Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro (6 x 52)
Purchase Link: Casa Cuevas La Mandarria
LA MANDARRIA REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: This is not a cigar for church; the foot is exposed up to the ankle. I'm praying that things turn around once I reach the wrapper because right now the burn is being insolent and a floral bitterness is all I taste.
Ashing the foot, the burn stabilizes. Hay, rose water, and tequila? Interesting. My mouth feels dry through the second half. No other profile changes to note. Not for me.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Hangover sweats in church.
Pairing Suggestion: Margarita.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
LA MANDARRIA REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar starts with visual interest - it definitely wore its pieces of flair to work.
Before hitting wrapper at the foot, I was treated to flavors of pepper, earth, oak, dark chocolate. It was a little bitter and contained a bit of raisin action.
Wrapper hits and... add caramel, sweet cream, peanut, a little vegetal action, a little coffee action. The caramel note holds all the other notes together to make for an interesting smoking experience.
Draw and burn are both quite good. This was a well-made cigar.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Playing an entire album straight through and realizing that every song is pretty different, but they’re all bangers.
Pairing Suggestion: Brandy.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box.
LA MANDARRIA REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: This cigar is unique enough in appearance, it would be tough to not know what it is. However, I’ve never smoked one nor known anyone who has. It has a shaggy foot reminiscent of the Pasha. It has a distinct cap I call a “cinnamon bun”. The wrapper has some tooth and some shine. The cold draw is sourdough and tea leaves.
Shaggy foot lit... flavors of nuts, leather, wood and some spiciness on both the palate and retro hale. It will be interesting to see if the flavor shifts once I hit the wrapper. There’s a good inch of tobacco before you hit the wrapper, so it’ll be a few minutes.
Getting into the wrapper and I’m tasting some citrus added to the mix. Still laden with wood and nuts and some dark toast flavors as well. Great construction and smoke production thus far. The burn line is sharp and straight.
Middle section of this cigar is more basic with wood, leather and tobacco. I’m still enjoying it, but the complexity has dialed back. Still maintenance free and churning out smoke too.
The end portion of the cigar remains relatively basic. Wood notes, lots of leather and tea flavors. A+ construction all the way though.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Looking forward to Friday, but facing the reality it’s Monday.
Pairing Suggestion: Rum in the evening...coffee with cream in the a.m.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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