Vudu
By: Rocky Patel
Size: Robusto 5” x 50

The Vudu is available at Famous Smoke Shop and was blended by Amilcar P. Castro for Rocky Patel. It is dressed in a very dark San Andres maduro wrapper with the rest of the cigar consisting of Nicaraguan tobaccos. When I first saw the Vudu, I was immediately drawn to the name and packaging. It really does look sinister with the black on black band and grey-toned rustic box. Clipping the cap I get a nice easy draw and a sweet raisin note.

First Third: The Vudu starts with lots of sweet, creamy smoke followed by a subtle spice, quite unexpected. As the cigar heats up an earthy note develops and a strong pepper note makes its presence known in the sinus. Wow, makes my nose burn and eyes water. Interestingly, the pepper is very light in the aroma which stays primarily sweet and earthy, very nice. The burn is even and the ash is solid but falls off easily. This is not a cigar you want for your daily commute.

Second third: The Vudu is still performing well providing lots of sweet, spice and earthy flavors. Once in a while I can detect a roasted nut note. There’s no doubt this is going to be a strong cigar. At about the halfway point I began to feel the nicotine strength.

Last third: One minor complaint I have with the Vudu is with the band. It’s hard to get off. Luckily it wasn’t stuck to the wrapper but with two of the three cigars I sampled I had to shred the band to remove it. The cigar also developed some burn issues in the final third. One cigar wanted to tunnel and all three needed some kind of burn correction. The flavors, however, remained consistent and the strength continued to build.

Final thoughts: I really expected a cigar that emphasized strength over flavor but I was pleasantly surprised. Even thou the strength did end up stronger than I like, the flavors I got from start to finish are very enjoyable with a nice mix of sweet, spice, earth and pepper. Even with the construction issues in the final third, at a price point of $3 to $4 dollars, the Vudu is a cigar I can recommend trying.

Rating:
Flavor and Taste: 16/20
Construction: 8/10
Wrapper: 4/5
Price Point: 8/10
Would I buy a box: 4/5
Total: 40/50

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