EO No. 21
Monday, March 29th, 2010The EO No. 21 is a bundle cigar containing long filler tobacco. I was looking for a decent morning cigar at a low cost, and came across today’s review. EO (Erik Espinosa & Eddie Ortega) are responsible for some great cigars, like the Cubao and 601. When I came across the No. 21 at the Bonita Smoke Shop, I figured it would be worth a shot. Normally I drink coffee with a cigar like this, but for the review I did the usual water. Let’s see how it went…
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Panama/Honduran
Size: Toro 6 x 52
Price: Around $40.00 for a bundle of 21
Pre-smoke & Construction:
The light tan Connecticut wrapper looked a little rough, with a few medium sized veins here and there. It had a slight odor of wood and soil, as did the foot. The pre-light draw was a little loose, and had an earthy/woody flavor. Overall, the cigar was evenly packed and a little spongy when squeezed.
The burn required a few minor touch up’s, and the ash held for an inch.
Flavor:
The first third had a mild toasty nutty flavor. A very slight earthiness combined with a mild spice. As this third came to a close, the smoke took on a slight buttery creamy feel.
In the second third, the smoke volume increased. A buttery aftertaste coated the inside of the mouth for awhile after being exhaled. Like before, the main flavors were nutty with a toasty sensation. The spice increased in strength, but only a little bit.
Not a whole lot really changed in the last third. An increase of coffee notes and in increase in body to upper mild. But other then that, things were consistent.
Conclusion:
This was a pleasant mild to upper mild bodied cigar. The flavors were what I consider common for a Connecticut wrapped cigar. I was expecting a decent mild bodied cigar without a lot of complexities, and that’s what I got. I’ve smoked plenty of these in the morning with coffee, and it pairs well. If a mild cigar at an affordable price is what you are looking for, this one is worth a try.
