Reviewers Wanted For Our Two New Blends!

Hello My Fellow Bums, we need your help.

We just launched our two new exclusive brand cigars for 2016 and we're looking for a few good bums to sample and evaluate them. If you're up for the challenge, leave a reply on this thread to throw your hat into the ring, and I'll select 3 reviewers randomly on Friday, 2.26. Each of the 3 chosen reviewers will then receive a package with 2 sample sticks of blend to test out. Reviewers can then report back and post their experiences with the new smokes here in a new thread on the Bum.

We just have a couple things that we ask of our Bum Reviewers:

1. We ask that you please format your findings in the traditional "3rds" style (1st 3rd, 2nd 3rd, last 3rd.)

2. We ask that you be thorough and report on all aspects of the smoking experience (burn, draw, flavor, strength, ash, etc.)


Here are links where you can check the blends out:

San Rafael - https://www.bestcigarprices.com/san-rafael-cigars/

Cirque - https://www.bestcigarprices.com/cirque-cigars/

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in trying, please leave a reply here. Thanks! :onthego:

Amateur reviewer here. What the heck, Jason, I'm in.

Well if Trent is an amateur then I am an aspiring apprentice to an amateur but I would love to try.

I'd love to give it a go

I'll throw my hat into the ring. Been smoking more more pipes than cigars lately, but the weather's getting nicer....

I can speak authoritatively on any subject :)

toss my name into the ring too!! i have Tuesday and Wednesdays off and would love to do more cigar smoking and especially more cigar reviews as well. thanks for this opportunity Jason

Count me in.

I will roll the dice too! Throw my name into the hat please

I'd like to be considered. Thanks for the opportunity

In, I am!

Sounds like a gas - in!

I'll put myself in for consideration!

Thanks for bringing this to the Bum! Awesome.

Put me in the game coach, I'm ready to play!

I'm in!

Thanks to all who volunteered their services. After seeing your enthusiasm to participate we've upped the number of reviewers to 4! And here are the chosen few:

1. Usafvet509

2. defetis

3. Cool Breeze

4. Upstatemax

Gentlemen, please PM me your shipping addresses so I can send out your samples. Again thanks to all who chimed in, if you were not selected, no worries - if this goes well we'll likely do it again soon. I'll post here again once the samples have shipped.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JasonBCP

Thanks to all who volunteered their services. After seeing your enthusiasm to participate we've upped the number of reviewers to 4! And here are the chosen few:

1. Usafvet509

2. defetis

3. Cool Breeze

4. Upstatemax

Gentlemen, please PM me your shipping addresses so I can send out your samples. Again thanks to all who chimed in, if you were not selected, no worries - if this goes well we'll likely do it again soon. I'll post here again once the samples have shipped.

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congrats guys cant wait to read the reviews!!!!

Looks like some excellent choices and I look forward to reading their opinions.

congrats to the lucky winners

Grats you guys!

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...pspbwiougv.jpg

That was fast, Jason!

Okay, as of today all samples have been shipped out. As you can see above, our testers have already begun to receive their packages. Trent let me know that he'll be letting his sticks rest a week before reviewing, which is not a bad idea. These are fairly new, and a bit of rest after receiving may help them settle from the transit. All other testers can feel free to do so as well.

When you do get around to posting your review, let's start a new thread for them. Thanks again for everyone's participation!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JasonBCP

Okay, as of today all samples have been shipped out. As you can see above, our testers have already begun to receive their packages. Trent let me know that he'll be letting his sticks rest a week before reviewing, which is not a bad idea. These are fairly new, and a bit of rest after receiving may help them settle from the transit. All other testers can feel free to do so as well.

When you do get around to posting your review, let's start a new thread for them. Thanks again for everyone's participation!

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Nice!

The resting issue was something I was about to PM you about.

If I'm also receiving two of each, I'll put one in the main humidor (67 RH) and one in the "dry box" (62 RH)

Yes, it's two of each. The split test also sounds like a good idea, good thinking!

received mine yesterday, will also be waiting a week or so before I give them a shot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Usafvet509

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...pspbwiougv.jpg

That was fast, Jason!

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like it was some insider tradin or somethin

Mine came today. Thanks a lot Jason.

I think I'll smoke one of each ROTT and then give the others a weeks rest or so and see what we get.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

Mine came today. Thanks a lot Jason.

I think I'll smoke one of each ROTT and then give the others a weeks rest or so and see what we get.

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Sounds good, Breeze, Looking forward to hearing your take!

I may not be able to review till the weekend.

I'm fighting a nasty Flu virus since Saturday and it has put my entire life on the sideline...

