Cu-Avana Intenso-first Impression
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010As the title suggests, this is the first and only time I have smoked a Cu-Avana Intenso. I found it in a cigar bomb that Mike from Mikes Stogies sent me. I did nothing to warrant such an act, but I’m not complaining. Thanks to Mike for the smokes! Check out his reviews now, I think you’ll like his style and approach. He is always looking for ways to improve.
Anyway, back to the cigar. I know nothing about the company or brand. The name leads me to think this will be a strong cigar (duh). So with a glass of water, I reviewed the Cu-Avana Intenso.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: ???
Filler: Nicaraguan & Panamanian
Size: Toro 6 x 52
Price: Around $5.00
Pre-Smoke & Construction:
When I looked at the wrapper, one word came to mind: Rugged. This isn’t a bad thing. There were good sized veins running throughout. The odor coming off of the wrapper and foot was a mild earthy natural tobacco smell. When squeezing the cigar, I found a couple tight spots. This probably accounted for a draw that was a bit snug. The pre-light draw basically a dark earthiness.
The ash held for just over an inch, and the burn requires quite a few minor corrections.
Flavor:
The first third started with simple earthy natural tobacco flavors. After about an inch, there was a sweetness that I couldn’t identify. When passing smoke through the sinus, there were woody notes with some pepper. The smoke volume was plentiful and the draw opened up as time went on. Simple but good.
The second third: Like before, the flavor profile was simple but good. The sweet peppery spice had a nice punch and wasn’t harsh. The core flavors were unchanged – earthy natural tobacco and notes of wood. As time went on, I realized the unidentified sweetness was similar to coffee with sugar.
The last third crept even further into the full bodied range. I had a decent nicotine buzz going for sure. The dominant flavor was sweet coffee combined with woodiness. When blowing smoke through the nose, there was a blast of pepper and a touch of earthiness. The aftertaste was a lingering sweetness.
Conclusion:
Yes, as the name implies, this is a good full bodied, full strength cigar. Sure, the flavors were simple, but they were good. This is not a cigar for a novice, but you full bodied smokers may appreciate this one. I think it meets the price point. Thanks again to Mike from Mikes Stogies for the smokes!