Well, my luck has changed. Each cigar I've smoked was getting better and better. Then I had this one.

The C.E. Beck & Company cigar came with my Cuban Crafters sampler. There web site describes it as:

MEDIUM BODY. Their celebrated taste is creamy and mildly spicy with an exhilarating and complex buttery undertone. It is very smooth and melodious with hints of nutmeg, mild spices and oak. The aroma has a very pleasant floral scent.
Not!

I didn't detect any creaminess. My first impression was "Bitter", which then mellowed to "Spicy". I then realized that maybe this flavor is what people are talking about when they use the term "peppery". But to me this is a one trick pony. It's full of spice and pepper and nothing else.

Pre-light: Easy draw. The end didn't cut very cleanly (I gotta get rid of this single blade cutter p.o.s. and get a double blade cutter at least). The non-lit aroma was pretty strong and certainly different than the other cigars I've had. I have to say it wasn't an aroma that made me think "Yum! I can't wait to try this"

1st third: Spice and pepper and a bit harsh. That's pretty much it. Just spice and pepper. "Smooth and melodious"? Not hardly.

2nd third: More spice and pepper. I was working in my shop as I was smoking this so it almost went out a couple of times. but I really wanted to give the cigar a fair shot so I took a break and went outside to watch the last of the sunset and give it some time. As my attitude mellowed so did the cigar a bit. But I really didn't detect any complexity to the taste other than that spicy pepper taste.

Last 3rd: Nothing much to say. More of the same and it was getting a bit harsher. It gave me a mild nicotine buzz but nothing about the cigar made me want another one. The aftertaste is just plain unpleasant.

Newbie Appropriateness: Nope If this was your first cigar you'd probably wonder why people do this to themselves. I'm sure there are people who would like this taste but I'm much more impressed with the chocolate/sweetness of the DK Red label. The term "Dog Rocket" is probably too strong. Let's just say that it doesn't fit my personal taste.

I have another one in my humidor. I think I'll let it rest for a while. Maybe a year . . or two . . . or more . . . before I subject myself to another one.