HdM Epicure #1UEB JUL 18(LOTRRW)

[Jackdani7401]

For me, the corona gorda is my favorite vitola. There are just so many, across multiple different marcas, that are just sublime. Mag46, PunchPunch, JL1 and the list goes on. I’m still kicking myself for forgetting about the SLR Serie A 50 cab on BR over the holidays🤦‍♂️

soapbox done….onto the Epi#1

cold draw: slightly firm and tight, but nothing requiring me to try and open it up. Not getting a lot here outside of the tobacco and a slight toasted milk….kinda like comparing skim to whole milk. 
First 3rd: Maybe it’s this stick, or the box, or the age, but everything I’m getting is very subtle and delicate. One puff it’s there, the next, gone. Nice baking spices, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg with a French toast aspect. Flavors are med-full with overall strength is light-mild. 
Middle 3rd: baking spices intensify and become  more rich and linger longer after exhale. The French toast note starts to slip away and is replaced by a very light flowery/citrus note, almost like all the flowers of citrus trees combined into one note. 
Final 3rd: The citrus flower is gone and the French toast returns. It returns with a much sweeter presence, like someone has not added maple syrup to the French toast. The baking spices have remained constant and upfront with the other flavors playing around in the background. 
Final thoughts and score: This one had my attention for the entire time, mainly because I was trying to figure out what was going on in the background. Things started out slow but everything ramped up as time went on. I don’t think it ever plateaued, flavors just kept getting more intense until I had to put the nub down.
 

This ring gauge and length provides the perfect level of satisfaction. Straight corona’s(43x5.25”) just leave me wanting a little more time and robusto grande/extra(50x6”+) require quite the time commitment. Not that this doesn’t have its place in life, but those moments are definitely presented less often. 91/100

Sorry for the lack of during photos, might have been 1 too many Guinness’s consumed😂😂