Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)
Sensei’s Sensational Sarsaparilla, a collaboration released by Espinosa Cigars in conjunction with Cigar Dojo, is returning. This time Sarsaparilla will be returning as an ongoing national release. The cigar launched at the 2021 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show.
Sarsaparilla made its debut in 2014 as was actually the second Cigar Dojo collaboration. Sarsaparilla was a very popular beverage in the old west and was often believed to be a remedy for a number of health conditions. Sarsaparilla is a drink that is still popular today because of its distinct and complex flavor. Cigar Dojo founder Eric Guttormson said the name was derived because the cigar exhibits the flavor of the beverage.
The original blend and original size for the Sarsaparilla also return. The blend features a San Andres Mexican wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigars come in one size – a 5 1/2 x 52 belicoso (there was a 6 x 50 size done in 2016).
While the original Sarsaparilla was packaged in bundles and sold through Famous Smoke Shop, the 2021 edition will be packaged in ten-count boxes and sold nationally at Espinosa retailers. The cigar will be an ongoing limited release with the first shipment is slated for August 20, 2021. Pricing is set at $10.00 per cigar or $99.95 per box.
Blend and Origin:
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Condega | Estelí)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Vitolas Offered:
Belicoso: 5 1/2 x 52
The cigar is well made and dark brown. It has an average or above feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were licorice, vanilla, brown sugar, nutmeg, and white pepper rated at 7. The lingering white pepper is already showing it's presence and it's nice. The flavor notes are somewhat like the sarsaparilla drink initially.
At the first third (39 minutes) another flavor associated with sarsaparilla appeared; wintergreen. It's primarily on the finish. The front end flavors are like they were initially; licorice, light vanilla, brown sugar, and nutmeg. The wintergreen is light on the finish with licorice and brown sugar. The lingering white pepper is pretty good. The cigar is medium bodied. The flavors are nice but very unusual. I rated the first third 92.
Moving through the second third (1 hour 2 minutes) I had light licorice, brown sugar, and a lot of an earthy black coffee. The finish is wintergreen and light nutmeg. The wintergreen is very prominent on the finish, not on the front end. The cigar jumped to full bodied in the second third. This cigar is quite different from other cigars I've reviewed. It almost catches you off guard. But due to the elevation of black coffee in the second third I rated the cigar 90 at this point.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 32 minutes. A good burn time. In the final third I had light licorice, nutmeg, light brown sugar, and wintergreen. It finally appeared on the front end. The finish is heavy wintergreen. There is a nice amount of lingering white pepper. The cigar is full bodied. The flavors in this cigar are very unique that will appeal to a lot of people but it didn't really grab me. I rated the final third 91. It made a slight improvement. Even though it's not something that I typically gravitate toward it's well worth trying. If you're looking for something out of the norm this is it.
No comments:
Post a Comment