Cranium (Gran Toro), 6" x 54 ring gauge / $8.00
First a quick "Thank you" to Keith for sending me this first CroMagnon that I got my hands on. This cigar is a joint venture between Skip Martin (Hava Cigar Store & Lounge) and Micheal Rosales (Adrian's Cigars). It has Nicaraguan filler, a Cameroon binder and a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that is as oily as any cigar I have ever seen, including the Liga Privada T-52. After hearing so much buzz on Twitter, I was anxious to light up this bad boy. The wrapper had a smell of earth and leather, while I got stronger earth aromas mixed with chocolate on the foot. A strong cigar needs a hearty beverage to go with it so I cracked open a Samuel Adams Double Bock.
Prelight draw was good and had flavors of cocoa powder and chili pepper. Once lit the CroMagnon was smooth and sweet on the palate and peppery on the retrohale. The beer was sweet and smooth, too, with an almost maple flavor. Through the firt third the cigar had a nice balance of sweetness from the wrapper and earthiness from the filler; the pepper spice went away fairly quickly.
The CroMagnon was not the most complex cigar I have ever had, but it was very good and had a tremendous amount of flavor throughout. The pairing with the Double Bock was very good as well--both were smooth and sweet with a deceptive amount of strength. It made a great pairing for an almost-Spring evening after a hard day of work.
Note: Keith published a full review of the CroMagnon back in February; check it out HERE.
Do you have something to add? Leave a comment below!
No comments:
Post a Comment