Wednesday, September 3, 2008

ROMEO & JULIETA MILLE FLEURS



ROMEO & JULIETA MILLE FLEURS

PETIT CORONA


Origin: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Filler: Cuba

In the past, these were machine bunched with hand applied wrapper. My box from 2007 states "TOTALMENTE A MANO"


Place of purchase: Local B & M


TASTING SHEET RESULTS


SIZE: 5x42

APPEARANCE: very good: uniform brown color with a few minor dark and green specks, veiny wrapper, with nice seams and triple cap, slight box-press with oily sheen

CONSTRUCTION: very good: firm bunch, tight seams, but with a patched head

DRAW: firm

BURN: average to good, tipical thick »cuban« mascara, wavy with problems halfway into the smoke, a couple of touch-ups needed

AROMA: excellent, buttery cocoa and leather

FLAVOR: very good

DOMINANT FLAVORS: leather, earth, caramel, coffee

AFTERTASTE: earth, leather, a touch of cocoa

STRENGHT: moderate

SMOKING TIME: ~ 100 minutes

GENERAL IMPRESSION: average



CUT: Xikar

PRELIGHT: leather earth, floral notes

LIGHT: torch flame lighter, took some time

BEVERAGE: coffee black



1/3:

Upon light, leather opens the show immediately with earth and slightly floral and bitter notes. Nose blow salty leather with a hint of caramel. The smoke is smooth. Nearing second third toasty caramel joins the mix, complementing leather. By now, all bitterness subsided. Very compact ash.



2/3:

Leather still dominates with woody finish and coffee undertones, while hints of vanilla start popping in and out. Burn issues appear.



3/3:

Leather keeps the centerstage. At this point burn issues really start to annoy and it shows on the smoke as bitterness returns with wood charr. Ashing reveals a hole in the filler, causing problems. Two touch-ups were applied but the smoke just kept going south.



NUB:

Bitter wood. No tar build-up.




This one is from my second box of these. I have half a box left. Based on their performance, I will not purchase a third box. They are not very expensive, but not greatest value for money based on what they deliver. They are okay, but nothing to write home about.

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