation right in the middle of my tongue...which is interesting. It’s not quite minty, but it has that same affect. Warm cedar, honey, leather, bran flakes and some baking spice all build a profile that is fantastic. If you threw in some butter with these flavors, it would remind me of another favorite of mine.
Just entering the final portion of the cigar and the ash fell for the second time. The citrus notes dominate the flavors but leather, cedar, natural tobacco, honey and a bit of graham cracker are also present. The transition isn’t dramatic but it’s so enjoyable I don’t really mind at all. Tons of smoke and a smooth retro-hale make this a winner all day.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Campesino, Davidoff Anniversary, Warped GR88.
Pairing Suggestion: Your favorite coffee based beverage.
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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