406 Cigars

Quickie Reviews are snapshots of cigars. These reviews are a great reference if you just want a general feel for a cigar instead of an in-depth discussion of all its characteristics. Basically, they tell the CliffsNotes version of a cigar’s story.

-Wrapper – 9 year aged Sumatra 2003
-Binder – Dominican
-Filler – Dominican
-Size – Maestro 6 x 52 (torpedo)
-Price – around $9

Takeaway
The wrapper on this cigar is pressed perfectly smooth with slight veining. The milk chocolate color has some mottling, and overall looks absolutely gorgeous. The cold draw is sweet with a little earthy taste. Box pressed torpedoes are one of my favorite vitolas, and these cigars have a little give to them when squeezed.

The first few puffs are chocolate bliss. The cigar then develops a woodsy core surrounded by light spice. The draw on this torpedo is just about perfect, not too loose and not too tight. For a cigar with rich flavors, the smoke is surprisingly light bodied. About an inch in a bright note starts to shine through that I haven’t noticed in the robusto size. It isn’t a citrus flavor, but more of a bright nuttiness.

By the second third the spice has dropped off considerably. The smoke is gradually gaining body and the flavors are getting deeper. A touch of harshness has developed, so I’m going to slow down my cadence. This could also be due to numerous touchups, which wasn’t necessary on the other F55s I’ve smoked.

A sweetness has crept back in at the start of the last third. Cocoa is present again, which is a nice way to finish as the second third was pretty static.

Flavor – Full
Strength – Medium
Body – Medium
Construction – Good

Rating 3.5 – Great cigar, but at close to $14 in the Montana market it might be a little overpriced.