Felix Assouline Ringo Colt Review

1/11/2014

Cigar: Felix Assouline Ringo Colt
Size: 6.5” x 38rg
MSRP: $6.00
Rest: 13 days at 66% relative humidity

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Pre-light: The cigar is smooth. Minimal veins detract from the creamy, latte-colored Criollo wrapper. I immediately notice slight damage to the foot, as well as two hairline cracks, one at about 1/3 and the second at 2/3. My hope is that these fractures won’t expand and destroy my cigar as I smoke, instead act as helpful mile-markers for my notes. The wrapper is sweet smelling; clearly cocoa. The foot maintains the cocoa aroma, but adds a bit of cedar. The band is creative and clearly states Felix’s intent to create “a call to our Western heritage.” Cattle skulls, revolver pistols and a sheriff’s star decorate the thick band. I cut the head cleanly using a double guillotine, and the cold draw has a nice, even pull that is neither tight nor loose which fills my mouth with flavors of earth and cocoa.

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1/3: The light is easy on this small of a ring gauge, and toasts quickly, lighting without even needing to puff. The Box-Press fits comfortably in my hand and mouth. Pepper is prevalent at first, but it is not overly spicy, while there are undertones of earth with a hint of leather. Not a lot of smoke is being emitted from the foot of the cigar, but it comes to life when puffed on. Sweetness is left on the tip of my tongue. The spiciness is increased in the retrohale, and I notice my nose beginning to run. My eyes also watered-up a bit occasionally. As I proceed through the first third, I notice that the burn, albeit leaving gorgeously white, flakey ash, is a bit uneven. I try to finger-roll the cigar to even out the heat distribution a bit, but this task is not as easy/comfortable with a Box-Pressed cigar. The cigar seems to be more of a mild than medium to medium-full as cream and cocoa are detected. My first impressions are that the Ringo is not overly complex, but good none-the-less. I reach the first hairline split in the wrapper and to my pleasure, it burns away and doesn’t create a larger problem.

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2/3: The burn evens out as the cream and cocoa notes grow stronger and overpower the peppery spice. Also, more smoke is noticeable as I also pick up a woody flavor that I can’t quite place. Perhaps oak? Occasionally I get a kick in the nose from a blast of pepper, but for the most part, the second third stays sweet, and feels fuller than the first third. We have definitely moved into the realm of medium bodied. Still though, not much complexity besides the addition of more cocoa and that woodiness. Earth, cream, cocoa, wood and a touch of leather; like sipping a chocolate stout while riding a trusty steed westward. A sarsaparilla would be good right now… The second hairline split in the wrapper doesn’t even try to separate further.

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3/3: The imagery of horse-riding increases as the smoke feels and tastes a bit dusty. It’s not unpleasant. The pepper has nearly completely subsided and the flavor is almost predominately (dusty) leather and wood. A bitter grass taste is added as I am nearing the nub, and a purge intensifies this flavor. The cigar is still surprisingly cool as it nears my fingers. However, as it always goes, the bitterness increases at the very end, signifying that this time is over. I feel relaxed and can notice the nicotine content of the Ringo. Yes, you were right. It is medium to medium-full.

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Overview: A pleasant cigar with a burn time right around one hour. Not overly complex, but has a great assortment of flavors that do evolve as you smoke. It would be an excellent summertime smoke paired with something sweet like a root beer or shandy. Would I smoke again? Absolutely. There were a few cosmetic issues with the wrapper that I believe were done in transit. I call them cosmetic as they did nothing to impact the burn. Construction was sound, burn was acceptable and flavor was satisfying.

I’m throwing in a bonus-point category for the company itself. (I don’t care if it’s biased.) Michel is an awesome guy who had no problem speaking with me (a nobody, really) on the phone for over thirty minutes, explaining the company’s background and very clearly expressing his and the company’s passion for cigars. That is a major plus when you can speak with an executive, instead of a teenage customer service rep who is only in it for the paycheck. If I’m ever in Dania Beach, drinks are on me Michel.

Appearance: 8
Construction: 7
Flavor: 9
Value: 10
Overall Experience: 9
Company: 10

Total Score: 8.83/10

Your last para is very important to a guy like me. As important as the cigar is, the community that the cigar originated from can be just as important, as important as this Cigar Bum community is. I personally would rather pay a fella I know and like the money it takes to maintain my passion than a faceless entity. It makes you a part of that small company's experience, and much more important to them than you would be to, say, General Cigar Company! Point well taken, and great review, although I've never been able to parse a smoke like you do! Bottom line, you enjoyed the cigar...and it's one I'd like to try. Thanks for taking the time.