Guest Post: Uncle Bob’s Corner — Cigar of the Year Review

We have a special treat today, a guest post from the Honorable Tio Roberto, Uncle Bob of Uncle Bob’s Corner. Mr. Robert Riley, Jr. is the go-to tobacco guru at the Thunderbird Aficionado Cigar Lounge in Tacoma, Washington, USA. Tio Roberto also presides over a monthly cigar get-together, Uncle Bob’s Corner.

Today, Uncle Bob is reviewing the Cigar Aficionado Cigar of the Year. Since he does not (as yet) have a blog of his own, I am posting his review here at MEF. For those of you offended by tobacco products, stop reading now! Take it away Uncle Bob!

First puff

Starting out with a neutral earth and white pepper.  The retrohale is dominant pepper with a short finish. The earth note has evolved into a sweet wood. A dark cocoa has joined the party  and the pepper has faded into the background, even on the retrohale which is very pleasant.

Midway

This cigar is making me thirsty. Strange for a Nicaraguan puro. The pepper has faded further and can hardly be detected on the retrohale. It’s getting really smooth and elegant. There is a subtle but full body and the cocoa is getting sweeter.

At the band

A sweet wood dominates over a caramel which has taken the place of the cocoa. Strength is ramping up. Pepper has popped back in but this time on the lips. Out @ 9:10.

Tasting Notes:

I get a nice barnyard aroma aroma on the wrapper and a charred note on the foot. The pre-light draw reveals a sweet fudge brownie note. This is not the Cigar Aficionado “Cigar of the Year” size. It was a torpedo, but the ring gauge was close: 54 vs. 52. People forget that the Ageing Room Quattro came in second as the “Cigar of the Year” in 2013. The first place cigar was a Cuban.

Remember that girl who never wore makeup and sat in the corner at all the dances? She wore clothes that covered up all her features, but when you talked to her, she was perfect. This cigar is her.

Remember, this is a readily available ten-dollar stick just sitting on the shelf.

The first ash drop is at 8:00 PM, and the second ash drop follows at 8:15.

I find it amazing that A.J. Fernandez makes so many great cigars that taste nothing like an A.J. stick. The filler and binder are Nicaraguan tobacco, but the region s are not disclosed. I would certainly like to know, because it is a brilliant blend.

The third ash drop comes at 8:30 pm, and in my lap.

Bob Riley is a tobacconist and all-around good guy at the Thunderbird Aficionado Cigar Lounge in Tacoma, Washington. He is the genial host of Uncle Bob’s Corner, an informative and fun get-together for cigar lovers. Uncle Bob’s Corner happens on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM.