Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: Belicoso
Purchase Link: J. London Gold Series
GOLD SERIES BELICOSO FINOS REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: This cigar looks like a jumbo-sized crayon in need of sharpening. Redwood, honey, and citrus map out the first leg of the journey to be sweet and refreshing. A touch-up gives me some trepidation as it was required after only an inch. There's a subtle minerality present that's reminiscent of purified drinking water (spring water is superior in every way). If the flavors of the first inch had me hiking in the mountains, we must have collectively fallen off of a cliff somewhere; store-bought pizza dough ruins the adventure metaphor, but that's where my brain goes.
In the second half, citrus makes a welcomed return (call it a kumquat comeback). Raw almonds and hops tear down the campsite of this review.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Unexpected journeys that end as expected.
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
GOLD SERIES BELICOSO FINOS REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar brought notes of hay, honey, graham cracker, mint, black pepper, creaminess, and cedar. For a little while I was getting a note that reminded me of Oreo cookies, so that was interesting. As the cigar progressed, it came to be dominated by cedar and the interesting notes faded away.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Starting a new job - at first it's interesting and full of possibilities. Then, over time, it becomes monotonous and less enjoyable.
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
GOLD SERIES BELICOSO FINOS REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: This week… honey, hay and graham cracker from the smooth leaf wrapping this stick. Cold draw is open with hay, bread, and a hint of spice… maybe cardamom?
Beginning flavors include cedar and leather accompanied by almond. Let’s talk retro hale. Toss in bold wood notes with a twist of lemon, a mouthful of black pepper and a continuing finish of the lemon pepper combo. Throw some salmon on the grill and we have a perfect pairing. It’s a familiar profile I’d expect from a really good Connie.
Not much shift in flavors. It’s a creamy mix of wood, leather, mild pepper, hints of citrus and a mild, nutty finish. A+ construction and performance with lots of great smoke.
Ending this smoke and things are still pretty similar to the middle. Wood and bread notes surrounded by some citrus and mild pepper. There’s a light mineral note in the retro hale as well. This stick is relatively linear in flavors but plenty enjoyable.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Spring sunshine with nothing to do.
Pairing Suggestion: Iced tea with a cinnamon stick.
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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