Today I smoked one of two San Rafael. I will smoke the other in a couple days and add to my review if I find any changes.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psxaivciql.jpg

This robusto has a clean double cap. Fairly tight pack. On the cold draw I get a lot of tobacco, leather and a pinch of cream maybe

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...pstklmieog.jpg

About one third of the way in, this cigar is putting off an above average amount of smoke. Flavors are mostly tobacco and leather. Strength is about a medium. No complaints

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psecwo1jla.jpg

Half the way through. Not a lot to report in the way of changes. Sometimes that is a good thing. The draw is perfect, burn is also as good as it gets. Strength has stayed right around medium. The smoke output has died down a little and a faint creaminess comes through on the end of the draw.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psqtyoc1uw.jpg

Smoked it down as far as I had time for. No changes in the last third.


Overall I liked this cigar for an everyday smoke. This is one of those that you can smoke and not have to think about. I like that.

Thank you Jason!!

Hey, thanks Defetis, nice job with the pics too. The San Rafael was intended, as you described, as a solid everyday cigar with better flavor than your average stick under $4.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JasonBCP

Hey, thanks Defetis, nice job with the pics too. The San Rafael was intended, as you described, as a solid everyday cigar with better flavor than your average stick under $4.

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I wasnt aware of the price point. In fact I make it a point when reviewing not to do any research. At $4 a stick these are a steal.

Glad you enjoyed it! The 5x50 size that I sent you guys as the samples are actually just $3/stick.

I've not had the pleasure of trying these BCP cigars yet, but their house brand portfolio has been really good from my experience. Glad to see this first one scored well. I look forward to trying at some point in time.

Today I smoked the Cirque

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psg4bokr4x.jpg

This is a lovely looking maduro coming in with a beautiful wrapper, clean double cap. Awesome pack with an easy cold draw of tobacco

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...ps2b8ajmuw.jpg

As i get into the first third I immediately note the awesome desert flavors that I love in a padron cigar. Its got a great balance of sweet to tobacco that I personally love!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...pstmfuswru.jpg

Half way through the love I have for this cigar continues. Its at a medium on strength and but the body of this cigar is amazing! At one point I swear I got chocolate cake. Whoever blended this cigar knew what they were doing and they deserve a standing O for the work here

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...ps7zjxuaeo.jpg

Not enough cigar makers do this ^ and i expect that to change immensely in the next year

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...ps2qv13rzc.jpg

As i work into the final third I cannot be happier. Not going to lie i brought a 2012 Cohiba Siglo 2 with me just in case and at this point that cigar was an after thought. Every draw lasts longer and longer on the tongue and you cannot get enough.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...pswrkvom9h.jpg

If Jason's goal was to get the word out about this cigar than applause is deserved. Like before I have no idea what kind of price point were are looking at here. For comparison, this cigar is like a padron 1964, Oliva V melanio, Many Caldwell Cigars I've had with the complexity of something you would expect from My Father Cigars. I cannot praise this one enough as a winner. If the cost is less than $6/stick on this one, Jason hit me up on info for a box please immediately. Mic drop. Im out

Wow! Thanks for the kind words, D. That's a ringing (or should I say Ringling) endorsement if I ever heard one! Awesome, glad you enjoyed it, and yes - that size (Strongman) comes out to be about $4.50/stick: https://www.bestcigarprices.com/ciga...ongman-228991/

Last night I smoked the Cirque. This is the one that I've had in the dry box.

Aroma off of the cigar is outstanding. Never smelled a cigar like this, sweet, sweet tobacco smell. Aroma was crisp and inviting.

First third was a very pleasant surprise. I got a lot of nutty and creamy flavors. Strength was low and flavor was high. Great way to get back into smoking after being forced into a break, thanks Flu...

This first third kept impressing. Loads of cream and nutty flavors swirling around with a bit of sweet chocolate coming in. No spice in the first third, cool easy draw. Re-reading my notes, I kept writing: "really, really nice".

Second third: Still a lot of cream, some of the nutty flavor has backed off and a slight spice has popped up in the after taste. More light chocolate has popped in, even a slight citrus flavor on occasion. End of the second third is starting to burn a bit hot, need to slow it down.

Final third: Cream is backing off and starting to get more of a bitter chocolate, sometimes an amaretto flavor slips in and fades quickly. starting to get too hot for my liking with about 1" left, so it's done for me. I'm not someone that usually nubs a cigar, I find they start to get too hot and bitter for me. This cigar lasted longer than usual for me.

Overall: I really, really liked this cigar. Lots of pleasurable nutty cream and chocolate flavors. Draw was near perfect, not too loose or tight. Razor sharp burn throughout entire cigar that required zero touchups or relights. VERY well constructed cigar. This cigar was not overly complex and did not offer a lot of flavor shifts. This is perfectly fine with me as I really enjoyed what flavors this cigar did present.

I would like to give a HUGE thanks to @JasonBCP for sending this my way. Very unique and pleasurable cigar. Can't wait to try and review the others!

Sorry for no pics, I forgot to grab my phone...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Upstatemax

Last night I smoked the Cirque. This is the one that I've had in the dry box.

Aroma off of the cigar is outstanding. Never smelled a cigar like this, sweet, sweet tobacco smell. Aroma was crisp and inviting.

