Monday, January 09 2012
Xen by Nish Patel Robusto
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size/Strength: 5" x 50 / Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut seed
Filler: CONFIDENTIAL
Binder: Nicaraguan
Presentation: Boxes of 20 cigars and 5-Packs
Appearance & Feel: Cuban-style box press. Wrapper was silky and even in color, and the tobaccos were well-packed.
Paired with: Svedka Citron Vodka & Tonic with splash of lime juice.
Cap: Well made and clipped nicely.
Pre-light: Spicy, but flavor-wise, nondescript.
Foot: Lit easily and evenly without having to apply too much flame.
Draw: Just right.
First puff: Smooth and creamy with a note of wood and a trace of sweetness.
Smoke: Creamy, woody and very aromatic.
Burn & Ash: Burn started out a little uneven in the first third, but not enough to complain. It eventually righted itself. Ash was mostly gray with a marble-like grain, and was semi-firm.
Aroma: Really up there. Very redolent, which added a lot to the experience.
Retrohale: More pepper than flavor, but not overpowering.
General Observations: Smoke was primarily woody, earthy and semi-sweet. As the cigar reached the midpoint, more spice emerged with a hint of coffee bean. The cigar was closer to medium in body than full, but the flavors were consistent and well balanced.
Summary: For his debut blend, I think Nish did a really good job. I would like to try a larger size like the Toro or maybe the chunkier Short Robusto for comparison. To be perfectly honest, I had a little palate burnout at the time I lit it up, so I may have missed a few things in terms of flavor. I think cigar smokers who like good Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a decent amount of strength, rich taste, and a marvelous aroma will appreciate the Xen selection.
Rating: ♦♦½
Rating scale
♦ = Fair to Midland
♦♦ = Good
♦♦♦ = Excellent
♦♦♦♦ = Outstanding
♦♦♦♦♦ = Extraordinary
See all Xen by Nish Patel cigars.
