Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: bigwhiteash / mrtr33 Reviews

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Beaufort, SC
    Posts
    2,045
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default bigwhiteash / mrtr33 Reviews

    Taking our cue from the DW/KC review series, mrtr33 and I are proud to present the first in a series of slightly less formal reviews.

    First up for me:

    CAO Brazillia 6 X 96 "Trumpet" from the Artistry of Champions collection.

    Please excuse the cell-phone pictures.


    This monster cigar was quite intimidating, and I spent quite some time contemplating just how I would light this beast. Very solid, heavy, and overall well built. I gathered my courage, and dove in!
    Clippsd the cap with my trusty cheapo cutter, (cap is about 50rg). prelight draw is just right. I really didn't think it would be a tight draw, given the sheer size of the foot. Now comes the fun part. Making sure my Colibri torch is fully fueled, I began toasting.. and toasting.. and toasting.. eventually I got an even sprinkling of white ash forming, and put it to my mouth to finish the light. A good 4 minutes spent!

    Surprisingly, there was not the volume of smoke I expected. as for flavor, if you've ever smoked a brazilia, you know where this is going. roasted dark coffee, some cocoa, but predominantly "dark" tobacco flavors.
    I was really expecting to have severe burn issues with this thing, but again surprised, it burned razor- straight until the end.


    Once I had smoked this monster down to about 60rg, the smoke output increased to the expected levels, by that time, you probably could have swapped it out got a "GOL", and I wouldn't have noticed.




    As you can see, the ash held on strong for about half of the smoke, when it finally fell, it revealed the sharpest cone ember I have ever seen!



    After a few more puffs, I had had enough of this one, the flavor started getting a bit harsh, even after a purge. I wanted to end on a semi-positive note, so after 1 hour and 40 minutes, I put this one down. I can say it was in interesting experience. Nothing new flavor-wise, but the shape was quite fun to smoke.
    "We're at NOW now... everything that's hapening now... is happening NOW!"

    ~ Col. Sanders ~


    "I guess all we need to do now is give a shit what you think. I'll work on that."

    ~ ashauler ~

  2. #2

    Default

    Good review. That thing is scarey looking.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hatfield, PA 19440
    Posts
    210

    Default

    Nice review. That cigar is aptly named.
    Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
    -Winston Churchill

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Wichita, KS
    Posts
    7,539
    Blog Entries
    56

    Default

    Nice review Dennis!! I won this set in SLCRaiders contest at X-mas........don't have the 'nads to actually smoke them though.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Beaufort, SC
    Posts
    2,045
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ashauler View Post
    Nice review Dennis!! I won this set in SLCRaiders contest at X-mas........don't have the 'nads to actually smoke them though.

    That monster box they came in was taking up too much valuable real estate

    mrtr has the other half (Italia), should be up soon
    "We're at NOW now... everything that's hapening now... is happening NOW!"

    ~ Col. Sanders ~


    "I guess all we need to do now is give a shit what you think. I'll work on that."

    ~ ashauler ~

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    around
    Posts
    2,861
    Blog Entries
    16

    Default CAO Italia "Trumpet" 6 X 96

    I did a little research before smoking this cigar. That is my occupation, I can't help it. According to the CAO website, the filler contains a leaf grown in the Benevento region of Italy, coincidentally, where my ancestors hail from.

    I also read another passage where the veep of CAO International that stated the original ring gauge was slated to be a 137 - but was impossible to light.

    Enough banter. On to smoking.



    The construction was pretty good. Lighter than the Brazilia, with a light oily sheen on the outside, this cigar is firm to the touch, but not rock hard. The cap was really big, and the draw was a nice medium in pull. The cigar is a nice weight in hand, about what you would expect.



    It's about right here where the flavor starts. I, too, was expecting burn issues, yet this cigar burned very evenly for me. Not a whole lot of smoke, and I am not the best to comment on flavors I experience, but it had a very good, unique tobacco taste. A slight amount of spice, but nothing overwhelming. Very nice earthy tobacco flavors, however.



    The volume of smoke begins to increase about here. Something else I thought was a bit odd was the color of the ash. It almost looks like the foot was dipped in something, noting it's color. The rest of the ash was relatively white, the ash firm enough to survive my juvenile "bouncing up and down" and "swaying side to side" tests.



