Schnorr (Robusto), 5" x 50 ring gauge / approx. $4.50, Tobacco World
If you read my review of the original Mooch by Berger & Argenti, then you will already know that I was a fan of the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapped smoke. I love the whole concept behind the Mooch...a cheap cigar that still packs a great flavor, so you won't mind giving them to your cheapskate friends who show up at a herf unprepared, but you also won't mind firing up one yourself. Keith did take a look at this cigar back in the middle of last year, but I thought I would add it to my schedule since I was finally able to get my hands on some on a recent trip to Atlanta. According to what he wrote (and other reviews I was able to find) this is a Nicaraguan Puro, obviously featuring a Maduro wrapper. This review sample is the second of these I have smoked.
Berger & Argenti does not present these as bargain sticks. They have two actual bands (simple and classy) along with a foot wrapped in paper that mimics newspapers from the Cuban embargo initiation period. The bottom line is they are cool and classy...and a bit fun in appearance. After taking the bottom band and paper wrap off, I was able to get a better look at the wrapper, and found it to be a very nice milk chocolate shade with minimal mottling and a nice velvety feel. The aroma from the wrapper was sweet and cocoa-y, along with a hint of coffee; the foot had more of an earthy note, but the wrapper was so powerful in aroma that it was actually hard to pick out the foot scents. The cold draw was easy and full of earthy and coffee flavors.
The initial puffs on the Mooch Maduro revealed a very earthy flavor with an underlying cocoa sweetness. There was a very little dash of pepper spice on the roasted nut retrohale. The first third of this review sample had a large void going down the middle, off to one side just enough to make a large canoe and cause the draw to be somewhat faulty. The first third ended up being quite earthy, but a little dull...and it made me wonder how much the construction problems were messing with the flavor. My first sample did not have these issues; I recall it being better tasting, but it still was not a flavor blockbuster.
Because of the construction issues that continued through the first third, the second third of the Mooch Maduro came along faster than I expected. On the plus side, the draw was noticeably better; on the minus side, the tunnel seemed to continue on. It seemed in some ways to be the inverse of the Entubar which has the pronounced center Ligero section...this one seemed to have no center at all. The flavor developed into more of a dark roast coffee, but still with earth and the mild sweetness of the Maduro leaf hanging around.
Construction issues were a thing of the past in the last third and the Mooch Maduro continued to be very earthy with a strong overtone of dark coffee. The flavor was very good although not terribly complex. That fits in with the mission of this cigar...to be good and something you or your freeloading friends can enjoy, but to also be bargain priced, which usually prohibits any real complexity in a smoke. Despite the build problems on this sample, I enjoyed this and would definitely smoke it again. It was medium to full in body and about medium in nicotine strength, so if your needy guests are newer smokers, have some regular Mooch on hand. Otherwise...enjoy!
Body: 7/10
Strength: 5/10
Complexity: 4/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8/10
If you read my review of the original Mooch by Berger & Argenti, then you will already know that I was a fan of the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapped smoke. I love the whole concept behind the Mooch...a cheap cigar that still packs a great flavor, so you won't mind giving them to your cheapskate friends who show up at a herf unprepared, but you also won't mind firing up one yourself. Keith did take a look at this cigar back in the middle of last year, but I thought I would add it to my schedule since I was finally able to get my hands on some on a recent trip to Atlanta. According to what he wrote (and other reviews I was able to find) this is a Nicaraguan Puro, obviously featuring a Maduro wrapper. This review sample is the second of these I have smoked.
Berger & Argenti does not present these as bargain sticks. They have two actual bands (simple and classy) along with a foot wrapped in paper that mimics newspapers from the Cuban embargo initiation period. The bottom line is they are cool and classy...and a bit fun in appearance. After taking the bottom band and paper wrap off, I was able to get a better look at the wrapper, and found it to be a very nice milk chocolate shade with minimal mottling and a nice velvety feel. The aroma from the wrapper was sweet and cocoa-y, along with a hint of coffee; the foot had more of an earthy note, but the wrapper was so powerful in aroma that it was actually hard to pick out the foot scents. The cold draw was easy and full of earthy and coffee flavors.
The initial puffs on the Mooch Maduro revealed a very earthy flavor with an underlying cocoa sweetness. There was a very little dash of pepper spice on the roasted nut retrohale. The first third of this review sample had a large void going down the middle, off to one side just enough to make a large canoe and cause the draw to be somewhat faulty. The first third ended up being quite earthy, but a little dull...and it made me wonder how much the construction problems were messing with the flavor. My first sample did not have these issues; I recall it being better tasting, but it still was not a flavor blockbuster.
Because of the construction issues that continued through the first third, the second third of the Mooch Maduro came along faster than I expected. On the plus side, the draw was noticeably better; on the minus side, the tunnel seemed to continue on. It seemed in some ways to be the inverse of the Entubar which has the pronounced center Ligero section...this one seemed to have no center at all. The flavor developed into more of a dark roast coffee, but still with earth and the mild sweetness of the Maduro leaf hanging around. Construction issues were a thing of the past in the last third and the Mooch Maduro continued to be very earthy with a strong overtone of dark coffee. The flavor was very good although not terribly complex. That fits in with the mission of this cigar...to be good and something you or your freeloading friends can enjoy, but to also be bargain priced, which usually prohibits any real complexity in a smoke. Despite the build problems on this sample, I enjoyed this and would definitely smoke it again. It was medium to full in body and about medium in nicotine strength, so if your needy guests are newer smokers, have some regular Mooch on hand. Otherwise...enjoy!
Body: 7/10
Strength: 5/10
Complexity: 4/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8/10
I look forward to giving this a try. I haven't had either of the Mooch. I've had the Entubar, & it's fantastic. My local B&M guy and I talked about these just a couple weeks ago. He said he'd look into carrying them.
ReplyDeletegreat reveiew guys, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you.
ReplyDeleteNick, I would love to know who your local B & M is so I can talk to them about carrying our cigars.
Keep puffin' guys,
Joey Oliva
Beerger & ARgenti
Hey, Joey. That'd be great. My local guy is Phil at The Smokestack in West Point, MS. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me posting his number. 662-494-5774
DeleteI have heard great things about these sticks although they arn't local I may have to search these out
ReplyDeleteI have heard great things about these sticks although they arn't local I may have to search these out
ReplyDeleteI've only had these in the Minnie size really enjoyed them. No construction or burn problems with the three I've smoked. That wrapper smells like a candy bar! I think the shop where I got them only carries the maduro, so I may have to track down the natural elsewhere.
ReplyDelete