First third was a very pleasant surprise. I got a lot of nutty and creamy flavors. Strength was low and flavor was high. Great way to get back into smoking after being forced into a break, thanks Flu...

This first third kept impressing. Loads of cream and nutty flavors swirling around with a bit of sweet chocolate coming in. No spice in the first third, cool easy draw. Re-reading my notes, I kept writing: "really, really nice".

Second third: Still a lot of cream, some of the nutty flavor has backed off and a slight spice has popped up in the after taste. More light chocolate has popped in, even a slight citrus flavor on occasion. End of the second third is starting to burn a bit hot, need to slow it down.

Final third: Cream is backing off and starting to get more of a bitter chocolate, sometimes an amaretto flavor slips in and fades quickly. starting to get too hot for my liking with about 1" left, so it's done for me. I'm not someone that usually nubs a cigar, I find they start to get too hot and bitter for me. This cigar lasted longer than usual for me.

Overall: I really, really liked this cigar. Lots of pleasurable nutty cream and chocolate flavors. Draw was near perfect, not too loose or tight. Razor sharp burn throughout entire cigar that required zero touchups or relights. VERY well constructed cigar. This cigar was not overly complex and did not offer a lot of flavor shifts. This is perfectly fine with me as I really enjoyed what flavors this cigar did present.

I would like to give a HUGE thanks to @JasonBCP for sending this my way. Very unique and pleasurable cigar. Can't wait to try and review the others!

Sorry for no pics, I forgot to grab my phone...

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Thanks, Frank! Glad you enjoyed it. I'd be interested in hearing how the non-dry box stick compares in terms of flavor. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to review these.

I smoked the dry boxed San Rafael today.

I hope you guys wanted an honest and forward review:

Aroma off this cigar is a heavy and excellent barnyard aroma. Very sweet and inviting. I did notice however that this cigar has a very disappointing flaw in its appearance, glue is all over the wrapper. I'll comment more on this later.

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/...psxtvmwxsj.jpg

The wrapper has a nice tooth to it and pleasant "rough" feel to it. Seams appear tight and pack feels solid.

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/...psivn2afix.jpg

First third: This cigar starts very well. Nice spice and black pepper heat mixed with a nutty and creamy flavor profile. So far this cigar is off to a great start. As I go through the first third the flavors shift around a bit to a dense woodsy and black coffee with that wonderful pepper and heat on the aftertaste that lingers for a good long time.

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/...psyqd5frsh.jpg

Second third: This is where the cigar starts to turn south for me. Into the second third, pretty much all flavors fall off and I'm left with a dry, burnt tobacco, ash flavor. I wonder if I let it get too hot. I let it cool down and I slow my draw. Same flavors, pretty big let down. I power through and keep it going. nearing the end of the second third I start to develop a weird burn and it requires a touch up. No big deal, it happens to some of the best cigars I have ever smoked. Flavor remains an ashy let down. At about the end of the second third the ashy flavor starts to fade and it starts to get some of the creamy, nutty flavor back. Not a lot, but it's hidden in there...

Second third: It keeps a very slight creamy flavor, but overall bland profile. at about an inch it starts to get hot and happily let it go out.

After the Cirque, I might have had too high expectations of this cigar. It was a very confusing cigar for me. It started SOOO well! A lot of flavor and it looked like an awesome follow up to the Cirque. But the highlights of this cigar started and ended in the first third. After that it almost became a chore to smoke. Honestly, the ONLY reason I did not put it out halfway through the second third is because this cigar was sent for me to review. I felt obligated to keep it going.

I might be a bit harsh on this cigar, and it might have a lot to do with the Cirque. The Cirque was such a damn good cigar that I feel like it set this San Rafael up for failure...

I was REALLY let down to see glue all over the wrapper. It just screams "I don't care". Once the cigar started so well, I was actually angrier about the glue, it's something that makes people pass on a good product. But by the time the second third hit me, I realized it was just the way this cigar was meant to be...

Again, I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being harsh on this cigar, but I feel like I should be honest. On the bright side, I do have another one sitting in the main humidor that I'm hoping does FAR better with more moisture. I really, really hope this one was just a dud. I had such a great smoke in the Cirque that I REALLY want it to carry over.

Once again, thank you for sending this over to review. I hope everyone sees this review for what it is, honest feedback. I would want the same if I were in your position. I will approach the second San Rafael with an open mind and treat it as if it was it's own cigar and I look forward to smoking it.

I paired this cigar with Michters US-1 Small Batch bourbon.

Frank, thank you for your honest evaluation. I'm curious to see if other reviewers also note the glue issue, as I hadn't seen that before on these particular cigars. I hope your 2nd experience with San Rafael proves to be a more positive one, as we intended for it to be a budget-priced cigar with character that exceeds its price point. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to weigh in on it!

Amateur reviewer. I'm in. Oops, too late I guess. Congrats to the winners.