Vegueros Especial №1

[Kangaroo495]

Probably the strangest Cuban I've ever smoked. Was a single from 08, can't remember what month.

Construction: Spectacular. No veins, no inconsistencies, smooth colorado wrapper. The cap came off with no damage to the wrapper.

Pre-light: Aroma was weak, hard to determine. Pre-light draw was tobacco-ey with a slight methol taste.

Draw: 10/10. Absolutely perfect. HEAPS of smoke with each puff.

First 3rd: Mouthful of herbacious flavours to begin with. Not unpleasant, but extremely unusual. A little bit of mineral and (what seemed like) chemical flavours slightly noticeable. This mellowed down into tobacco-herb flavours by the end of the third.

Second 3rd: The herbs continued to mellow and a cocoa flavour crept in a little bit. Consistent tobacco flavour and aroma underneath. However, aroma was quite weak. Really started to enjoy the cigar by the end of this third. Cocoa-tobacco-herbs. No cream, no leather, a little bit of spice in the nose.

Last 3rd: Built in strength. Much more spice in the nose and a freshness - sort of like the scent of liniment. A lot more cocoa evident. Had to smoke this really slowly, as the unpleasant mineral taste would come through if I took big puffs. A tiny bit of cream showed itself. The cigar became more and more pleasant as I reached the last few centimeters.

Ash: Didn't hold for much more than about 5-6 cm. Can be expected from such a thin cigar

Burn: No touch ups.

Body: Medium

Time: 1hr 45min

Overall: Interesting experience. Bordered on unpleasant at times, but with the right smoking technique I was able to fully enjoy the flavours that the cigar had to offer. Would I buy a box? Still undecided - very borderline.

Score: 86

[MontrealRon]

Facinating review - many thanks!

I wonder if that wierd chemical elenent might be due to its youth,

some by-product of continuing fermentation.

All my experience with Vegueros has been with more aged examples.

one box of Esp. #2, plus many singles of the other three vitolas.

My general impression has been favorable,

and I have never experienced this unpleasant aspect.

But, as always with Cubans cigars, there are those mysteries that defy explanation...

[thechenman]

I've had a Esp. #2 sitting in my humidor. I've wanted to try it, but just haven't gotten around to thi sone. Have heard that they are strong. The wrapper is very greenish, which does not appeal to me, but who knows...the SLR Regios I have are like that too, and they have beeng great. Will have to give the Vegueros Esp. #2 a try. Thanks for the review Kanga.

[bunburyist]

Interesting review - I've often thought chemical/menthol/overly mineral aftertaste comes from dodgy storage or packaging at some point in the cigars life.

As far as my flavour ideal goes this sounds quite unpleasant, but good on you for a balanced review. There's something for everyone out there! I'll have to try one at some point, just to see for myself

[bunburyist]

EDIT: or of course a young cigar n dodgy tobacco