Cigar Review | Asylum Nyctophilia TAA Exlusive

Each year 80 retailers and select manufacturers get together for a mini convention; TAA. The Tobacconist Association of America retailers also get their fair share of limited edition releases, with one of them being Asylum Nyctophilia. The cigar is all maduro from wrapper to binder, to filler. Making this cigar a triple maduro available in a 5 x 50, 6 x 60, and 7 x 70.

The name is a reference to people who love the dark, and in this case the darkness is Asylum Nyctophilia.

Cigar: Asylum Nyctophilia
Size: 6 x 60
Wrapper: San Andreas
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Source: 2GuysCigars.com
Strength: Full

The Look: The dark San Andreas wrapper that adorns the monstrous 6 x 60 Nyctophilia is toothy with a coarse feel under the fingertips. The hefty cigar has a two band system with a charcoal and silver asylum logo, while the foot band is silver and black showcases the TAA Indian. The foot of the cigar is well packed and the cigar has no soft spots.

The Notes: The cold draw of the Asylum Nyctophilia has a sweet tobacco taste and some German chocolate while the nose of the cigar has a faint chocolate sweetness.

Once the cigar is lit there is a classic San Andreas flavor with some elements of chocolate and some dry wood notes with a touch of coffee. The aroma of the cigar stands out with some sweetness on the nose.

The second third of the Nyctophilia sees the cigar begin to shine with notes of barley, pretzels, coffee and rich German chocolate. The spice kicks things up a notch, but the aroma of the cigar really stands out.

The final third of the TAA Exlusive sees the strength kick it up a notch and the notes of chocolate remain as more of an after thought, as the primary note reminds me of a sour dough hard pretzel. There is also some chestnuts going on, with a hint of vanilla extract. The finish is moderate and the aroma lingers.

The Burn: The cigar has a thin combustion line that is razor-thin. The cigar burned even from first light to last puff and never needed to be relit. The light gray ash held on for more than a third at a time, and this could be a good cigar to use in a longest ash contest. The draw was perfect, with the right amount of resistance.

The Finish: When these cigars came in I said I would smoke and review the 7 x 70; but I just couldn't bring myself to do that. The 6 x 60 which I use to hate, wasn't a bade size to smoke, and I hate to admit it; but I enjoyed it. The cigar served up great notes, and the aroma of the cigar was outstanding. These are a cigar I feel will become sweeter with age, and I can't wait to visit it again in a few month.

Score: 93
Price: $6.29 / $157.99

Pix at: http://thecigarauthority.com/cigar-r...ctophilia-taa/
Order at: http://www.2guyscigars.com/brand/Asy...philia-Cigars/

Burning this one now, a 6x60. I would have had no clue it was a triple maduro, until reading your review. That's to say, while full-bodied, I don't find it too strong. It's quite yummy. I've never had a disappointing Asylum yet, and this is no exception.