Cigar review: Buenaventura/BV 660
I knew nothing about this cigar. It was gifted to me by the eminent movie composer George Clinton who is an avid cigar guy, It looked interesting to me hanging in his humidor so I readily grabbed it when the offer was made. The cigar can be purchased by many of the online cigar dealers and perhaps in your local B and M too.
As always where and how I received the cigar does not impact my subjective judgement. I suggest if what I write interests you , grab one and smoke it.
Brand/Name of Cigar: Buenaventura/BV660
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size: 6 x 60
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Shape: Toro Gordo
Price: Box of 10, $52.50
Where and When Smoked: 5/20/2018
Appearance/Construction: This is a big boy, chunky, semi boxed pressed with a good-looking brown wrapper. Despite its heft, feels good in my hand with a semi oily feel. Appears well made with several small veins showing which is not a distraction.
Flavor/Taste and Aroma: Upon lighting , the initial hit offered me a burnt almond and hay offering. This was a pretty good start to the cigar.
The first third was mild to medium with the same flavor shot without any changes so it was making me feel pretty good.
The second third put a new flavor combo of mild spice and mint which gave it a mild kick to the taste.
The final third was a no go as the cigar became bitter, metallic and unpleasant which took the fun out of the smoke.
Smoking Characteristics: While the cigar handled itself pretty well, the final third developed an uneven burn line which might be the reason the flavor dropped as I mentioned earlier. No relight which was positive in such a big cigar. The ash was darkish grey with some black specks.
Conclusion/Overall Impression: The last bitter third made the smoke unsatisfying and made the experience a bummer. I was hoping the price point and the good flavor in the first two-thirds would create a strong finish but not the case.
Final Thoughts and the Numbers: The process of creating a cigar with a reasonable price point and flavor clearly is a tricky process. Cigar manufacturers strive to make good products for their consumers as that is the business they are in.
Sorry to say would not include the Buenaventura BV 600 in my humidor.
Appearance/Construction: 3.8 out o5
Flavor/Taste and Aroma: 2.5 out o5
Smoking Characteristics: 2.5 out of 5
Conclusion/Overall Impression: 2.9 out of 5
Keep smoking