La Estrella Cubana Oscuro

Wrapper: Costa Rica Maduro
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 50
My Strength Rating: 5.5

Off the light: deep earthy profile, slight bitter bite on the tongue

1 – 2 inch mark: the earthy profile mellows, a smooth dark roast coffee note starts develop, the ash is a fine tightly formed gray color, the holds on for the first inch and a half,

Mid-point: the earthy soil profile continues to dominate, the dark roast coffee is pleasing, the burn of the cigar is good, the ash is always firm and no flaking, the aftertaste is a slight burnt coffee taste,

Final two inches: still a smooth dark coffee and solid earthy profile, the roasted tobacco flavor maintains a good medium bodied smoke, the cigar did not develop any bitter notes on the final smoke.

Here are the tasting notes from CI: “Buttery smooth, creamy, silky smooth, dark chocolate, toast, espresso bean, chewy, hint of sweetness, mild-medium.”

To me I don’t get the ‘buttery smooth, creamy’ texture. I would call the texture chewy because of the burnt coffee note and the feel of soil left on the tongue. I cannot figure how they can call it silky and chewy at the same time. I am also missing that hint of sweetness.

Overall a good earthy, smooth dark coffee profile that comes across as a medium strength cigar.

Pairings: this cigar would be good to drink coffee with or enjoy a good stout or porter beer. A Meritage or Shiraz wine would be nice.