After being busted for not turning in my mid term on the first prequel I non reviewed, I’ve decided to pencil in my thesis on this Carrillo cigar like a “proper aficionado” would be poised to freely and uninvitedly do. In order to accommodate this actual review, I had to get another one from my local B&M. (Like a dirty cigar cheater) Mainly because I don’t recall anything other than it was exceptionally good. Was it 98 points good though? That is the question I shall indulge to answer. The appearance of this cigar on the web site, is similar to the Big Mac on the McDonalds window poster, all big, plump and juicy looking. However, when you get it, it’s a much smaller version than the deceptive false advertisement led you to believe. It comes dressed in a nice very dark oscuro looking cocktail gown, all fancy’ied up and ready to party. It appears to be a semi effort boxed pressed. Now, as to the answer of that age old question that’s been lingering around in the minds of mankind for centuries, “Is this cigar worth it”? And the only way to do that, is with a cut and a light. We kick off this Super Bowl championship with a peppery harshness upon light up. Getting into this roll of leaves some nice flavors are jumping right off the bat. There’s a bourbon flavor and what tastes like two things mixed together, which is 1- Canadian Maple syrup and 2- butterscotch. There’s a creamy earth note and a smooth leather sometimes comes flavor forward in the draw. Very well balanced and pronounced flavor profile, I must say. The retro hale now has a sweet spice to go with the pepper. A generous amount of smoke output with a medium plus body so far. Rounding into second base, it still seems well blended and consistent to the first thirds flavor profile. A hint of cinnamon has peeked out, Still very smooth with rich flavors. Chocolate has invited itself to the party now as well. Holding a nice ash. The band on this cigar is like art work. The slightly wavy burn line keeps correcting itself. Coming in for the home run on this one, I’m sometimes picking up a black licorice note. Some nice black pepper in the retro, that’s also spicy sweet like sweet and sour Chinese chicken. It has become more bite than bark in the flavors category however the chocolate has fallen off a cliff, but it’s still delivering nice flavors, which is saying a lot. Not a lot of heat either. The flavor has been working out and it’s now stronger but it’s one die hard cigar that can really mix it up all the way to it’s cigar doomsday of ending the final third. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed this, I will be purchasing more of them in the future. When I smoked the first one of these from cigars Dailey, I clearly remember saying to myself, that it was “one of”the best cigars I’d ever smoked. However, I didn’t realize it was rated a 98 at the time. So, the real question here would be, is it “the” best cigar I’ve ever smoked, because if I agree with the 98 points, that’s what I would be saying, since I’ve never rated a cigar that high before. There’s so little you can complain about with this cigar. I think Ernesto Perez Carillo nailed it. However, I’m hard pressed to declare his master piece a 98. My most favorite sticks hang out in Club 95 just down the street. So, I will say, I would at least place it in my 95 range, with five stars like a general.
