I picked up 5 pack of the Corona Project from Rodrigo Cigars. I thought I would post my impressions as well as start a discussion which will be evident towards the end pf the post.
The cigar has a very oily wrapper. More oily and red than other Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers I have had before (the pic below doesn't show the red hue of the wrapper). The cigar was firm but hard, a few portions of the cigar were slightly harder than others but nothing unusual or that might effect the draw.
Prelight
Cocoa on the draw with pepper on the lips from the wrapper.
The first Third was dominated by cocoa with espresso coming and going. The surprise for me was there was no sweetness to the cigar. I really liked this. The retrohale had pepper which made this first thrid excellent. The pepper only existed on the retrohale. Towards the end of the first third and earthy woods element began to emerge.
The second third
Cocoa with some espresso elements and the woody earthy notes growing. Pepper on the retrohale dulls and is less strong than the first third but still adding to the flavors. A leathery finish begins to appear.
On the final third
The cocoa remains, pepper grows stronger, leathery finish increases and a sweetness begins to appear.
I have to say I loved the flavors of this cigar. Its was medium plus with an above average nicotine punch.
The reason for this post in cigars is I want to discuss the burn. I am sure some have seen the halfwheel post and I wanted to provide my experience. The burn takes effort to manage. While I never had to touch up with a lighter it did take concerted effort to keep the cigar burning. This is not a bad thing but it takes work. I smoke fast if someone were a slow smoker this cigar would definitely give them trouble. I had to pay attention to the cigar and puff and rotate the cigar to keep it going. The picture below shows how oily the cigar is. It seemed like the oils had to burn off. I have not noticed a wrapper burn like this before. There is a clear line where the wrapper has dried, and a very oily band then about 2-3 cm above the burn line it returns to the normal state of the wrapper. I think these need to rest, once the cellophane turns yellow and the oils dry a bit these will burn just fine.
The cigar has a very oily wrapper. More oily and red than other Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers I have had before (the pic below doesn't show the red hue of the wrapper). The cigar was firm but hard, a few portions of the cigar were slightly harder than others but nothing unusual or that might effect the draw.
Prelight
Cocoa on the draw with pepper on the lips from the wrapper.
The first Third was dominated by cocoa with espresso coming and going. The surprise for me was there was no sweetness to the cigar. I really liked this. The retrohale had pepper which made this first thrid excellent. The pepper only existed on the retrohale. Towards the end of the first third and earthy woods element began to emerge.
The second third
Cocoa with some espresso elements and the woody earthy notes growing. Pepper on the retrohale dulls and is less strong than the first third but still adding to the flavors. A leathery finish begins to appear.
On the final third
The cocoa remains, pepper grows stronger, leathery finish increases and a sweetness begins to appear.
I have to say I loved the flavors of this cigar. Its was medium plus with an above average nicotine punch.
The reason for this post in cigars is I want to discuss the burn. I am sure some have seen the halfwheel post and I wanted to provide my experience. The burn takes effort to manage. While I never had to touch up with a lighter it did take concerted effort to keep the cigar burning. This is not a bad thing but it takes work. I smoke fast if someone were a slow smoker this cigar would definitely give them trouble. I had to pay attention to the cigar and puff and rotate the cigar to keep it going. The picture below shows how oily the cigar is. It seemed like the oils had to burn off. I have not noticed a wrapper burn like this before. There is a clear line where the wrapper has dried, and a very oily band then about 2-3 cm above the burn line it returns to the normal state of the wrapper. I think these need to rest, once the cellophane turns yellow and the oils dry a bit these will burn just fine.