    Honestly, I didn't even know ash this long was possible. It broke off a few puffs after this. Smoke volume continuing to increase, as with the flavor. I didn't detect bitterness, the flavors seemed to intensify. I did not notice the cigar getting hotter as it approached the end.



    The ash broke, and I actually had to set it down, rather than tapping it off. From here, the burn on the cigar went a little off, and some of the wrapper was even coming apart. Honestly, by the time I got to this point, at almost 2 hours, I was done.

    The aftertaste was nice. No harshness experienced at all, although I had quite the nicotine rush. Quite a pleasant cigar.

    Much thanks to bigwhiteash for the experience.


    Age Quod Agis

    1 Strike

  7. #7

    Default

    Nice reviews guys, might have to try one of each.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hatfield, PA 19440
    Posts
    210

    Default

    Nice review. More, please! This is great.
    Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
    -Winston Churchill

  9. #9

    Default

    I'd seen a pic of one of these with a complete ash. I think the smoker had to hold it upright while smoking for the last inch or two. Anyway, the ash held until the end. Crazy, couldn't imagine that thing falling in my eye.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    around
    Posts
    2,861
    Blog Entries
    16

    Default Diamond Crown Maximus No. 2 Churchill 7 X 50 - Toast Across America 2007

    This cigar is one half of the "Toast Across America 2007", held by the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation commemorative set. The only difference I can tell between this DC Maximum #2 and the one I can purchase at my local B&M is a cedar sleeve and additional bands denoting the foundation event.



    A dark, oily Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper adorns this cigar. The construction is almost flawless, a slight glitch undetectable to the eye without removing the wrapper, but ended up not affecting the experience. The cigar is very firm, and slightly heavy in weight. It's actually very intimidating. The cap wasn't very big, but not too small. Having temporarily misplaced my pocketknife, I decided to use it with my cheap cutter. The draw was medium - not too tight, but not too loose, either. I sat down for a game of chess and watching the sunset with my fiancee and a glass of Mad River Brewing Company Jamaica Brand Red Ale, and toasted the foot.



    It's about here where the full-flavor kicks in. This cigar has been described as both a full-bodied and a med/full bodied cigar, and I would tend to classify it with the latter description. Loads of white, creamy smoke. A spiciness that is noticeable, but not overpowering. An underlying taste of cedar predominates everything. There is a slight sweetness that I can detect as well, but very subtle.



    It's about here where the strength and flavor mellow out a bit. Which is a good thing for me. Still tons of smoke, and the cigar is still holding together firmly. The ash is very white, and very reasonably firm still.



    Right here at the very end, a little bit of the wrapper came apart. Not to worry - after an hour and a half, I was pretty much nearing my end. While the cigar was still firm, it was getting slightly warm about 10 minutes after this, and just a tad bitter. I decided to end this on a high note, and put it down. The sun was gone, the beer had been enjoyed, and I had checkmated my fiancees king.

    Thanks again to bigwhiteash for such an enjoyable experience. I went into this cigar with no expectations, as I had a Diamond Crown #4 (non-Maximus), and didn't really enjoy it. Thanks for this experience to turn me around on these.


    Age Quod Agis

    1 Strike

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Beaufort, SC
    Posts
    2,045
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    Nice Job my Friend

    Glad you enjoyed the smoke

    Dennis~
    Last edited by bigwhiteash; 04-28-2008 at 08:37 PM.
    "We're at NOW now... everything that's hapening now... is happening NOW!"

    ~ Col. Sanders ~


    "I guess all we need to do now is give a shit what you think. I'll work on that."

    ~ ashauler ~

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Beaufort, SC
    Posts
    2,045
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Opus X Toast Across America

    This magnificent looking cigar is part of the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, "Toast Across America" commemorative set.



    The other half being the Diamond Crown Maximus #2, reviewed previously by mrtr33.
    This one is a 7 X 48 Reserva D'Chateau, basically repackaged with cedar sleeve, and additional bands.
    Wrapped in an absolutely Beautiful rosado wrapper, very firm to the touch, and smooth, with minimal veins.



