Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf

Binder: Ecuadorian Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan

Vitola: Toro (6x50)

Purchase Link: Leaf by James

LEAF BY JAMES REVIEW – CALIFORNIA

Summary:  There are a few holes and dark spots in the wrapper, but nothing that looks like it’ll affect the smoking experience.  Starting out with coffee and leather with a slight maple syrup sweetness.  Had to touch up the burn as maple syrup and leather move to the forefront. 

Second third begins and leather is the only note fighting for relevance.  The center filler is burning much slower than the surrounding tobacco.  Flat Dr. Pepper. Salted caramel and grape leaves?  Second burn touch-up as I near the final third. 

Still just a slightly complex, bitter smoke that’s drying out my palate.  Vegetal notes at the close. 

If You Like That, You Might Like This:  New jeans with holes in them. 

Pairing Suggestion:  Rum. 

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend:  Single. 

LEAF BY JAMES REVIEW – WISCONSIN

Summary:  The flavors come out of the gate with lots of chocolate, along with earth, coffee, cream, graham cracker, and sweetness. Along the way, it keeps those flavors in abundance and also adds cinnamon. The chocolate remains throughout, and the intensity of the coffee picks up in various places.

The cigar brought a snug draw and a slow, even burn. No issues to speak of in the construction, and an enjoyable flavor experience.

If You Like That, You Might Like This:  Mocha.

Pairing Suggestion:  Brandy.

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend:  Fiver.

LEAF BY JAMES REVIEW – OREGON

Summary:  The cold draw on this cigar reminds me of my first attempt at Red Man... minus the sweetness.  It’s just rich tobacco notes.  Nice, toothy looking wrapper as well.
Leather, dark toast with cinnamon, and fresh cut wood get things rolling.  A bit of pepper spice in the retro hale along with dark tea leaves and cacao powder. Sort of feels like I’m having to coax the smoke production on the cigar, yet the draw seems fine.
Midway, things are still dark.  Black coffee, black toast, some notes of mixed nuts way in the back and a smooth black pepper spice cover.  Couple of burn touch ups due to an annoyingly erratic burn.
Rounding third and heading home, two relights.  So, there’s that.  The profile is still enjoyably dark, but the spiciness is up a tic.

If You Like That, You Might Like This:  Binge watching The Sopranos.

Pairing Suggestion:  Rye Whiskey.

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend:  Fiver.

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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