Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Robusto (5 x 50)
Purchase Link: The King is Dead by AJ Fernandez
THE KING IS DEAD BY AJ REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: Starting out with a delicious bowl of cornflakes. The retro hale and finish are chewy (tootsie roll) and peppery.
Second third. The ash falls in one solid piece leaving behind a not-too-shabby burn line. A little sweetness swoops in; I'm going to say chocolate covered almonds. Dang it, went out on me. Potpourri.
Final third starting out with leather. Went out again. Umami.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Magazines in the doctors office.
Pairing Suggestion: Caramel frappuccino.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.
THE KING IS DEAD BY AJ REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This super-toothy cigar brought flavors of earth, spice, brown sugar, leather, oak, coffee, and black pepper on the back of the palate. Throughout, there was a super-oaky nuttiness that made me think of gasoline. I have to imagine it doesn't hit other palates the same way; something about it just didn't work for me.
The construction was great - draw and burn were both on point. It's a well-made cigar, and worth seeing if it matches your tastes better than mine.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Oaky coffee grounds.
Pairing Suggestion: Sweet Tea.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
THE KING IS DEAD BY AJ REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: Robusto with a little tooth on the wrapper offering only mild tobacco notes on the cold draw...that’s how this cigar is starting.
Salty cedar, leather, mild tobacco and an underlying sweetness with a lightning fast finish. Classic flavors from this one. Perfect burn an inch into the experience. Also, voluminous smoke output.
Midway through, still getting salty wood notes, heavier tobacco flavors and a mild floral/leather note in the finish. In retro hale, I taste a sweet floral note and a very mild pepper spice with bolder flavors of earth and tobacco. Again, pretty classic cigar flavors.
Okay, as much as “linear” and “salty” may not sound great, this cigar is still really good. The final section is heavy with fresh wood notes and tobacco but offers a sustaining sweet floral note and pepper spice in the retro hale smoke. Also, perfect construction earns it an A+ in that department.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Sweet six string jams by Clapton.
Pairing Suggestion: Any session brew.
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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