I have enjoyed the series 55 cigars so far, so I am looking forward to this one.
It has a nice semi-oily chocolate brown wrapper w/ only smaller veins. I removed the gaudy band and was very disappointed to find a little glue residue left on the wrapper! Big turn off!
The cigar packed very firmly but evenly throughout the entire length of the cigar. I cut it and found that the pre-light draw was very tight. The wrapper smelled like very sweet cedar and the filler had a more pungent smell.
I lit it up and was hit with a nice sweet mocha taste w/ some pepper. It is really producing quite a bit of smoke! The first third was mild bodied w/ a nice sweet honey and cedar flavor followed by a mocha/coffee pepper finish.
The second third mellowed out even more w/ a spicy cedar and a slightly sweet pepper finish. The flaky dark gray/black ash did not hold on for long, only about and inch .
The final third started with a burst of sweet honey but quickly became medium body cedary flavor with a strong peppery finish.
Overall, I would not consider this a complex cigar by any means. Keep this in mind when considering buying some. With that said I think this makes an excellent, cheap, go-to cigar. If you like the peppery flavors that corojo wrappers produce, you will like it! If you like sweeter cigars, you will like it! Basically, I think you will like this cigar and you can’t go wrong with the price (about $2.50 each on the net).
Okay, I have to admit: it sounds great to ME! Sounds almost like a pipe tobacco (or reminiscent thereof, i.e. *not* a Black & Mild). Pungent? Cedar? Mocha? Honey? You’re pushin’ alla right buttons!
Yah, the main band was a bit much, but I kinda like the foot band. I’m like a crow: I like shiny things…
I have agree with Phil, I’ve enjoyed them all the way down to the nub also so for a $ 2.00 stick I can deal with oversize band and other little imperfections
Agree with Phil as well. As with wine, there are those that equate quality only with price. This cigar reminds me of some of the great $8 Spanish Tempranillos i have been drinking lately – light on the wallet but quite tasty and enjoyable. I love Oliva’s and R Patels, but for the price the VS is a great smoke.
Okay, I have to admit: it sounds great to ME! Sounds almost like a pipe tobacco (or reminiscent thereof, i.e. *not* a Black & Mild). Pungent? Cedar? Mocha? Honey? You’re pushin’ alla right buttons!
Yah, the main band was a bit much, but I kinda like the foot band. I’m like a crow: I like shiny things…
I’ll bite. I like your reviews. I find them accurate. I don’t mind a bottom band. I find it protects the bottom of the cigars when I case them to go.
I have smoked this cigar with much satisfaction right down to the nub.
I have agree with Phil, I’ve enjoyed them all the way down to the nub also so for a $ 2.00 stick I can deal with oversize band and other little imperfections
Agree with Phil as well. As with wine, there are those that equate quality only with price. This cigar reminds me of some of the great $8 Spanish Tempranillos i have been drinking lately – light on the wallet but quite tasty and enjoyable. I love Oliva’s and R Patels, but for the price the VS is a great smoke.