    After marveling for some time over the construction of this fine looking cigar, it was time to get started. Pouring myself a big glass of sweet tea, cueing up the soundtrack from Lord of the Rings, I grabbed my cutter, and went to work!
    This is where I wish I had a good quality cutter, but the el-cheapo did a pretty nice job removing just enough of the perfect tripple cap. Prelight draw is slightly tighter than any of the three other Opus X I have encountered. Not a problem... Yet.
    Taking my time, I slowly toasted the foot until I had a good bit of white ash showing. Initial draws give me the same spicy pepper taste I have experienced with the other Opus, although smoke output is somewhat less.



    I am in no way going to try to describe the flavors I encountered, except to say, this is one of the first times I have detected anything in the floral sensation, just barely there, behind the very pleasant spicy, robust tobacco flavor.



    Right after I took the above picture, to avoid wearing it, I rolled the ash off into the ashtray, it took a slight push to get it to release, leasding me to believe it would have stayed strong for a good length. That's when the trouble started!
    About 5 minutes after the initial ash, this thing started to get REALLY hard to draw. There is NO WAY i'm ditching this smoke, so, OFF WITH THE BANDS.. Carefully, Gently, I administer some Massage Therapy. Feeling a plug right below the cap, I concentrate my efforts there.



    Five minutes later, BAM.. This thing was opened up, and smoking like an Opus Freight Train! Now THATS what I like! Great peppery flavor on the back of the pallate, lots of thick bluish-white smoke! Too bad it didn't stay that way.

    Not sure if, in my joy of having this cigar open up like that, Maybe I started smoking it too fast, or what, but ten minutes later, my head is absolutely SWIMMING! I guess this is where my n00b starts to show.
    Not wanting to spend the next two hours in the fetal position, I decided, for my own benefit, to let this one go.



    Overall, I enjoyed smoking this lovely cigar, and I may even be to blame for the plug, I can't help but wonder if a quality cutter would have eliminated my problem. I have thoroughly enjoyed the other Opus I have been fortunate enough to aquire, A Power Ranger, and a pair of #4's, and will continue to seek them out.

    I want to thank Mark, (mrtr33) for helping me with these reviews, and for sharing LITERALLY, a TOAST ACROSS AMERICA.
    "We're at NOW now... everything that's hapening now... is happening NOW!"

    ~ Col. Sanders ~


    "I guess all we need to do now is give a shit what you think. I'll work on that."

    ~ ashauler ~

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    around
    Posts
    2,861
    Blog Entries
    16

    Default

    Nice review. Alas, the Opus X cigar has eluded me. One of these days, I hope to acquire one to smoke. I'm still trying to catch up trying the other smokes you've sent my way!

    Thank you, bigwhiteash, for the opportunity.


    Age Quod Agis

    1 Strike

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Wichita, KS
    Posts
    7,539
    Blog Entries
    56

    Default

    Nice review Dennis . LMAO......the Opus do pack a punch, imho. I wouldn't think your cut/cutter caused the plug, especially if sufficient cap was removed and the end didn't look "smashed".......and this kind of thing, in my limited experience, is easily massaged out.

    Nice ashtray too.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Beaufort, SC
    Posts
    2,045
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    The other three that I've had really gave me no nic hit to speak of. This one, I think when I finally got it massaged out, I smoked it a bit fast

    I did kinda let it go out, since I was really trying to slow myself down, but by that time, I had really had enough.

    Interestingly, I disected the remaining 2" of cigar, and found a couple small stems that were folded over and rolled near the cap.

    I do have a monster Opus X 'A' vitola on the way, but I may be saving that for a very special occasion
    "We're at NOW now... everything that's hapening now... is happening NOW!"

    ~ Col. Sanders ~


    "I guess all we need to do now is give a shit what you think. I'll work on that."

    ~ ashauler ~

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    1,935

    Default

    Always eat a lot before an Opus.
    "If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair." -C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Beaufort, SC
    Posts
    2,045
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BigMacFU View Post
    Always eat a lot before an Opus.

    Quoted as sound advive

    I actually ate quite a large meal beforehand, I think the combination of dealing with the "eye-popping draw" for a while, and the resulting high smoke output after the massage therapy, got my head twirling a bit
    "We're at NOW now... everything that's hapening now... is happening NOW!"

    ~ Col. Sanders ~


    "I guess all we need to do now is give a shit what you think. I'll work on that."

    ~ ashauler ~

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •