Illusione Epernay Le Ferme

Haven't had the time to smoke too much lately (actually taking a break from studying right now), but since it was a nice day out I figured I'd light something up and relax. Had this smoke for a few months now, and was excited to light up the Epernay Le Ferme by Illusione. It is a corona gorda sized cigar sporting a smooth Rosado wrapper.

The pre-light flavor was sweet and raisiny, the draw having just a little tug. After lighting, the Le Ferme starts out very smooth, with some spice, nuts, a little sweetness, and an almost Cubanesque twang. Moving farther in, more spicy cedar flavors move to the forefront. The draw has a nice little tug to it, and it is burning pretty well (for being slightly windy out). I seem to keep tasting 'young CC Partagas' as I move on... Odd? Yes. Good? Also yes. Though no clouds of billowy smoke, there is definitely a smooth texture to it. Moving towards the end of the stick, the original sweetness reappears for a curtain call.

While not the most complex cigar, I did enjoy my first Epernay. The flavors were not particularly dynamic, but did have a nice cohesiveness and fit well together. I would rate this an 88 overall, give or take a few points. I'll be looking forward to trying some other sizes in this line, but will be back for more of the Le Ferme.

Hoya De Monterrey Regalos Edicion Limitada 2007

Thanks to a pole on Asylum, today I'm going to fire up this HDM EL 07. Not too much background here, as I haven't seen many reviews, but looking forward to a nice smoke hopefully, this being my second CC EL (the Mag 48 I had last week was fantastic).

At the shop today (it is raining out); cut with a Xikar and lit with matches, water to drink.

Pre-light - Wrapper is a nice chocolate brown, but has some spots and veins. Draw is on the firmer side, with mild tobacco flavors.

First Third - Initial draw give me some raw tobacco, with a bit of spice and toastiness in the background. Draw is perfect, and burn seems to be straight so far. An odd sweet flavor is left in my mouth after each puff, possibly molasses mixed with coffee? Very enjoyable. The smoke has a velvety texture, but isn't all that thick. Burn got a little ragged after an inch or so, but no corrections needed yet.

Second Third - The bold flavors of the first third have toned down, and the sweetness is not as prevalent. As strange as it was, I miss it now. Flavors are consisting of mainly raw, full tobacco and some coffee in the background. Burn has evened out again, and the ash is a holding nicely. Towards the middle of the stick, I noticed the flavors getting a bit ashy, hopefully this is me smoking too fast.

Third Third - I am enjoying this stick, though the first third was better than the second third, and this one it seems as well. Coffee is the dominating flavor right now the same raw tobacco that was present throughout. The body on this is surprising me, much fuller than the other regular line HDMs I have had, which I am enjoying. It isn't a full bodied stick, but definitely on the heavier side of medium. An ashy background is popping in and out, which is what is separating this from a 'good' rather than 'great' for me.

Conclusion and Score - This Hoya surprised me in body, being more full than I had anticipated. The first third was an awesome smoking experience, and I wish the flavors had continued into the following two thirds. Alas, the last two were not as tasty, losing the sweetness and gaining a slight ashyness. The D/A/B were good, but nothing special. Despite the declining enjoyment throughout, it was a good stick, and I would give it an 87. If it had been 3 'first thirds', it could have easily broken 90.