This stick was given to me by a BOTL about 6 months ago, and has been waiting in the humidor since. Not sure why, but I felt an urge to spark up this 9 year old Cohiba, and see how it tastes. My experience with Cohibas is a bit less than the other marcas, so this should be an interesting experience in which I have very few expectations.Lighting up tonight after dinner on the patio with some cold water. Cut with my Xikar and lit with matches.
Pre-Light - The wrapper is a light, tan color with a smooth, almost oily texture and a few veins. The draw has a light tug, and the triple cap is beautiful.
First Third - The first draws bring a large volume of smoke, with toasty, woody, and some creamy notes. I am surprised by the superb draw (considering the '99-'01 curse), which is giving clouds of smoke are thick and white. After a half inch, a more dark tobacco flavor joins the picture, kicking the complexity up a notch. The burn isn't all that great, but doesn't really need any touch-ups yet.
Second Third - The flavors are really coming into their own, with wood, nut, and raw tobacco leading the pack, and some subtle cedar and coffee in the background. The ash is tight and layered, though still not really straight. Draw and smoke continue to be fantastic.
Third Third - Ooh boy I wish I had more of these... The flavors have moved away from the darker ones of the second third, and the coffee, wood, and toast notes have taken the lead. A nice cedar and vanilla in the background round out the flavors, as the draw and smoke continue to be spot on. While I did have to touch up once or twice, this was really no matter to me. The smoke was cool, almost menthol like at the end, and I nubbed it until my fingers were on fire.
Conclusion and Score - I must say this was one of the best CCs I have had in a while. The flavors were well rounded and complex, never letting up from start to nub. The body was medium at the beginning and end, but got a bit heavier in the middle. Burn was average, but the volumes of thick smoke and wonderful draw made up for what the burn lacked. Overall, this was an immensely enjoyable smoke, that I would rate 92 points. I doubt I will smoke one again, but if I can find one, I will most definitely grab it!
