Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Vitola: 6 x 50
Strength: Full
Purchase Link: Crowned Heads Azul y Oro
AZUL Y ORO REVIEW – DOM
Summary: This cigar smells like barnyard and hay on a crisp, spring day.
For thirty minutes, damp earth and a faint ginger sweetness is all I pick out flavor-wise, though I’m enjoying it. A nutty mouthfeel might sound suspect, but it's what I'm getting, and I can assure you it’s nice.
After walking around while smoking the first half, the strength sits me down. Root beer adds some character to the profile for the remainder of the cigar. I'd smoke another.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Convincing yourself that any press is good press after you've made a questionable decision
Pairing Suggestion: Root beer
Perceived Strength: Full
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
AZUL Y ORO REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought a lot of milk chocolate, along with oak, red pepper, orange, cherry, and all kinds of dried fruit notes. A bit of cedar rounded it out.
All those fruit notes along with the chocolate were delicious. This cigar passed the 'would I smoke it in winter?' test - I didn't want it to end in 24-degree weather.
Construction was on point.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Chocolate oranges
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
AZUL Y ORO REVIEW – BEN
Summary: A welcomed jalapeno kick to start the day with sweet hickory to accompany. My lips are noticeably tingly, but it quickly fades. I'm really enjoying this smoked meat and cinnamon moment happening; there's an inherent sweetness from the tobacco. Super smooth on the palate and retro.
In the last half, a little leather takes a peek, and the spice is back. I smoked this in the morning. Probably not a good idea because now I'm tobacco wasted. LOL!
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Tomahawk steak
Pairing Suggestion: Pinot
Perceived Strength: Full
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
AZUL Y ORO REVIEW – TED
Summary: This reddish-brown toro has a slightly rustic look to it.
Starting out with cocoa, dark fruit, peanut, and earth. Having construction issues immediately. The flavors are great, but dang. Moving on. I’m getting some pepper, baking spice, and vegetal notes in the profile as well. This cigar doesn’t feel or look under filled, but I just can’t get the filler to burn slower than the rest of the tobacco.
Into the middle section. Charred wood, leather, umami, black coffee, roasted nuts and just the faintest hint at molasses. Somehow the flavors aren’t completely ruined… still fighting construction issues.
The end portion is just a bitter mix of wood, umami, and coffee. Construction woes continue. Sorry.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Spending more time filling your torch than smoking
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee… and likely whiskey
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
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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