H Upmann Propios 12DCRC

[sho671]

Preface: I didn't buy the Christmas Sampler, but when I saw that there was the opportunity to partake in a review comp I decided to try and source as many of the cigars as I could. Some cigars I had, some were from trades and others were prizes. For example, I got the Proprios as a "prize" from a European vendor who was running a beginning of the month spin-the-wheel promotion. For these reviews I'm trying to keep more detailed notes, so hopefully the reviews reflect that. 

Setting: Mid-morning on 12/11/20. Temp is low to mid-30's. Day started out grey and turned sunny with blue skies.

Paired with: Coffee (half dark roast and half medium roast, hazelnut creamer and three small dashes of sugar) and a glass of water.

Cut: Colibri V-Cut

Pre-light: Good draw. No notable flavors.

First Third: The initial light brought out some toasted coffee, then a woodsiness with a touch of pepper on the retrohale. Then I started to notice pepper and cedar notes on the tongue right before the transition into the second third. 

Second Third: The ash hadn't fallen off yet, but for some reason just around the start of the second third the draw opened up and there was better smoke production than there was previously. The tasting notes became a bitter cocoa/coffee different from the sweetened coffee I was drinking. Woodsy and earthy notes continue intermittently. At this point the clouds cleared out, the sun started shining and sky was blue. Just before the transition to the last third the ash fell off.

Last Third: The last third brought on an acrid bitterness. I purged the cigar, which helped but did not get rid of the acridity entirely. The smoke was thick after the purge and I got notes of wood and moss.

This was my first EL. Overall a pretty good cigar, but not sure I would seek it out.

2-3/5.