I always considered the flavor profile more as a hot licoricce type flavor...tingleing sensation with strong tastes.
I always considered this the build up of resin.If you have a punch,small cut,or V cut,when you get close you can do a full cut to stop the smoke from traveling through the tar buildup or resin which does have a large amount of nicotine content.Sometimes,even with an initial full cut,by cutting a little bit off again as the cigar gets close can help alieviate the problem to.Different cigars react differently.I agree its not shocking that this was a Honduran cigar.