Cigar Review: Leaf by Oscar
Several months ago I invited a friend to the Lone Wolf Cigar Lounge to have an afternoon Sunday smoke and as always there were other cigar friends at the lounge.
As the smoking session moved on, a fellow member of the Lone Wolf joined us and he brought out a very unusual looking cigar. I could not figure out what the cigar was about as it had a unique look to it. At first its appearance gave me the impression the cigar was truly beat up and somehow got mangled. Our friend noticed we were very curious what he was smoking and offered us one of our own to smoke.
As we discovered the cigar in question was covered by a tobacco leaf and when he removed it, there it was, a true looking cigar. As we spoke it was explained that the tobacco leaf was a way to protect the real cigar offering the same protection as a metal tube or cellophane . I wondered if this was a gimmick or had real value.
I held the cigar several months in my humidor as just recently took it upon myself to review it. As always, my judgment is based on what I think during the review and how and I receive the smoke does not color my thoughts. As it was a free smoke, this makes my vision ever so clear.
Country of Origin:
Honduras
Size:
6 x 60
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Honduran
Filler:
Honduran
Shape: Toro
Price:
App. $10.00 single
Where and When Smoked:
Los Angeles, Ca. 8/6/17
Appearance/Construction:
Not your average looking cigar at the first appearance as the stick is “protected” by a rustic looking leaf. The real goods are displayed when you unwrap the smoke. It is light brown in appearance, with several prominent veins in view. The cigar band is very cool looking, almost becoming part of the smoke itself.
Flavor/Taste and Aroma:
The initial impression was of mild pepper, wood, cedar and orange peel. I had an image of being in a forest hanging out in a lawn chair in a very rustic setting. The first third was generally mild but with a complexity that was unexpected. It tasted very good.
Smoking Characteristics:
It burned very cool with a light grey ash, stayed lit throughout the smoke and the ash was a vision of beauty. It was pretty impressive.
It mostly burned very evenly and the second third was a bit different as some spice kicked in, mostly a stronger version of the pepper theme.
As the smoke entered the third phase, the flavor remained constant and the mix of pepper, orange peel and wood . It never gave any hint of being bitter or harsh.
Conclusion/Overall Impression:
The product was a high quality , well crafted cigar with no weak points. When you take away the unusal presentation it would still be a cigar of note.
Final Thoughts and the Numbers:
I am not sure if the protective tobacco leaf added any value to the smoke, but it was certainly a conversation starter. I would reccomend this cigar to anyone who appreciates a well designed cigar with no harsh edges and very flavorful.
Appearance/ Construction; 4 out 5
Flavor/Taste and Aroma: 4 out 5
Smoking Charactereristics:
4 out of 5
Conclusion/Overall Impression;
4 out of 5
Keep smoking