03-05-2009, 05:48 PM
SLR A:
Box of 25 dated May '08.
Paired with a Northern English Brown homebrew.
Pre-lit aroma was on the weaker side compared with others in the humidor. Had a slight barnyard type aroma but nothing inspiring. The color was on the lighter side with some smaller veins present in the wrapper. Construction looked good but had a firm feel.
Lighting it up, initially I got a astringent bitter taste mixed with some woodiness. That let up substantially after about a half inch and the stick calmed down, but that taste still remained in the background. It burned mostly nice and true. I started getting some nice earthiness and toasted wood as the smoke progressed. The draw remained a bit firmer than I would have liked. I never tasted any fruit or gingerbread that some have described. I was halfway done when a 2.5 inch ash crashed to the pavement leaving a little cone with a nice veiw of the binder and wrapper.
In the last third it went out and I decided not to relight. Not inspiring, not bad as I think they need some time to sleep and see if some more interesting flavors come to the front. I'd give it 6 out of 10.
Box of 25 dated May '08.
Paired with a Northern English Brown homebrew.
Pre-lit aroma was on the weaker side compared with others in the humidor. Had a slight barnyard type aroma but nothing inspiring. The color was on the lighter side with some smaller veins present in the wrapper. Construction looked good but had a firm feel.
Lighting it up, initially I got a astringent bitter taste mixed with some woodiness. That let up substantially after about a half inch and the stick calmed down, but that taste still remained in the background. It burned mostly nice and true. I started getting some nice earthiness and toasted wood as the smoke progressed. The draw remained a bit firmer than I would have liked. I never tasted any fruit or gingerbread that some have described. I was halfway done when a 2.5 inch ash crashed to the pavement leaving a little cone with a nice veiw of the binder and wrapper.
In the last third it went out and I decided not to relight. Not inspiring, not bad as I think they need some time to sleep and see if some more interesting flavors come to the front. I'd give it 6 out of 10.