Rose of Sharon Desert Rose Lonsdale (VVRW#3)

[Mrcpt]

This is a relatively young stick, very young in fact; I only received it a couple weeks ago, so it hasn’t had too much resting time.. But I couldn’t resist, so here goes. I’d smoked the original Desert Rose a while back, and was impressed, so I figured I’d try this one. The wrapper is soft, buttery, and light, with a faint graham cracker smell. The pigtail doesn’t pull away well, so I had to use a cutter. 

At the light there is an initial spice and biscuit. This soon opens up to a nougat and shortbread. There’s also a black tea on the draw.  The finish is very short, but harsh; I think some proper resting will fix this next time. Halfway through the harsh finish disappears, but takes any finish whatsoever with it.  It does come back at the end of the second third, in a sugarcookie, which is nice. To finish off, there’s a slight saltiness in the final third.

I like to use a one to five scale to rate cigars: 1 - would not smoke again; 2 - would smoke again; 3 - would buy singles; 4 - would buy a box; 5 - go deep on boxes.  I would rate this cigar a 3:I really enjoyed this cigar. As far as non Cubans go, this was pretty impressive. I’ve got a whole cooler full of non Cubans that I’m trying to burn through while the Habanos rest & age, so I don’t see myself buying a box of these anytime soon. However, I’d happily smoke this in a situation where I can’t light up a Cuban, say, in a lounge in the states.  
 

[Ginseng]

53 minutes ago, Mrcpt said:

However, I’d happily smoke this in a situation where I can’t light up a Cuban, say, in a lounge in the states.  

This hasn't stopped me before.

Thank you for the review.

[Huckleberry]

Not a terrible cigar but it just never did much for me.  It was kind of light on everything to be honest.  Thanks for sharing your review.  I may revisit as I am lounge hopping in the future.