This is the first review I've put up here and I really wasn't planning to do one either, which is why there are zero pictures, something I am regretting immensely at this point so you could see what I am talking about here, you'll just have to take my word for it I guess. Last week, I brought a 3 pack of Holy Braille to @ChefBoyRG54 house to smoke with him and @TonyRome but the experience left something to be desired, to say the least. The cigar started off extremely spicy for the entirety first third to the point where I couldn't pick up any other flavors. The experience was only a few steps away from a 5 alarm fire in my mouth every time I took a puff. However, as the second third started, it displayed a dramatic transition to a floral sweetness which was quite pleasant and very tasty and enjoyable, though it never blew me away. There were also some woody type notes coming in and out that added to the experience. At the end of the second third I pointed out how solid the construction was and no sooner did I remark on that when the wrapper cracked about 2 puffs later. Figures, and serves me right for jinxing it by opening up my mouth to comment on it. The final third mixed some of that pepper back in but it was never so dominant that it took over the cigar and the floral, woody and sweet notes were still present. This was, flavor wise, the best part of the cigar. But the cigar construction continued to degrade and the wrapper crack got worse and it really started to come apart. I tried slowing down my smoking pace to see if that would help but the cigar would go out if you didn't give it attention. I tried relighting twice but the flavors started getting crappy, probably due to the few relights in a row. With the construction going very awry, I decided to stop trying to keep the cigar going with about an inch and half left. Tony's cigar did the exact same thing as mine in the final third (thought he powered through his and kept it lit) and Ryan took a much more relaxed and laid back pace with his but he had issues with keeping it lit the whole way through, which is why I decided to smoke at a tad faster pace.
Maybe dry boxing could have helped, but I don't normally have issues with the stuff I pull from my cabinet so there was no way of knowing if that could have helped the issues this cigar had. Usually, if I do smoke a cigar where dry boxing would make a difference, construction issues will usually present themselves quickly, most often in the first third. The construction turning shitty in the final third makes me think that it probably wasn't an issue on my end.
Whatever the case may be, I found the experience to be greatly lacking, especially in light of the fact that these are $15 cigars. I never expect to be blown away, but it didn't even come close to justifying that outrageous price point and that point was emphasized for me when the cigar blew up like a flower at the end (really wishing I had photos right now.)
Assigning a rating to this stick is difficult, as it had its highlights and areas where I did truly enjoy the cigar, but those were outweighed by the rather bland smoking experience of the singular note first third and the horseshit construction on all 3 sticks we had. Omitting price as a factor, I would place this cigar right around a 75. I thought about rating it higher but taking in the massive construction issues 2 of our cigars had, and burn issues on the third I simply can't do so.
Maybe dry boxing could have helped, but I don't normally have issues with the stuff I pull from my cabinet so there was no way of knowing if that could have helped the issues this cigar had. Usually, if I do smoke a cigar where dry boxing would make a difference, construction issues will usually present themselves quickly, most often in the first third. The construction turning shitty in the final third makes me think that it probably wasn't an issue on my end.
Whatever the case may be, I found the experience to be greatly lacking, especially in light of the fact that these are $15 cigars. I never expect to be blown away, but it didn't even come close to justifying that outrageous price point and that point was emphasized for me when the cigar blew up like a flower at the end (really wishing I had photos right now.)
Assigning a rating to this stick is difficult, as it had its highlights and areas where I did truly enjoy the cigar, but those were outweighed by the rather bland smoking experience of the singular note first third and the horseshit construction on all 3 sticks we had. Omitting price as a factor, I would place this cigar right around a 75. I thought about rating it higher but taking in the massive construction issues 2 of our cigars had, and burn issues on the third I simply can't do so.
