BLTC Deliverance 2017 FoF Exclusive

Notes: Measured 7.125 inches and 36 ring gauge. San Andres wrapper has no visible oil, but otherwise very smooth and even color. Flavors of fruit, espresso, salty peanut, pastry, clove, red and black pepper. There was an odd mineral flavor that appeared in the last third, but only on a few puffs. Great complexity and a very unique overall flavor profile. Construction was perfect aside from the measurements being incorrect.

Smoking time: One hour, fifteen minutes

Rating: Five stars

illusione ~hl~ (Holy Lance Maduro)

Notes: Flavors of milk chocolate, molasses, hickory, vanilla, apple, coriander, clove, and white pepper. Light to medium in body and strength with full flavor. Another perfectly balanced and delicious blend from Dion. Construction and combustion were also flawless.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty five minutes

Rating: Five stars

illusione ~hl~ (Holy Lance)

Notes: Perfect density and draw. Flavors of bread and pastry, cream, almond, cinnamon and a subtle white pepper. Extremely consistent smoke that crescendos from light to medium body and flavor. Even with no noticeable transitions, the complexity and elegance of this blend is simply outrageous.

Smoking time: One hour, forty nine minutes

Rating: Five stars

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Guapos

Notes: Draw is also a bit tight. Flavors of white pepper, cedar, citrus and honey. Balance was excellent.

Smoking time: One hour, sixteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Tatuaje Havana VI

Notes: Draw is somewhat tight. Flavors of oak, citrus and subtle spice with very little pepper. In the middle third, the citrus changes to a darker fruit, there's an addition of bread, and the spice broadens. Complexity and flavor are excellent till the last third, when a tunnel develops, requiring five relights and flavors go downhill quick. Another I want to revisit.

Smoking time: one hour, twenty minutes

Rating: Three stars

Tatuaje Private Reserve

Notes: Construction was great. Pre light aroma of barnyard and chocolate. Flavors of oak, milk chocolate, cumin, almond, vanilla and a touch of red pepper. Great balance and complexity, medium body, full flavor.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty three minutes

Rating: Five stars

Las Cumbres Senorial

Notes: Good construction, draw resistance is too open. Flavors of cedar, cinnamon and red pepper. Also a floral note that gets mostly lost. Overall too harsh from the quick combustion. I can tell this blend would do well with a proper bunch. I want to revisit this.

Smoking time: Sixty three minutes

Rating: Three stars

Room 101 Daruma Gold

Notes: Great density and draw with prelight aroma of spice and hay. Flavors of cedar, burnt coffee, toast and a full range of baking spices. Delicious blend with nice complexity, but in the last third the draw tightened up and flavors became somewhat bitter.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty one minutes

Rating: Four stars

Saga Golden Age

Notes: The Dominican Corojo wrapper is so light it could easily be mistaken for shade grown CT seed. Also of not is the ugly mottling and bumpiness. Draw and construction are otherwise excellent. Flavors of oak, nuts, white pepper and a delicious caramel sweetness that dissipates by the last third. Complexity was lacking and this blend, though great in the beginning, steadily went downhill.

Smoking time: One hour, thirty minutes

Rating: Three stars